Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
Campgrounds in Arizona
Near Young, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
This packing list is tailored to the Grassland environment and Temperate at Reynolds Creek.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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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.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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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.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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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.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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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
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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 Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
The Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The terrain here lends itself to camping, fishing, picnicking — activities that match the Grassland environment.
Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
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fishing — Cast a line in lakes, rivers, or coastal waters in pursuit of local fish species.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Terrain: Grassland — Grasslands are open landscapes dominated by grasses with few trees.
Wildlife Safety at Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
The wildlife safety profile at Reynolds Creek includes venomous snakes — here's what to know about each.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (70mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake. They're most active during warm months.
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.
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.
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.
A small slender snake with red, yellow, and black rings around the body.
Keep the victim calm and still while awaiting treatment.
- 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 Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
The Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The natural world around Reynolds Creek reflects its Grassland setting — Arizona sycamore overhead, purple owl's-clover and pinkflower hedgehog cactus at your feet, and wildlife throughout.
Trees (1)
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Arizona sycamore — Round seed balls hang on long stalks.
Wildflowers (4)
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purple owl's-clover — Dense spikes of purple-tipped bracts. -
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Clumping cylindrical stems with dense spines. -
California poppy — Bright orange cup-shaped flowers with silky petals. -
Coulter's lupine — Seed pods develop and split when dry.
Shrubs (3)
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Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Bright cup-shaped flowers open in sunlight and are followed by spiny fruits. It thrives in rocky desert slopes and well-drained soils. -
Sonoran scrub oak — It typically grows in chaparral and desert foothills.
Other Plants (5)
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saguaro
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Buckhorn Cholla
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jojoba
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Panamint liveforever
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ocotillo
Mammals (1)
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White-tailed Deer — Reddish-brown in summer and grayish in winter with a bright white underside to the tail.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib -
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body -
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly
Reptiles (7)
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Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped dorsal blotches. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
Amphibians (3)
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Canyon Tree Frog -
Red-spotted Toad -
Lowland Leopard Frog
Insects (6)
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Pipevine Swallowtail -
Queen -
Marine Blue -
Gray Buckeye -
Dainty Sulphur
Other Wildlife (1)
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Desert Blonde Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The climate at Reynolds Creek peaks for outdoor activity during Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, when temperatures average °F.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 54.6°F
Annual precipitation: 26.6 in
With an average annual temperature of 54.6°F and 26.6 inches of precipitation, Reynolds Creek has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 72°F, while winter lows drop to 40°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40°F | 3.7 in |
| Feb | 42°F | 3.4 in |
| Mar | 46°F | 3.1 in |
| Apr | 52°F | 0.9 in |
| May | 58°F | 0.7 in |
| Jun | 68°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 72°F | 2.8 in |
| Aug | 71°F | 3.2 in |
| Sep | 66°F | 1.8 in |
| Oct | 56°F | 1.6 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 1.9 in |
| Dec | 39°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: 5:12 AM – 7:35 PM
Winter: 7:21 AM – 5:16 PM
Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Reynolds Creek.
Whether it's a day trip or weekend getaway from Phoenix, here's what visiting Reynolds Creek involves.
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: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
The area around Reynolds Creek has plenty more to offer.
The proximity of 17 other outdoor spots makes this area ideal for multi-day exploration.
Nearby Trails
- Mcfadden Park Trail, Gila 0.28 mi
- Cienega Trail, Gila 1.4 mi
- Hells Hole Trail, Gila 1.44 mi
- Mcfadden Horse Trail, Gila 2 mi
- Center Mountain Trail, Gila 3.68 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Reynolds Creek Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila 0.16 mi
- Rose Creek Campground, Gila 2.86 mi
- Schoolhouse Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Gila 15.41 mi
- Schoolhouse Cg Campground, Gila 15.52 mi
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
Under the Bortle class 4 skies at Reynolds Creek, you can expect to see 2 major constellations and constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Reynolds Creek, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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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:
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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 Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Knowing what each season brings helps you plan the best possible visit to Reynolds Creek.
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 Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila
Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.
For thousands of years, this land has been cared for by Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam and their ancestors.
Territories
Languages
Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Dilzhę́’é (South).
Data from Native Land Digital
Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Reynolds Creek 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
- Middle Proterozoic sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Grand Canyon Supergroup; Chuar Group; Unkar Group; Apache Group; Troy Quartzite
- Lithology
- Major:{shale,sandstone,quartzite}, Minor:{limestone,basalt,black shale}, Incidental:{conglomerate}
- Age
- Proterozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 3
- Unique Species
- 3
- Oldest
- 382.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 178
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Asbestos, Uranium, Iron, Copper, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Fluorine-Fluorite, Semiprecious Gemstone
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 108°F (1905-07-28)
- Record Low
- -21°F (1979-01-30)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 19
- Largest Fire
- Juniper (30,643.6 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
- Sloan Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 8/100
Reynolds Creek Campground, Gila Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Safety starts with current information. These resources cover real-time conditions near Reynolds Creek.
Coordinates: 33.871158, -110.975123