Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
Trails in Arizona
Photo: AhwatukeeBauer / CC BY-SA 3.0
Part of Navajo National Monument
What to Pack for Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
Pack for Mountain Forest terrain, Arid, and the wildlife considerations above.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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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.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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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.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
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Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
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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.
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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.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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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
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Insulated layers — Body heat escapes rapidly when you stop moving; an insulated layer traps warmth during breaks and at camp.
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Hand warmers — Cold fingers lose dexterity fast, making it harder to operate zippers, buckles, and navigation devices when you need them most.
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Thermos — A hot drink on a cold trail restores core temperature and morale faster than any other comfort item.
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Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.
Terrain Gear
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Trekking poles — Poles reduce knee impact by up to 25% on steep descents, preventing the joint pain that slows hikers on long routes.
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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 Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
The Mountain Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Whether you're here for caving or looking to try something different, Kiva Cave has options.
Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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caving — Explore natural caves and underground passages with proper lighting and gear.
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hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
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photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
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sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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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 Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
Most visitors at Kiva Cave never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 45/10 means preparation matters.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (240mi 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.
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
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.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
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 Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
The Mountain Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The Mountain Forest environment here supports 44 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Trees (2)
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Frémont Cottonwood — The bark is light gray and furrowed on mature trunks. -
single-leaf ash — The bark is light gray and fissured with age.
Wildflowers (5)
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Eastwood's monkeyflower — Yellow tubular flowers with red spotting.
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Smallflower Fishhook Cactus — Rounded cactus with hooked central spines. -
Sego Lily — White to lilac cup-shaped flowers with purple markings. -
cardinal flower — Tall spikes of vivid red tubular flowers. -
firecracker penstemon — Slender stems rise above narrow leaves in spring and early summer.
Shrubs (1)
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Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer.
Other Plants (5)
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Sacred Datura
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black maidenhair fern
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gilia beardtongue
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Scarlet Gilia
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Tamarisks
Mammals (4)
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Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump. -
American Beaver — A large semi-aquatic rodent with flat paddle-shaped tail. -
Black-tailed Jackrabbit — A large hare with very long ears tipped in black. -
North American Porcupine — A slow-moving rodent covered in sharp quills over its back and tail.
Birds (30)
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Bushtit — Tiny gray bird with long tail -
Wild Turkey — Large dark bird with iridescent bronze sheen -
Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat -
Juniper Titmouse — Plain gray body -
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Blue head and wings
Reptiles (10)
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Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Desert Spiny Lizard — A robust lizard with rough spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning. -
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body. -
Western Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied pit viper with dark blotches along a brown or gray body.
Amphibians (4)
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Northern Leopard Frog -
Canyon Tree Frog -
Woodhouse's Toad -
Red-spotted Toad
Insects (8)
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Shining Leaf Chafer Beetle -
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp -
White-lined Sphinx -
Hoary Comma -
Great Basin Wood-Nymph
Fungi (1)
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hoary cobblestone lichen
Other Wildlife (10)
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Channel Catfish
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Bluegill
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European Carp
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Striped Bass
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Arizona Bark Scorpion
Nature Bingo at Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The annual average temperature here is 50.9°F, with 11 inches of precipitation.
Climate type: Arid
Annual avg temp: 50.9°F
Annual precipitation: 11 in
With an average annual temperature of 50.9°F and 11 inches of precipitation, Kiva Cave has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 73°F, while winter lows drop to 31°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Consider avoiding: Jan, Dec.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 1.2 in |
| Feb | 34°F | 1.1 in |
| Mar | 41°F | 0.8 in |
| Apr | 47°F | 0.6 in |
| May | 57°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 68°F | 0.2 in |
| Jul | 73°F | 1.2 in |
| Aug | 71°F | 1.5 in |
| Sep | 64°F | 1.2 in |
| Oct | 53°F | 1.0 in |
| Nov | 41°F | 0.6 in |
| Dec | 31°F | 1.0 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.7 hours in summer — a difference of 5 hours.
Summer: 5:02 AM – 7:41 PM
Winter: 7:27 AM – 5:07 PM
Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Kiva Cave.
Kiva Cave is 240 miles from Phoenix — here's what to budget for the trip.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and moderate for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: moderate (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 Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
The area around Kiva Cave has plenty more to offer.
If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Kiva Cave.
Nearby Trails
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
On clear nights, the Bortle class 1 skies above Kiva Cave reveal constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Kiva Cave, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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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:
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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 Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Timing your visit to Kiva Cave around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.
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 6683ft 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 Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument
Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.
Before this became a recreation area, this land belonged to Diné Bikéyah, Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Hopitutskwa.
Languages
Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Hopilavayi, Diné Bizaad.
Data from Native Land Digital
Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Kiva Cave 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
- 7
- Unique Species
- 7
- Oldest
- 199.5 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 32
- Richness
- High
- Minerals Found
- Uranium, Vanadium, Copper, Clay, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Limestone, General
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 105°F (1943-07-10)
- Record Low
- -19°F (1961-12-12)
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
- 4
- Largest Fire
- Admin Unit FY16 Pile Burn AddOn (50.2 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- High
Watershed
- Watershed
- Parrish Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 3 (NUFORC)
- Eeriness Score
- 6/100
Kiva Cave Trail, Navajo National Monument Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Before visiting Kiva Cave, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.
Coordinates: 36.683662, -110.535494