Photo: Kaibab National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0

Parks 4,665 ft Bortle 1 Solitude: 95/100 (remote)

The 70,460-acre Kanab Creek Wilderness in Arizona is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. In 1984, the Kanab Creek Wilderness became part of the now over 109-million-acre National Wilderness Preservation System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964 . In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. Restrooms are not available at the Kanab Creek Wilderness. There is no potable drinking water available. When exploring this unique area, please follow all posted regulations and embrace the seven Leave No Trace principles to help preserve its natural beauty and the exceptional recreation experiences it offers. Keep in mind that applying the seven Leave No Trace principles may vary — what works in a desert may differ from what's best in mountainous terrain. Leave No Trace Principles Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly Leave What You Find Minimize Campfire Impacts Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors Regulations Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations. One parcel of land at the confluence of Snake Gulch with Kanab Creek is private land. Please respect the property rights of the owner and do not cross or use these lands without permission. Contact Information North Kaibab Ranger District 430 S. Main Street PO Box 248 Fredonia, AZ 86022 Phone: 928-643-7395 Hours : Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Near Supai, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

A well-prepared pack for Kanab Creek Wilderness covers 3 categories: essential, wildlife gear, climate 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

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
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.

Climate Gear

Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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 atv, backpacking, fishing.

The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

atv — Protective gear and adherence to regulations are important.
backpacking — Lightweight equipment and route awareness are key for safe travel.
fishing — Check local regulations and seasons before heading out.
hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
ice_fishing — Portable shelters help protect against cold winds.
ice_skating — Ensure ice thickness and safety before skating on natural surfaces.
mountain_biking — Helmets and trail awareness are essential for safety.
off_roading — Stay on designated routes to protect fragile terrain.
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.
rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
surfing — Check local wave and tide conditions before heading out.
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 Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

The danger score of 45/10 at Kanab Creek Wilderness accounts for Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (146mi from city) in the area.

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (146mi from city)

UV risk: low (Mid latitude (37N), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

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

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 Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

The ecosystem around Kanab Creek Wilderness is defined by its Forest landscape, supporting everything from Gambel Oak and bigtooth maple to Brewer's Blackbird and Ruddy Duck.

Trees (3)

Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.
bigtooth maple — Autumn color ranges from yellow to deep crimson in mountain canyons.
Frémont Cottonwood — The bark is light gray and furrowed on mature trunks.

Wildflowers (1)

Pale Evening Primrose — Blooms fading to pink with age.

Shrubs (3)

Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer.
Sonoran scrub oak — Leaves are dark green and spiny along the margins.
Engelmann's Pricklypear — Spines are long and yellowish.

Other Plants (5)

Golden Pricklypear
Sacred Datura
Palmer's penstemon
mat rock spiraea
black maidenhair fern

Mammals (4)

Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam.
Rock Squirrel — Often stands upright on rocks to scan for predators.
Uinta Chipmunk — Short bushy tail.
Bighorn Sheep — Sure-footed build adapted to steep cliffs.

Birds (30)

Brewer's Blackbird — Iridescent purple-green sheen
Ruddy Duck — Stiff upright tail
Rock Pigeon — Dark charcoal form with iridescent neck
Ring-necked Duck — Subtle chestnut neck ring rarely visible
Bushtit — Soft fluffy plumage

Reptiles (6)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard — Typically 6–8 inches long.
Western Whiptail — Typically 8–12 inches long including the tail.
Common Sagebrush Lizard — Usually under 5 inches long excluding tail.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.

Amphibians (2)

Canyon Tree Frog
Arizona Toad

Insects (5)

Obscure Darkling Beetle
Cotton-gall Tephritid
Spiny Tachina Fly
Arizona Sister
Eastern Boxelder Bug

Other Wildlife (1)

Desert Tarantula

Nature Bingo at Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

Wild Turkey (bird)
Mule Deer (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
Canyon Tree Frog (amphibian)
Golden Pricklypear (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Kanab Creek Wilderness.

Month-by-month temperatures at Kanab Creek Wilderness range from °F to °F.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 56.7°F

Annual precipitation: 12.9 in

With an average annual temperature of 56.7°F and 12.9 inches of precipitation, Kanab Creek Wilderness has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 79°F, while winter lows drop to 38°F.

Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Winter 38°

1.5"

Spring 53°

0.8"

Summer 79°

1.0"

Fall 58°

1.2"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	38°F	1.5 in
Feb	41°F	1.6 in
Mar	47°F	1.3 in
Apr	53°F	0.8 in
May	62°F	0.6 in
Jun	73°F	0.3 in
Jul	79°F	1.0 in
Aug	77°F	1.4 in
Sep	70°F	1.2 in
Oct	58°F	1.2 in
Nov	46°F	0.8 in
Dec	37°F	1.2 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: 4:11 AM – 6:49 PM

Winter: 6:34 AM – 4:15 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:34 AM, Sunset 4:15 PM Golden hour from 3:35 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:11 AM, Sunset 6:49 PM Golden hour from 6:11 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:42 AM, Sunset 5:36 PM Golden hour from 5:02 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:11 AM, Sunset 5:39 PM Golden hour from 5:05 PM

Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino Trip Planning & Access

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

Access to Kanab Creek Wilderness is primarily via Las Vegas, 146 miles away.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (146 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $36.38 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 117.6 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 (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

The region around Kanab Creek Wilderness is rich with options — 11 nearby destinations are worth exploring.

Nearby Trails

Nearby Campgrounds

Jumpup Cabin Campground, Coconino 2.44 mi
Indian Hollow Campground, Coconino 7.87 mi
Big Springs Cabin Site, Coconino 12.55 mi
Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino 21.82 mi
Jacob Lake Group Campground & Picnic Site, Coconino 22.35 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

Light pollution at Kanab Creek Wilderness is Excellent dark-sky site (Bortle 1), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

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

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
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 Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino

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

Seasonal changes at Kanab Creek Wilderness bring — each offering a distinct 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 4665ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Kanab Creek Wilderness 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 to Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks
Formation: Hermit Formation; Supai Group; Schnebly Hill Formation; Naco Group
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,shale,limestone}
Age: Paleozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 9
Unique Species: 8
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 3
Richness: Low
Minerals Found: Asbestos, Copper, Silver, Lead

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 96°F (2003-07-10)
Record Low: -15°F (2011-01-01)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 120
Largest Fire: Bridger Knoll (53,376.8 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Evaporite rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
Karst Score: 20

Watershed

Watershed: Tapeats Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Kanab Creek Wilderness (S, 0mi), Coconino Safety & Conditions

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

Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Kanab Creek Wilderness.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: PIPE SPRING NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (23.29 mi)