Parks 4,406 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

The 27,440-acre Upper Burro Creek Wilderness is located in Yavapai and Mohave counties in Arizona, 60 miles west of Prescott and 60 miles southeast of Kingman. The small mining town of Bagdad is located 10 miles southeast of the wilderness. This wilderness lies along the upper reaches of Burro Creek, a perennial stream and one of the few streams in Arizona to flow relatively undisturbed into the lower desert. Nine miles of Burro Creek lie within the wilderness. In this area, Burro Creek passes through incised bedrock where it runs deep, creating clear blue pools connected by small waterfalls. In other areas, the creek has backed up into long, marshy pools ringed with young trees and other water-loving vegetation. Away from the stream corridor, the wilderness preserves an expanse of basalt mesas and the desert grassland found on their rolling upland surfaces. Negro Ed, a huge and colorful butte rising far above its surroundings, is one of the many beautiful natural features of the wilderness. Upper Burro Creek Wilderness offers outstanding recreation opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, sightseeing, hunting, rock collecting, and horseback riding. Swimming, birdwatching, and photography are special attractions all along the stream corridor. Know Before You Go A four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended to gain access to this wilderness. Several access roads to this wilderness have a high clay component to them. Following precipitation events, these roads can be impassable for a period of time No formal hiking trails exist within this area. Considerable "bush-whacking" may be necessary to negotiate the Burro Creek corridor or areas of chaparral brush. The summer climate in this area is harsh, with temperatures in the daytime often exceeding 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th. With the exception of the Burro Creek Canyon, water is scarce within this wilderness unit, and where found, must always be purified. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities. Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations. Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.

Near Bagdad, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

Between the Desert terrain and venomous snakes, your pack for Upper Burro Creek Wilderness needs a few specific items.

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

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.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

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

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep is the prime window for visiting Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, when conditions favor atv and the weather cooperates.

With a photography score of 55/100, Upper Burro Creek Wilderness offers Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

atv — ATV riding covers varied terrain from sand to forest paths.
backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
birdwatching — Binoculars and field guides help track seasonal migrations and rare sightings.
fishing — Fishing blends patience and skill with peaceful waterfront settings.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
horseback_riding — Horseback riding offers a traditional way to travel through scenic terrain.
mountain_biking — Mountain biking combines speed, balance, and changing landscapes.
off_roading — Off-roading explores remote landscapes beyond paved roads.
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.
rv_camping — RV camping blends outdoor living with modern amenities.
surfing — Surfing blends balance, timing, and ocean awareness.
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: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.

Wildlife Safety at Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness carries a danger score of 30/10, driven primarily by venomous snakes.

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

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (111mi from city)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (35N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — are present in the Desert habitat around Upper Burro Creek Wilderness.

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 Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

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

Biodiversity at Upper Burro Creek Wilderness is shaped by the Desert terrain and Semi-Arid climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.

Trees (1)

Gambel Oak — The bark is gray and furrowed, while acorns develop singly or in small clusters.

Wildflowers (2)

Woods' rose — Arching thorny stems with pinnate leaves.
red dome blanketflower — Low mounded plant with gray-green leaves.

Shrubs (1)

Brown-spined Pricklypear — Bright yellow to orange flowers bloom in spring.

Other Plants (5)

Parry's agave
Echinocereus bakeri
box elder
Scarlet Gilia
Spinystar

Mammals (3)

American Black Bear — Color varies from jet black to cinnamon or even blond.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit — Brown-gray coat and powerful hind legs.
Rock Squirrel — Stouter and larger than many other ground squirrels.

Birds (30)

Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female
Ring-necked Duck — Female brown with white eye ring
Gambel's Quail — Black face patch
Common Merganser — Female gray with reddish crest
Rock Pigeon — White or mottled urban color morphs

Reptiles (6)

Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
Arizona Black Rattlesnake — Broad triangular head and distinct rattle.
Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings.
Greater Earless Lizard — Tan to brown with darker blotches and pale underside.
Plateau Striped Whiptail — Very long tail and smooth scales.

Amphibians (1)

Canyon Tree Frog

Insects (17)

Large Milkweed Bug
Arizona Mantis
Western Rhinoceros Beetle
Monarch
Red-spotted Admiral

Other Wildlife (4)

Common Desert Centipede
Desert Blonde Tarantula
Apache Jumping Spider
Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

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

Wildlife Challenge

Wild Turkey (bird)
American Black Bear (mammal)
Greater Short-horned Lizard (reptile)
Canyon Tree Frog (amphibian)
Parry's agave (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Temperature and precipitation data for Upper Burro Creek Wilderness help narrow down the ideal visit window.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 63.9°F

Annual precipitation: 13.1 in

With an average annual temperature of 63.9°F and 13.1 inches of precipitation, Upper Burro Creek Wilderness has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 84°F, while winter lows drop to 47°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Winter 47°

1.7"

Spring 60°

0.4"

Summer 84°

1.3"

Fall 66°

0.7"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	47°F	1.7 in
Feb	49°F	1.8 in
Mar	54°F	1.6 in
Apr	60°F	0.4 in
May	69°F	0.2 in
Jun	78°F	0.1 in
Jul	84°F	1.3 in
Aug	82°F	2.0 in
Sep	77°F	1.1 in
Oct	66°F	0.7 in
Nov	55°F	0.7 in
Dec	47°F	1.5 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.6 hours.

Summer: 4:19 AM – 6:47 PM

Winter: 6:32 AM – 4:23 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:32 AM, Sunset 4:23 PM Golden hour from 3:45 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:19 AM, Sunset 6:47 PM Golden hour from 6:09 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:45 AM, Sunset 5:40 PM Golden hour from 5:06 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:15 AM, Sunset 5:41 PM Golden hour from 5:08 PM

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

At 111 miles from Phoenix, Upper Burro Creek Wilderness is a short road trip for most visitors.

Nearest city: Phoenix (111 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $27.65 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 89.4 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (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)

Places Near Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

Don't limit your trip to just Upper Burro Creek Wilderness — the surrounding area has 10 more places to discover.

Nearby Trails

Connel Mountain Trail, Yavapai 19.54 mi
Alligator Spring Trail, Yavapai 20.74 mi
Bt Butte Trail, Yavapai 22.29 mi
Shivers Trap Trail, Yavapai 22.65 mi
7 up to Hyde Mountain, Yavapai 23.06 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Burro Creek Campground, Mohave 13.36 mi
Burro Creek Recreation Site (N, 0mi), Mohave 13.36 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

Night falls differently here — the Bortle 3 rating means Rural sky visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, 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.
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 Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai

Different seasons reveal different sides of Upper Burro Creek Wilderness.

Nature at Upper Burro Creek Wilderness follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.

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

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Upper Burro Creek Wilderness 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: Late to middle Miocene basaltic rocks
Formation: Hickey Formation
Lithology: Major:{basalt}
Age: Serravallian

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 36
Richness: High
Minerals Found: Tungsten, Gold, Uranium, Perlite, Silver, Iron, Lead, Semiprecious Gemstone

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 114°F (1929-06-28)
Record Low: 0°F (1968-12-22)

Wildfire History

This area has a moderate wildfire risk. Be aware of fire restrictions during dry months and practice safe fire practices.

Recorded Fires: 3
Largest Fire: Goodwin Mesa RX (7,759.4 acres)
Most Recent: 2023
Fire Risk: Moderate

Watershed

Watershed: Cold Spring Canyon-Burro Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 1
Largest: Bagdad (2.2 kg)

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness, Yavapai Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Upper Burro Creek Wilderness.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: BAGDAD, AZ US (9.41 mi)