C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

Campgrounds in Arizona

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp.

Photo: MB / CC BY-SA 3.0

Campgrounds 6,246 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 75/100 (remote)
An Arizona campground near Yarnell with mild three-season weather, offering 30 bird species and moderate solitude.

Near Yarnell, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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 C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. 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

  • 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 C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. draws visitors for camping, but the 5 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

  • camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
  • picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
  • 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: Forest — Forests are dominated by dense tree cover, layered canopies, and shaded understories. Ground conditions vary from leaf litter to mossy soils, with limited visibility off trail.

Wildlife Safety at C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

Awareness is the best safety tool at C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp.. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate
  • Mountain lions
  • Venomous snakes
  • Far from city (77mi)
Altitude risk: mild
UV risk: high (Southern latitude (35N), Elevated (6,246ft), Forest canopy (shade))
Photo score: 55/100
  • 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.

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 C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

30 bird species have been documented near C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp., alongside 3 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.

Trees (1)

  • Gambel Oak
    Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.

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 — Spines are brown to reddish and densely clustered.

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 C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

Wildlife Challenge

Botany Challenge

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai Climate & Sun

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

The weather at C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. follows a Temperate pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 52.6°F

Annual precipitation: 21.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 52.6°F and 21.8 inches of precipitation, C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 71°F, while winter lows drop to 37°F.

Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Month Avg Temp Precip
Jan 37°F 2.3 in
Feb 39°F 2.7 in
Mar 43°F 2.1 in
Apr 49°F 0.8 in
May 57°F 0.5 in
Jun 66°F 0.3 in
Jul 71°F 3.6 in
Aug 70°F 3.4 in
Sep 64°F 2.0 in
Oct 55°F 1.2 in
Nov 44°F 1.1 in
Dec 36°F 1.8 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: 4:16 AM – 6:43 PM

Winter: 6:29 AM – 4:21 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:29 AM, Sunset 4:21 PM Golden hour from 3:42 PM
Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:16 AM, Sunset 6:43 PM Golden hour from 6:06 PM
Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:42 AM, Sunset 5:37 PM Golden hour from 5:03 PM
Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:12 AM, Sunset 5:38 PM Golden hour from 5:05 PM

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. — here's the practical information you'll need.

From Phoenix, C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. is a drive covering 77 miles.

Nearest city: Phoenix (77 mi)
Estimated fuel cost: $19.37 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)
Carbon footprint: 62.6 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 (Moderate difficulty (+5))
  • Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp..

Stargazing & Night Sky at C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. sits under Bortle class 4 skies — Rural/suburban transition for stargazing in Arizona.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

From C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp., 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 C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp..

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. 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 C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai

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

The 2 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Hohokam, Yavapai Apache.

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Yavapai.

Data from Native Land Digital

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. 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

C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. Campground, Yavapai Safety & Conditions

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

Check these official resources for current conditions at C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp. before you go.

Nearest weather station: PRESCOTT 3.6 SW, AZ US (0.48 mi)

Coordinates: 34.50715, -112.51855

Packing List Star Guide ↑ Top
C64 Copper Basin Designated Disp.
Arizona · 6,246 ft · Campgrounds · 34.5072°N, -112.5185°W

Emergency Information

In case of emergency: Call 911

Nearest town: Yarnell, AZ

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