To protect the sensitive natural and cultural resources as well as allow for public recreational use within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, you are required to comply with the following rules:
Day Use/Overnight Camping Overnight camping is allowed in backcountry areas, but not in parking areas. Permits are required for overnight camping and are available seven days a week from the "self service pay stations" at all visitor parking areas. Camping is limited to seven consecutive nights in any one location, unless otherwise authorized. Day use throughout the NCA is free; no permit is required. Commercial operators are required to secure special authorization prior to their planned visit. Remember to leave a clean camp. Pack it in, and pack it out.
Woodcutting/Campfires Cutting of any standing tree or brush is prohibited. However, dead wood lying on the ground can be used for campfires in designated areas. We encourage you to use portable campstoves instead of open campfires.
Firearms/Hunting Target shooting and "plinking" are prohibited in the entire National Conservation Area at all times. For safety reasons, all public lands within one-quarter mile of developed facilities are closed to the discharge of firearms at any time during the year. In addition, the area between Charleston Road and Highway 92 is closed to the immediate possession or discharge of firearms during the entire year.
Firearms possession and discharge for regulated hunting as authorized by the State of Arizona is permitted in the area north of Charleston Road and in the area south of Arizona Highway 92 to the Mexican border from September 1 to March 31. All Arizona Game and Fish Commission regulations relating to hunting and firearms use apply in the area during this period.
Bow hunting is permitted throughout the National Conservation Area during all established seasons.
Trapping is prohibited.
Fishing Fishing is permitted throughout the NCA, subject to Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations. Adults must have a valid fishing license in their possession at all times.
Mining/Prospecting All forms of prospecting and mineral removal, including recreational panning and sluicing, are prohibited.
Pets Pets must be leashed at all developed facilities and in other posted areas.
Horses Horses are allowed within the NCA, except where posted near historic sites. Group size is recommended to be no more than 10 horses.
Vehicles The use of vehicles and mountain bikes is permitted only on designated roads. Cross-country and off-road-vehicle travel is prohibited throughout the NCA. There are signs along all designated roads. BLM maps and brochures showing the designated roads can be obtained at parking areas and at BLM's administrative offices.
Metal Detectors Metal detectors may not be used anywhere within the NCA. Removal of historic and prehistoric artifacts (including bottles, cans, arrowheads, pottery' bone fray meets, etc.) from all public lands is illegal.
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