Fort Thomas takes its name from Camp Thomas, a 19th-century military outpost that once stood along this stretch of the Gila River roughly 25 miles east of Safford. The military history is mostly a matter of the name today — Fort Thomas has long since settled into life as a quiet agricultural community along the river.
What sets Fort Thomas apart now is its access to some of Graham County's more remote outdoor destinations. It sits within reach of Aravaipa Canyon, Mount Turnbull, and Hot Well Dunes, making it a useful staging point for visitors headed toward any of those areas rather than a destination with its own attractions. The community itself remains small and rural, centered on farming along the river bottom.
Because of its distance from Safford, Fort Thomas residents typically plan trips into the county seat for larger shopping needs, healthcare, and other services, while daily life stays close to home. For visitors, it's worth treating Fort Thomas as a gateway stop on the way to the surrounding backcountry rather than an endpoint itself.