Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
Day Use Areas in Arizona
Photo: Rsfinlayson / CC BY-SA 4.0
Near Cibola, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
Pack for Agricultural terrain, Unknown, and the wildlife considerations above.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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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.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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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.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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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.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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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.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
The Agricultural terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Whether you're here for photography or looking to try something different, Blythe Intaglios Site has options.
Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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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: Agricultural — Agricultural terrain consists of cultivated fields, orchards, pastures, and managed farmland.
Wildlife Safety at Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
Most visitors at Blythe Intaglios Site never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 30/10 means preparation matters.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (143mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 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 Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
The Agricultural terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The Agricultural environment here supports 41 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Trees (1)
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Smoketree — Airy pink flower clusters create a smoky appearance.
Wildflowers (4)
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Birdcage Evening Primrose — Yellow four-petaled flowers on slender stems. -
desert lily — Tall stalk with large white funnel-shaped flowers. -
Desert Sunflower — Bright yellow ray flowers with dark centers. -
Thickleaf Groundcherry — Yellow flowers with dark centers bloom in summer.
Shrubs (3)
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Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain. -
Burrobush — Forms rounded mounds in arid landscapes. -
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
Other Plants (5)
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desert milkweed
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Spanish needle
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Sacred Datura
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desert sand verbena
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rush milkweed
Mammals (1)
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Kit Fox — A small fox with pale gray-tan coat and large ears.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
Rock Pigeon — Blue-gray with two black wing bars -
Gambel's Quail — Gray body with chestnut flanks -
Mourning Dove — Soft gray-brown body -
White-crowned Sparrow — Bold black and white crown stripes
Reptiles (10)
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Zebra-tailed Lizard — A slender lizard with long tail marked by bold black-and-white bands. -
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard — A pale sandy lizard with fringed scales along toes for running on dunes. -
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body. -
Desert Horned Lizard — A flattened lizard with prominent horns on the back of the head. -
Sidewinder — A small rattlesnake with horn-like scales above the eyes.
Insects (11)
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Inflated Beetle -
Creosote Resin Gall Midge
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Western Honey Bee -
Painted Lady -
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Other Wildlife (2)
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Dune Scorpion
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Desert Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The annual average temperature here is °F, with inches of precipitation.
Climate type: Unknown
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0°F | 0.4 in |
| Feb | 0°F | 0.4 in |
| Mar | 0°F | 0.4 in |
| Apr | 0°F | 0.1 in |
| May | 0°F | 0.1 in |
| Jun | 0°F | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 0°F | 0.4 in |
| Aug | 0°F | 0.5 in |
| Sep | 0°F | 0.4 in |
| Oct | 0°F | 0.2 in |
| Nov | 0°F | 0.3 in |
| Dec | 0°F | 0.3 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: 4:26 AM – 6:49 PM
Winter: 6:35 AM – 4:30 PM
Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Blythe Intaglios Site.
Blythe Intaglios Site is 143 miles from Phoenix — here's what to budget for the trip.
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 Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
The area around Blythe Intaglios Site has plenty more to offer.
If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Blythe Intaglios Site.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Dome Rock 14 Day Area Campground, La Paz 15.55 mi
- Plomosa Road 14 Day Area, La Paz 18.39 mi
- La Posa Ltva Tyson Wash Campground, La Paz 19.08 mi
- Hi Jolly 14 Day Area Campground, La Paz 19.08 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
On clear nights, the Bortle class 2 skies above Blythe Intaglios Site reveal constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Blythe Intaglios Site, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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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:
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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 Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Timing your visit to Blythe Intaglios Site around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.
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
Indigenous Land at Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside
Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.
Before this became a recreation area, this land belonged to Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Xawiƚƚ kwñchawaay (Cocopah), Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute).
Languages
Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Nüwü Ampagap (Chemehuevi), Halchiohoma, Cocopah (Xawiƚƚ kwñchawaay).
Data from Native Land Digital
Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Blythe Intaglios 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
- Jurassic volcanic rocks
- Formation
- Ali Molina Formation; Topawa Group; Mount Wrightson Formation; Canelo Hills Volcanics; Cobre Ridge Tuff; Black Rock volcanics; Planet Volcanics
- Lithology
- Major:{rhyolite,sandstone,conglomerate}, Minor:{quartzite}
- Age
- Jurassic
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 111
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Gold, Silver, Copper, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Tungsten, Kyanite, Uranium
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 6148
- ESA Endangered
- 169
- ESA Threatened
- 77
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 126°F (2016-06-21)
- Record Low
- 5°F (1913-01-06)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 10
- Largest Fire
- Mohave (923.9 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Cunningham Mountain
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Meteorite Landings
- Meteorites Found
- 2
- Largest
- Diablo Pass (0.2 kg)
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 13 (NUFORC)
- Eeriness Score
- 20/100
Blythe Intaglios Site, Riverside Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Before visiting Blythe Intaglios Site, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.
Coordinates: 33.79963, -114.53018