Clifton ArizonaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Clifton, Arizona.
1. Coronado Trail
HISTORIC SCENIC BYWAY
The Coronado Trail is one of the great classic rides in the nation, connecting Clifton to Alpine with spectacular roadway that retraces the steps of Spanish Conquistadors from the 1500s. Visitors can enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Southwest while traversing this iconic route. The curves, vistas, and wildlife along the Coronado Trail make it a bucket-list trip for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
2. Greenlee Historical Museum
LOCAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Greenlee Historical Museum is considered one of the state's best small historical museums, offering visitors insight into Clifton's rich mining history. The museum preserves the remarkable testimony of Clifton's heyday as a Victorian-era mining boomtown. Visitors can explore exhibits about the dramatic cycles of boom and bust that shaped this unique frontier town's character and multiethnic workforce.
3. Chase Creek Historic District
VICTORIAN MINING ARCHITECTURE
Chase Creek Historic District invites visitors to take a walking tour of the well-preserved turn-of-the-century downtown area. This historic street features buildings that showcase Clifton's past as a thriving mining community with a fascinating multicultural history. While exploring Chase Creek, visitors might even spot Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep peering down from the cliff behind the street.
4. Clifton Cliff Jail
NOTORIOUS HISTORIC PRISON
The Clifton Cliff Jail is one of Arizona's most notorious historic prisons, carved directly into the cliff face. This unique detention facility has become a popular attraction for history enthusiasts and those interested in the town's wild frontier days. Paranormal enthusiasts might be interested to know that this location was featured in A&E's 'Ghost Hunters' series which investigated reports of supernatural activity at this historic jail.
5. Sacred Heart Catholic Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Sacred Heart Catholic Church stands as a significant religious landmark in Clifton with a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors. The church represents an important part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of this diverse mining community. Its architecture and history offer insights into the religious traditions that have been maintained throughout Clifton's tumultuous past.
6. Clifton Social Club
HISTORIC COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE
The Clifton Social Club has long served as an important community gathering place in this historic mining town. Visitors can experience a slice of local culture and potentially hear stories about Clifton's colorful past from locals. The venue represents the social fabric that has helped maintain community bonds through the town's cycles of prosperity and hardship.
7. The Shovel
MINING INDUSTRY MONUMENT
The Shovel stands as a monument to Clifton's deep connection to the copper mining industry that shaped the town's destiny. This industrial artifact serves as a reminder of the labor and engineering that went into developing the area's natural resources. Visitors can appreciate this symbol of the hard work that built Clifton while learning about the town's economic foundations.
8. #8 Locomotive
HISTORIC RAILWAY ENGINE
The #8 Locomotive, also known as The Copperhead, represents Clifton's important railway heritage that connected this remote mining town to the wider world. This preserved steam engine offers visitors a glimpse into the transportation infrastructure that made mining operations possible in this challenging terrain. Railway enthusiasts and history buffs will appreciate this tangible connection to Clifton's industrial past.
9. Train Depot
HISTORIC RAILWAY STATION
The Train Depot in Clifton stands as a well-preserved reminder of the town's connection to America's railway network. This historic station once served as a vital transportation hub for both people and the copper that made the town prosperous. Visitors can appreciate the architectural details of this structure while imagining the bustle of activity that would have surrounded it during Clifton's heyday.
10. Clifton Hotel
HISTORIC HAUNTED LODGING
The Clifton Hotel offers guests the opportunity to spend a night at a national historic landmark with reported paranormal activity. This historic lodging was investigated by A&E's 'Ghost Hunters' series in 2019 as part of their exploration of reportedly haunted locations in what they called 'Terror Town.' Beyond its supernatural reputation, the hotel provides a tangible connection to Clifton's Victorian mining town past.
11. Chase Creek Boarding House
HISTORIC LODGING SITE
The Chase Creek Boarding House stands as a reminder of the accommodations that once housed workers and visitors during Clifton's mining boom. This historic structure was notable enough to be investigated by A&E's 'Ghost Hunters' for reported paranormal activity. Visitors interested in both history and the supernatural may find this site particularly intriguing as they explore Chase Creek's historic district.
12. San Francisco River
SCENIC WATERWAY TRAIL
The San Francisco River offers visitors to Clifton opportunities for outdoor recreation along its scenic banks. This waterway is ecologically significant as the believed migration route that brought Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep to the area in the 1960s. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing along this river that has shaped both the natural landscape and the human history of Clifton.
13. Black Hills Byway
DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN ROUTE
The Black Hills Byway offers travelers through Greenlee County a dramatic mountain route with stunning vistas and natural beauty. Driving this scenic byway, visitors can experience the diverse ecosystems and rugged terrain that characterize this remote corner of Arizona. The route provides numerous opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing, and connecting with the natural environment that surrounds Clifton.
14. Eagle Creek
WILD BACKCOUNTRY STREAM
Eagle Creek and the Grand Enchantment Trail present adventurous visitors with opportunities for genuine wilderness experiences near Clifton. This backcountry stream flows through remote terrain that offers hikers, backpackers, and nature lovers a chance to explore unspoiled natural areas. The creek's pristine waters and surrounding wilderness represent the type of real adventure opportunities that have disappeared from most of southern Arizona.
15. Blue River
PRISTINE WILDERNESS WATERS
The Blue River offers outdoor enthusiasts access to one of Arizona's most pristine wilderness waterways not far from Clifton. This remote river provides opportunities for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and immersion in relatively untouched natural environments. Visitors seeking to escape the heat and crowds of more developed areas will appreciate the Blue River's cool waters and wild character that exemplify Greenlee County's appeal to adventure seekers.