Gila River
From the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico the river runs west past Safford, through San Carlos Lake, skirts the south side of metro Phoenix, and crosses the desert past Gila Bend to the Colorado at Yuma.
Course of the river, simplified. Map data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Weather at the Gila River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | 649 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | East and West forks meet in Grant County, New Mexico |
| Mouth | Joins the Colorado River at Yuma, Arizona |
| States | Arizona, New Mexico |
Coolidge Dam forms San Carlos Lake; Ashurst-Hayden Diversion Dam and Painted Rock Dam also cross the river.
Boat ramps, launches and bait shops
Detailed ramp, bait shop and lock-and-dam listings for the Gila River are coming soon. Until then, these searches open Google Maps along the river:
- Boat ramps on the Gila River in Arizona ↗ · Bait shops near the Gila River in Arizona ↗
- Boat ramps on the Gila River in New Mexico ↗ · Bait shops near the Gila River in New Mexico ↗
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
- Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish Department ↗
- New Mexico: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish ↗
Facts from Gila River (Wikipedia) ↗