Dankworth Pond

What to expect

Some hot spring lists include “Dankworth Ponds Warm Springs” as if it were a place to soak. It is not. Dankworth Pond is a day-use unit of the Arizona State Parks system, about 3 miles south of Roper Lake in the Gila Valley south of Safford. The warm water is real, but it disappears into a 15-acre fishing pond rather than a tub or pool.

The pond is man-made. The Dankworth family ran the property as a commercial catfish farm, with several ponds at one time, and later as a private catfish fishing lake. A DesertUSA profile of Roper Lake State Park says an artesian spring averaging about 95°F35°C feeds the pond. Arizona State Parks bought the property in 1975, and its own pages say the Dankworth unit opened as part of Roper Lake State Park in 1982. The park now presents it under its own name, Dankworth Pond State Park, with an address of 8600 US 191.

What you get today is about 150 acres of desert and riparian ground around the pond. There are picnic areas looking up at Mount Graham, the big peak on the valley skyline, along with a fishing shoreline and the Dos Arroyos Trail. Kayaks are allowed on the pond. Birders come for waterfowl and migrating songbirds that use the pond and the two washes feeding the riparian strip.

If you came for a hot soak, keep your swimsuit in the car. Swimming and soaking are not among the activities the park lists here. The nearest places to get into hot mineral water are the main Roper Lake unit, a few minutes north, and the private tub rooms at Essence of Tranquility, about 3 miles north on Lebanon Loop Road.

Getting there

Dankworth Pond sits right off US 191, south of Safford.

• From Safford: Head south on US 191 from its junction with US 70 on the east side of town. Pass the entrance to Roper Lake State Park and continue roughly 3 miles to the Dankworth Pond entrance, signed for the state park. The drive takes about 15 minutes.
• From Tucson or Willcox: Take I-10 east past Willcox to exit 352 and follow US 191 north toward Safford. Dankworth Pond is on the way, before you reach Roper Lake.

US 191 is a paved highway the whole way. Inside the park, follow the signs to the day-use parking and picnic areas. The Dos Arroyos Trail starts at the east end of the pond.

When to go

October to April is the comfortable season. Arizona Game and Fish stocks rainbow trout from roughly November through March, and that is when the pond draws the most anglers. The desert is mild enough for the trail in the middle of the day.

Summer is hot in the Gila Valley. If you come between May and September, use the early opening (4:30 a.m.) and be off the trail before late morning. Late-summer monsoon storms can bring lightning and sudden runoff in the washes.

The park runs ranger programs from time to time. A birding walk was scheduled at the Dankworth Pond trailhead on October 24, 2026, for example. Check the park’s events page for current dates.

Rules and etiquette

• Fees: $10 for a vehicle with one person, $20 for a vehicle with two to four people, $5 for a walk-in or bicycle. These are the same rates posted for Roper Lake.
• Hours: Day use only, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from October through April and 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May through September. No overnight parking or camping.
• Fishing: An Arizona fishing license is required for anyone the state requires to have one. Follow posted catch limits.
• Kayaks: Allowed on the pond. Check at the visitor center for any rules on boat types.
• Cultural site: A re-created prehistoric village near the pond is on BLM land and is managed jointly by BLM and State Parks. Stay on the paths and leave everything as you find it.
• Pets: The Dankworth pages do not spell out the pet policy. Ask the visitor center at (928) 428-6760 before you bring a dog.

Where to stay nearby

There is no camping or lodging at Dankworth Pond.

• Roper Lake State Park, about 3 miles north on US 191, has the campground and cabins for both units, along with the park’s visitor center and store.
• Essence of Tranquility, on Lebanon Loop Road a few miles north, rents small casitas, a bunkhouse and tent sites, and overnight stays include use of its mineral tubs. It closes Sundays and Mondays.
• Safford, about 15 minutes north, has chain motels, restaurants, groceries and fuel.

Safety notes

• Heat: Summer days in the valley are long and hot. Carry more water than you think you need, even on the short trail, and wear a hat.
• Washes: The trail and the riparian area are fed by two washes. Do not cross running water after a storm.
• Wildlife: Rattlesnakes are active in the warm months. Watch where you put your hands and feet, especially near rocks and brush.
• Water: Do not drink pond or spring water. Bring your own.
• No soaking: The spring feeding the pond is not set up for bathing, and the pond is not a swimming area. Use a developed hot spring nearby instead.

Nearby stops worth adding

Roper Lake State Park is the obvious pairing, with its own lake, campground and park facilities a few minutes up the highway. Mount Graham, reached by the Swift Trail (AZ 366) off US 191 near the park, climbs from desert into conifer forest and is a good escape on hot days. Its upper road has seasonal closures, so check with the Coronado National Forest before heading up.