Campgrounds 6,988 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 75/100 (remote)

The Long Valley Work Center Group Campground sits among stately ponderosa pines at an elevation of 6,950 feet offering a cool respite from the summer heat of the valley below. It is also the site of a historic Forest Service work center. The campground is designed to meet the needs of large groups and can accommodate 300 people, offering picnic tables, grills, and a large fire pit. There are vault toilets. For every 25 people after the first 50, the group will need to provide additional port-a-pots. Recreation Many visitors spend time relaxing and exploring the area. The nearby C.C. Cragin Reservoir and Knoll Lake offer opportunities for water based recreation, while the Arizona National Scenic Trail, General Crook National Recreation Trail, and historic Cabin Loop Trail System offer opportunities for hikers, bicyclist, and equestrian users. There are also several Fire Lookout Towers in the area. Facilities The group campground is in a primitive setting on 5 acres. The site has grills, picnic tables, a large fire ring, trash collection and vault toilets. It is important to know that for every 25 people after the first 50, the group will need to provide additional port-a-pots. The site can accomodate up to 300 people and 50 vehicles. Natural Features The campground is in a forested setting adjacent to a meadow. The nearby Mogollon Rim is one of the most striking geologic features in the state. This steep escarpment, measured in thousands of feet, stretches from New Mexico diagonally across two thirds of Arizona and offers sweeping views of the landscape. Nearby Attractions The community of Happy Jack, Arizona has a gas station, two convenience stores and two restaurants.

Near Pine, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

Pack for Forest terrain, Temperate, 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

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.

Terrain Gear

SPF50 lip balm — Lips lack melanin and burn faster than other skin; cracked, sunburned lips at altitude are painful and slow to heal.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Winter: Microspikes/traction devices

Activities & Best Time to Visit Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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

Whether you're here for camping or looking to try something different, Long Valley Group Campground has options.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
glamping — Enjoy nature with upgraded comforts like furnished tents or cabins.
horseback_riding — Explore trails and open landscapes from the saddle.
ice_fishing — Drill through frozen lakes to fish beneath the ice during winter.
ice_skating — Glide across frozen ponds or maintained outdoor rinks during winter months.
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.
rock_climbing — Ascend vertical rock faces using ropes, harnesses, and protective gear.
rv_camping — Travel with the comforts of home while staying in campgrounds or RV parks.
sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

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

Terrain: Forest — Forests are dominated by dense tree cover, layered canopies, and shaded understories. Ground conditions vary from leaf litter to mossy soils, with limited visibility off trail.

Wildlife Safety at Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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

Most visitors at Long Valley Group Campground never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 25/10 means preparation matters.

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (86mi)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: high (Southern latitude (35N), Elevated (6,988ft), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.

Western Diamondback

A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.

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 Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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

The Forest environment here supports 54 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — White to pale pink petals with deep purple markings.
Woods' rose — Pink five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.

Shrubs (2)

Fourwing Saltbush — Foliage often appears silvery due to salt excretion.
fernbush — Foliage has a strong resinous scent when crushed.

Other Plants (5)

Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Whipple Cholla
western blue flag
Green Ephedra

Mammals (13)

Pronghorn — A slender tan-and-white ungulate with distinctive black facial markings.
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — A stout, burrowing rodent with tan to brown fur and short tail.
American Bison — A massive, hump-shouldered bovine with shaggy dark brown fur.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — A small desert squirrel with tan fur and white stripe along sides.

Birds (30)

House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib
Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail
Hooded Merganser — Male with large white crest
Brewer's Sparrow — Plain gray-brown plumage
Black-throated Sparrow — Bold black throat patch

Reptiles (11)

Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration.
Eastern Collared Lizard — A colorful lizard with two black collar bands around the neck.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Prairie Rattlesnake — A tan to greenish rattlesnake with dark oval blotches along the back.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.

Amphibians (4)

Northern Leopard Frog
Arizona Tree Frog
Boreal Chorus Frog
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (4)

Megetra vittata
Painted Lady
Convergent Lady Beetle
White-lined Sphinx

Fungi (1)

Fly Agaric

Other Wildlife (2)

Diablo Mountainsnail
Common Desert Centipede

Nature Bingo at Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Pronghorn (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
Northern Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Spinystar (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino Climate & Sun

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

The annual average temperature here is 49.4°F, with 26.8 inches of precipitation.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 49.4°F

Annual precipitation: 26.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 49.4°F and 26.8 inches of precipitation, Long Valley Group Campground has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 68°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.

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

Winter 33°

3.5"

Spring 46°

1.0"

Summer 68°

2.6"

Fall 51°

1.6"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	33°F	3.5 in
Feb	35°F	3.5 in
Mar	40°F	3.0 in
Apr	46°F	1.0 in
May	54°F	0.8 in
Jun	64°F	0.3 in
Jul	68°F	2.6 in
Aug	67°F	3.3 in
Sep	61°F	2.1 in
Oct	51°F	1.6 in
Nov	41°F	1.9 in
Dec	33°F	3.2 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: 5:11 AM – 7:38 PM

Winter: 7:24 AM – 5:16 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:24 AM, Sunset 5:16 PM Golden hour from 4:37 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:11 AM, Sunset 7:38 PM Golden hour from 7:01 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:37 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:07 AM, Sunset 6:33 PM Golden hour from 6:00 PM

Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Long Valley Group Campground.

Long Valley Group Campground is 86 miles from Phoenix — here's what to budget for the trip.

Nearest city: Phoenix (86 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $21.38 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 69.1 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)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

The area around Long Valley Group Campground has plenty more to offer.

If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Long Valley Group Campground.

Nearby Trails

Maxwell Trail, Coconino 4.96 mi
Fred Haught Trail, Coconino 6.21 mi
General George Crook Trail, Coconino 6.21 mi
Willow Crossing Trail, Coconino 6.74 mi
Col Devin Trail, Coconino 6.78 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Clints Well Campground, Coconino 2.48 mi
Kehl Springs Campground, Coconino 5.96 mi
Rock Crossing Campground, Coconino 6.94 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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

On clear nights, the Bortle class 4 skies above Long Valley Group Campground reveal constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

From Long Valley Group Campground, you can trace Ursa Minor, 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.
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 Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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

Timing your visit to Long Valley Group Campground around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.

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 Valley Group Campground, Coconino

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 Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Dilzhę́’é (North).

Dilzhę́’é (North)

Data from Native Land Digital

Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Long Valley Group Campground 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: 159
Unique Species: 110
Oldest: 315.2 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 48
Richness: High
Minerals Found: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Manganese, Gold, Copper, Silver, Barium-Barite, Quartz

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 110°F (2005-07-12)
Record Low: -18°F (1922-02-02)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 128
Largest Fire: Dude (24,755.9 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

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

Watershed

Watershed: Ellison Creek
Water Quality (Good): 10.746%
Impaired: 0%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 2
Largest: Clover Springs (7.7 kg)

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 7 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 7 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score: 54/100

Long Valley Group Campground, Coconino Safety & Conditions

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

Before visiting Long Valley Group Campground, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: BLUE RIDGE RANGER STATION, AZ US (9.99 mi)