Roper Lake State Park is the easy outdoor stop near Safford, with water, picnic areas, short trails, and open views toward Mount Graham. It is not dramatic like Gila Box, but it is a pleasant counterweight to the harsher desert around the valley.
Use it for a swim, a slow walk, birding, or a sunset picnic. It is also a practical base if you want a softer camping option than the BLM sites farther out.