Long Lake North, Coconino
Fishing in Arizona
Near Happy Jack, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Long Lake North, Coconino
The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.
Your packing list for Long Lake North should account for the Grassland terrain and Temperate.
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.
Climate Gear
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Insulated layers — Modern synthetic or down insulation packs small and weighs little, making it easy to carry just in case.
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Hand warmers — Disposable warmers weigh almost nothing and provide 8+ hours of steady heat in gloves or pockets.
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Thermos — In freezing conditions, warm liquids help prevent the calorie drain your body spends on staying warm.
Terrain Gear
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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 Long Lake North, Coconino
The Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Visitors come to Long Lake North primarily for boating, though the Grassland terrain opens up other options too.
With a photography score of 55/100, Long Lake North offers Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
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boating — Boating provides a different perspective on shorelines and wildlife.
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fishing — Fishing blends patience and skill with peaceful waterfront settings.
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picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
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swimming — Swimming adds refreshing fun to a day outdoors.
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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: Grassland — Rolling plains or prairies provide wide visibility and expansive skies.
Wildlife Safety at Long Lake North, Coconino
Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.
The danger rating here is 30/10 — Mountain lions and Venomous snakes.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (105mi from city)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — are present in the Grassland habitat around Long Lake North.
- 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 Long Lake North, Coconino
The Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The forests and meadows around Long Lake North support a diverse community of wildlife, from Pronghorn and Wapiti to House Sparrow and Great-tailed Grackle.
Wildflowers (2)
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Arizona mariposa lily — Cup-shaped flower with three rounded petals. -
Woods' rose — Arching thorny stems with pinnate leaves.
Shrubs (2)
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Fourwing Saltbush — Foliage often appears silvery due to salt excretion. -
fernbush — Foliage has a strong resinous scent when crushed.
Other Plants (5)
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Spinystar
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Kingcup Cactus
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Whipple Cholla
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western blue flag
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Green Ephedra
Mammals (13)
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Pronghorn — Both sexes have short, curved horns with a forward prong. -
Wapiti — Bulls carry massive branching antlers that can span over four feet. -
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Black-tipped tail distinguishes it from some other prairie dogs. -
American Bison — Large head with curved horns and heavy forequarters. -
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — White underside and underside of tail.
Birds (30)
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House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow -
Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female -
Hooded Merganser — Brown female with shaggy crest -
Brewer's Sparrow — Faint facial markings -
Black-throated Sparrow — Gray face with white stripes
Reptiles (11)
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Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches. -
Eastern Collared Lizard — Males display bright green and blue hues during breeding season. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side. -
Prairie Rattlesnake — Broad triangular head and distinct rattle. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
Amphibians (4)
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Northern Leopard Frog -
Arizona Tree Frog -
Boreal Chorus Frog -
Mexican Spadefoot
Insects (4)
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Megetra vittata
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Painted Lady -
Convergent Lady Beetle -
White-lined Sphinx
Fungi (1)
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Fly Agaric
Other Wildlife (2)
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Diablo Mountainsnail
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Common Desert Centipede
Nature Bingo at Long Lake North, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Long Lake North, Coconino Climate & Sun
Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Long Lake North.
Long Lake North experiences Temperate conditions with average temperatures ranging from °F in to °F in .
Climate type: Temperate
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Aug, Sep.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 3.0 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 2.3 in |
| Mar | 38°F | 1.9 in |
| Apr | 44°F | 0.7 in |
| May | 50°F | 0.9 in |
| Jun | 61°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 66°F | 3.2 in |
| Aug | 63°F | 2.9 in |
| Sep | 57°F | 1.7 in |
| Oct | 47°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 39°F | 1.6 in |
| Dec | 30°F | 3.0 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.
Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:39 PM
Winter: 7:24 AM – 5:15 PM
Long Lake North, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.
Getting to Long Lake North means a 105-mile drive from Phoenix, the closest major city.
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 (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)
Places Near Long Lake North, Coconino
If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.
The area around Long Lake North includes trails, campgrounds, and other destinations.
Nearby Trails
- Leonard Point Trail, Coconino 13.22 mi
- Arizona Trail (SE, 74mi), Coconino 14.27 mi
- Horse Crossing Trail, Coconino 14.6 mi
- Kinder Crossing Trail, Coconino 15.57 mi
- Foot Trail, Coconino 15.84 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Elks Campground, Coconino 8.49 mi
- Elks Group Campground, Coconino 8.49 mi
- Moqui Group Campground, Coconino 13.31 mi
- Moqui Campground, Coconino 13.31 mi
- Blue Ridge Campground, Coconino 13.6 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Long Lake North, Coconino
If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.
With Bortle class 3 skies, Long Lake North offers Rural sky conditions for observing the night sky.
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 Long Lake North, Coconino
Each season brings something different to this area.
What you'll see at Long Lake North depends heavily on when you visit.
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 Long Lake North, Coconino
Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.
This area is part of the ancestral territory of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).
Languages
3 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi, Shiwi’ma Bena:we.
Data from Native Land Digital
Long Lake North, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Long Lake North 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 late Miocene basaltic rocks
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt}
- Age
- Neogene
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 16
- Unique Species
- 7
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 7
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Manganese, Volcanic Materials, Diamond, Graphite, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Pumice, Lead
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 99°F (2021-07-11)
- Record Low
- -22°F (1971-01-06)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 54
- Largest Fire
- Jack (33,760.5 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Long Lake-Chavel Pass Ditch
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 12.555%
Long Lake North, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.
Real-time safety data for Long Lake North — weather, fire, flood, and road conditions.
Coordinates: 34.78826, -111.2168