Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
Fishing in Arizona
Photo: cogdogblog / CC BY 2.0
Near Young, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.
Every item on this list exists because of specific conditions at Sardine Point Day Use Area — Forest terrain, Temperate, and local wildlife.
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.
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 Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Outdoor recreation at Sardine Point Day Use Area centers on fishing, with the May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep months offering the best conditions.
With a photography score of 55/100, Sardine Point Day Use Area offers Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
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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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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: Forest — This terrain features mature trees, fallen logs, and filtered light beneath a closed canopy. Trails may wind through uneven roots and soft organic soil.
Wildlife Safety at Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.
A danger score of 25/10 means Sardine Point Day Use Area requires moderate preparation compared to the average trail.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (91mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — are present in the Forest habitat around Sardine Point Day Use 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 Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The plant life here ranges from Arizona sycamore in the canopy to purple owl's-clover and pinkflower hedgehog cactus along the trail edges.
Trees (1)
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Arizona sycamore — It grows along streams in desert and canyon environments.
Wildflowers (4)
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purple owl's-clover — Upright stems with finely divided leaves. -
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Bright pink funnel-shaped flowers at stem tips. -
California poppy — Finely divided blue-green foliage forming low mounds. -
Coulter's lupine — The plant grows in open disturbed soils.
Shrubs (3)
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Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — The plant rarely exceeds a foot tall but can spread outward in mounded colonies. Its vivid blooms contrast sharply against arid landscapes. -
Sonoran scrub oak — Acorns are small and mature in a single season.
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 — Slender build with long legs and large dark eyes.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Streaked brown female -
House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow -
European Starling — Spotted winter plumage with pale speckles -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Black half-collar on nape -
Dark-eyed Junco — Oregon form with dark hood and brown back
Reptiles (7)
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Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
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 Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino Climate & Sun
Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Sardine Point Day Use Area.
With 32.4 inches of annual precipitation and an average of 50.1°F, Sardine Point Day Use Area has Temperate conditions.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 50.1°F
Annual precipitation: 32.4 in
With an average annual temperature of 50.1°F and 32.4 inches of precipitation, Sardine Point Day Use Area has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 69°F, while winter lows drop to 34°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34°F | 4.2 in |
| Feb | 36°F | 3.9 in |
| Mar | 41°F | 3.5 in |
| Apr | 46°F | 1.3 in |
| May | 55°F | 0.9 in |
| Jun | 65°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 69°F | 3.6 in |
| Aug | 67°F | 4.4 in |
| Sep | 62°F | 2.3 in |
| Oct | 52°F | 1.7 in |
| Nov | 42°F | 2.2 in |
| Dec | 34°F | 4.0 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: 5:10 AM – 7:36 PM
Winter: 7:22 AM – 5:15 PM
Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.
Trip planning for Sardine Point Day Use Area starts with the 91-mile route from Phoenix.
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: Good starting point
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)
Places Near Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.
From campgrounds to trails to scenic attractions, 12 destinations surround Sardine Point Day Use Area.
Nearby Trails
- Fisherman Trail, Coconino 1.03 mi
- Al Fulton Trail, Coconino 1.16 mi
- Sardine Snowmobile Trail, Coconino 1.54 mi
- Gray Wolf Trail, Coconino 1.57 mi
- Mogollon Rim Snowmobile a Trail, Coconino 1.62 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Fr 171 Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Coconino 0.46 mi
- Sinkhole Campground (N, 0mi), Coconino 1.07 mi
- Fr 9512j Campground, Coconino 2.01 mi
- Rim Cg Campground, Coconino 2.39 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.
For anyone who stays past sunset, the Bortle 3 conditions here reward patience with constellations and bright planets.
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 Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
Each season brings something different to this area.
From wildflower blooms in spring to fall foliage in autumn, Sardine Point Day Use Area rewards visitors in every season.
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 Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino
Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.
This area's history extends far beyond recreation — it is the traditional territory of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).
Territories
Languages
1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Dilzhę́’é (South).
Data from Native Land Digital
Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Sardine Point Day Use Area 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
- 1
- Unique Species
- 1
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 20
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Manganese, Iron, Barium-Barite, Fire Clay (Refractory), Kaolin, Clay, Silica, Sand and Gravel
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 96°F (2005-07-12)
- Record Low
- -22°F (1949-01-04)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 172
- Largest Fire
- Dudley (20,116.7 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
- Upper Wildcat Canyon
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Bigfoot Reports
- 5 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 30/100
Sardine Point Day Use Area, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.
The data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening at Sardine Point Day Use Area right now.
Coordinates: 34.29863, -110.868185