Photo: Coconino National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0

Trails 2,173 ft 6.05 mi moderate Bortle 3 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Arizona's 6.05-mile Ward Trail climbs through black bear country with 8 mammal species and abundant birds (30 species). Spring through fall offers prime access to this remote landscape.

What to Pack for Ward Trail, Coconino

Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.

The right gear turns potential problems into non-issues. Here's what Ward demands.

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

Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
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

Insulated layers — Body heat escapes rapidly when you stop moving; an insulated layer traps warmth during breaks and at camp.
Hand warmers — Cold fingers lose dexterity fast, making it harder to operate zippers, buckles, and navigation devices when you need them most.
Thermos — A hot drink on a cold trail restores core temperature and morale faster than any other comfort item.

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 Ward Trail, Coconino

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

Ward draws visitors for hiking, but the 6 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.

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

Activities

hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
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.
running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
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: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

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

Wildlife Safety at Ward Trail, Coconino

While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.

Awareness is the best safety tool at Ward. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.

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

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (114mi from city)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (35N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Bears

This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .

Black Bear

A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.

Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.

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

Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.

Western Diamondback

A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

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 Ward Trail, Coconino

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

30 bird species have been documented near Ward, alongside 8 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.

Trees (3)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests.
Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes.
white fir — White fir is a tall evergreen with soft, bluish-green needles that curve upward from the twig.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — White to pale pink petals with deep purple markings.
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Evergreen shrub with finely divided gray-green leaves.

Other Plants (5)

Echinocereus bakeri
great mullein
quaking aspen
alligator juniper
western blue flag

Mammals (8)

Abert's Squirrel — A gray tree squirrel with distinctive long ear tufts in winter.
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — A stout, burrowing rodent with tan to brown fur and short tail.
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch.
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly

Reptiles (5)

Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — A slender snake with longitudinal yellow or cream stripes over a dark brown, gray, or greenish body.
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back.
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.

Amphibians (2)

American Bullfrog
Arizona Tree Frog

Insects (10)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Gray Buckeye
Carolina Grasshopper
White-lined Sphinx
Spotted Pine Sawyer

Fungi (1)

lobster mushroom

Other Wildlife (2)

Common Pill Woodlouse
Virile Crayfish

Nature Bingo at Ward Trail, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
American Bullfrog (amphibian)
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Ward Trail, Coconino Climate & Sun

For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.

The weather at Ward follows a Temperate pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 48.4°F

Annual precipitation: 23.3 in

With an average annual temperature of 48.4°F and 23.3 inches of precipitation, Ward has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 68°F, while winter lows drop to 32°F.

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

Winter 32°

2.7"

Spring 45°

1.2"

Summer 68°

2.3"

Fall 50°

1.7"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	32°F	2.7 in
Feb	34°F	2.8 in
Mar	39°F	2.5 in
Apr	45°F	1.2 in
May	53°F	0.8 in
Jun	63°F	0.3 in
Jul	68°F	2.3 in
Aug	66°F	2.9 in
Sep	60°F	2.0 in
Oct	50°F	1.7 in
Nov	40°F	1.7 in
Dec	32°F	2.4 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: 5:11 AM – 7:41 PM

Winter: 7:27 AM – 5:16 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:27 AM, Sunset 5:16 PM Golden hour from 4:37 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:11 AM, Sunset 7:41 PM Golden hour from 7:04 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 6:33 PM Golden hour from 6:00 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:08 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:02 PM

Ward Trail, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to Ward — here's the practical information you'll need.

From Phoenix, Ward is a drive covering 114 miles.

Nearest city: Phoenix (114 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $28.52 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 92.2 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, moderate for families, and challenging for elderly visitors.

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: moderate (Long distance (>5mi), Steep climb (>1000ft))
Elderly: challenging (Long distance (>2mi), Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Ward Trail, Coconino

There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.

Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Ward.

Nearby Trails

Nearby Campgrounds

Pine Flat Campground West (N, 0mi), Coconino 5.25 mi
Pine Flat Campground, Coconino 5.25 mi
Canyon Vista Campground, Coconino 5.73 mi
Cave Spring Campground, Coconino 6.12 mi
Manzanita. Campground, Coconino 9.44 mi

Nearby Attractions

Accessible Scenic Overlook, Walnut Canyon NM 11.73 mi
Pueblo and Pithouse, Walnut Canyon NM 11.83 mi
Walnut Canyon Picnic Area, Walnut Canyon NM 11.83 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Ward Trail, Coconino

Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.

Ward sits under Bortle class 3 skies — Rural sky for stargazing in Arizona.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

From Ward, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, 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.
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies.
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 Ward Trail, Coconino

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Ward.

Ward is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character and highlights.

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 6860ft 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 Ward Trail, Coconino

This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.

The 4 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.

Data from Native Land Digital

Ward Trail, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Ward 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

Ward Trail, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.

Check these official resources for current conditions at Ward before you go.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: FLAGSTAFF 2.7 SW, AZ US (6.74 mi)