Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

Day Use Areas in Arizona

Day Use Areas 2,962 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 50/100 (secluded)
Beasley Flat Picnic Ground in Arizona features decent scenery and diverse bird species, best visited in spring or fall.

Near Camp Verde, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

What you bring to Beasley Flat Picnic Ground matters. This list reflects the actual conditions you'll encounter.

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.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

From photography, picnicking, walking, the outdoor activities at Beasley Flat Picnic Ground take advantage of the local terrain and climate.

With a photography score of 55/100, Beasley Flat Picnic Ground offers Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

  • 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.
  • 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: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Terrain: Urban — This environment includes paved paths, landscaped areas, and pockets of remnant vegetation.

Wildlife Safety at Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

Understanding the local hazards at Beasley Flat Picnic Ground starts with knowing what's here: venomous snakes.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate
  • Mountain lions
  • Venomous snakes
  • Flood zone
  • Far from city (73mi)
UV risk: high (Southern latitude (34N))
Photo score: 55/100
  • Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
  • 3 excellent meteor showers
  • Fall foliage
  • Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — are present in the Urban habitat around Beasley Flat Picnic Ground.

  • 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 Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

Walk quietly and you may spot Desert Cottontail and Mule Deer among the 1 tree species and 2 wildflowers that grow here.

Trees (1)

  • Frémont Cottonwood
    Frémont Cottonwood — The bark is light gray and furrowed on mature trunks.

Wildflowers (2)

  • California poppy
    California poppy — Finely divided blue-green foliage forming low mounds.
  • Coulter's lupine
    Coulter's lupine — Purple to blue pea-like flowers form tall spikes.

Shrubs (4)

  • Brittlebush
    Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
  • Creosote Bush
    Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
  • redberry juniper
    redberry juniper — An evergreen shrub or small tree with scale-like leaves and reddish berry-like cones.

Other Plants (5)

  • saguaro
  • Buckhorn Cholla
  • California Barrel Cactus
  • Teddybear Cholla
  • stinknet

Mammals (4)

  • Desert Cottontail
    Desert Cottontail — Lean body suited to arid habitats.
  • Mule Deer
    Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter.
  • Collared Peccary
    Collared Peccary — Short legs and compact muscular body.
  • Coyote
    Coyote — Narrow muzzle and upright ears.

Birds (30)

  • House Sparrow
    House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow
  • Great-tailed Grackle
    Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female
  • Hooded Merganser
    Hooded Merganser — Brown female with shaggy crest
  • Brewer's Sparrow
    Brewer's Sparrow — Faint facial markings
  • Black-throated Sparrow
    Black-throated Sparrow — Gray face with white stripes

Reptiles (5)

  • Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
    Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
  • Common Side-blotched Lizard
    Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side.
  • Desert Spiny Lizard
    Desert Spiny Lizard — Males may show blue patches on the underside.
  • Gopher Snake
    Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings.
  • Western Whiptail
    Western Whiptail — Usually brown to black with six to eight light longitudinal stripes.

Amphibians (1)

  • Red-spotted Toad
    Red-spotted Toad

Insects (6)

  • Empress Leilia
    Empress Leilia
  • Western Honey Bee
    Western Honey Bee
  • Queen
    Queen
  • American Snout
    American Snout
  • Sleepy Orange
    Sleepy Orange

Other Wildlife (1)

  • Desert Blonde Tarantula

Nature Bingo at Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

Wildlife Challenge

Botany Challenge

Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Climate data for Beasley Flat Picnic Ground shows Semi-Arid patterns, averaging 63.3°F year-round.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 63.3°F

Annual precipitation: 14.2 in

With an average annual temperature of 63.3°F and 14.2 inches of precipitation, Beasley Flat Picnic Ground has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 84°F, while winter lows drop to 46°F.

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

Month Avg Temp Precip
Jan 46°F 1.5 in
Feb 49°F 1.5 in
Mar 54°F 1.4 in
Apr 60°F 0.5 in
May 69°F 0.4 in
Jun 78°F 0.1 in
Jul 84°F 1.8 in
Aug 82°F 2.3 in
Sep 76°F 1.5 in
Oct 65°F 1.0 in
Nov 53°F 0.8 in
Dec 45°F 1.4 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.5 hours.

Summer: 5:13 AM – 7:40 PM

Winter: 7:26 AM – 5:18 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:26 AM, Sunset 5:18 PM Golden hour from 4:39 PM
Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:13 AM, Sunset 7:40 PM Golden hour from 7:03 PM
Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 6:34 PM Golden hour from 6:00 PM
Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:09 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:02 PM

Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai Trip Planning & Access

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

The closest major city is Phoenix at 73 miles, making this a short road trip destination.

Nearest city: Phoenix (73 mi)
Estimated fuel cost: $18.19 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)
Carbon footprint: 58.8 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 (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20), Low-commitment activity (+10))
  • Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

17 outdoor locations are close enough to Beasley Flat Picnic Ground to combine into a single trip.

Nearby Attractions

Stargazing & Night Sky at Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

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

The night sky here rates Bortle class 4, meaning Rural/suburban transition conditions for spotting constellations and celestial events.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

  • Ursa Minor
    Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
  • Cepheus
    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
    Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)

    Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.

  • Quadrantids
    Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)

    Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.

  • Perseids
    Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)

    Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.

  • Eta Aquariids
    Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)

    Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.

  • Delta Aquariids
    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
    Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
  • Jupiter
    Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
  • Saturn
    Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
  • Mars
    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 Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai

Different seasons reveal different sides of Beasley Flat Picnic Ground.

The landscape at Beasley Flat Picnic Ground transforms through the year, with 3 notable seasonal events.

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

Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Beasley Flat Picnic Ground 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

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences
45
Unique Species
22
Oldest
382.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites
148
Richness
Exceptional
Minerals Found
Gold, Copper, Silver, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Manganese, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Sodium

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High
117°F (1995-07-28)
Record Low
0°F (2011-01-01)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires
102
Largest Fire
Butte (7,962.8 acres)
Most Recent
2024
Fire Risk
Extreme

Watershed

Watershed
Little Ash Creek
Water Quality (Good)
0%
Impaired
5.061%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found
2
Largest
Cordes (0.1 kg)

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings
12 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score
20/100

Beasley Flat Picnic Ground, Yavapai Safety & Conditions

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

Live conditions for Beasley Flat Picnic Ground — bookmark these for your trip.

Flood zone: In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A)
Nearest weather station: MONTEZUMA CASTLE NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (9.51 mi)

Coordinates: 34.476515, -111.800708

Packing List Star Guide ↑ Top
Beasley Flat Picnic Ground
Arizona · 2,962 ft · Day Use Areas · 34.4765°N, -111.8007°W

Emergency Information

In case of emergency: Call 911

Nearest town: Camp Verde, AZ

Venomous snakes present — Watch where you step ()