Photo: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0

Campgrounds 6,509 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 95/100 (remote)

The Elks Group Campground sits among a mix of ponderosa pines and juniper at an elevation of 6,500 feet offering a cool respite from the summer heat of the valley below. This campground facility was designed and constructed by the Winslow Elks Lodge and generously donated to the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. The campground is designed to meet the needs of large groups and can accommodate 300 people, offering picnic tables, grills, and fire pits. There are vault toilets. For every 25 people after the first 50, the group will need to provide additional port-a-pots. Recreation Many visitors spend time relaxing and exploring the area. The nearby C.C. Cragin Reservoir and Knoll Lake offers opportunities for water based recreation, while the Arizona National Scenic Trail, General Crook National Recreation Trail, and historic Cabin Loop Trail System offers opportunities for hikers, bicyclist, and equestrian users. There are also several Fire Lookout Towers in the area. Facilities The group campground is in a primitive setting on 6 acres. The site has a swing set, horseshoe pit, poles for a volleyball net, flag pole, pavillion, grills, picnic tables, a large fire ring, a 500 gallon water buffalo, trash collection and vault toilets. It is important to know that for every 25 people after the first 50, the group will need to provide additional port-a-pots. The site can accomodate up to 100 people and 50 vehicles. Natural Features The campground is in a transition zone where ponderosa pines fade into stands of pinyon and juniper trees. The nearby Mogollon Rim is one of the most striking geologic features in the state. This steep escarpment, measured in thousands of feet, stretches from New Mexico diagonally across two thirds of Arizona and offers sweeping views of the landscape. Nearby Attractions The community of Happy Jack, Arizona offers two convenience stores, two restaurants, and a gas station.

Near Happy Jack, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Elks Group Campground, Coconino

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Elks Group Campground. The conditions here — Forest, Temperate — call for thoughtful gear choices.

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

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 Elks Group Campground, Coconino

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

Activity options at Elks Group Campground range from casual () to more demanding ().

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

Activities

camping — From developed campgrounds to backcountry sites, it's a classic way to immerse yourself in nature.
glamping — It's ideal for those seeking scenery without roughing it.
horseback_riding — Guided rides are available in many parks and recreation areas.
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.
rock_climbing — Proper training and equipment are essential.
rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
stargazing — Clear, moonless nights provide the best conditions for celestial viewing.
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 Elks Group Campground, Coconino

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

Responsible visitors at Elks Group Campground should be aware of 1 wildlife-related considerations.

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

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (103mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: high (Southern latitude (35N), Elevated (6,509ft), 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.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.

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 Elks Group Campground, Coconino

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

From towering to delicate Arizona mariposa lily and Woods' rose, the vegetation here creates habitat for 13 mammal species and 30 birds.

Wildflowers (2)

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

Shrubs (2)

Fourwing Saltbush — Foliage often appears silvery due to salt excretion.
fernbush — Foliage has a strong resinous scent when crushed.

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 Elks Group 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

Elks Group Campground, Coconino Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Elks Group Campground.

Reference climate data for planning your visit to Elks Group Campground — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.

Climate type: Temperate

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

Winter 31°

2.8"

Spring 47°

0.5"

Summer 69°

3.3"

Fall 50°

1.2"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	31°F	2.8 in
Feb	34°F	2.0 in
Mar	40°F	1.5 in
Apr	47°F	0.5 in
May	53°F	0.7 in
Jun	65°F	0.3 in
Jul	69°F	3.3 in
Aug	67°F	3.2 in
Sep	60°F	1.8 in
Oct	50°F	1.2 in
Nov	40°F	1.3 in
Dec	31°F	2.7 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: 5:10 AM – 7:38 PM

Winter: 7:24 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:24 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:36 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:38 PM Golden hour from 7:01 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:36 AM, Sunset 6:31 PM Golden hour from 5:57 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:06 AM, Sunset 6:33 PM Golden hour from 5:59 PM

Elks Group Campground, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Elks Group Campground and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: Phoenix (103 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $25.83 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 83.5 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: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Elks Group Campground, Coconino

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Elks Group Campground visit include these 11 destinations.

Nearby Trails

Leonard Point Trail, Coconino 5.43 mi
Cross Road, Coconino 6.06 mi
Soldiers Crossing Trail, Coconino 6.68 mi
Horse Crossing Trail, Coconino 8.69 mi
Victorine Crossing Trail, Coconino 9.76 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Moqui Group Campground, Coconino 9.52 mi
Moqui Campground, Coconino 9.52 mi
Blue Ridge Campground, Coconino 9.83 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Elks Group Campground, Coconino

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Elks Group Campground is rated Bortle class 3, offering Rural sky conditions year-round.

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 Elks Group Campground, Coconino

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Elks Group Campground shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

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 Elks Group Campground, Coconino

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

Before trails were marked here, Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) knew this land intimately.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (South).

Dilzhę́’é (South)

Data from Native Land Digital

Elks Group Campground, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Elks Group 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: Pliocene to late Miocene basaltic rocks
Lithology: Major:{basalt}
Age: Neogene

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 16
Unique Species: 7
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 7
Richness: Moderate
Minerals Found: Manganese, Volcanic Materials, Diamond, Graphite, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Pumice, Lead

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 99°F (2021-07-11)
Record Low: -22°F (1971-01-06)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 54
Largest Fire: Jack (33,760.5 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Long Lake-Chavel Pass Ditch
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 12.555%

Elks Group Campground, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Elks Group Campground, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Nearest weather station: BLUE RIDGE RANGER STATION, AZ US (8.48 mi)