Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
Fishing in Arizona
Near Dewey, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.
Every item on this list exists because of specific conditions at Hilltop Campground (az) — Desert terrain, Temperate, and local wildlife.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
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First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
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Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
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Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
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Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
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Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
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Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
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Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
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First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.
Terrain Gear
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Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
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Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.
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SPF50 lip balm — High elevation, snow glare, and desert sun amplify UV exposure on exposed facial skin, especially lips.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Outdoor recreation at Hilltop Campground (az) centers on atv, with the May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep months offering the best conditions.
With a photography score of 55/100, Hilltop Campground (az) offers Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
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atv — ATV riding covers varied terrain from sand to forest paths.
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backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
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birdwatching — Binoculars and field guides help track seasonal migrations and rare sightings.
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camping — Camping offers campfires, starry nights, and mornings filled with birdsong.
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cross_country_skiing — Cross-country skiing blends endurance with quiet winter exploration.
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horseback_riding — Horseback riding offers a traditional way to travel through scenic terrain.
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ice_fishing — Ice fishing requires proper gear and careful attention to ice safety.
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ice_skating — Ice skating combines recreation with crisp seasonal air.
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mountain_biking — Mountain biking combines speed, balance, and changing landscapes.
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off_roading — Off-roading explores remote landscapes beyond paved roads.
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photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
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picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
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rock_climbing — Rock climbing ranges from beginner routes to advanced multi-pitch climbs.
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rv_camping — RV camping blends outdoor living with modern amenities.
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scuba_diving — Scuba diving reveals reefs, shipwrecks, and aquatic life up close.
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sightseeing — Sightseeing highlights iconic vistas, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
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skiing — Skiing offers speed, skill, and sweeping winter mountain views.
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snorkeling — Snorkeling offers an accessible way to view reefs and clear waters.
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stargazing — Bring a blanket and let your eyes adjust to witness the Milky Way overhead.
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surfing — Surfing blends balance, timing, and ocean awareness.
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walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
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wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.
Wildlife Safety at Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.
A danger score of 25/10 means Hilltop Campground (az) requires moderate preparation compared to the average trail.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (75mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder are present in the Desert habitat around Hilltop Campground (az).
Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.
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 Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The plant life here ranges from Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak in the canopy to Arizona mariposa lily and Stansbury's Cliffrose along the trail edges.
Trees (3)
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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. -
white fir — Cones stand upright on upper branches and break apart at maturity.
Wildflowers (2)
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Arizona mariposa lily — Cup-shaped flower with three rounded petals. -
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Creamy white five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.
Other Plants (5)
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Echinocereus bakeri
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great mullein
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quaking aspen
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alligator juniper
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western blue flag
Mammals (8)
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Abert's Squirrel — White underside and bushy tail edged in white. -
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter. -
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Black-tipped tail distinguishes it from some other prairie dogs. -
Wapiti — Bulls carry massive branching antlers that can span over four feet. -
Rock Squirrel — Stouter and larger than many other ground squirrels.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Streaked brown female -
House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow -
European Starling — Spotted winter plumage with pale speckles -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Black half-collar on nape -
Dark-eyed Junco — Oregon form with dark hood and brown back
Reptiles (5)
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Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays. -
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Often displays small black spots between the stripes. -
Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly.
Amphibians (2)
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American Bullfrog -
Arizona Tree Frog
Insects (10)
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Convergent Lady Beetle -
Gray Buckeye -
Carolina Grasshopper -
White-lined Sphinx -
Spotted Pine Sawyer
Fungi (1)
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lobster mushroom
Other Wildlife (2)
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Common Pill Woodlouse
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Virile Crayfish
Nature Bingo at Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai Climate & Sun
Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Hilltop Campground (az).
With 20.4 inches of annual precipitation and an average of 53°F, Hilltop Campground (az) has Temperate conditions.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 53°F
Annual precipitation: 20.4 in
With an average annual temperature of 53°F and 20.4 inches of precipitation, Hilltop Campground (az) has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 72°F, while winter lows drop to 37°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37°F | 2.0 in |
| Feb | 39°F | 2.4 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 2.0 in |
| Apr | 49°F | 0.8 in |
| May | 57°F | 0.5 in |
| Jun | 67°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 72°F | 3.4 in |
| Aug | 70°F | 3.2 in |
| Sep | 65°F | 1.9 in |
| Oct | 55°F | 1.2 in |
| Nov | 45°F | 1.0 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 1.7 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: 5:16 AM – 7:43 PM
Winter: 7:28 AM – 5:20 PM
Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai Trip Planning & Access
Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.
Trip planning for Hilltop Campground (az) starts with the 75-mile route from Phoenix.
Visitor Friendliness
Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).
- 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 Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.
From campgrounds to trails to scenic attractions, 12 destinations surround Hilltop Campground (az).
Nearby Trails
- Hilltop-obrians Trail, Yavapai 0.13 mi
- Lynx Lake Loop D, Yavapai 0.44 mi
- Boat Ramp/hilltop Trail, Yavapai 0.44 mi
- Lynx Lake Loop C, Yavapai 0.59 mi
- Lynx Lake Loop F, Yavapai 0.72 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.
For anyone who stays past sunset, the Bortle 4 conditions here reward patience with constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.
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Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north. -
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.
Meteor Showers
For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.
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 Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
Each season brings something different to this area.
From wildflower blooms in spring to fall foliage in autumn, Hilltop Campground (az) rewards visitors in every season.
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 Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai
Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.
This area's history extends far beyond recreation — it is the traditional territory of Hohokam, Yavapai Apache.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Hilltop Campground (az) 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
- Crooks Canyon Granite
- Formation
- Crooks Canyon Granodiorite
- Age
- Paleoproterozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 75
- Unique Species
- 44
- Oldest
- 23 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 604
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Gold, Copper, Silver, Lead, Zinc, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Iron
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 105°F (2021-06-16)
- Record Low
- -21°F (1937-01-22)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 83
- Largest Fire
- Battle (31,801.8 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Crooks Canyon
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 38 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 2 (BFRO)
- Haunted Places
- 7 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 86/100
Hilltop Campground (az) #2 (N, 0mi), Yavapai Safety & Conditions
Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.
The data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening at Hilltop Campground (az) right now.
Coordinates: 34.508017, -112.382608