Trailheads Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Visit ARIZONA TRAIL (205/67), located 25.7 miles from Fredonia, AZ. Elevation: 8,572 ft. Mountain terrain. Best visited Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Near Fredonia, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

This packing list is tailored to the Desert environment and Temperate at Arizona Trail (205/67).

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
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.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Body heat escapes rapidly when you stop moving; an insulated layer traps warmth during breaks and at camp.
Hand warmers — Cold fingers lose dexterity fast, making it harder to operate zippers, buckles, and navigation devices when you need them most.
Thermos — A hot drink on a cold trail restores core temperature and morale faster than any other comfort item.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.
Headlamp (extra) — Remote terrain often takes longer than expected to navigate; a backup headlamp prevents being stranded in darkness if your primary fails.
Emergency bivy — An emergency bivy sack weighs 4-8 ounces and provides wind and rain protection if an injury, storm, or navigation error forces an unplanned night out.
PLB/satellite messenger — A Personal Locator Beacon sends your GPS coordinates to search-and-rescue via satellite, working anywhere on Earth with no cell signal needed.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

The terrain here lends itself to backpacking, hiking, photography — activities that match the Desert environment.

Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

backpacking — Carry your gear into the backcountry for multi-day hiking adventures.
hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

The wildlife safety profile at Arizona Trail (205/67) includes bears, venomous snakes — here's what to know about each.

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (168mi from city)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (37N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .

Black Bear

A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.

If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

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 Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The natural world around Arizona Trail (205/67) reflects its Desert setting — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak overhead, Stansbury's Cliffrose at your feet, and wildlife throughout.

Trees (2)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures.
Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.

Wildflowers (1)

Stansbury's Cliffrose — Evergreen shrub with finely divided gray-green leaves.

Shrubs (2)

Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Ribbed stems grow close to the ground and may form tight clusters over time. Spines range from straw-colored to reddish brown, offering protection from herbivores.

Other Plants (5)

Whipple Cholla
Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Utah Juniper
Plains Pricklypear

Mammals (5)

Abert's Squirrel — A gray tree squirrel with distinctive long ear tufts in winter.
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail.
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Chipmunk-like rodent with golden shoulders and white eye ring.
Pronghorn — A slender tan-and-white ungulate with distinctive black facial markings.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — A small desert squirrel with tan fur and white stripe along sides.

Birds (10)

Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat
Horned Lark — Pale brown with black facial mask
California Condor — Large black body
Bald Eagle — Adult with white head and tail
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Blue head and wings

Reptiles (9)

Desert Spiny Lizard — A robust lizard with rough spiny scales and gray to brown coloration.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back.

Insects (7)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Hunt's Bumble Bee
Pandora Pinemoth
Anicia Checkerspot
Painted Lady

Nature Bingo at Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

California Condor (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Desert Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Whipple Cholla (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The climate at Arizona Trail (205/67) peaks for outdoor activity during Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, when temperatures average °F.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 45.4°F

Annual precipitation: 25.2 in

With an average annual temperature of 45.4°F and 25.2 inches of precipitation, Arizona Trail (205/67) has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 66°F, while winter lows drop to 29°F.

Best months to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Consider avoiding: Jan, Feb, Dec.

Winter 29°

2.8"

Spring 41°

1.9"

Summer 66°

1.9"

Fall 47°

2.7"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	29°F	2.8 in
Feb	30°F	2.7 in
Mar	36°F	3.3 in
Apr	41°F	1.9 in
May	50°F	1.2 in
Jun	61°F	0.5 in
Jul	66°F	1.9 in
Aug	64°F	2.5 in
Sep	58°F	1.8 in
Oct	47°F	2.7 in
Nov	36°F	1.8 in
Dec	29°F	2.1 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.

Summer: 5:09 AM – 7:48 PM

Winter: 7:33 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:33 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:33 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:09 AM, Sunset 7:48 PM Golden hour from 7:09 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:41 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:09 AM, Sunset 6:38 PM Golden hour from 6:04 PM

Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Arizona Trail (205/67).

Whether it's a day trip or weekend getaway from Las Vegas, here's what visiting Arizona Trail (205/67) involves.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (168 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $42.06 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 135.9 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

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
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Good starting point
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)

Places Near Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

The area around Arizona Trail (205/67) has plenty more to offer.

The proximity of 13 other outdoor spots makes this area ideal for multi-day exploration.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

Under the Bortle class 1 skies at Arizona Trail (205/67), you can expect to see 3 major constellations and constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

From Arizona Trail (205/67), you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies.
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.

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.
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.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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:

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 Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Knowing what each season brings helps you plan the best possible visit to Arizona Trail (205/67).

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: April - May

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 8572ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino

Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.

For thousands of years, this land has been cared for by Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos and their ancestors.

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Southern Paiute, Diné Bizaad.

Data from Native Land Digital

Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Arizona Trail (205/67) 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: Glen Canyon Group
Formation: Navajo Sandstone; Kayenta Formation; Moenave Formation
Lithology: Major:{sandstone}, Minor:{siltstone,sandstone mudstone}
Age: Jurassic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 8
Unique Species: 7
Oldest: 192.9 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 3
Richness: Low
Minerals Found: Uranium, Copper, Molybdenum, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 104°F (2021-07-10)
Record Low: -12°F (2007-01-14)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 24
Largest Fire: Warm Wfu (19,514.7 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Corral Valley
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

Bigfoot Reports: 1 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score: 8/100

Arizona Trail (205/67) Trailhead, Coconino Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Safety starts with current information. These resources cover real-time conditions near Arizona Trail (205/67).

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MARBLE CANYON 3.7 SW, AZ US (28.4 mi)