Photo: sfbaywalk from Oakland, Cal / CC BY 2.0

Fishing 3,979 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 75/100 (remote)

One of the most photographed scenes in the southwest is towering Cathedral Rock reflected in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. It should come as no surprise, then, that the picnic area located at that same site is as popular as it is beautiful. People come here to fish, swim, and wade in the creek, as well as to picnic and photograph the scenery. At times it can become quite crowded. If you want the world-class beauty of Red Rock Crossing all to yourself (or nearly so) visit early in the morning or on a weekday. Attractions : Picnicking, waterplay, wildlife watching, photography, and fishing.

Near Sedona, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

A well-prepared pack for Crescent Moon Picnic Site covers 2 categories: essential, wildlife gear.

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

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.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

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.
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: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.

Wildlife Safety at Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

The danger score of 30/10 at Crescent Moon Picnic Site accounts for Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Flood zone, Far from city (96mi) in the area.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Flood zone
Far from city (96mi)

UV risk: moderate (Southern latitude (35N), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

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 Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

The ecosystem around Crescent Moon Picnic Site is defined by its Forest landscape, supporting everything from Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak to Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrow.

Trees (3)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures.
Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.
white fir — The bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming furrowed with age.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves.
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.

Other Plants (5)

Echinocereus bakeri
great mullein
quaking aspen
alligator juniper
western blue flag

Mammals (8)

Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build.
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds.
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Rock Squirrel — Often stands upright on rocks to scan for predators.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks

Reptiles (5)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils.
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.

Amphibians (2)

American Bullfrog
Arizona Tree Frog

Insects (10)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Gray Buckeye
Carolina Grasshopper
White-lined Sphinx
Spotted Pine Sawyer

Fungi (1)

lobster mushroom

Other Wildlife (2)

Common Pill Woodlouse
Virile Crayfish

Nature Bingo at Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
American Bullfrog (amphibian)
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Crescent Moon Picnic Site.

Month-by-month temperatures at Crescent Moon Picnic Site range from °F to °F.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 60.4°F

Annual precipitation: 15.5 in

With an average annual temperature of 60.4°F and 15.5 inches of precipitation, Crescent Moon Picnic Site has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 80°F, while winter lows drop to 43°F.

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

Winter 43°

1.7"

Spring 57°

0.7"

Summer 80°

1.7"

Fall 62°

1.2"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	43°F	1.7 in
Feb	46°F	1.7 in
Mar	51°F	1.6 in
Apr	57°F	0.7 in
May	66°F	0.5 in
Jun	75°F	0.2 in
Jul	80°F	1.7 in
Aug	79°F	2.3 in
Sep	73°F	1.5 in
Oct	62°F	1.2 in
Nov	51°F	0.9 in
Dec	42°F	1.5 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: 5:12 AM – 7:41 PM

Winter: 7:27 AM – 5:17 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:27 AM, Sunset 5:17 PM Golden hour from 4:38 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:12 AM, Sunset 7:41 PM Golden hour from 7:04 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

Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai Trip Planning & Access

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

Access to Crescent Moon Picnic Site is primarily via Phoenix, 96 miles away.

Nearest city: Phoenix (96 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $24.1 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 77.9 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
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 Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

The region around Crescent Moon Picnic Site is rich with options — 14 nearby destinations are worth exploring.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

Light pollution at Crescent Moon Picnic Site is Rural sky (Bortle 3), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

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

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
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 Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

Seasonal changes at Crescent Moon Picnic Site bring — each offering a distinct 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 Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai

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

We acknowledge that Crescent Moon Picnic Site is located on the traditional lands of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.

Data from Native Land Digital

Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Crescent Moon Picnic 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: Limestone of Verde Formation
Formation: Verde Formation
Age: Neogene

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 142
Unique Species: 63
Oldest: 382.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 168
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Copper, Gold, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Silver, Limestone, General, Iron

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 118°F (2004-08-12)
Record Low: -1°F (1963-01-13)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 62
Largest Fire: Mingus (15,457.1 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: evaporite_basin
Karst Score: 30

Watershed

Watershed: Mescal Gulch-Verde River
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 11.078%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 1
Largest: Cottonwood (0.8 kg)

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 21 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 2 (BFRO)
Haunted Places: 5 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 81/100

Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Yavapai Safety & Conditions

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

Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Crescent Moon Picnic Site.

Flood zone: In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone AE)

Nearest weather station: SEDONA, AZ US (2.52 mi)