Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
Trails in Arizona
Photo: Patty Ringle; Coconino National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0
What to Pack for Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
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 Horse Camp Access 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
-
Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
-
Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
-
Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
-
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.
Climate Gear
-
Insulated layers — Body heat escapes rapidly when you stop moving; an insulated layer traps warmth during breaks and at camp.
-
Hand warmers — Cold fingers lose dexterity fast, making it harder to operate zippers, buckles, and navigation devices when you need them most.
-
Thermos — A hot drink on a cold trail restores core temperature and morale faster than any other comfort item.
Terrain Gear
-
Trekking poles — Poles reduce knee impact by up to 25% on steep descents, preventing the joint pain that slows hikers on long routes.
-
Ankle-support boots — Loose rock, roots, and uneven terrain put constant lateral stress on ankles; supportive boots prevent the sprains that end trips.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
The Mountain Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Horse Camp Access draws visitors for hiking, but the 6 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.
Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
-
hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
-
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.
-
running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
-
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: Mountain Forest — Mountain forests combine dense tree cover with steep slopes and elevation changes.
Wildlife Safety at Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.
Awareness is the best safety tool at Horse Camp Access. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (130mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .
A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.
Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.
- 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
Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.
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.
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.
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 Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
The Mountain Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
30 bird species have been documented near Horse Camp Access, alongside 8 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.
Trees (3)
-
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — The tree is highly fire-adapted and thrives with periodic low-intensity burns. -
Gambel Oak — Leaves turn shades of yellow to reddish-brown in fall. -
white fir — It occupies montane forests across the western United States.
Wildflowers (2)
-
Arizona mariposa lily — White to pale pink petals with deep purple markings. -
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Evergreen shrub with finely divided gray-green leaves.
Other Plants (5)
-
Echinocereus bakeri
-
great mullein
-
quaking aspen
-
alligator juniper
-
western blue flag
Mammals (8)
-
Abert's Squirrel — A gray tree squirrel with distinctive long ear tufts in winter. -
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail. -
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — A stout, burrowing rodent with tan to brown fur and short tail. -
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch. -
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail.
Birds (30)
-
Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib -
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body -
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly
Reptiles (5)
-
Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head. -
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — A slender snake with longitudinal yellow or cream stripes over a dark brown, gray, or greenish body. -
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.
Amphibians (2)
-
American Bullfrog -
Arizona Tree Frog
Insects (10)
-
Convergent Lady Beetle -
Gray Buckeye -
Carolina Grasshopper -
White-lined Sphinx -
Spotted Pine Sawyer
Fungi (1)
-
lobster mushroom
Other Wildlife (2)
-
Common Pill Woodlouse
-
Virile Crayfish
Nature Bingo at Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino Climate & Sun
For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.
The weather at Horse Camp Access follows a Temperate pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 46.7°F
Annual precipitation: 20.7 in
With an average annual temperature of 46.7°F and 20.7 inches of precipitation, Horse Camp Access has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 67°F, while winter lows drop to 30°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Sep. Consider avoiding: Jan, Dec.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 2.0 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 1.9 in |
| Mar | 38°F | 1.6 in |
| Apr | 44°F | 1.0 in |
| May | 52°F | 0.8 in |
| Jun | 62°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 67°F | 2.6 in |
| Aug | 64°F | 3.8 in |
| Sep | 58°F | 1.9 in |
| Oct | 48°F | 1.6 in |
| Nov | 38°F | 1.3 in |
| Dec | 30°F | 1.8 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 – 7:41 PM
Winter: 7:27 AM – 5:15 PM
Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Planning your trip to Horse Camp Access — here's the practical information you'll need.
From Phoenix, Horse Camp Access is a drive covering 130 miles.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, good for families, and challenging for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: good (Moderate distance (3-5mi), Some climbing (500-1000ft))
- Elderly: challenging (Long distance (>2mi), Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
- Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.
Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Horse Camp Access.
Nearby Trails
- Heart Trail, Coconino 1.04 mi
- Old Caves South Access Trail, Coconino 2.09 mi
- Sandy Seep Trail, Coconino 2.26 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Little Elden Spring Campground, Coconino 0.09 mi
- Little Elden Springs Horsecamp, Coconino 0.75 mi
- Lockett Meadow Campground, Coconino 5.93 mi
- Oleary Group Site, Coconino 6.12 mi
- Bonito Campground (az), Coconino 6.48 mi
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.
Horse Camp Access sits under Bortle class 2 skies — Typical truly dark site for stargazing in Arizona.
Constellations
From Horse Camp Access, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
-
Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round. -
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies. -
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 — 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 — 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 — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
-
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
-
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 — 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 Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Horse Camp Access.
Horse Camp Access 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: September 15 – October 10
Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak
At 7142ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: April - May
Fall peak: September - October
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino
This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.
The 4 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai).
Territories
Languages
Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.
Data from Native Land Digital
Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Horse Camp Access 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
- 187
- Unique Species
- 108
- Oldest
- 382.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 96
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Limestone, General, Perlite, Uranium
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 102°F (2021-07-11)
- Record Low
- -37°F (1963-01-12)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 171
- Largest Fire
- Pipeline (26,532.4 acres)
- Most Recent
- 9999
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a humid climate
- Karst Score
- 40
Watershed
- Watershed
- Lower Rio de Flag
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 38 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 5 (BFRO)
- Haunted Places
- 8 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 100/100
Horse Camp Access Trail, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.
Check these official resources for current conditions at Horse Camp Access before you go.
Coordinates: 35.280652, -111.576924