Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
Attractions in Arizona
Part of Grand Canyon-parashant National Monument
Near Temple Bar Marina, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.
Don't underpack for Tassi Ranch. The conditions here — Desert, Continental, bears — call for thoughtful gear choices.
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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Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
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Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
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Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
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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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Extra water (1L/hr) — Pre-hydrating the morning before a hot hike and carrying electrolytes along with water maximizes absorption.
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Electrolytes — A few electrolyte packets weigh nothing and can prevent the nausea, confusion, and weakness that sideline hikers in hot conditions.
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Cooling towel — In dry heat, soaking a towel uses minimal water but provides significant thermoregulation during exposed trail sections.
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Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.
Terrain Gear
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Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
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Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Activity options at Tassi Ranch range from casual () to more demanding ().
The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
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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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sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.
Wildlife Safety at Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.
Responsible visitors at Tassi Ranch should be aware of 2 wildlife-related considerations.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (66mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .
Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.
If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.
- Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
- Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
- Make noise while hiking
- Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
- Back away slowly if you encounter a bear
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 Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
From towering to delicate Las Vegas Bearpoppy, the vegetation here creates habitat for 2 mammal species and 6 birds.
Wildflowers (1)
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Las Vegas Bearpoppy — Showy solitary blooms above prickly foliage.
Shrubs (4)
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Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain. -
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms. -
Eastern Joshua tree — The plant provides habitat for desert wildlife.
Other Plants (5)
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Buckhorn Cholla
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Echinocereus bakeri
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California Barrel Cactus
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Beavertail Pricklypear
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Mojave Yucca
Mammals (2)
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Coyote — Lean, agile build. -
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.
Birds (6)
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Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips -
American Kestrel — Black facial stripes -
Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail -
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill
Reptiles (3)
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Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail. -
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — Typically 2–3 feet long. -
Western Whiptail — Typically 8–12 inches long including the tail.
Amphibians (4)
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Relict Leopard Frog -
Red-spotted Toad -
Woodhouse's Toad -
Canyon Tree Frog
Insects (1)
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Western Honey Bee
Nature Bingo at Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Climate & Sun
The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Tassi Ranch.
Reference climate data for planning your visit to Tassi Ranch — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.
Climate type: Continental
Annual avg temp: 69°F
Annual precipitation: 6 in
With an average annual temperature of 69°F and 6 inches of precipitation, Tassi Ranch has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 93°F, while winter lows drop to 48°F.
Best months to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov. Consider avoiding: Jul, Aug.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48°F | 0.8 in |
| Feb | 52°F | 1.0 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 0.7 in |
| Apr | 66°F | 0.3 in |
| May | 76°F | 0.2 in |
| Jun | 86°F | 0.1 in |
| Jul | 93°F | 0.4 in |
| Aug | 91°F | 0.5 in |
| Sep | 83°F | 0.4 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 0.5 in |
| Nov | 57°F | 0.4 in |
| Dec | 47°F | 0.7 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.
Summer: 4:17 AM – 6:54 PM
Winter: 6:39 AM – 4:22 PM
Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Trip Planning & Access
Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.
Here are the logistics for getting to Tassi Ranch and what to expect on arrival.
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)
Places Near Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.
Close-by alternatives and additions to your Tassi Ranch visit include these 4 destinations.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby Attractions
- Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave 10.27 mi
- Pakoon Springs, Grand Canyon-parashant NM 11.06 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.
The darkness at Tassi Ranch is rated Bortle class 4, offering Rural/suburban transition conditions year-round.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, 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. -
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings. -
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 Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.
The experience at Tassi Ranch shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: April - May
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: September 15 – October 10
Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak
At 1558ft elevation, expect peak about 1 week earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: April - May
Fall peak: September - October
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM
The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.
Before trails were marked here, Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute) knew this land intimately.
Territories
Languages
The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Southern Paiute, Walapai.
Data from Native Land Digital
Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Tassi Ranch 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
- Permian sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
- Lithology
- Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
- Age
- Permian
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 4
- Unique Species
- 4
- Oldest
- 323.4 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 50
- Richness
- High
- Minerals Found
- Uranium, Copper, Gold, Zinc, Silver, Mica, Magnesite, Quartz
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 2772
- ESA Endangered
- 56
- ESA Threatened
- 32
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 119°F (1990-09-10)
- Record Low
- 6°F (1949-01-04)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 28
- Largest Fire
- Cow (44,625.4 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Evaporite rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
- Karst Score
- 20
Watershed
- Watershed
- The Cockscomb
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Safety & Conditions
Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.
Before any visit to Tassi Ranch, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.
Coordinates: 36.256389, -113.957982