Trailheads Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Visit MURRAY LAKE, located 25.9 miles from Fredonia, AZ. Elevation: 8,559 ft. Mountain terrain. Best visited Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Near Fredonia, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

Between the Desert terrain and bear activity, your pack for Murray Lake needs a few specific items.

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

Bear canister — Many backcountry areas require approved bear canisters; an improperly stored food bag can result in fines and lost supplies.
Bear spray — A 30-foot spray cone gives you a critical buffer zone during a charge, without requiring precise aim under extreme stress.
Bear bell — Bears typically avoid humans when given advance warning; the steady jingle of a bear bell lets them move away before you arrive.
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.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Modern synthetic or down insulation packs small and weighs little, making it easy to carry just in case.
Hand warmers — Disposable warmers weigh almost nothing and provide 8+ hours of steady heat in gloves or pockets.
Thermos — In freezing conditions, warm liquids help prevent the calorie drain your body spends on staying warm.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.
Headlamp (extra) — Cave exploration, deep canyons, and dense forest canopy create darkness even during daylight hours.
Emergency bivy — Unlike a space blanket, a bivy fully encloses you, trapping more warmth and blocking wind from all directions.
PLB/satellite messenger — In remote wilderness with no cell coverage, a PLB is your only way to call for help during a serious injury or emergency.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

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

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep is the prime window for visiting Murray Lake, when conditions favor backpacking and the weather cooperates.

With a photography score of 65/100, Murray Lake offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
boating — Boating provides a different perspective on shorelines and wildlife.
fishing — Fishing blends patience and skill with peaceful waterfront settings.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
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.
swimming — Swimming adds refreshing fun to a day outdoors.
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: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.

Wildlife Safety at Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Murray Lake carries a danger score of 45/10, driven primarily by bears.

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (168mi from city)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (37N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear inhabit the forests around Murray Lake, foraging for berries, insects, and nuts.

Black Bear

Color varies widely from jet black to cinnamon brown, and occasionally blond, sometimes with a pale chest patch.

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

Watch your step — are present in the Desert habitat around Murray Lake.

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 Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

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

Biodiversity at Murray Lake is shaped by the Desert terrain and Temperate climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.

Trees (2)

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.

Wildflowers (1)

Stansbury's Cliffrose — Creamy white five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.

Shrubs (2)

Roundleaf buffaloberry — A thorny shrub with silvery round leaves and small yellow flowers.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — The plant rarely exceeds a foot tall but can spread outward in mounded colonies. Its vivid blooms contrast sharply against arid landscapes.

Other Plants (5)

Whipple Cholla
Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Utah Juniper
Plains Pricklypear

Mammals (5)

Abert's Squirrel — White underside and bushy tail edged in white.
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter.
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Two bold stripes run along the back but none on the face.
Pronghorn — Both sexes have short, curved horns with a forward prong.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — White underside and underside of tail.

Birds (10)

Common Raven — Broad wings with fingered primaries
Horned Lark — Small black feather tufts
California Condor — White wing patches
Bald Eagle — Dark brown juvenile without white head
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Gray back

Reptiles (9)

Desert Spiny Lizard — Males may show blue patches on the underside.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly.
Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings.

Insects (7)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Hunt's Bumble Bee
Pandora Pinemoth
Anicia Checkerspot
Painted Lady

Nature Bingo at Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

California Condor (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Desert Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Whipple Cholla (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Temperature and precipitation data for Murray Lake help narrow down the ideal visit window.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 45.4°F

Annual precipitation: 25.2 in

With an average annual temperature of 45.4°F and 25.2 inches of precipitation, Murray Lake has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 66°F, while winter lows drop to 29°F.

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

Winter 29°

2.8"

Spring 41°

1.9"

Summer 66°

1.9"

Fall 47°

2.7"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	29°F	2.8 in
Feb	30°F	2.7 in
Mar	36°F	3.3 in
Apr	41°F	1.9 in
May	50°F	1.2 in
Jun	61°F	0.5 in
Jul	66°F	1.9 in
Aug	64°F	2.5 in
Sep	58°F	1.8 in
Oct	47°F	2.7 in
Nov	36°F	1.8 in
Dec	29°F	2.1 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: 5:09 AM – 7:48 PM

Winter: 7:33 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:33 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:33 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:09 AM, Sunset 7:48 PM Golden hour from 7:09 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:41 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:09 AM, Sunset 6:38 PM Golden hour from 6:04 PM

Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

At 168 miles from Las Vegas, Murray Lake is a longer road trip for most visitors.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (168 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $42.09 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 136 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: Good starting point
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)

Places Near Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

Don't limit your trip to just Murray Lake — the surrounding area has 13 more places to discover.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

Night falls differently here — the Bortle 1 rating means Excellent dark-sky site visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, 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.
Cassiopeia — This constellation represents a mythological queen and lies opposite the Big Dipper across Polaris.
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 Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

Different seasons reveal different sides of Murray Lake.

Nature at Murray Lake follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.

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 8559ft 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 Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

The cultural landscape of Murray Lake reflects the long presence of Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos on this land.

Territories

Languages

2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Southern Paiute, Diné Bizaad.

Data from Native Land Digital

Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Murray Lake 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: Glen Canyon Group
Formation: Navajo Sandstone; Kayenta Formation; Moenave Formation
Lithology: Major:{sandstone}, Minor:{siltstone,sandstone mudstone}
Age: Jurassic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 8
Unique Species: 7
Oldest: 192.9 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 3
Richness: Low
Minerals Found: Uranium, Copper, Molybdenum, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 104°F (2021-07-10)
Record Low: -12°F (2007-01-14)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 24
Largest Fire: Warm Wfu (19,514.7 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Corral Valley
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

Bigfoot Reports: 1 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score: 8/100

Murray Lake Trailhead, Coconino Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Murray Lake.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MARBLE CANYON 3.7 SW, AZ US (28.29 mi)