Fish Creek Canyon, near Apache Lake in the Superstition Mountains, is a great riparian canyon with boulder-strewn gorges and tree-lined creek beds. Dropping hundreds of feet down into a convergence with the Salt River, Fish Creek is an important source of water in this dry climate. During the dry months, pools of water are scarce and flocks of different animals flock to partake of the watery oasis.
The canyon actually is divided into two parts, with a boulder strewn riparian area on the upper half of the canyon as far as you can trek in a day, and a lower canyon that has a deep canyon and convergence with the Salt River.
To Access: Take Hwy 60 out to Apache Trail and travel north. Drive out Hwy 88 past Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flats till the road descends a large downhill to a bridge. This is Fish Creek.
Hiking both up and down the river from the bridge will bring different results since they are separate environments. The upper enjoys a more riparian feel with pools, watery alcoves and falls . The lower has high canyon walls
and eventually runs into the lake and the river.
TIP: These are full riparian zones, complete with all the creepy crawlies that you would expect including: black-tailed and diamondback rattlesnakes, scorpions, ect. Please be aware of where you are at all times and respect these wild surroundings.