Bunch Reservoir, Apache
Fishing in Arizona
Photo: Ryan Rix / CC BY-SA 2.0
Near Greer, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Bunch Reservoir, Apache
Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.
A well-prepared pack for Bunch Reservoir covers 4 categories: essential, wildlife gear, climate gear, terrain gear.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
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First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
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Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
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Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
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Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
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Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
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Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
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Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
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First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.
Climate Gear
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Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
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Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
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Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.
Terrain Gear
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SPF50 lip balm — Reapply every 2 hours and after eating or drinking, as lip balm wears off faster than body sunscreen.
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Extra hydration — Above treeline, there are no shade breaks; continuous sun exposure and wind accelerate water loss.
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Slow acclimatization advice — Symptoms like headache and nausea at altitude are warning signs, not inconveniences; descending 1,000 feet often resolves them quickly.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Bunch Reservoir, Apache
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The mix of Forest terrain and Semi-Arid conditions here supports everything from boating, fishing, picnicking.
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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boating — Always wear life jackets and follow local water safety rules.
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fishing — Check local regulations and seasons before heading out.
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picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
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wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.
Wildlife Safety at Bunch Reservoir, Apache
Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.
The danger score of 40/10 at Bunch Reservoir accounts for Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Flood zone, Elevated (8,254ft), Remote (156mi from city) in the area.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Flood zone
- Elevated (8,254ft)
- Remote (156mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .
- 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 Bunch Reservoir, Apache
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The ecosystem around Bunch Reservoir is defined by its Forest landscape, supporting everything from Gambel Oak and Southwestern Ponderosa Pine to Wild Turkey and Canada Goose.
Trees (2)
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Gambel Oak — Leaves turn shades of yellow to reddish-brown in fall. -
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — The tree is highly fire-adapted and thrives with periodic low-intensity burns.
Wildflowers (6)
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upright prairie coneflower — Distinct elongated brown cone above reflexed petals. -
Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering. -
golden columbine — Lantern-like blooms adapted to hummingbird pollination. -
manyflowered gromwell — Low clumping plant with narrow foliage. -
cutleaf coneflower — Multiple bright blooms forming loose clusters.
Other Plants (5)
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western blue flag
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Scarlet Gilia
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great mullein
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MacDougal verbena
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scarlet cinquefoil
Mammals (7)
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Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds. -
Bighorn Sheep — Sure-footed build adapted to steep cliffs. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Bushy tail and alert posture.
Birds (11)
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Wild Turkey — Paler Rio Grande subspecies in the West -
Canada Goose — Smaller cackling-type with shorter neck -
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks -
Mountain Bluebird — Slim thrush shape -
Bufflehead — Compact body and short bill
Reptiles (5)
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Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long. -
Southwestern Fence Lizard — Typically 5–8 inches long including tail. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Amphibians (3)
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Arizona Tree Frog -
Western Tiger Salamander -
Arizona Toad
Insects (12)
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Blue Fungus Beetle -
Ridings' Satyr -
Nokomis Fritillary
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Common Ringlet -
Ruddy Copper
Fungi (6)
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lobster mushroom -
Barrow's Bolete
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Kaibab Jack -
Spring Polypore -
Floccularia albolanaripes
Other Wildlife (1)
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Speckled Dace
Nature Bingo at Bunch Reservoir, Apache
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Bunch Reservoir, Apache Climate & Sun
The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Bunch Reservoir.
Month-by-month temperatures at Bunch Reservoir range from °F to °F.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 45.9°F
Annual precipitation: 19.3 in
With an average annual temperature of 45.9°F and 19.3 inches of precipitation, Bunch Reservoir has cool, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 63°F, while winter lows drop to 31°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep. Consider avoiding: Jan, Dec.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 1.3 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 1.2 in |
| Mar | 37°F | 1.2 in |
| Apr | 43°F | 0.6 in |
| May | 50°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 60°F | 0.5 in |
| Jul | 63°F | 3.9 in |
| Aug | 61°F | 4.1 in |
| Sep | 57°F | 2.0 in |
| Oct | 47°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 38°F | 1.2 in |
| Dec | 31°F | 1.4 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.5 hours.
Summer: 5:05 AM – 7:30 PM
Winter: 7:15 AM – 5:10 PM
Bunch Reservoir, Apache Trip Planning & Access
Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.
Access to Bunch Reservoir is primarily via Phoenix, 156 miles away.
Visitor Friendliness
Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).
- 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 Bunch Reservoir, Apache
Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.
The region around Bunch Reservoir is rich with options — 12 nearby destinations are worth exploring.
Nearby Trails
- Fir Trail, Apache 0.65 mi
- Pinyon Trail, Apache 0.69 mi
- Ponderosa Trail, Apache 1.05 mi
- Butler Canyon Trail, Apache 1.57 mi
- Juniper Trail, Apache 1.74 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Benny Creek Campground, Apache 0.42 mi
- Benny Creek Group Area Campground, Apache 0.42 mi
- Rolfe C. Hoyer Cg Campground, Apache 0.44 mi
- Hoyer Campground, Apache 0.71 mi
- Winn Campground, Apache 5.44 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Bunch Reservoir, Apache
Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.
Light pollution at Bunch Reservoir is Typical truly dark site (Bortle 2), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.
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Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.
Meteor Showers
The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.
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 Bunch Reservoir, Apache
What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.
Seasonal changes at Bunch Reservoir bring — each offering a distinct 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 Bunch Reservoir, Apache
The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.
We acknowledge that Bunch Reservoir is located on the traditional lands of Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Bunch Reservoir, Apache Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Bunch Reservoir 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
- Pliocene to middle Miocene volcanic rocks
- Lithology
- Major:{rhyolite,dacite,andesite}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 29
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Sand and Gravel, Construction
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 91°F (2021-06-13)
- Record Low
- -40°F (1971-01-07)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 44
- Largest Fire
- Turkey (9,002.8 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Ord Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 3 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 24/100
Bunch Reservoir, Apache Safety & Conditions
Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.
Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Bunch Reservoir.
Coordinates: 34.038111, -109.448011