Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness

Located in the Coconino National Forest in Arizona.

Twenty miles south of Flagstaff, Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness includes spectacular red, tan, and buff cliffs that mark the edge of the Colorado Plateau. The country plunges as much as 1,500 feet into canyons that drain into Oak Creek and the Verde River. Secret Mountain and Wilson Mountain are high mesas jutting out into the lower country.

This is an area of great climatic variation. The high rims are cool and moist most of the year, except for May and June. The lower end of the unit near Sedona has a much warmer climate. The wide variety of vegetative types provide habitat for equally diverse wildlife populations. There are at least 250 species of vertebrates in the area including elk, mule and white tail deer, javelina, coyote, rabbit, mountain lion, and bear. Of these, 60 percent depend on the riparian habitat during at least part of their life cycles. The wilderness offers outstanding solitude because of topography and vegetation. Opportunities for primitive recreation are many.

For further information contact: Peaks Ranger District and Sedona Ranger District - Coconino National Forest