Escape to the Lakes: Peaceful Hikes Near Safford

You asked us to find great hiking trails outside of Tucson, so TAT went exploring! Last spring, we headed west to Yuma to hike three scenic trails. This summer, we traveled east to Safford in Graham County, where we discovered two beautiful state parks—and two delightful hikes that many Tucsonans have yet to experience.

Our adventure centered around Roper Lake State Park, and its nearby subunit, Dankworth Pond State Park. Together, they offered the perfect combination of easy hiking, relaxing lakeside views, and a peaceful overnight getaway.

Relaxing at Roper Lake

We reserved an accessible camping cabin at Roper Lake State Park for two nights, which turned out to be the perfect home base. On our first evening, we stretched our legs with a walk along the Hacienda Loop, an easy trail that follows the shoreline of Roper Lake and connects the park's campgrounds with its day-use areas. It was the perfect introduction to the park, with calm water, mountain views, and a peaceful atmosphere. The next morning, we set out early to hike the Mariah Mesa Trail. The climb rewarded us with sweeping 360-degree views of Mt. Graham to the west and Roper Lake to the north. We found a bench at the summit and watched shadows drift across the valleys below. After the hike, the rest of the day was spent relaxing under a ramada at the Island Day Use Area, reading in camp chairs, cooling off with a swim, and watching boats on the lake.

Discovering Dankworth Pond

On our final morning, we drove just a few miles south to Dankworth Pond State Park.

There, we hiked the trail to the archaeological site of Dankworth Village, where remnants of the area's history add another layer of interest to an already scenic walk. We completed the hike with a loop around Dankworth Pond, watching visitors fish in the still water. The hike was short enough that we had plenty of time to return to our cabin for a quick shower before checking out and making the drive back to Tucson.

A Getaway Worth the Drive

If you're looking for a hike that's more about quiet beauty than crowds, the Safford area delivers. Between the lakeside trails, mountain vistas, comfortable camping cabins, and opportunities to simply slow down, Roper Lake and Dankworth Pond make an ideal weekend escape. And did we mention the stars? Away from the city lights, the night sky is absolutely unforgettable.

Hike on! TAT Team