Gillespie Dam Bridge
Gillespie Dam is a concrete gravity dam over the Gila River off of the Old Highway 80 between the towns of Buckeye and Gila Bend. Water birds are usually present here in very large numbers, both regular and rare. Ospreys, American White Pelican, and Belted Kingfishers are common in the winter months. Tamarisk forest surround this area that attract passerine migrants in season, and there is a rocky slope on the east that is good for Rock Wrens. Cliff swallows nest under the bridge and you might hear Ridgway’s Rail in nearby cattails. Rarities such as Red-necked Grebe, Roseate Spoonbill, and Black Skimmer have been found here. The area may be scanned from the interpretive center or by walking down along the river, north of Old US 80.
Site Information
Region: Phoenix and Central
County: Maricopa
Directions: Along Old Highway 80 between mile markers 22 and 23. Parking on the roadside.
Latitude: 33.229361
Longitude: -112.767306
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: None
Habitats: Agriculture or Cropland, Desert, Marsh or Wetland, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
There is a ramp to get to the lookout, but no designated handicap access trail to go down to the dam.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Rare: LeConte’s Thrasher
Speciality: Abert’s Towhee, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Costa’s Hummingbird, Gilded Flicker, Harris’s Hawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Lucy’s Warbler, Ridgway’s Rail, Sagebrush Sparrow
Charismatic: American Kestrel, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-throated Sparrow, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel’s Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Greater Roadrunner, Lesser Goldfinch, Lesser Nighthawk, Loggerhead Shrike, Phainopepla, Ruby-crowned Kinglet , Verdin, Vermilion Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, White-winged Dove, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Contact Information
Arizona Department of Transportation
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L280701
Additional Resources:
History of Gillespie Dam Bridge
Hiking Gillespie Dam Bridge
