Sycamore Canyon (Yavapai County, Arizona) Explained

Sycamore Canyon
Photo Size:250
Map:Arizona#USA
Map Size:250
Label:Sycamore.Canyon
Label Position: right
Coordinates:35.0517°N -111.9592°W
Coordinates Ref:[1]
Location:Sycamore Canyon Wilderness,
Arizona,
United States
Length:21miles
Width:7miles
Topo:USGS Davenport Hill, AZ
Footnotes:
Sycamore Canyon
Iucn Category:Ib
Designated:1972
Child:yes

Sycamore Canyon is the second largest canyon in the Arizona redrock country, after Oak Creek Canyon. The 21miles long scenic canyon reaches a maximum width of about . It is in North Central Arizona bordering and below the Mogollon Rim, and is located west and northwest of Sedona in Yavapai and Coconino counties.

Description

Sycamore Creek, a tributary of the Verde River, flows through the canyon. Sycamore Canyon enters the Verde River canyon 6.5miles north-northwest of Clarkdale.[1]

Located within three different U.S. National Forests, the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests, Sycamore Canyon is home to a variety of wildlife including black bear, deer, and mountain lion. Unlike the nearby and more heavily visited Oak Creek Canyon, much of Sycamore Canyon is protected by the 56000acres Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, located at 35.05°N -111.96°W, and therefore roads and developed campgrounds are nonexistent. Hiking and horseback riding are the only ways to visit the canyon. The most popular access is via the Parsons Spring trail, upriver from Tuzigoot National Monument. A high-clearance vehicle is helpful to reach the trailhead.

Sycamore Canyon is one of the oldest designated Wilderness Areas in Arizona, originally being a Forest Service "Primitive Area" before the Wilderness Act of 1964.

See also

Additional Reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. February 8, 1980. [{{Gnis3|45636}} Sycamore Canyon]. March 13, 2013.