Sycamore Canyon
Encyclopedia
Sycamore Canyon is the second largest canyon
in the Arizona
redrock country, after Oak Creek Canyon
. The 21 miles (33.8 km) long scenic canyon reaches a maximum width of about 7 miles (11.3 km) and is located in North Central Arizona
below the Mogollon Rim
west and northwest of Sedona. Located within three different U.S. National Forests, the Coconino
, Kaibab
, and Prescott National Forest
s, 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 56000 acres (22,662.4 ha) Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, located at 35°07′31"N 112°00′04"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" prior to the Wilderness Act of 1964.
There is a second, less well-known Sycamore Canyon in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
, located in the Pajarito Wilderness of the Coronado National Forest
, and continuing south into Sonora
, Mexico
.
Other notable Sycamore Canyons in the Western US are near Newbury Park, California
and near Poway, California
, among others.
Canyon
A canyon or gorge is a deep ravine between cliffs often carved from the landscape by a river. Rivers have a natural tendency to reach a baseline elevation, which is the same elevation as the body of water it will eventually drain into. This forms a canyon. Most canyons were formed by a process of...
in the Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
redrock country, after Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located along the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona located between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty...
. The 21 miles (33.8 km) long scenic canyon reaches a maximum width of about 7 miles (11.3 km) and is located in North Central Arizona
North Central Arizona
North Central Arizona is a geographical region of Arizona. It is in the Transition Zone between the Basin and Range province and the Colorado Plateau, and has some of the most rugged and scenic landscapes in Arizona....
below the Mogollon Rim
Mogollon Rim
The Mogollon Rim is a topographical and geological feature running across the U.S. state of Arizona. It extends approximately from northern Yavapai County eastward to near the border with New Mexico.-Description:...
west and northwest of Sedona. Located within three different U.S. National Forests, the Coconino
Coconino National Forest
The Coconino National Forest is a 1.856-million acre United States National Forest located in northern Arizona in the vicinity of Flagstaff. Originally established in 1898 as the "San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve", the area was designated a U.S...
, Kaibab
Kaibab National Forest
At 1.6 million acres the Kaibab National Forest borders both the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, in north-central Arizona. It is divided into three major sections: the North Kaibab Ranger District and the South Kaibab and are managed by USDA Forest Service...
, and Prescott National Forest
Prescott National Forest
The Prescott National Forest is a 1.25 million acre United States National Forest located in north central Arizona in the vicinity of Prescott. The forest is located in the mountains southwest of Flagstaff and north of Phoenix in Yavapai County, with a small portion extending into southwestern...
s, Sycamore Canyon is home to a variety of wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
including black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, and mountain lion. Unlike the nearby and more heavily visited Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located along the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona located between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty...
, much of Sycamore Canyon is protected by the 56000 acres (22,662.4 ha) Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, located at 35°07′31"N 112°00′04"W, and therefore roads and developed campgrounds are nonexistent. Hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of 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
Tuzigoot National Monument
Tuzigoot National Monument preserves a 2 to 3 story pueblo ruin on the summit of a limestone and sandstone ridge just east of Clarkdale, Arizona, 120 feet above the Verde River floodplain. The pueblo has 110 rooms...
. 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" prior to the Wilderness Act of 1964.
There is a second, less well-known Sycamore Canyon in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Santa Cruz County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.5% White*0.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*22.9% Other races*82.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, located in the Pajarito Wilderness of the Coronado National Forest
Coronado National Forest
The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....
, and continuing south into Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Other notable Sycamore Canyons in the Western US are near Newbury Park, California
Newbury Park, California
The community of Newbury Park, California is located in the western portion of the city of Thousand Oaks and Casa Conejo, an unincorporated area of southeastern Ventura County's Conejo Valley, which is also in the northwestern Greater Los Angeles Area...
and near Poway, California
Poway, California
Poway is a city in San Diego County, California. Originally an unincorporated community in San Diego County, Poway officially became a city in December 1980. Even though Poway lies geographically in the middle of San Diego County, most consider its relative location as north county inland...
, among others.