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Battle of Big Dry Wash Memorial

Explore the site of the Battle of Big Dry Wash, a key conflict in the Apache Wars, in a landscape little changed since 1882.

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Commemorate the site of the Battle of Big Dry Wash, a significant engagement in the Apache Wars, fought on July 17, 1882. This historical landmark offers a glimpse into the past, marking the location where U.S. Army troops clashed with White Mountain Apache warriors.

A brief summary to Battle of Big Dry Wash

  • 39157 Old Rim Rd, Payson, Arizona, 85541, US

Local tips

  • The road to the memorial can be rough; consider a vehicle with higher clearance.
  • Bring water and sun protection, as the area can be exposed and dry.
  • Take time to read the monument inscription to understand the battle's context and significance.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Payson, head north on AZ-87. Continue past the AZ-260 turnoff, and turn right onto Rim Road/FR 300. Follow FR 300 for approximately 12 miles to the Battle of Big Dry Wash historical marker. The last few miles on FR 300 can be twisty and bumpy, consider a vehicle with higher clearance. Parking is available at the historical marker.

  • Walking

    From the General Springs Cabin, walk a 1/4 mile up FR 705 to Rim Road/FR 300. Turn left onto Rim Road/FR 300 and walk for a short distance to the Battle of Big Dry Wash historical marker. Be cautious of vehicle traffic on Rim Road/FR 300.

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Discover more about Battle of Big Dry Wash

The Battle of Big Dry Wash Memorial marks the location of a pivotal battle in the Apache Wars, fought on July 17, 1882. This encounter between the U.S. Army's 3rd and 6th Cavalry Regiments and a band of White Mountain Apache warriors, led by Na-tio-tish, is considered the last major battle between the U.S. Army and the Apaches in the Arizona Territory. In the spring of 1882, a group of Apache warriors, dissatisfied with reservation life, united under Na-tio-tish and began raiding settlements in the Tonto Basin. These actions prompted the U.S. Army to dispatch fourteen companies of cavalry to pursue the warriors. The battle occurred when the Apache set an ambush near a fork of East Clear Creek, but were discovered by Army scouts. The memorial itself provides a place for reflection on the events that transpired. A stone monument, erected in the 1930s, stands at the southern edge of the canyon, detailing the battle and listing the names of the soldiers and scouts involved. The surrounding landscape, characterized by heavy pine forests and a rugged canyon, remains largely unchanged since 1882, offering visitors a tangible connection to the past.

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