Wildlife Areas Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Visit LESLIE CANYON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, located 10.2 miles from Elfrida, AZ. Prairie terrain. Best visited May-Sep.

Near Elfrida, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

Between the Agricultural terrain and local wildlife, your pack for Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge needs a few specific items.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
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.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

The Agricultural terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep is the prime window for visiting Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge, when conditions favor birdwatching and the weather cooperates.

With a photography score of 60/100, Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 2 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

birdwatching — Binoculars and field guides help track seasonal migrations and rare sightings.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

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

Terrain: Agricultural — Open expanses with planted crops or grazing land dominate this landscape.

Nature & Wildlife at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

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

Biodiversity at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is shaped by the Agricultural terrain and climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.

Trees (2)

Arizona sycamore — Trunks may become massive near the base.
silverleaf oak — Acorns mature in one season.

Wildflowers (2)

alpine cancer-root — Stems emerge from forest litter in summer.
pinewoods geranium — The plant remains relatively low-growing.

Shrubs (2)

Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
soaptree yucca — It thrives in desert grasslands and rocky soils.

Other Plants (5)

Palmer's agave
Santa Rita Hedgehog Cactus
pointleaf manzanita
great mullein
silverleaf nightshade

Mammals (8)

White-tailed Deer — Slender build with long legs and large dark eyes.
Cliff Chipmunk — White eyebrow stripe contrasts with darker eye line.
Mexican Fox Squirrel — Long bushy tail edged in white.
Collared Peccary — Short legs and compact muscular body.
White-nosed Coati — Slender body with elongated snout.

Birds (30)

Wild Turkey — Male with fan-shaped tail and red wattle
Steller's Jay — Blue body and wings
Ruddy Duck — Brown winter plumage
Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female
Acorn Woodpecker — Red crown

Reptiles (12)

Yarrow's Spiny Lizard — Often shows dark crossbands and subtle patterning.
Mojave Rattlesnake — Black-and-white tail bands and prominent rattle.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Striped Plateau Lizard — Rough scales and compact build.
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — Distinct black coloration on last portion of tail before rattle.

Amphibians (5)

Couch's Spadefoot
Great Plains Toad
Chiricahua Leopard Frog
Chihuahuan Green Toad
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (14)

White-lined Sphinx
Arizona Sister
Tonto Dancer
Blue Fungus Beetle
Echo Azure

Other Wildlife (2)

Tohono Vinegaroon
Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

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

Wildlife Challenge

Blue-throated Mountain-gem (bird)
White-tailed Deer (mammal)
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Couch's Spadefoot (amphibian)
Palmer's agave (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

At 197 miles from Phoenix, Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is a longer road trip for most visitors.

Nearest city: Phoenix (197 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $49.16 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 158.9 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (unknown), dogs (unknown), elderly (unknown).

Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

Don't limit your trip to just Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge — the surrounding area has 9 more places to discover.

Nearby Campgrounds

Shaw House Cabin Rental Campground (SE, 17mi), Cochise 7.25 mi
Walnut Grove Campground, Cochise 11.31 mi
Camp Rucker, Cochise 11.47 mi
Camp Rucker Group Site, Cochise 11.47 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

Night falls differently here — the Bortle 1 rating means Excellent dark-sky site visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

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.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (good)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
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:

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 Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

Different seasons reveal different sides of Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge.

Nature at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 25 – November 15

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 Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

The cultural landscape of Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge reflects the long presence of Chiricahua Apache, O’odham Jeweḍ, Ópata (Tegüima-Eudebe-Hoba) on this land.

Territories

Languages

2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Ópata (Tehuima), Chiricahua.

Data from Native Land Digital

Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge 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: Quaternary surficial deposits, undivided
Lithology: Major:{sand,silt,clay}
Age: Cenozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 48
Unique Species: 36
Oldest: 358.9 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 32
Richness: High
Minerals Found: Lead, Silver, Gold, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Copper, Zinc, Semiprecious Gemstone, Geothermal

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 111°F (2011-06-28)
Record Low: -4°F (1978-12-08)

Wildfire History

This area has a high wildfire risk. Check current fire conditions before visiting and follow all fire restrictions. Campfires may be banned during dry seasons.

Recorded Fires: 18
Largest Fire: Swisshelms (10,953.7 acres)
Most Recent: 2023
Fire Risk: High

Watershed

Watershed: Town of McNeal-Whitewater Draw
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

Haunted Places: 1 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 5/100

Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (NE, 2mi), Cochise Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MC NEAL, AZ US (11.12 mi)