Burro Creek Canyon Overlook

What makes Burro Creek special is simply that it flows. In this stretch of west-central Arizona, most washes run only after rain, but Burro Creek carries water year round, fed by springs and a large watershed in the surrounding highlands. That reliable water has cut a rugged canyon into the desert rock and supports a green corridor of cottonwood, willow, and other water-loving plants utterly unlike the dry hills around it.

The creek and its canyon form an oasis for wildlife. Birds gather in the streamside trees, desert animals come down to drink, and the water sustains fish and other creatures found nowhere else in the immediate desert. For the traveler, the sight and sound of running water in such dry country is a small marvel, and the swimming holes below the bridge are a favorite way to cool off.

The most striking human landmark here is the Burro Creek Bridge, a graceful steel arch that carries US 93 across the canyon high above the creek. When the original span was built in the mid-twentieth century, it was a notable engineering achievement, a soaring arch leaping the gorge in a single bound, and a companion span was later added to carry the widened highway.

From the bridge and nearby pullouts, travelers get a fine view down into the canyon and along the green line of the creek. The graceful curve of the steel against the raw desert rock is a scene worth pausing for, and it marks the spot where the otherwise featureless highway crosses one of the region's hidden gems.

Burro Creek is known among desert lovers for its spring wildflowers. The area's mineral-rich soils, tied to the copper country nearby, can produce spectacular displays when winter rains have been generous, carpeting the hills and washes with color. Poppies, lupines, brittlebush, and a host of other desert blooms transform the landscape for a few brief weeks.

Even in ordinary years, spring brings the desert to life around the creek, with blooming cactus and flowering shrubs. The combination of running water, green canyon, and seasonal wildflowers makes spring by far the best time to visit, drawing photographers and naturalists who know that this quiet spot along the highway can put on a remarkable show.

Burro Creek lies in one of Arizona's emptier corners, the high desert country traversed by US 93 on its way between the Phoenix area and the Colorado River and Las Vegas beyond. The nearest settlement is Bagdad, an old and still-active copper mining town tucked in the hills to the east, one of the last true company towns in the state.

The surrounding land is rugged and thinly settled, a country of desert grassland, rocky ranges, and long views, rising toward the higher plateaus to the north. Against that backdrop of empty distance, the green oasis of Burro Creek stands out all the more, a reminder that even the driest-looking country hides pockets of water and life for those who stop to look.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Burro Creek Canyon Overlook, along US Highway 93 between Wickenburg and Kingman in western Arizona, offers a scenic look at the rugged canyon carved by Burro Creek as it winds through the desert. A refreshing stop on a long desert highway, the area features dramatic canyon views, a historic bridge spanning the creek, and a nearby campground and recreation area where a rare desert stream supports greenery, wildlife, and, in spring, colorful wildflowers. Peaceful and picturesque, it provides a lovely desert pull-off and a gateway to hiking and exploring the Burro Creek country.

You can take in the scenic canyon and bridge views from the overlook, camp at the pleasant Burro Creek campground beside the desert stream, hike and explore the surrounding desert, wade or relax near the creek, watch for wildlife and birds drawn to the water, and, in spring, enjoy vibrant wildflower displays for which the area is known. Rockhounding is also popular nearby. The combination of canyon scenery, a desert creek, camping, and springtime blooms makes Burro Creek a refreshing and rewarding stop in the western Arizona desert.

The cooler months from fall through spring are the most comfortable for exploring, camping, and hiking, with spring especially rewarding for the area's famous wildflower blooms and the creek at its fullest, while summer brings intense desert heat, so early activity and plenty of water are essential then. Winter is mild and pleasant. For the best combination of comfortable weather, flowing water, and colorful blooms, spring is a particularly wonderful time to visit this scenic desert canyon and creek.

The desert heat is a real hazard, especially in summer, so carry plenty of water, use sun protection, and limit strenuous activity to cooler hours. Watch your footing on rocky terrain near the overlook and canyon, keep back from steep edges, and supervise children. If wading in the creek, be cautious of slippery rocks and changing water levels, and heed weather since desert washes can flood during storms. Bringing supplies is wise, as services are limited along this stretch of highway. Basic desert caution keeps a visit safe.

The overlook is along US Highway 93 in western Arizona, on the scenic route between the Old West town of Wickenburg to the southeast and Kingman, the Heart of Route 66, to the northwest, with the desert wilderness and the road toward Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam beyond. That makes the Burro Creek Canyon Overlook a refreshing scenic stop to combine with Wickenburg, Kingman and its Route 66 attractions, and the desert landscapes of western Arizona on a road trip through the region.