Coon Bluff
This area has a good variety of habitats from sandbars to mesquite woodlands to rocky cliffs. A trail leads upstream to river access. At the picnic area, see common desert birds like Phainopepla and Vermilion Flycatcher. Also wintering species such as Western Bluebird, Gray Flycatcher, and sometimes Brown Creeper. Common Mergansers frequent the river.
Nighttime birding is productive for Western Screech-Owl, Elf, and Great Horned Owls; Common Poorwill and Lesser Nighthawk. Desert nesting Bald Eagles are often seen flying in the area.
Site Information
Region: Phoenix and Central
County: Maricopa
Directions: From Mesa, travel 7 miles east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to Power Road /Bush Highway/Forest Road (FR) 204 and turn north. Follow Bush Highway for 11 miles to FR 169, and turn left. Follow FR 169 one mile to the site. The entire route is paved.
Latitude: 33.5471399
Longitude: -111.645457
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: $8.00 Tonto Daily Pass, Discovery Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass
Best time to visit: Spring, Fall, Winter
Habitats: Desert, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Coon Bluff is a popular river-access point (RAP) for tubers floating the Lower Salt River. It’s close proximity to the main cities allows for an easy escape and fun day-trip.
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
Speciality: Abert’s Towhee, Bendire’s Thrasher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Canyon Wren, Common Black Hawk, Costa’s Hummingbird, Elf Owl, Gilded Flicker, Harris’s Hawk, Hooded Oriole, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Lucy’s Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia, Zone-tailed Hawk
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 , Summer Tanager, Verdin, Vermilion Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, White-winged Dove, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Contact Information
Tonto National Forest - Mesa Ranger District
US Forest Service
5140 E Ingram Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
Phone: 480-610-3300
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/null/recarea?recid=35403&actid=34
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L190925
Additional Resources:
Bald Eagle seasonal closures on the river - December 1 to June 30
