Photo: Arkyan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Campgrounds 7,122 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 95/100 (remote)

Dairy Springs is a comfortable campground tucked away in a scenic area of northern Arizona. Its main attraction is the seasonal Mormon Lake which, when filled with water, draws visitors for fishing, windsurfing and wildlife watching. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and photography are available year-round. The facility has both individual and group sites that can accommodate groups of many sizes, including large families. Recreation Recreation usually centers around fishing in nearby Mormon Lake (seasonally). The area is ripe with additional outdoor activities. Three hiking trails originate at Dairy Springs and one at nearby Double Springs. The trails lead to scenic overlooks of Mormon Lake and surrounding prairies, forests and volcanoes. Wildlife watching is also popular. It's a very good place to spot hawks, including northern harriers and ospreys. The area boasts a healthy population of elk and mule deer too. Facilities The moderate-sized campground has 30 single unit campsites with tables and cooking grills, in addition to two group sites that can each hold 40 people and may be reserved at the same time for a group of up to 80 campers. Campsites are nicely spaced with plenty of room and shade. Visitors can walk along a self-guided nature trail or attend a campfire program at the facility's amphitheater. Fifteen single unit sites are available at the adjacent Double Springs Campground by reservations only. Natural Features Dairy Springs sits in a picturesque forest of old Ponderosa pine and oak trees with a grassy understory. The campground is at an elevation of 7,100 ft. and has summers that are characteristically sunny, warm and dry, with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm. Dairy Springs is adjacent to Double Springs Campground, which has a spring that runs to the surface just above the camping area. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 774-9671. Nearby Attractions The closest town is Mormon Lake, Arizona. This small and scenic mountain resort village is conveniently close to the campground and offers horseback rides, mountain bike rentals, a country store, service station and steakhouse.

Near Mormon Lake, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.

The conditions at Dairy Springs call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.

Terrain Gear

Headlamp (extra) — A second light source is a fundamental safety redundancy in backcountry travel where help may be hours away.
Emergency bivy — In remote terrain where rescue may take hours or overnight, a bivy sack can prevent hypothermia in survivable conditions.
PLB/satellite messenger — Two-way satellite messengers also let you send check-in messages, reducing worry for contacts at home.
SPF50 lip balm — Reapply every 2 hours and after eating or drinking, as lip balm wears off faster than body sunscreen.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Winter: Microspikes/traction devices

Activities & Best Time to Visit Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

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

The Forest landscape around Dairy Springs makes it well suited for birdwatching, camping, canoeing.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

birdwatching — Quiet observation often leads to rewarding encounters.
camping — From developed campgrounds to backcountry sites, it's a classic way to immerse yourself in nature.
canoeing — Calm waters are ideal for beginners and families.
horseback_riding — Guided rides are available in many parks and recreation areas.
ice_fishing — Portable shelters help protect against cold winds.
ice_skating — Ensure ice thickness and safety before skating on natural surfaces.
kayaking — Wear a personal flotation device and check water conditions before launching.
mountain_biking — Helmets and trail awareness are essential for safety.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
soaking — Follow posted guidelines to preserve delicate spring ecosystems.
stargazing — Clear, moonless nights provide the best conditions for celestial viewing.
surfing — Check local wave and tide conditions before heading out.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, 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 Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.

Wildlife safety at Dairy Springs comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 30/10 reflects Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (110mi from city).

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (110mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: high (Southern latitude (35N), Elevated (7,122ft), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

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

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

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

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

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 Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

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

Nature at Dairy Springs includes 0 tree species, 2 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves.
Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering.

Shrubs (2)

Fourwing Saltbush — A gray-green shrub with narrow leaves and papery four-winged seed bracts.
fernbush — A rounded shrub with finely divided fern-like leaves and clusters of white flowers.

Other Plants (5)

Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Whipple Cholla
western blue flag
Green Ephedra

Mammals (13)

Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds.
American Bison — Adults can weigh over 2,000 pounds.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — Slender body adapted to hot climates.

Birds (30)

House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen
Hooded Merganser — Compact diving duck profile
Brewer's Sparrow — Thin bill
Black-throated Sparrow — White belly

Reptiles (11)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Eastern Collared Lizard — Usually 8–12 inches long.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Prairie Rattlesnake — Usually 3–4 feet long.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.

Amphibians (4)

Northern Leopard Frog
Arizona Tree Frog
Boreal Chorus Frog
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (4)

Megetra vittata
Painted Lady
Convergent Lady Beetle
White-lined Sphinx

Fungi (1)

Fly Agaric

Other Wildlife (2)

Diablo Mountainsnail
Common Desert Centipede

Nature Bingo at Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Pronghorn (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
Northern Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Spinystar (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino Climate & Sun

Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.

Expect Temperate weather at Dairy Springs, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 47°F

Annual precipitation: 29.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 47°F and 29.8 inches of precipitation, Dairy Springs has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 66°F, while winter lows drop to 31°F.

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

Winter 31°

4.0"

Spring 43°

1.5"

Summer 66°

2.3"

Fall 49°

1.9"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	31°F	4.0 in
Feb	33°F	3.9 in
Mar	38°F	3.5 in
Apr	43°F	1.5 in
May	51°F	1.0 in
Jun	61°F	0.3 in
Jul	66°F	2.3 in
Aug	64°F	3.5 in
Sep	59°F	2.1 in
Oct	49°F	1.9 in
Nov	39°F	2.2 in
Dec	31°F	3.6 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.

Summer: 5:11 AM – 7:40 PM

Winter: 7:26 AM – 5:15 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:26 AM, Sunset 5:15 PM Golden hour from 4:36 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:11 AM, Sunset 7:40 PM Golden hour from 7:03 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:38 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:59 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:07 AM, Sunset 6:34 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Dairy Springs.

Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Dairy Springs.

Nearest city: Phoenix (110 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $27.43 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 88.6 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

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 (Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.

Extend your visit with these nearby options — 14 destinations sit within range of Dairy Springs.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.

Stargazing at Dairy Springs benefits from Rural sky darkness — Bortle class 3 on the light pollution scale.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.

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.

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.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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:

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 Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.

Each season reveals a different side of Dairy Springs, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.

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 Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino

The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.

The land around Dairy Springs has been home to Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) for thousands of years.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.

Data from Native Land Digital

Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Dairy Springs 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 late Miocene basaltic rocks
Lithology: Major:{basalt}
Age: Neogene

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 5
Unique Species: 5
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 26
Richness: Moderate
Minerals Found: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Stone, Crushed/Broken

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 114°F (2005-07-18)
Record Low: -35°F (1979-01-30)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 100
Largest Fire: Snake Ridge (15,333.3 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Lower Woods Canyon
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 63 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 2 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score: 46/100

Dairy Springs Campground, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.

Conditions change quickly outdoors. These links provide current data for the area around Dairy Springs.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MUNDS PARK 0.3 ESE, AZ US (8.84 mi)