Brow Monument, Coconino
Day Use Areas in Arizona
Photo: Abearfellow / Public domain
Near Fredonia, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Brow Monument, Coconino
Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.
A well-prepared pack for Brow Monument covers 3 categories: essential, wildlife gear, terrain gear.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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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.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
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First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
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Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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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.
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Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
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Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
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Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Wildlife Gear
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Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
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Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
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Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
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Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
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Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
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First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.
Terrain Gear
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SPF50 lip balm — Reapply every 2 hours and after eating or drinking, as lip balm wears off faster than body sunscreen.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Brow Monument, Coconino
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The mix of Forest terrain and Semi-Arid conditions here supports everything from photography, picnicking, walking.
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
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picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
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wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.
Wildlife Safety at Brow Monument, Coconino
Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.
The danger score of 45/10 at Brow Monument accounts for Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (155mi from city) in the area.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (155mi from city)
- 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 .
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
0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .
- 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, Coconino
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The ecosystem around Brow Monument is defined by its Forest landscape, supporting everything from Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak to Common Raven and Horned Lark.
Trees (2)
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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)
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Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.
Shrubs (2)
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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)
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Whipple Cholla
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Spinystar
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Kingcup Cactus
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Utah Juniper
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Plains Pricklypear
Mammals (5)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Convergent Lady Beetle -
Hunt's Bumble Bee -
Pandora Pinemoth -
Anicia Checkerspot -
Painted Lady
Nature Bingo at Brow Monument, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Brow Monument, Coconino Climate & Sun
The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Brow Monument.
Month-by-month temperatures at Brow Monument range from °F to °F.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 50.8°F
Annual precipitation: 17.7 in
With an average annual temperature of 50.8°F and 17.7 inches of precipitation, Brow Monument has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 72°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 1.6 in |
| Feb | 35°F | 1.6 in |
| Mar | 41°F | 2.2 in |
| Apr | 47°F | 1.3 in |
| May | 56°F | 0.8 in |
| Jun | 67°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 72°F | 1.6 in |
| Aug | 70°F | 2.1 in |
| Sep | 63°F | 1.5 in |
| Oct | 52°F | 2.0 in |
| Nov | 41°F | 1.2 in |
| Dec | 33°F | 1.4 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
Brow Monument, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.
Access to Brow Monument is primarily via Las Vegas, 155 miles away.
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
- Strollers: excellent (100/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)
Places Near Brow Monument, Coconino
Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.
The region around Brow Monument is rich with options — 12 nearby destinations are worth exploring.
Nearby Trails
- Brow Monument Trail, Coconino 0.88 mi
- Big Spring Lookout Trail, Coconino 2.84 mi
- Gooseneck Trail, Coconino 7.43 mi
- Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino 8.21 mi
- Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino 9.58 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Brow Monument, Coconino
Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.
Light pollution at Brow Monument is Excellent dark-sky site (Bortle 1), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.
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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.
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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.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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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:
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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 Brow Monument, Coconino
What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.
Seasonal changes at Brow Monument bring — each offering a distinct experience.
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 7286ft 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, Coconino
The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.
We acknowledge that Brow Monument is located on the traditional lands of Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos.
Territories
Languages
The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Southern Paiute, Diné Bizaad.
Data from Native Land Digital
Brow Monument, 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, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.
Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Brow Monument.
Coordinates: 36.591071, -112.399117