Viewing Wildlife

With a wide range of habitats on the Forest, from the only alpine tundra in the state down to lowland desert, the Forest is biologically rich, supporting a diversity of wildlife and fish populations. The Forest is home to over 500 vertebrate species, including at least 300 species of birds, almost 100 species of mammals, a wide variety of herpetefauna (amphibians and reptiles), 16 native fish species, as well as many invertebrates.

The wildlife and fish resources of the Forest are among the most diverse and unique within the Southwestern Region. See Wildlife & Fisheries for more information about fish and wildlife on the Coconino National Forest. The Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) is an excellent source of wildlife information. Visit AZGFD Wildlife and follow their Wild+Life E-news newsletter.

Viewing Wildlife Areas

Flagstaff Ranger District
The Flagstaff Ranger District encompasses 849,249 acres of National Forest lands around the Flagstaff area, from Mormon Lake and Anderson Mesa to north of the San Francisco Peaks. At 12,633 feet, the San Francisco Peaks is not only the dominant feature of the forest area we call the Volcanic Highlands, it's also the highest mountain in Arizona. Three of the summits that ring this dormant volcano's now quiet inner caldera are higher than any other mountain in the state.

This mountain is sacred to the native peoples that live in the area and its soaring profile set against a blue Arizona sky serves as a source of awe to contemporary residents and visitors. Views from the summit of the San Francisco Peaks stretch to the Grand Canyon's North Rim over eighty miles away. Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife watching and skiing are the predominant recreation activities enjoyed in this land of mountains, forests and lava flows.

Flagstaff Ranger District, extends from north of the Peaks to the south. This rolling highland is a land of ponderosa pine forests and pinyon/juniper woodlands clustered around broad prairies and small lakes. Arizona's largest natural lake, Mormon Lake, is located here. The area is also known for its plentiful wildlife. Large herds of elk roam the forests and edgelands. Bald eagles and ospreys live and hunt around the lakes. Pronghorn antelope graze the prairies.

Principal recreation activities among the lakes and prairies are boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife watching. The area also boasts some excellent cross-country skiing in good snow years.

Recreation Activities for the Flagstaff District:
More Information
- Road Status
- Forest Orders
Arizona Nordic Village in the Summer
Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail
Upper Lake Mary
Marshall Lake
Mormon Lake
Schultz Tank
Mogollon Rim Ranger District
At 506,840 acres, the Mogollon Rim Ranger District is a rugged escarpment that forms the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. It extends across the entire forest and provides excellent views within Plateau Country and Desert Canyon Country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Views stretch from its rocky precipice to Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix.

Needless to say, sightseeing is a favorite activity along the Rim, but this forest area also boasts a historic system of hiking and horseback trails, a couple of picturesque lakes for boating and fishing, and backcountry skiing for wilderness adventurers. The Mogollon Rim is home to Camp Colley, an outdoor adventure camp at Little Moqui, run by the City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation.

The photo above (see larger view) was taken by Mark Hickcox, Civil Engineer Tech on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, from the Hutch Mountain Lookout Tower in the summer of 2011. It is looking south-east toward Long Lake.

Recreation activities for the Mogollon Rim Ranger District:
More information
- Road Status
- Forest Orders
C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir
Knoll Lake
Red Rock Ranger District
The Red Rock Ranger District includes 487,519 acres of magnificent splendor. The colorful collection of buttes, pinnacles, mesas, and canyons surrounding Sedona is famous the world around for its red rock vistas. Over the years, this area has served as the setting of many western novels and movies and has been the subject of uncounted paintings, photographs, and other works of art. The remains of ancient wetlands, these crimson cliffs have been carved by the forces of the desert into one of nature's most magnificent masterpieces.

No matter what you do in Red Rock Country, you're always sightseeing. Ways to get even closer to all this scenery includes: hiking, horseback riding, taking a scenic drive, sliding down a natural waterslide, picnicking, camping, taking lots of photos and fishing in Oak Creek. Some areas require a pass to park, so be sure to check out the information about our Red Rock Pass Program.

Red Rock Recreation Guide [PDF]

Get the scoop on the Red Rock Ranger District!
Red Rock Country Area Map

Recreation activities for the Red Rock Ranger District shown in tables:
Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Fossil Creek
Fossil Creek

There are ten recreation sites and trails along Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River. Each site features deep pools and beautiful scenery.

Book Now
Fossil Creek, one of two "Wild and Scenic" rivers in Arizona, seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing 20,000 gallons a minute out of a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine. Read more ...

Destinations: Flume Trail | Dixon Lewis Trail | Fossil Springs Wilderness | Other places to go

April 1 - Oct. 1

Spring-summer season.
Parking permit required.
No camping allowed.

Oct. 2 - March 31

Fall-winter season.
No permit required.
Some camping allowed.

Never allowed

Campfires and glass containers are never allowed in the area.

For current conditions, call Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611
Oak Creek Canyon
View of Oak Creek Canyon from Oak Creek Vista

Oak Creek Canyon is a gorge carved into the edge of the Mogollon Rim of the Colorado Plateau along the Oak Creek Fault. Tectonic forces shifting the land to either side of the fault and subsequent erosion by Oak Creek have created a spectacular canyon where the geologic history of this area is an open book.

The Canyon is approximately 12 miles long. Oak Creek flows year-round along the bottom of the Canyon, providing water for plants and wildlife, as well as fishing and swimming opportunities. Oak Creek continues on through Sedona, Arizona, meeting up with the Verde River southeast of Cottonwood, Arizona.

The depth of the Canyon ranges from 800 to 2000 feet, with trails providing access from the Canyon’s bottom up to the 6500-foot eastern rim and 7200-foot western rim. Some of these trails follow historic routes early Oak Creek Canyon settlers used to access the top of the plateau in the days before the road was built. Trails on the west side of the Canyon head into Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness.

The Creation of Oak Creek Canyon

View of the eastern, lava-capped cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon.

View more on Flickr.

Approximately 65 million years ago, during a period of great mountain building, movement along Oak Creek Fault caused the east side of what is now Oak Creek Canyon to shift upwards approximately 600 feet. The exposed top rock layers eroded away until the eastern and western sides of the fault were level once again.

A few more millions of years passed, and a canyon had formed. Streams carrying gravel, then lava, flowed into the canyon from the north. In the past six million years, the fault became active again and the modern Oak Creek Canyon was carved along it. This time, the fault caused the eastern rim of the Canyon to drop around 700 feet lower than the western rim.

One of the best places to get the big picture view of the Canyon’s fascinating geologic history is Oak Creek Vista. The Vista provides a view from the top of the Canyon, where the eastern drop is easily seen.

Enjoying the Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon offers hiking, picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming, and endless vistas of colorful, soaring cliffs. The following resources will help you get the most from your visit:
Banjo Bill Picnic Site
Bootlegger Picnic Area
Call of the Canyon Picnic Site
Encinoso Picnic Site
Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center
Stoneman Lake
Verde River
Wet Beaver Creek
This clear, cool brook remains pleasantly secluded in the deep red rock canyon it has cut into the southern rim of the Colorado Plateau. For much of its length, the land bordering Wet Beaver Creek has been declared a Wilderness Area, the Wet Beaver Wilderness. In addition to the opportunities for solitude such an area offers, the stream's pools and riffles are a popular place to fish, hike, swim, and bird watch. The waters of the stream are stocked with trout. The lush riparian area beside its banks is alive with a full palette of songbirds. The desert beyond that oasis bristles with the highly adapted plants of the upper Sonoran Desert.
Beaver Creek Day Use Picnic Site
White Bridge Picnic Site
West Clear Creek
The deep, rocky canyon cut by West Clear Creek, as it slices its way free of the Mogollon rim, is home to West Clear Creek Wilderness, one of the most unique Wilderness Areas in the Southwest. This gorge is so narrow that in places the stream fills it from wall to wall. To descend one has to swim or wade, not once but as many as 15 or 20 times. Lower reaches of the canyon are more accessible and provide excellent places for secluded recreation such as swimming, hiking, trout fishing, and wildlife watching. In addition to the many colorful birds in this area, it is home to some interesting larger creatures such as black bear, javelina, and mountain lion.

Campground Season: All year at Clear Creek Campground near Highway 260. Clear Creek Campground is open year-round.

Attractions: Fishing, camping, waterplay, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, photography

Facilities:
- Clear Creek Campground has drinking water, cooking grills, vault toilets, a group site, and the General Crook National Recreation Trail nearby.
- Bullpen Day Use Area has vault toilets and access to the nearby Blodgett Basin Trail and West Clear Creek Trail. There are no other amenities at the Bullpen area. There is no camping (dispersed or campground) at Bullpen.
Clear Creek Day Use Picnic Site