Photo: harley photo / CC BY-SA 3.0

Day Use Areas 5,954 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Schnebly Hill Vista near Sedona, Arizona provides sweeping views amid mild desert temperatures and varied wildlife sightings, best visited outside winter months.

Near Sedona, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.

Based on the terrain, climate, and wildlife at Schnebly Hill Vista, here's what to bring.

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

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.
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 Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

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

Schnebly Hill Vista supports 5 outdoor activities, with photography being the most popular draw.

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

Activities

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.
sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
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: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.

With a danger score of 30/10, Schnebly Hill Vista has a few wildlife hazards worth preparing for.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (102mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (35N), Elevated (5,954ft), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

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 Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

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

Schnebly Hill Vista sits within a Desert ecosystem home to 8 documented mammal species and 30 bird species.

Trees (3)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests.
Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes.
white fir — White fir is a tall evergreen with soft, bluish-green needles that curve upward from the twig.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — White to pale pink petals with deep purple markings.
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Evergreen shrub with finely divided gray-green leaves.

Other Plants (5)

Echinocereus bakeri
great mullein
quaking aspen
alligator juniper
western blue flag

Mammals (8)

Abert's Squirrel — A gray tree squirrel with distinctive long ear tufts in winter.
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — A stout, burrowing rodent with tan to brown fur and short tail.
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch.
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail.

Birds (30)

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 (5)

Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — A slender snake with longitudinal yellow or cream stripes over a dark brown, gray, or greenish body.
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back.
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.

Amphibians (2)

American Bullfrog
Arizona Tree Frog

Insects (10)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Gray Buckeye
Carolina Grasshopper
White-lined Sphinx
Spotted Pine Sawyer

Fungi (1)

lobster mushroom

Other Wildlife (2)

Common Pill Woodlouse
Virile Crayfish

Nature Bingo at Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
American Bullfrog (amphibian)
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino Climate & Sun

For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.

The climate at Schnebly Hill Vista averages 55.5°F annually, with Temperate conditions.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 55.5°F

Annual precipitation: 21.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 55.5°F and 21.8 inches of precipitation, Schnebly Hill Vista has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 74°F, while winter lows drop to 39°F.

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

Winter 39°

2.7"

Spring 52°

1.1"

Summer 74°

1.9"

Fall 57°

1.6"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	39°F	2.7 in
Feb	41°F	2.7 in
Mar	46°F	2.5 in
Apr	52°F	1.1 in
May	60°F	0.7 in
Jun	70°F	0.2 in
Jul	74°F	1.9 in
Aug	73°F	2.7 in
Sep	67°F	1.8 in
Oct	57°F	1.6 in
Nov	47°F	1.5 in
Dec	39°F	2.4 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: 5:12 AM – 7:41 PM

Winter: 7:26 AM – 5:16 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:26 AM, Sunset 5:16 PM Golden hour from 4:38 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:12 AM, Sunset 7:41 PM Golden hour from 7:03 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 6:33 PM Golden hour from 6:00 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:08 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:02 PM

Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to Schnebly Hill Vista — here's the practical information you'll need.

The nearest major city to Schnebly Hill Vista is Phoenix, about 102 miles away.

Nearest city: Phoenix (102 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $25.45 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 82.3 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 (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.

There are 17 outdoor destinations within easy reach of Schnebly Hill Vista.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.

The skies above Schnebly Hill Vista register a Bortle class 3, making this a Rural sky location for stargazing.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

From Schnebly Hill Vista, 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 Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Schnebly Hill Vista.

The seasons shape the experience at Schnebly Hill Vista — here's what each one brings.

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 Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino

This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.

Schnebly Hill Vista sits on the traditional lands of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).

Territories

Languages

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

Data from Native Land Digital

Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Schnebly Hill Vista 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: 5
Unique Species: 5
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 26
Richness: Moderate
Minerals Found: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Stone, Crushed/Broken

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 114°F (2005-07-18)
Record Low: -35°F (1979-01-30)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 100
Largest Fire: Snake Ridge (15,333.3 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Lower Woods Canyon
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 63 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 2 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score: 46/100

Schnebly Hill Vista, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.

Check current conditions at Schnebly Hill Vista before heading out using these official sources.

Nearest weather station: SEDONA 0.4 SSW, AZ US (4.15 mi)