Photo: Abearfellow / Public domain

Trails 2,253 ft 0.97 mi moderate NATIVE MATERIAL Bortle 1 Solitude: 95/100 (remote)

Brow Monument is a short 1-mile moderate trail in Arizona with exceptional remoteness and decent scenery. Black bears and 5 mammal species inhabit the arid terrain. Spring through fall represents the optimal visiting window for this secluded destination.

What to Pack for Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Brow Monument. The conditions here — Mountain Forest, Semi-Arid, bears — call for thoughtful gear choices.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.

Terrain Gear

Trekking poles — Trekking poles also serve as emergency splint supports, tarp poles, or probes for testing snow depth.
Ankle-support boots — Stiff soles transfer less impact on rocky terrain, reducing foot fatigue over long distances.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

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

Activity options at Brow Monument range from casual () to more demanding ().

The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Mountain Forest — Streams, ravines, and varied canopy structure are common.

Wildlife Safety at Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

Responsible visitors at Brow Monument should be aware of 2 wildlife-related considerations.

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

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (156mi from city)

UV risk: low (Mid latitude (37N), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.

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

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.

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 Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

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

From towering Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak to delicate Stansbury's Cliffrose, the vegetation here creates habitat for 5 mammal species and 10 birds.

Trees (2)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Needles grow in bundles of three and cluster toward branch tips.
Gambel Oak — The bark is gray and furrowed, while acorns develop singly or in small clusters.

Wildflowers (1)

Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.

Shrubs (2)

Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Bright cup-shaped flowers open in sunlight and are followed by spiny fruits. It thrives in rocky desert slopes and well-drained soils.

Other Plants (5)

Whipple Cholla
Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Utah Juniper
Plains Pricklypear

Mammals (5)

Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build.
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam.
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Bushy tail and alert posture.
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — Slender body adapted to hot climates.

Birds (10)

Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail
Horned Lark — White outer tail feathers
California Condor — Bare orange head
Bald Eagle — Massive hooked yellow bill
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — White throat

Reptiles (9)

Desert Spiny Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length.

Insects (7)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Hunt's Bumble Bee
Pandora Pinemoth
Anicia Checkerspot
Painted Lady

Nature Bingo at Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

California Condor (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Desert Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Whipple Cholla (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Brow Monument Trail, Coconino Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Brow Monument.

Reference climate data for planning your visit to Brow Monument — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 49.1°F

Annual precipitation: 19.6 in

With an average annual temperature of 49.1°F and 19.6 inches of precipitation, Brow Monument has cool, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 70°F, while winter lows drop to 32°F.

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

Winter 32°

1.8"

Spring 45°

1.5"

Summer 70°

1.7"

Fall 50°

2.2"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	32°F	1.8 in
Feb	34°F	1.8 in
Mar	40°F	2.4 in
Apr	45°F	1.5 in
May	54°F	0.9 in
Jun	65°F	0.4 in
Jul	70°F	1.7 in
Aug	68°F	2.3 in
Sep	61°F	1.6 in
Oct	50°F	2.2 in
Nov	40°F	1.4 in
Dec	32°F	1.6 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.

Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:48 PM

Winter: 7:34 AM – 5:15 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:34 AM, Sunset 5:15 PM Golden hour from 4:35 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:48 PM Golden hour from 7:10 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:42 AM, Sunset 6:36 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:10 AM, Sunset 6:39 PM Golden hour from 6:04 PM

Brow Monument Trail, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Brow Monument and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (156 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $38.96 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 125.9 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
Strollers: not_recommended (35/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Brow Monument visit include these 11 destinations.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Brow Monument is rated Bortle class 1, offering Excellent dark-sky site conditions year-round.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

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 Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Brow Monument shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: April - May

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 7411ft 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 Brow Monument Trail, Coconino

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

Before trails were marked here, Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos knew this land intimately.

Territories

Data from Native Land Digital

Brow Monument Trail, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Brow Monument 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 to Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks
Formation: Hermit Formation; Supai Group; Schnebly Hill Formation; Naco Group
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,shale,limestone}
Age: Paleozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 9
Unique Species: 8
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 3
Richness: Low
Minerals Found: Asbestos, Copper, Silver, Lead

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 96°F (2003-07-10)
Record Low: -15°F (2011-01-01)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 120
Largest Fire: Bridger Knoll (53,376.8 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Evaporite rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
Karst Score: 20

Watershed

Watershed: Tapeats Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Brow Monument Trail, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Brow Monument, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: PIPE SPRING NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (27.38 mi)