Parks 2,034 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

The 31,200-acre Hummingbird Springs Wilderness lies 55 miles west of Phoenix in western Maricopa County. The colorful escarpments of the 3,418-foot-high Sugarloaf Mountain rise steeply from the Tonopah Desert plains giving the wilderness exceptional scenic value, especially noticeable along Interstate Highway 10 south of the area. The Big Horn Mountains Wilderness lies to the southwest, separated only by a jeep trail. Over eight miles of the eastern Big Horn Mountains cross this wilderness. The area is dominated by Sugarloaf Mountain, a landmark encircled by many lower peaks, hills, washes and bajadas. The complexity and diversity of landforms, desert vegetation and the natural beauty of this wilderness offer a wealth of recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities. Saguaro, chollas, ocotillos, paloverdes and mesquite abound. Most of the wilderness is habitat for desert bighorn sheep, mule deer and desert tortoise. Cooper's hawks, prairie falcons, golden eagles, kit foxes and Gila monsters may also be encountered. Know Before You Go Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities. Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more information about regulations. Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.

Near Tonopah, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.

Your packing list for Hummingbird Springs Wilderness should account for the Grassland terrain and Arid.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

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

Visitors come to Hummingbird Springs Wilderness primarily for atv, though the Grassland terrain opens up other options too.

With a photography score of 55/100, Hummingbird Springs Wilderness offers Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

atv — ATV riding covers varied terrain from sand to forest paths.
backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
birdwatching — Binoculars and field guides help track seasonal migrations and rare sightings.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
ice_fishing — Ice fishing requires proper gear and careful attention to ice safety.
ice_skating — Ice skating combines recreation with crisp seasonal air.
mountain_biking — Mountain biking combines speed, balance, and changing landscapes.
off_roading — Off-roading explores remote landscapes beyond paved roads.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
scuba_diving — Scuba diving reveals reefs, shipwrecks, and aquatic life up close.
sightseeing — Sightseeing highlights iconic vistas, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
snorkeling — Snorkeling offers an accessible way to view reefs and clear waters.
soaking — Warm mineral waters provide a soothing outdoor experience.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Grassland — Rolling plains or prairies provide wide visibility and expansive skies.

Wildlife Safety at Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.

The danger rating here is 25/10 — Mountain lions and Venomous snakes.

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (60mi)

UV risk: high (Southern latitude (34N))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — are present in the Grassland habitat around Hummingbird Springs Wilderness.

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 Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

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

The forests and meadows around Hummingbird Springs Wilderness support a diverse community of wildlife, from to Red-winged Blackbird and Rock Pigeon.

Wildflowers (3)

purple owl's-clover — Upright stems with finely divided leaves.
California poppy — Finely divided blue-green foliage forming low mounds.
Coulter's lupine — Purple to blue pea-like flowers form tall spikes.

Shrubs (5)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
Eastern Joshua tree — Cream-colored flower clusters appear in spring.

Other Plants (5)

saguaro
Buckhorn Cholla
California Barrel Cactus
ocotillo
Beavertail Pricklypear

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Streaked brown female
Rock Pigeon — White or mottled urban color morphs
Gambel's Quail — Black face patch
Mourning Dove — Black wing spots
White-crowned Sparrow — Juvenile with brown crown stripes

Reptiles (13)

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — Camouflages closely with rocky terrain.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side.
Sonoran Desert Tortoise — Front limbs adapted for digging burrows.
Western Patch-nosed Snake — Tan with darker blotches or stripes.

Amphibians (3)

Red-spotted Toad
Lowland Leopard Frog
Arizona Toad

Insects (6)

Large Creosote Gall Midge
California Patch
Noble Scoliid Wasp
Creosote Resin Gall Midge
Western Honey Bee

Other Wildlife (1)

Common Desert Centipede

Nature Bingo at Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

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

Wildlife Challenge

Great Horned Owl (bird)
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (reptile)
Red-spotted Toad (amphibian)
Eastern Joshua tree (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa Climate & Sun

Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Hummingbird Springs Wilderness.

Hummingbird Springs Wilderness experiences Arid conditions with average temperatures ranging from °F in to °F in .

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 69.4°F

Annual precipitation: 9.1 in

With an average annual temperature of 69.4°F and 9.1 inches of precipitation, Hummingbird Springs Wilderness has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 89°F, while winter lows drop to 52°F.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Winter 52°

1.2"

Spring 66°

0.3"

Summer 89°

1.1"

Fall 72°

0.5"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	52°F	1.2 in
Feb	54°F	1.4 in
Mar	60°F	0.9 in
Apr	66°F	0.3 in
May	75°F	0.1 in
Jun	84°F	0.1 in
Jul	89°F	1.1 in
Aug	89°F	1.0 in
Sep	83°F	0.9 in
Oct	72°F	0.5 in
Nov	60°F	0.6 in
Dec	51°F	1.0 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: 4:21 AM – 6:43 PM

Winter: 6:29 AM – 4:25 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:29 AM, Sunset 4:25 PM Golden hour from 3:47 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:21 AM, Sunset 6:43 PM Golden hour from 6:06 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:44 AM, Sunset 5:39 PM Golden hour from 5:06 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:14 AM, Sunset 5:40 PM Golden hour from 5:07 PM

Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa Trip Planning & Access

Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.

Getting to Hummingbird Springs Wilderness means a 60-mile drive from Phoenix, the closest major city.

Nearest city: Phoenix (60 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $14.97 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 48.4 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (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)

Stargazing & Night Sky at Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.

With Bortle class 4 skies, Hummingbird Springs Wilderness offers Rural/suburban transition conditions for observing the night sky.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

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 Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa

Each season brings something different to this area.

What you'll see at Hummingbird Springs Wilderness depends heavily on when you visit.

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

Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Hummingbird Springs Wilderness 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: Late and middle Pleistocene surficial deposits
Lithology: Major:{gravel,sand}, Minor:{silt,clay}
Age: Pleistocene

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 132
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Manganese, Gold, Copper, Fluorine-Fluorite, Calcium, Perlite, Barium-Barite, Silver

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 124°F (1971-07-10)
Record Low: 9°F (1971-01-07)

Wildfire History

This area has a high wildfire risk. Check current fire conditions before visiting and follow all fire restrictions. Campfires may be banned during dry seasons.

Recorded Fires: 3
Largest Fire: Jackrabbit (2,033.6 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: High

Watershed

Watershed: Big Horn Peak
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 1
Largest: Big Horn Mountains (0.1 kg)

Hummingbird Springs Wilderness, Maricopa Safety & Conditions

Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.

Real-time safety data for Hummingbird Springs Wilderness — weather, fire, flood, and road conditions.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: BUCKEYE 13.7 W, AZ US (24.26 mi)