Part of Grand Canyon-parashant National Monument

Attractions 4,422 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

Economically valuable copper and silver were found here in 1871, attracting miners and settlers. Historic ruins like the adobe smelter and abandoned dump trucks pay silent tribute to the people who lived and worked here until the early 1900s.

Near Temple Bar Marina, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

Pack for Desert terrain, Arid, and the wildlife considerations above.

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

Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
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.

Climate Gear

Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
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 Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

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, Grand Gulch Mine has options.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

Most visitors at Grand Gulch Mine never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 40/10 means preparation matters.

Danger rating: 40/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (76mi)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (36N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Bears

This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .

Black Bear

A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.

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

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 Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

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

The Desert environment here supports 11 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Wildflowers (1)

Las Vegas Bearpoppy — Large white crinkled petals with bright yellow centers.

Shrubs (4)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
Eastern Joshua tree — It grows in Mojave Desert regions.

Other Plants (5)

Buckhorn Cholla
Echinocereus bakeri
California Barrel Cactus
Beavertail Pricklypear
Mojave Yucca

Mammals (2)

Coyote — A medium-sized canid with gray-brown fur and bushy tail tipped in black.
Pronghorn — A slender tan-and-white ungulate with distinctive black facial markings.

Birds (6)

Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body
American Kestrel — Rusty back
Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen

Reptiles (3)

Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — A medium rattlesnake with speckled gray or pink coloration.
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.

Amphibians (4)

Relict Leopard Frog
Red-spotted Toad
Woodhouse's Toad
Canyon Tree Frog

Insects (1)

Western Honey Bee

Nature Bingo at Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Coyote (mammal)
Common Side-blotched Lizard (reptile)
Relict Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Eastern Joshua tree (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The annual average temperature here is 61.1°F, with 10.6 inches of precipitation.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 61.1°F

Annual precipitation: 10.6 in

With an average annual temperature of 61.1°F and 10.6 inches of precipitation, Grand Gulch Mine has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 84°F, while winter lows drop to 42°F.

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

Winter 42°

1.1"

Spring 57°

0.7"

Summer 84°

0.8"

Fall 63°

0.9"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	42°F	1.1 in
Feb	44°F	1.6 in
Mar	50°F	1.3 in
Apr	57°F	0.7 in
May	67°F	0.3 in
Jun	78°F	0.2 in
Jul	84°F	0.8 in
Aug	82°F	1.1 in
Sep	75°F	0.8 in
Oct	63°F	0.9 in
Nov	50°F	0.7 in
Dec	41°F	1.1 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: 4:16 AM – 6:53 PM

Winter: 6:39 AM – 4:21 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 4:21 PM Golden hour from 3:41 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:16 AM, Sunset 6:53 PM Golden hour from 6:15 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:47 AM, Sunset 5:41 PM Golden hour from 5:07 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:16 AM, Sunset 5:44 PM Golden hour from 5:10 PM

Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Grand Gulch Mine.

Grand Gulch Mine is 76 miles from Las Vegas — here's what to budget for the trip.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (76 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $18.98 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 61.3 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

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)

Places Near Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

The area around Grand Gulch Mine has plenty more to offer.

If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Grand Gulch Mine.

Nearby Trails

Mount Dellenbaugh Summit Trail, Mohave 20.53 mi

Nearby Attractions

Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave 0.31 mi
Tassi Ranch, Grand Canyon-parashant NM 10.47 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

On clear nights, the Bortle class 3 skies above Grand Gulch Mine reveal constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

From Grand Gulch Mine, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, 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.
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies.
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 Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Timing your visit to Grand Gulch Mine around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you 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 4422ft 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 Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM

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 Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute).

Territories

Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute)

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Southern Paiute, Walapai.

Data from Native Land Digital

Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Grand Gulch Mine 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 sedimentary rocks
Formation: Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
Age: Permian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 30
Unique Species: 19
Oldest: 323.4 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 6
Richness: Moderate
Minerals Found: Copper, Corundum, Kyanite, Vanadium, Lead, Zinc, Gold, Silver

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 2772
ESA Endangered: 56
ESA Threatened: 32
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 105°F (2021-07-10)
Record Low: -3°F (1990-12-23)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 49
Largest Fire: TWEEDY COM (35,639.5 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
Karst Score: 40

Watershed

Watershed: Upper Hidden Canyon
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Grand Gulch Mine, Grand Canyon-parashant NM Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Before visiting Grand Gulch Mine, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MEADVIEW 3.8 S, AZ US (30.63 mi)