Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

Campgrounds in Arizona

Burro Creek Campground

Photo: Chris English / CC BY-SA 3.0

Campgrounds 1,896 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)
The Burro Creek Campground (1,960’ elevation) is situated along the 57 mile Burro Creek in a transition zone between the upper reaches of the scenic Sonoran Desert and lower reaches of the scenic Mojave Desert. The campground offers visitors a variety of scenery including saguaro-studded cliffs along steep canyon walls that contrast Burro Creek’s dense vegetation and flowing waters that form deep pools of water just adjacent to the campground.  The campground accepts reservations for the group site, sites 7 & 9, and 10-17. Reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance of your arrival at the site. Sites 1-6, 8, and 18-23 are available on a first-come first-serve basis.  Recreation To enhance the visitor experience, the campground features a Watchable Wildlife Exhibit and an Interpretive Desert Garden as well as access to Burro Creek via hiking trails from the campground. The creek offers opportunities for rockhounding, wading, and wildlife viewing especially for birding with a wide-array of raptors and other species of birds. Sites 7, 8, and 9 are best for bird watching.  Facilities Access to the Burro Creek Campground is provided via a 1.25 mile paved road from U.S. Highway 93 at mile post 140.2. The campground offers visitors 23 individual campsites, 1 group site, and 2 day-use sites featuring shaded picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and grills at the group site and day-use area. Flush toilet facilities are provided at 2 different locations in the campground as well as 1 dump station. Although water hookups are not available at campsites, drinking water is provided a various locations throughout the campground.  In planning your trip, please note that sites 1, 2, and 10 through 17 are best for larger RVs (Class A) and trailers (fifth wheels) due to maneuverability throughout the site. Other sites can be utilized for larger RVs and trailers, but it is recommended for visitor convenience that the aforementioned sites are used first.  Natural Features The campground scenery features an adjacent canyon carved by the flow of Burro Creek with other mountains and mesas visible in the background as well as a diverse Sonoran desert plant community including saguaros, a variety of cholla and barrel cacti, creosote bushes, Palo Verde trees, and catclaw. Nearby, on the banks of Burro Creek, visitors will also see willow and cottonwood trees as well as a wide-variety of riparian shrubs.  Wildlife is frequent in the campground and include occasional sightings of desert bighorn sheep on the cliffs above Burro Creek and a variety of birds including cactus wren, Gambel’s quail, Gila woodpecker, great horned owl, great blue heron, Vermilion flycatcher, and cliff swallow to name a few. Javelina, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes have been known to use the area as the creek serves an important role in the harsh desert environment.      Nearby Attractions The public lands surrounding the Burro Creek Campground are readily available for visitors interested in sightseeing via use of a four-wheel drive vehicle along county-maintained dirt roads. These roads wind through a variety of interesting geologic scenery combined with unique vegetative communities including Sonoran and Mojave deserts intermingled with areas of interior chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodlands. County roads are maintained regularly, but it is always a good idea to check with the local BLM office prior to planning your trip as well as exercising caution when travelling on any of these unimproved dirt roads as visitors travel at their own risk.  The area, while desolate during the warm summer months, gives way to cooler temperatures from October through April annually and provides exceptional opportunities for hunting, off-highway vehicle use, wildlife watching, photography, sightseeing, and a variety of other dispersed recreational opportunities. Depending upon winter and spring precipitation, the area surrounding the Burro Creek Campground provides visitors with excellent spring wildflower displays March through May.    Charges & Cancellations Recreation.gov Reservation Cancellations & Changes Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below).  Recreation.gov Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.  Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.  Recreation.gov No-Shows -Overnight and Day-Use Facilities: A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date and will hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date. -No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee.

Near Wikieup, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.

The right gear turns potential problems into non-issues. Here's what Burro Creek Campground demands.

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

  • 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.

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.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

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

Burro Creek Campground draws visitors for birdwatching, but the 15 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

  • birdwatching — Spot and identify birds in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal habitats.
  • camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
  • fishing — Cast a line in lakes, rivers, or coastal waters in pursuit of local fish species.
  • glamping — Enjoy nature with upgraded comforts like furnished tents or cabins.
  • ice_fishing — Drill through frozen lakes to fish beneath the ice during winter.
  • ice_skating — Glide across frozen ponds or maintained outdoor rinks during winter months.
  • 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.
  • rv_camping — Travel with the comforts of home while staying in campgrounds or RV parks.
  • scuba_diving — Explore underwater environments in oceans, lakes, or springs using scuba gear.
  • sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
  • snorkeling — Swim at the surface with a mask and snorkel to observe marine life below.
  • stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
  • 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: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

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

Wildlife Safety at Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.

Awareness is the best safety tool at Burro Creek Campground. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate
  • Mountain lions
  • Venomous snakes
  • Remote (109mi from city)
UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (35N), Desert (exposed))
Photo score: 55/100
  • Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
  • 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.

Western Diamondback

A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

  • 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 Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

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

30 bird species have been documented near Burro Creek Campground, alongside 3 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.

Trees (1)

  • Gambel Oak
    Gambel Oak — The bark is gray and furrowed, while acorns develop singly or in small clusters.

Wildflowers (2)

  • Woods' rose
    Woods' rose — Pink five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.
  • red dome blanketflower
    red dome blanketflower — Deep red dome-shaped composite flowers.

Shrubs (1)

  • Brown-spined Pricklypear
    Brown-spined Pricklypear — Bright yellow to orange flowers bloom in spring.

Other Plants (5)

  • Parry's agave
  • Echinocereus bakeri
  • box elder
  • Scarlet Gilia
  • Spinystar

Mammals (3)

  • American Black Bear
    American Black Bear — A stocky bear with rounded ears and a straight facial profile.
  • Black-tailed Jackrabbit
    Black-tailed Jackrabbit — A large hare with very long ears tipped in black.
  • Rock Squirrel
    Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail.

Birds (30)

  • Great-tailed Grackle
    Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail
  • Ring-necked Duck
    Ring-necked Duck — Male with glossy black head and gray sides
  • Gambel's Quail
    Gambel's Quail — Gray body with chestnut flanks
  • Common Merganser
    Common Merganser — Male white-bodied with dark head
  • Rock Pigeon
    Rock Pigeon — Blue-gray with two black wing bars

Reptiles (6)

  • Greater Short-horned Lizard
    Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
  • Arizona Black Rattlesnake
    Arizona Black Rattlesnake — A medium rattlesnake often dark brown to nearly black in color.
  • Gopher Snake
    Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back.
  • Greater Earless Lizard
    Greater Earless Lizard — A small lizard lacking visible external ear openings.
  • Plateau Striped Whiptail
    Plateau Striped Whiptail — A slim lizard with bold light stripes running down a dark body.

Amphibians (1)

  • Canyon Tree Frog
    Canyon Tree Frog

Insects (17)

  • Large Milkweed Bug
    Large Milkweed Bug
  • Arizona Mantis
    Arizona Mantis
  • Western Rhinoceros Beetle
    Western Rhinoceros Beetle
  • Monarch
    Monarch
  • Red-spotted Admiral
    Red-spotted Admiral

Other Wildlife (4)

  • Common Desert Centipede
  • Desert Blonde Tarantula
  • Apache Jumping Spider
  • Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

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

Wildlife Challenge

Botany Challenge

Burro Creek Campground, Mohave Climate & Sun

For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.

The weather at Burro Creek Campground follows a Arid pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 68.3°F

Annual precipitation: 9.1 in

With an average annual temperature of 68.3°F and 9.1 inches of precipitation, Burro Creek Campground has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 89°F, while winter lows drop to 50°F.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Month Avg Temp Precip
Jan 50°F 1.3 in
Feb 53°F 1.4 in
Mar 59°F 1.0 in
Apr 65°F 0.3 in
May 74°F 0.1 in
Jun 83°F 0.1 in
Jul 89°F 0.8 in
Aug 88°F 1.2 in
Sep 82°F 0.8 in
Oct 70°F 0.6 in
Nov 58°F 0.6 in
Dec 49°F 0.9 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: 4:20 AM – 6:47 PM

Winter: 6:32 AM – 4:24 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:32 AM, Sunset 4:24 PM Golden hour from 3:46 PM
Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:20 AM, Sunset 6:47 PM Golden hour from 6:10 PM
Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:46 AM, Sunset 5:40 PM Golden hour from 5:07 PM
Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:15 AM, Sunset 5:42 PM Golden hour from 5:09 PM

Burro Creek Campground, Mohave Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to Burro Creek Campground — here's the practical information you'll need.

From Phoenix, Burro Creek Campground is a drive covering 109 miles.

Nearest city: Phoenix (109 mi)
Estimated fuel cost: $27.25 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)
Carbon footprint: 88.1 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: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
  • Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Campground Details

  • Reservable

Places Near Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.

Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Burro Creek Campground.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.

Burro Creek Campground sits under Bortle class 3 skies — Rural sky for stargazing in Arizona.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

From Burro Creek Campground, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

  • Ursa Minor
    Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
  • Cepheus
    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
    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
    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
    Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)

    A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.

  • Eta Aquariids
    Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)

    Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.

  • Delta Aquariids
    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
    Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
  • Jupiter
    Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
  • Saturn
    Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
  • Mars
    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 Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Burro Creek Campground.

Burro Creek Campground is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character and highlights.

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 Burro Creek Campground, Mohave

This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.

The 1 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Hualapai.

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Yavapai.

Data from Native Land Digital

Burro Creek Campground, Mohave Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Burro Creek 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
Middle Proterozoic granitic rocks
Formation
Oracle Granite; Ruin Granite
Lithology
Major:{granite}, Minor:{aplite}, Incidental:{pegmatite}
Age
Calymmian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences
1
Unique Species
1
Oldest
129,000 years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites
144
Richness
Exceptional
Minerals Found
Manganese, Calcium, Copper, Gold, Silver, Uranium, Barium-Barite, Flagstone

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High
124°F (1995-07-29)
Record Low
10°F (1971-12-12)

Wildfire History

This area has a high wildfire risk. Check current fire conditions before visiting and follow all fire restrictions. Campfires may be banned during dry seasons.

Recorded Fires
8
Largest Fire
Rawhide (208.4 acres)
Most Recent
2024
Fire Risk
High

Watershed

Watershed
Big Sandy River-Alamo Lake
Water Quality (Good)
0%
Impaired
0%

Reported Phenomena

Bigfoot Reports
1 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score
8/100

Burro Creek Campground, Mohave Safety & Conditions

Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.

Check these official resources for current conditions at Burro Creek Campground before you go.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone
Nearest weather station: WIKIEUP 15.0 S, AZ US (10.78 mi)

Coordinates: 34.53605, -113.45188

Packing List Star Guide ↑ Top
Burro Creek Campground
Arizona · 1,896 ft · Campgrounds · 34.5361°N, -113.4519°W

Emergency Information

In case of emergency: Call 911

Nearest town: Wikieup, AZ

Venomous snakes present — Watch where you step (Western Diamondback,Mojave,Sidewinder)