Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
Campgrounds in Arizona
Photo: Brück & Sohn Kunstverlag Meißen / CC0
Near Pinedale, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
This packing list is tailored to the Forest environment and Semi-Arid at Gentry Group Campground.
Essential
-
Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
-
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
-
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
-
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
-
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
-
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.
-
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
-
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.
-
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
-
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
-
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.
-
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
-
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
-
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
-
SPF50 lip balm — Lips lack melanin and burn faster than other skin; cracked, sunburned lips at altitude are painful and slow to heal.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The terrain here lends itself to camping, horseback riding, picnicking — activities that match the Forest environment.
Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
-
camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
-
horseback_riding — Explore trails and open landscapes from the saddle.
-
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
-
rv_camping — Travel with the comforts of home while staying in campgrounds or RV parks.
-
stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
-
surfing — Ride ocean waves along sandy beaches and coastal breaks.
-
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
-
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Forest — Forests are dominated by dense tree cover, layered canopies, and shaded understories. Ground conditions vary from leaf litter to mossy soils, with limited visibility off trail.
Wildlife Safety at Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
The wildlife safety profile at Gentry Group Campground includes venomous snakes — here's what to know about each.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (117mi from city)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
- 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.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
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 Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The natural world around Gentry Group Campground reflects its Forest setting — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak overhead, Woods' rose and Yellow Sweetclover at your feet, and wildlife throughout.
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 (5)
-
Woods' rose — Pink five-petaled flowers with yellow centers. -
Yellow Sweetclover — Tall stems with elongated clusters of small yellow flowers. -
alpine cancer-root — It lacks chlorophyll and depends on host roots. -
pinewoods geranium — It thrives in open pine forests and sandy soils. -
woodland pinedrops — This species relies on mycorrhizal fungi connected to tree roots for nutrients, making it a parasitic plant of forest ecosystems.
Other Plants (5)
-
great mullein
-
Scarlet Gilia
-
western blue flag
-
alligator juniper
-
Spinystar
Mammals (6)
-
Abert's Squirrel — A gray tree squirrel with distinctive long ear tufts in winter. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Chipmunk-like rodent with golden shoulders and white eye ring. -
American Black Bear — A stocky bear with rounded ears and a straight facial profile. -
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail. -
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch.
Birds (30)
-
Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail -
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly -
Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
Gadwall — Subtle gray male with black rump -
Mallard — Male with glossy green head and white neck ring
Reptiles (5)
-
Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head. -
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — A slender snake with longitudinal yellow or cream stripes over a dark brown, gray, or greenish body. -
Madrean Alligator Lizard — A long-bodied lizard with rough keeled scales and dark crossbands. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.
Amphibians (3)
-
Arizona Tree Frog -
Boreal Chorus Frog -
American Bullfrog
Insects (15)
-
Springwater Dancer -
Plains Forktail -
Arizona Snaketail -
Flame Skimmer -
Common Whitetail
Fungi (3)
-
Fly Agaric -
lobster mushroom -
Spring Polypore
Other Wildlife (1)
-
Virile Crayfish
Nature Bingo at Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Gentry Group Campground, Navajo Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The climate at Gentry Group Campground peaks for outdoor activity during May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, when temperatures average °F.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 50.7°F
Annual precipitation: 18.2 in
With an average annual temperature of 50.7°F and 18.2 inches of precipitation, Gentry Group Campground has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 70°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 1.6 in |
| Feb | 37°F | 1.4 in |
| Mar | 42°F | 1.4 in |
| Apr | 48°F | 0.6 in |
| May | 56°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 65°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 70°F | 2.4 in |
| Aug | 68°F | 3.2 in |
| Sep | 63°F | 1.9 in |
| Oct | 52°F | 1.4 in |
| Nov | 42°F | 1.4 in |
| Dec | 33°F | 1.9 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: 5:08 AM – 7:34 PM
Winter: 7:19 AM – 5:12 PM
Gentry Group Campground, Navajo Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Gentry Group Campground.
Whether it's a day trip or weekend getaway from Phoenix, here's what visiting Gentry Group Campground involves.
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: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Campground Details
- Reservable
Places Near Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
The area around Gentry Group Campground has plenty more to offer.
The proximity of 12 other outdoor spots makes this area ideal for multi-day exploration.
Nearby Trails
- General Crook Connector, Navajo 2.05 mi
- Cottonwood Trail, Navajo 4.54 mi
- Juniper Ridge, Navajo 4.64 mi
- Juniper Ridge Shortcut, Navajo 5.01 mi
- Ghost of the Coyote Trail, Navajo 5.95 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
Under the Bortle class 3 skies at Gentry Group Campground, you can expect to see 2 major constellations and constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Gentry Group Campground, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
-
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
-
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:
-
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 Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Knowing what each season brings helps you plan the best possible visit to Gentry Group Campground.
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 Gentry Group Campground, Navajo
Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.
For thousands of years, this land has been cared for by Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) and their ancestors.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Gentry Group Campground, Navajo Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Gentry Group Campground 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
- 5
- Unique Species
- 5
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 12
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Manganese, Fire Clay (Refractory), Kaolin, Brick Clay, Stone, Crushed/Broken
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 101°F (1995-07-29)
- Record Low
- -29°F (1937-01-23)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 34
- Largest Fire
- Rodeo-Chediski (460,563 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- evaporite_basin
- Karst Score
- 30
Watershed
- Watershed
- Upper Day Wash
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 7 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 32/100
Gentry Group Campground, Navajo Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Safety starts with current information. These resources cover real-time conditions near Gentry Group Campground.
Coordinates: 34.301083, -110.313222