Treasure Park - North

Overview Treasure Park North sits along the scenic Swift Trail in southern Arizona. The picturesque mountain meadow setting provides an escape from the desert heat and opportunities for viewing wildlife and wildflowers, as well as group camping, hiking, mountain biking and picnicking. 

The location boasts an interesting history. Legend has it that a treasure of stolen gold and silver was buried here by a band of outlaws in the 1850s. They reportedly marked the site with a triangle formed by three colored granite stones, though no buried treasure was ever found.

Recreation The campground lies along the Swift Trail Scenic Drive, which takes visitors from the Sonoran Desert at 2,900 feet to alpine meadows and forest on the 9,000+ foot ridges of the Pinaleño Range. Because of its diverse habitat, the area is well-known for birding and wildlife watching.

The Swift Trail provides access to a number of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails, along with several other campgrounds that invite you for an afternoon picnic. A trip up to Rigg’s Lake, stocked with trout by Arizona Game & Fish, or to the Columbine Visitors Center could make a worth-while day trip as well. 

Facilities Treasure Park North can accommodate a single group of up to 100 people at a time. The site is equipped with picnic tables, a group campfire ring with grill, a parking area and a drinking water spigot nearby, with water available seasonally. Dead-and-downed firewood may be collected in and around the campsite.

Note: There are no toilets on site. One portable/self-contained toilet is required for every 15 people.  

Natural Features This site lies within the mixed conifer area of the Pinaleño Mountains at an elevation of 9,000 ft. The high elevations makes this area very pleasant in summer compared to the heat of lower deserts. 

The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.

Nearby Attractions The Mount Graham Wilderness Study Area, which includes the 10,720-foot Mount Graham, the tallest mountain in southern Arizona. Columbine Visitors Center, Riggs Lake, and a variety of trails can be accessed along the Swift Trail Scenic Drive. 

The town of Safford is approximately a 1 hour drive from the Treasure Park campground, heading north on SR 191. Safford is home to our Ranger Station, where you can go to find information about trails, camping, hunting and fishing, and other questions you may have about our district (open Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm).

Charges & Cancellations Please review the Rules & Reservations Policies page on recreation.gov

From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 6 miles. Turn right onto State Route 366/Swift Trail and travel 23 miles to the Treasure Park Campground entrance (MM 137), following the loop road to the North campsite.

From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 east for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford. Drive 26.3 miles north and turn left on State Route 366/Swift Trail. Continue for 23 miles to the Treasure Park Campground entrance (MM 137), following the loop road to the North campsite.