Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
Fishing in Arizona
Near Nutrioso, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.
The conditions at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
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First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
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Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
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Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
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Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
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Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
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Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
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Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
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First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.
Terrain Gear
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SPF50 lip balm — Reapply every 2 hours and after eating or drinking, as lip balm wears off faster than body sunscreen.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Forest landscape around Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site makes it well suited for boating, fishing, picnicking.
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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boating — Always wear life jackets and follow local water safety rules.
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fishing — Check local regulations and seasons before heading out.
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picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
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rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
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wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.
Wildlife Safety at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.
Wildlife safety at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 30/10 reflects Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (171mi from city).
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (171mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .
- 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 Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Nature at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site includes 2 tree species, 6 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Trees (2)
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Gambel Oak — Leaves turn shades of yellow to reddish-brown in fall. -
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — The tree is highly fire-adapted and thrives with periodic low-intensity burns.
Wildflowers (6)
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upright prairie coneflower — Distinct elongated brown cone above reflexed petals. -
Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering. -
golden columbine — Lantern-like blooms adapted to hummingbird pollination. -
manyflowered gromwell — Low clumping plant with narrow foliage. -
cutleaf coneflower — Multiple bright blooms forming loose clusters.
Other Plants (5)
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western blue flag
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Scarlet Gilia
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great mullein
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MacDougal verbena
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scarlet cinquefoil
Mammals (7)
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Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds. -
Bighorn Sheep — Sure-footed build adapted to steep cliffs. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Bushy tail and alert posture.
Birds (11)
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Wild Turkey — Paler Rio Grande subspecies in the West -
Canada Goose — Smaller cackling-type with shorter neck -
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks -
Mountain Bluebird — Slim thrush shape -
Bufflehead — Compact body and short bill
Reptiles (5)
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Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long. -
Southwestern Fence Lizard — Typically 5–8 inches long including tail. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Amphibians (3)
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Arizona Tree Frog -
Western Tiger Salamander -
Arizona Toad
Insects (12)
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Blue Fungus Beetle -
Ridings' Satyr -
Nokomis Fritillary
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Common Ringlet -
Ruddy Copper
Fungi (6)
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lobster mushroom -
Barrow's Bolete
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Kaibab Jack -
Spring Polypore -
Floccularia albolanaripes
Other Wildlife (1)
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Speckled Dace
Nature Bingo at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache Climate & Sun
Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.
Expect Arid weather at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Climate type: Arid
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 0.7 in |
| Feb | 37°F | 0.8 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 0.6 in |
| Apr | 49°F | 0.4 in |
| May | 56°F | 0.5 in |
| Jun | 66°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 69°F | 3.3 in |
| Aug | 67°F | 3.3 in |
| Sep | 61°F | 1.7 in |
| Oct | 52°F | 0.8 in |
| Nov | 42°F | 0.8 in |
| Dec | 33°F | 1.1 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: 5:04 AM – 7:29 PM
Winter: 7:14 AM – 5:08 PM
Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache Trip Planning & Access
Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site.
Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site.
Visitor Friendliness
Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (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 Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.
Extend your visit with these nearby options — 12 destinations sit within range of Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site.
Nearby Trails
- Tank Trail, Apache 2.87 mi
- Power Line Trail, Apache 3.01 mi
- Crossover Trail, Apache 3.29 mi
- Murray Basin Trail, Apache 3.81 mi
- Saffel Ohv, Apache 4.67 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Alpine Divide Cg Campground, Apache 11.66 mi
- Benny Creek Group Area Campground, Apache 14.63 mi
- Benny Creek Campground, Apache 14.63 mi
- Luna Lake Group Cg Campground, Apache 16.69 mi
- Luna Lake Campground, Apache 16.8 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.
Stargazing at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site benefits from Typical truly dark site darkness — Bortle class 2 on the light pollution scale.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.
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Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.
Meteor Showers
The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.
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 Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.
Each season reveals a different side of Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.
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
Indigenous Land at Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache
The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.
The land around Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site has been home to Chiricahua Apache, Pueblos, Shiwinna (Zuni) for thousands of years.
Territories
Languages
The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Chiricahua, Shiwi’ma Bena:we.
Data from Native Land Digital
Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site 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
- Oligocene to Paleocene[?] sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Chuska Sandstone
- Lithology
- Major:{conglomerate,sandstone}
- Age
- Paleogene
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 1
- Unique Species
- 1
- Oldest
- 100.5 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 26
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Pumice, Volcanic Materials, Zeolites, Perlite
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 106°F (2013-06-08)
- Record Low
- -32°F (1979-01-30)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 46
- Largest Fire
- Three Forks (7,742.3 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Riggs Creek-Nutrioso Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 18.621%
- Impaired
- 2.309%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 6 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Haunted Places
- 1 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 45/100
Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site, Apache Safety & Conditions
Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.
Conditions change quickly outdoors. These links provide current data for the area around Nelson Reservoir North Boating Site.
Coordinates: 34.060069, -109.193706