Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
Fishing in Arizona
Photo: Chris English / CC BY-SA 3.0
What to Pack for Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
Pack for Mountain Forest terrain, Semi-Arid, and the wildlife considerations above.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.
Terrain Gear
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Trekking poles — Poles reduce knee impact by up to 25% on steep descents, preventing the joint pain that slows hikers on long routes.
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Ankle-support boots — Loose rock, roots, and uneven terrain put constant lateral stress on ankles; supportive boots prevent the sprains that end trips.
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SPF50 lip balm — Lips lack melanin and burn faster than other skin; cracked, sunburned lips at altitude are painful and slow to heal.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
The Mountain Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Whether you're here for hiking or looking to try something different, Alto Pit Ohv Campground has options.
Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
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off_roading — Navigate rugged trails and backcountry routes with high-clearance vehicles.
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photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Mountain Forest — Mountain forests combine dense tree cover with steep slopes and elevation changes.
Wildlife Safety at Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
Most visitors at Alto Pit Ohv Campground never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 25/10 means preparation matters.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (84mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.
A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.
- Watch where you step and place hands
- Stay on trails
- Wear boots and long pants in snake country
- Do not reach under rocks or logs
- If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
- Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol
Nature & Wildlife at Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
The Mountain Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The Mountain Forest environment here supports 39 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Trees (1)
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Gambel Oak — Leaves turn shades of yellow to reddish-brown in fall.
Wildflowers (2)
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Woods' rose — Pink five-petaled flowers with yellow centers. -
red dome blanketflower — Deep red dome-shaped composite flowers.
Shrubs (1)
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Brown-spined Pricklypear — Fruits are fleshy and often reddish.
Other Plants (5)
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Parry's agave
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Echinocereus bakeri
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box elder
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Scarlet Gilia
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Spinystar
Mammals (3)
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American Black Bear — A stocky bear with rounded ears and a straight facial profile. -
Black-tailed Jackrabbit — A large hare with very long ears tipped in black. -
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail.
Birds (30)
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Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail -
Ring-necked Duck — Male with glossy black head and gray sides -
Gambel's Quail — Gray body with chestnut flanks -
Common Merganser — Male white-bodied with dark head -
Rock Pigeon — Blue-gray with two black wing bars
Reptiles (6)
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Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head. -
Arizona Black Rattlesnake — A medium rattlesnake often dark brown to nearly black in color. -
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back. -
Greater Earless Lizard — A small lizard lacking visible external ear openings. -
Plateau Striped Whiptail — A slim lizard with bold light stripes running down a dark body.
Amphibians (1)
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Canyon Tree Frog
Insects (17)
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Large Milkweed Bug -
Arizona Mantis -
Western Rhinoceros Beetle -
Monarch -
Red-spotted Admiral
Other Wildlife (4)
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Common Desert Centipede
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Desert Blonde Tarantula
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Apache Jumping Spider
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Stripe-tailed Scorpion
Nature Bingo at Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The annual average temperature here is 53.2°F, with 19.6 inches of precipitation.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 53.2°F
Annual precipitation: 19.6 in
With an average annual temperature of 53.2°F and 19.6 inches of precipitation, Alto Pit Ohv Campground has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 72°F, while winter lows drop to 37°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37°F | 2.1 in |
| Feb | 39°F | 2.2 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 1.7 in |
| Apr | 49°F | 0.7 in |
| May | 57°F | 0.5 in |
| Jun | 67°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 72°F | 3.2 in |
| Aug | 70°F | 3.0 in |
| Sep | 65°F | 1.9 in |
| Oct | 55°F | 1.2 in |
| Nov | 45°F | 1.0 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 1.8 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.6 hours.
Summer: 4:16 AM – 6:43 PM
Winter: 6:29 AM – 4:21 PM
Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Alto Pit Ohv Campground.
Alto Pit Ohv Campground is 84 miles from Phoenix — here's what to budget for the trip.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
- Strollers: possible (50/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
The area around Alto Pit Ohv Campground has plenty more to offer.
If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Alto Pit Ohv Campground.
Nearby Trails
- Alto Pit Ohv 2, Yavapai 0.12 mi
- Alto Pit Ohv 9, Yavapai 0.21 mi
- Alto Pit Ohv 6, Yavapai 0.21 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
On clear nights, the Bortle class 4 skies above Alto Pit Ohv Campground reveal constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Alto Pit Ohv Campground, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round. -
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.
Meteor Showers
Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
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Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Timing your visit to Alto Pit Ohv Campground around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: March - April
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: October 15 – November 5
Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen
Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: March - April
Fall peak: October - November
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai
Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.
Before this became a recreation area, this land belonged to Hohokam, Yavapai Apache.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Alto Pit Ohv Campground sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Bedrock Geology
- Rock Type
- Crooks Canyon Granite
- Formation
- Crooks Canyon Granodiorite
- Age
- Paleoproterozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 75
- Unique Species
- 44
- Oldest
- 23 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 604
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Gold, Copper, Silver, Lead, Zinc, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Iron
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 105°F (2021-06-16)
- Record Low
- -21°F (1937-01-22)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 83
- Largest Fire
- Battle (31,801.8 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Crooks Canyon
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 38 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 2 (BFRO)
- Haunted Places
- 7 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 86/100
Alto Pit Ohv Campground #2 (NE, 0mi), Yavapai Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Before visiting Alto Pit Ohv Campground, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.
Coordinates: 34.5897, -112.558982