Photo: Fredlyfish4 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Trails 1,630 ft 0.11 mi moderate Native Bortle 2 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Arizona's Box Canyon Dwellings Trail offers a brief 0.11-mile journey through desert country with 8 mammals and 30 bird species. This exceptionally short route still feels remote, and its three-season accessibility makes it accessible during Arizona's pleasant spring, summer, and fall months.

What to Pack for Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Box Canyon Dwellings Trail. The conditions here — Desert, Arid, bears — call for thoughtful gear choices.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Climate Gear

Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

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

Activity options at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail range from casual () to more demanding ().

The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

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

Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

Responsible visitors at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail should be aware of 2 wildlife-related considerations.

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (151mi from city)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (36N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

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

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

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

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

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 Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

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

From towering Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak to delicate Arizona mariposa lily and Stansbury's Cliffrose, the vegetation here creates habitat for 8 mammal species and 30 birds.

Trees (3)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — It dominates many upland forests in Arizona and New Mexico.
Gambel Oak — This species is common in foothills and lower mountain slopes of the southwestern United States.
white fir — The species tolerates shade and often grows beneath taller conifers.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves.
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.

Other Plants (5)

Echinocereus bakeri
great mullein
quaking aspen
alligator juniper
western blue flag

Mammals (8)

Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build.
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds.
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Rock Squirrel — Often stands upright on rocks to scan for predators.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks

Reptiles (5)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils.
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.

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 Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

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

Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Box Canyon Dwellings Trail.

Reference climate data for planning your visit to Box Canyon Dwellings Trail — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 55.8°F

Annual precipitation: 8.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 55.8°F and 8.8 inches of precipitation, Box Canyon Dwellings Trail has mild, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 77°F, while winter lows drop to 36°F.

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

Winter 36°

0.7"

Spring 54°

0.5"

Summer 77°

1.3"

Fall 57°

0.8"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	36°F	0.7 in
Feb	40°F	0.6 in
Mar	47°F	0.7 in
Apr	54°F	0.5 in
May	62°F	0.4 in
Jun	73°F	0.2 in
Jul	77°F	1.3 in
Aug	75°F	1.5 in
Sep	68°F	1.1 in
Oct	57°F	0.8 in
Nov	44°F	0.4 in
Dec	35°F	0.6 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: 5:09 AM – 7:42 PM

Winter: 7:27 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:27 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:34 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:09 AM, Sunset 7:42 PM Golden hour from 7:04 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:38 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:07 AM, Sunset 6:34 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Box Canyon Dwellings Trail and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: Phoenix (151 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $37.79 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 122.2 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
Strollers: possible (50/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Box Canyon Dwellings Trail visit include these 12 destinations.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail is rated Bortle class 2, offering Typical truly dark site conditions year-round.

Bortle 2 Typical truly dark site

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

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 Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 5351ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

Before trails were marked here, Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai) knew this land intimately.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (North), Hopilavayi.

Data from Native Land Digital

Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Box Canyon Dwellings Trail 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: Holocene to middle Pliocene basaltic rocks
Lithology: Major:{basalt}, Minor:{andesite,dacite,rhyolite}
Age: Cenozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 39
Unique Species: 37
Oldest: 274.4 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 15
Richness: Moderate
Minerals Found: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Uranium, Perlite

Endangered Species

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

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 58
Largest Fire: Hochderffer (17,471.6 acres)
Most Recent: 9999
Fire Risk: Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types: Volcanic rocks with potential for pseudokarst features
Karst Score: 30

Watershed

Watershed: Rimmy Jim Tank
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, Wupatki National Monument Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Box Canyon Dwellings Trail, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: WUPATKI NM, AZ US (6.84 mi)