Photo: deborah.soltesz / CC0

Day Use Areas 479 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

Hundreds of petroglyphs can be seen on the volcanic basalt outcrops that lie next to the Gila River. The area is believed to have been utilized for thousands of years, more so from A.D. 500 until the 1800s.

Near Dateland, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Sears Point Site, Yuma

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

This packing list is tailored to the Desert environment and Arid at Sears Point Site.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

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.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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

Extra water (1L/hr) — In high-heat conditions, your body can sweat 1-2 liters per hour; matching that rate prevents the dangerous spiral of dehydration.
Electrolytes — Sweating depletes sodium and potassium that plain water can't replace; electrolyte tablets prevent the muscle cramps and fatigue of hyponatremia.
Cooling towel — A wet towel on your neck cools blood flowing to your brain, providing immediate relief from heat stress.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Sears Point Site, Yuma

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

The terrain here lends itself to photography, picnicking, walking — activities that match the Desert environment.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

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

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Sears Point Site, Yuma

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

The wildlife safety profile at Sears Point Site includes venomous snakes — here's what to know about each.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Flood zone
Far from city (83mi)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (33N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

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 Sears Point Site, Yuma

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

The natural world around Sears Point Site reflects its Desert setting — overhead, Desert Sunflower and Smallflower Stock at your feet, and wildlife throughout.

Wildflowers (3)

Desert Sunflower — Bright yellow ray flowers with dark centers.
Smallflower Stock — Small purple to pink four-petaled flowers.
Devil's Spineflower — Tiny pinkish flowers cluster along wiry branches.

Shrubs (3)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Ribbed stems grow close to the ground and may form tight clusters over time. Spines range from straw-colored to reddish brown, offering protection from herbivores.

Other Plants (5)

saguaro
rocketsalad
desert ironwood
triangle-leaf bursage
Branched Pencil Cholla

Mammals (3)

Kit Fox — A small fox with pale gray-tan coat and large ears.
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail.
Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump.

Birds (30)

Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail
Ring-necked Duck — Male with glossy black head and gray sides
Gambel's Quail — Gray body with chestnut flanks
Common Merganser — Male white-bodied with dark head
Rock Pigeon — Blue-gray with two black wing bars

Reptiles (9)

Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Common Chuckwalla — A large stocky desert lizard with loose wrinkled skin and dark body coloration.
Zebra-tailed Lizard — A slender lizard with long tail marked by bold black-and-white bands.
Desert Iguana — A pale gray or cream lizard with subtle net-like patterning.
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.

Amphibians (1)

Couch's Spadefoot

Insects (11)

Veromessor pergandei
Desert Forktail
Wetsalts Tiger Beetle
White-lined Sphinx
Anvil-wing Moth

Other Wildlife (1)

Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Sears Point Site, Yuma

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

Wildlife Challenge

Burrowing Owl (bird)
Kit Fox (mammal)
Common Side-blotched Lizard (reptile)
Couch's Spadefoot (amphibian)
Creosote Bush (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Sears Point Site, Yuma Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The climate at Sears Point Site peaks for outdoor activity during Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, when temperatures average °F.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 73°F

Annual precipitation: 4.5 in

With an average annual temperature of 73°F and 4.5 inches of precipitation, Sears Point Site has hot, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 93°F, while winter lows drop to 55°F.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec. Consider avoiding: Jul, Aug.

Winter 55°

0.6"

Spring 70°

0.1"

Summer 93°

0.5"

Fall 75°

0.3"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	55°F	0.6 in
Feb	58°F	0.5 in
Mar	64°F	0.5 in
Apr	70°F	0.1 in
May	78°F	0.1 in
Jun	87°F	0.0 in
Jul	93°F	0.5 in
Aug	93°F	0.5 in
Sep	87°F	0.5 in
Oct	75°F	0.3 in
Nov	63°F	0.4 in
Dec	53°F	0.5 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 10 hours in winter to 14.3 hours in summer — a difference of 4.3 hours.

Summer: 4:24 AM – 6:42 PM

Winter: 6:28 AM – 4:28 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:28 AM, Sunset 4:28 PM Golden hour from 3:50 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:24 AM, Sunset 6:42 PM Golden hour from 6:06 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:45 AM, Sunset 5:40 PM Golden hour from 5:08 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:16 AM, Sunset 5:41 PM Golden hour from 5:08 PM

Sears Point Site, Yuma Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Sears Point Site.

Whether it's a day trip or weekend getaway from Phoenix, here's what visiting Sears Point Site involves.

Nearest city: Phoenix (83 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $20.82 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 67.3 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Sears Point Site, Yuma

The area around Sears Point Site has plenty more to offer.

The proximity of 4 other outdoor spots makes this area ideal for multi-day exploration.

Nearby Campgrounds

Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground (NE, 0mi), Maricopa 20.14 mi

Nearby Attractions

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, Maricopa 20.14 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Sears Point Site, Yuma

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

Under the Bortle class 4 skies at Sears Point Site, you can expect to see 2 major constellations and constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

From Sears Point Site, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
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.

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.
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.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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:

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 Sears Point Site, Yuma

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Knowing what each season brings helps you plan the best possible visit to Sears Point Site.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 25 – November 15

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

Sears Point Site, Yuma Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Sears Point 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: Holocene to middle Pliocene basaltic rocks
Lithology: Major:{basalt}, Minor:{andesite,dacite,rhyolite}
Age: Cenozoic

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 5
Richness: Low
Minerals Found: Geothermal, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 124°F (1917-06-16)
Record Low: 18°F (1916-12-10)

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Volcanic rocks with potential for pseudokarst features
Karst Score: 30

Watershed

Watershed: Huerfano Hill-Midway Wash
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 1 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 2/100

Sears Point Site, Yuma Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Safety starts with current information. These resources cover real-time conditions near Sears Point Site.

Flood zone: In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A)

Nearest weather station: PAINTED ROCK DAM, AZ US (22.28 mi)