Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
Trails in Arizona
Photo: Sean Krieg / CC BY 4.0
What to Pack for Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.
The right gear turns potential problems into non-issues. Here's what Davey Gowan demands.
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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Waterproof boots — Wet feet lead to blisters within miles and increase cold injury risk; waterproof boots keep your feet dry through puddles and stream crossings.
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Extra bug spray — Swampy lowlands and dense forest harbor mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus and other diseases; repellent is a health precaution, not just comfort.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
The Wetland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Davey Gowan draws visitors for hiking, but the 6 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.
Photographers rate this area 45/100, with Decent dark sky (Bortle 5) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
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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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running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
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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: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Wetland — Wetlands include marshes, swamps, bogs, and floodplains with saturated soils.
Wildlife Safety at Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.
Awareness is the best safety tool at Davey Gowan. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (53mi)
- Decent dark sky (Bortle 5)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.
A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.
- 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 Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
The Wetland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
30 bird species have been documented near Davey Gowan, alongside 1 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.
Trees (1)
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Arizona sycamore — Trunks may become massive near the base.
Wildflowers (4)
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purple owl's-clover — Dense spikes of purple-tipped bracts. -
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Clumping cylindrical stems with dense spines. -
California poppy — Bright orange cup-shaped flowers with silky petals. -
Coulter's lupine — It blooms in spring.
Shrubs (3)
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Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Adapted to desert heat, this cactus stores water in thick stems and tolerates prolonged drought. -
Sonoran scrub oak — The plant forms thickets in arid landscapes.
Other Plants (5)
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saguaro
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Buckhorn Cholla
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jojoba
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Panamint liveforever
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ocotillo
Mammals (1)
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White-tailed Deer — Reddish-brown in summer and grayish in winter with a bright white underside to the tail.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib -
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body -
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly
Reptiles (7)
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Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped dorsal blotches. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
Amphibians (3)
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Canyon Tree Frog -
Red-spotted Toad -
Lowland Leopard Frog
Insects (6)
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Pipevine Swallowtail -
Queen -
Marine Blue -
Gray Buckeye -
Dainty Sulphur
Other Wildlife (1)
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Desert Blonde Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Davey Gowan Trail, Gila Climate & Sun
For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.
The weather at Davey Gowan follows a Temperate pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 56.9°F
Annual precipitation: 25.1 in
With an average annual temperature of 56.9°F and 25.1 inches of precipitation, Davey Gowan has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 75°F, while winter lows drop to 42°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 3.9 in |
| Feb | 43°F | 3.2 in |
| Mar | 47°F | 3.1 in |
| Apr | 54°F | 1.2 in |
| May | 61°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 71°F | 0.2 in |
| Jul | 75°F | 2.0 in |
| Aug | 74°F | 2.6 in |
| Sep | 69°F | 1.7 in |
| Oct | 58°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 49°F | 1.8 in |
| Dec | 41°F | 3.5 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: 5:13 AM – 7:37 PM
Winter: 7:23 AM – 5:18 PM
Davey Gowan Trail, Gila Trip Planning & Access
Planning your trip to Davey Gowan — here's the practical information you'll need.
From Phoenix, Davey Gowan is a drive covering 53 miles.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and challenging for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: challenging (Moderate distance (1-2mi), Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
- Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.
Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Davey Gowan.
Nearby Trails
- Gold Ridge, Gila 0.61 mi
- Mazatzal Trail, Gila 2.21 mi
- Fisher Trail, Yavapai 2.82 mi
- Cornucopia Trail, Maricopa 2.89 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Rattlesnake Group Campground, Maricopa 15.25 mi
- Horseshoe (az) Campground, Maricopa 15.31 mi
- Mesquite (az) Campground, Maricopa 15.51 mi
- Riverside Campground, Maricopa 17.58 mi
- Riverside Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Maricopa 17.58 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.
Davey Gowan sits under Bortle class 5 skies — Suburban sky for stargazing in Arizona.
Constellations
From Davey Gowan, 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 Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Davey Gowan.
Davey Gowan is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character and highlights.
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 Davey Gowan Trail, Gila
This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.
The 2 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Pueblos, Hohokam.
Data from Native Land Digital
Davey Gowan Trail, Gila Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Davey Gowan 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
- Late to middle Miocene basaltic rocks
- Formation
- Hickey Formation
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt}
- Age
- Serravallian
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 76
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Mercury, Copper, Silver, Gold, Sulfur-Pyrite, Lead, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Kaolin
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 122°F (1995-07-29)
- Record Low
- 19°F (2007-01-15)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 90
- Largest Fire
- Willow (119,952.5 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Davenport Wash
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Meteorite Landings
- Meteorites Found
- 1
- Largest
- Camp Creek (3 kg)
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 2 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 22/100
Davey Gowan Trail, Gila Safety & Conditions
Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.
Check these official resources for current conditions at Davey Gowan before you go.
Coordinates: 34.006554, -111.45191