Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
Trails in Arizona
Photo: AhwatukeeBauer / CC BY-SA 3.0
Part of Navajo National Monument
What to Pack for Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.
Your packing list for Sandal Trail should account for the Mountain Forest 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
-
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.
-
Layering system (wide temp swings) — A base layer, insulating mid-layer, and wind shell cover the full range of temperatures you might encounter in a single day.
Terrain Gear
-
Trekking poles — On river crossings and loose scree, two extra contact points dramatically improve balance and confidence.
-
Ankle-support boots — A rolled ankle miles from a trailhead can turn a day hike into a rescue situation; prevention is far easier than treatment.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
The Mountain Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Visitors come to Sandal Trail primarily for hiking, though the Mountain Forest terrain opens up other options too.
With a photography score of 65/100, Sandal Trail offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
-
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.
-
running — Trail running combines endurance with changing terrain and natural views.
-
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: Mountain Forest — Conifers often dominate at higher elevations, with rocky soils and cooler temperatures.
Wildlife Safety at Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.
The danger rating here is 45/10 — Bears present and Mountain lions.
- 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
Black Bear inhabit the forests around Sandal Trail, foraging for berries, insects, and nuts.
Color varies widely from jet black to cinnamon brown, and occasionally blond, sometimes with a pale chest patch.
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
Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder are present in the Mountain Forest habitat around Sandal Trail.
Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.
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 Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
The Mountain Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The forests and meadows around Sandal Trail support a diverse community of wildlife, from Bighorn Sheep and American Beaver to Bushtit and Wild Turkey.
Trees (2)
-
Frémont Cottonwood — The crown spreads widely in open areas. -
single-leaf ash — The canopy is open and spreading.
Wildflowers (5)
-
Eastwood's monkeyflower — Low spreading stems with rounded leaves.
-
Smallflower Fishhook Cactus — Clusters of small pink to magenta flowers near the crown. -
Sego Lily — Three broad petals forming an open bowl. -
cardinal flower — Lance-shaped leaves along upright stems. -
firecracker penstemon — It is adapted to arid western climates.
Shrubs (1)
-
Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer.
Other Plants (5)
-
Sacred Datura
-
black maidenhair fern
-
gilia beardtongue
-
Scarlet Gilia
-
Tamarisks
Mammals (4)
-
Bighorn Sheep — Rams carry massive curled horns. -
American Beaver — Dense brown fur and large orange incisors. -
Black-tailed Jackrabbit — Brown-gray coat and powerful hind legs. -
North American Porcupine — Dark brown body with lighter-tipped quills.
Birds (30)
-
Bushtit — Pale eye in female -
Wild Turkey — Male with fan-shaped tail and red wattle -
Common Raven — Broad wings with fingered primaries -
Juniper Titmouse — Small crest -
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Gray back
Reptiles (10)
-
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side. -
Desert Spiny Lizard — Males may show blue patches on the underside. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly. -
Western Whiptail — Usually brown to black with six to eight light longitudinal stripes. -
Western Rattlesnake — Broad triangular head and a segmented rattle at the tail tip.
Amphibians (4)
-
Northern Leopard Frog -
Canyon Tree Frog -
Woodhouse's Toad -
Red-spotted Toad
Insects (8)
-
Shining Leaf Chafer Beetle -
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp -
White-lined Sphinx -
Hoary Comma -
Great Basin Wood-Nymph
Fungi (1)
-
hoary cobblestone lichen
Other Wildlife (10)
-
Channel Catfish
-
Bluegill
-
European Carp
-
Striped Bass
-
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Nature Bingo at Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument Climate & Sun
Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Sandal Trail.
Sandal Trail experiences Arid conditions with average temperatures ranging from °F in to °F in .
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, Sandal Trail 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: 7:26 AM – 5:07 PM
Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument Trip Planning & Access
Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.
Getting to Sandal Trail means a 240-mile drive from Phoenix, the closest major city.
Visitor Friendliness
Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable (Some elevation (100-200ft), Paved surface)
- Strollers: excellent (80/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.
The area around Sandal Trail includes trails, campgrounds, and other destinations.
Nearby Trails
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.
With Bortle class 1 skies, Sandal Trail offers Excellent dark-sky site conditions for observing the night sky.
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 Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
Each season brings something different to this area.
What you'll see at Sandal Trail depends heavily on when you visit.
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 7125ft 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 Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument
Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.
This area is part of the ancestral territory of Diné Bikéyah, Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Hopitutskwa.
Languages
2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Hopilavayi, Diné Bizaad.
Data from Native Land Digital
Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Sandal Trail 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
Sandal Trail, Navajo National Monument Safety & Conditions
Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.
Real-time safety data for Sandal Trail — weather, fire, flood, and road conditions.
Coordinates: 36.68061, -110.534168