Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
Hot Springs in Arizona
Photo: Chris English / CC BY-SA 3.0
Near Wikieup, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
Pack for Desert terrain, Mediterranean, 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.
Terrain Gear
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Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
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Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
The Desert 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, Cofer Hot Spring has options.
Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 3) 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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relaxation — Unwind outdoors by reading, meditating, or simply enjoying quiet scenery.
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soaking — Relax in natural hot springs or designated soaking pools surrounded by scenic 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: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.
Wildlife Safety at Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
Most visitors at Cofer Hot Spring never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 30/10 means preparation matters.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (122mi from city)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
- 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 Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The Desert environment here supports 39 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Trees (2)
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Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures. -
desert willow — Showy trumpet-shaped flowers range from pale pink to lavender with yellow throats.
Shrubs (5)
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Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain. -
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Ribbed stems grow close to the ground and may form tight clusters over time. Spines range from straw-colored to reddish brown, offering protection from herbivores.
Other Plants (5)
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crucifixion thorn
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Buckhorn Cholla
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ocotillo
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Beavertail Pricklypear
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Mojave Yucca
Mammals (3)
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Donkey — A sturdy hoofed mammal with long ears and short mane. -
Harris' Antelope Squirrel — A small desert squirrel with white side stripe and bushy tail. -
Desert Cottontail — Gray-brown rabbit with large ears and white underside to tail.
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 (6)
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Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Mojave Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with diamond blotches and greenish tint. -
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head. -
Zebra-tailed Lizard — A slender lizard with long tail marked by bold black-and-white bands.
Amphibians (1)
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Red-spotted Toad
Insects (3)
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Large Creosote Gall Midge
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White-lined Sphinx -
Convergent Lady Beetle
Nature Bingo at Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The annual average temperature here is °F, with inches of precipitation.
Climate type: Mediterranean
Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F | 1.2 in |
| Feb | 52°F | 0.9 in |
| Mar | 58°F | 0.6 in |
| Apr | 65°F | 0.2 in |
| May | 72°F | 0.2 in |
| Jun | 82°F | 0.1 in |
| Jul | 89°F | 1.0 in |
| Aug | 87°F | 1.3 in |
| Sep | 81°F | 0.9 in |
| Oct | 69°F | 0.6 in |
| Nov | 59°F | 0.6 in |
| Dec | 49°F | 1.2 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.
Summer: 4:20 AM – 6:48 PM
Winter: 6:33 AM – 4:24 PM
Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Cofer Hot Spring.
Cofer Hot Spring is 122 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: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
The area around Cofer Hot Spring has plenty more to offer.
If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Cofer Hot Spring.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Burro Creek Campground, Mohave 12.93 mi
- Burro Creek Recreation Site (N, 0mi), Mohave 12.93 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
On clear nights, the Bortle class 3 skies above Cofer Hot Spring reveal constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Cofer Hot Spring, 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 Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Timing your visit to Cofer Hot Spring 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 Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave
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 Hualapai.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Cofer Hot Spring 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
- Pliocene to middle Miocene deposits
- Lithology
- Major:{conglomerate,sandstone}, Minor:{mudstone,siltstone,limestone,gypsum}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 30
- Unique Species
- 30
- Oldest
- 9.4 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 60
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Copper, Molybdenum, Zeolites, Tungsten, Lead, Gold, Silver, Zinc
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 120°F (2021-07-11)
- Record Low
- 8°F (2011-02-03)
Wildfire History
This area has a high wildfire risk. Check current fire conditions before visiting and follow all fire restrictions. Campfires may be banned during dry seasons.
- Recorded Fires
- 8
- Largest Fire
- Windy Mesa (824.1 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- High
Watershed
- Watershed
- Gunsight Canyon-Big Sandy River
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Meteorite Landings
- Meteorites Found
- 1
- Largest
- Wikieup (0.4 kg)
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 1 (NUFORC)
- Eeriness Score
- 2/100
Cofer Hot Spring, Mohave Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Before visiting Cofer Hot Spring, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.
Coordinates: 34.695, -113.572