Photo: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0

Campgrounds 6,965 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 95/100 (remote)

Pinegrove Campground sits in the lush Coconino National Forest of northern Arizona, offering visitors countless recreation opportunities set in a stunning landscape. Recreation Nearby Upper and Lower Lake Mary, Ashurst, Marshall and Kinnikinick Lakes serve as a recreational focus for this campground. All are stocked with fish including trout, bass and channel catfish. Upper Lake Mary is popular with power boaters, and Ashurst attracts a following of windsurfers along with anglers and boaters. Several excellent hiking and biking trails are located within a short drive. Visitors also enjoy wildlife viewing and picnicking. Facilities The campground is comprised of 46 spacious individual sites. The facility provides coin-operated showers, picnic tables, campfire rings, cooking grills, drinking water and accessible flush toilets. There are boat ramps at the lakes, as well as accessible fishing access at Lake Mary Narrows. Natural Features Coconino National Forest's 1.8 million acres offer clear lakes, red rock cliffs, desert basins and canopies of pine trees. The lakes around these forested campgrounds are used as a stopover for migrating waterfowl, a wintering site for rare bald eagles and a feeding ground for resident ospreys. The area is also home to a considerable number of elk and mule deer. Nearby Attractions The nearest town is Flagstaff, Arizona, about 20 miles away. Camping supplies, groceries, gas, restaurants, shopping and more are available. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 774-9671.

Near Mormon Lake, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Pinegrove. The conditions here — Forest, Temperate, bears — call for thoughtful gear choices.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.

Terrain Gear

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 Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

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

Activity options at Pinegrove range from casual () to more demanding ().

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

boating — Always wear life jackets and follow local water safety rules.
camping — From developed campgrounds to backcountry sites, it's a classic way to immerse yourself in nature.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
stargazing — Clear, moonless nights provide the best conditions for celestial viewing.
surfing — Check local wave and tide conditions before heading out.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

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 Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

Responsible visitors at Pinegrove should be aware of 2 wildlife-related considerations.

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

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (115mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: moderate (Mid latitude (35N), Elevated (6,965ft), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

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

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

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 Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

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

From towering to delicate Arizona mariposa lily and Woods' rose, the vegetation here creates habitat for 13 mammal species and 30 birds.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves.
Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering.

Shrubs (2)

Fourwing Saltbush — Foliage often appears silvery due to salt excretion.
fernbush — Foliage has a strong resinous scent when crushed.

Other Plants (5)

Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Whipple Cholla
western blue flag
Green Ephedra

Mammals (13)

Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds.
American Bison — Adults can weigh over 2,000 pounds.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — Slender body adapted to hot climates.

Birds (30)

House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen
Hooded Merganser — Compact diving duck profile
Brewer's Sparrow — Thin bill
Black-throated Sparrow — White belly

Reptiles (11)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Eastern Collared Lizard — Usually 8–12 inches long.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Prairie Rattlesnake — Usually 3–4 feet long.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.

Amphibians (4)

Northern Leopard Frog
Arizona Tree Frog
Boreal Chorus Frog
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (4)

Megetra vittata
Painted Lady
Convergent Lady Beetle
White-lined Sphinx

Fungi (1)

Fly Agaric

Other Wildlife (2)

Diablo Mountainsnail
Common Desert Centipede

Nature Bingo at Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Pronghorn (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
Northern Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Spinystar (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Pinegrove Campground, Coconino Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Pinegrove.

Reference climate data for planning your visit to Pinegrove — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 48.1°F

Annual precipitation: 21.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 48.1°F and 21.8 inches of precipitation, Pinegrove has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 68°F, while winter lows drop to 31°F.

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

Winter 31°

2.6"

Spring 45°

1.0"

Summer 68°

2.3"

Fall 49°

1.5"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	31°F	2.6 in
Feb	34°F	2.4 in
Mar	39°F	2.1 in
Apr	45°F	1.0 in
May	53°F	0.7 in
Jun	63°F	0.3 in
Jul	68°F	2.3 in
Aug	66°F	3.3 in
Sep	60°F	1.9 in
Oct	49°F	1.5 in
Nov	39°F	1.5 in
Dec	31°F	2.2 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.

Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:40 PM

Winter: 7:26 AM – 5:15 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:26 AM, Sunset 5:15 PM Golden hour from 4:36 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:40 PM Golden hour from 7:03 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:38 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:59 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:07 AM, Sunset 6:34 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Pinegrove Campground, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Pinegrove and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: Phoenix (115 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $28.68 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 92.7 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

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: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Pinegrove visit include these 14 destinations.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Pinegrove is rated Bortle class 3, offering Rural sky conditions year-round.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
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.

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.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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:

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 Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Pinegrove shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 6965ft 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 Pinegrove Campground, Coconino

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

Before trails were marked here, Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) knew this land intimately.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.

Data from Native Land Digital

Pinegrove Campground, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Pinegrove 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: Permian sedimentary rocks
Formation: Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
Age: Permian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 187
Unique Species: 108
Oldest: 382.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 96
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Limestone, General, Perlite, Uranium

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 102°F (2021-07-11)
Record Low: -37°F (1963-01-12)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 171
Largest Fire: Pipeline (26,532.4 acres)
Most Recent: 9999
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a humid climate
Karst Score: 40

Watershed

Watershed: Lower Rio de Flag
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 38 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 5 (BFRO)
Haunted Places: 8 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 100/100

Pinegrove Campground, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Pinegrove, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (10.16 mi)