Peridot functions as the governmental and administrative center of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, hosting the tribe's government offices within the San Carlos Apache Reservation in eastern Graham County. It's less a town in the conventional Gila Valley sense and more the seat of tribal government and administration for the reservation as a whole.
Because of that role, Peridot is where much of the reservation's official business takes place, distinguishing it from residential communities like Bylas elsewhere on the reservation. Its location in eastern Graham County places it well outside the Safford-Thatcher-Pima core of the valley, reflecting the San Carlos Apache Reservation's own distinct governance and community structure.
As with other reservation communities, visitors should keep in mind that Peridot operates under San Carlos Apache Tribe authority, and any visit should respect tribal rules regarding access to reservation land and facilities.