New River Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New River Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Squaw Mountain (New River Mountains) |
| Elevation | 5,905 ft (1,800 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 14 mi (23 km) SW-NE |
| Width | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Geography | |
 New River Mountains
Location in Arizona
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| Country | United States |
| Settlements | New River and Black Canyon City |
The New River Mountains are a small mountain range in central Arizona. They are about 14 miles (23 km) long. These mountains are just north of the Phoenix valley. They are also part of the Arizona transition zone, which is where different types of land meet.
The New River Mountains are connected to the Black Hills in Yavapai County. Rivers and deep canyons are on their east and west sides. The southern part of the mountains is in Maricopa County, which is where the big city of Phoenix is located.
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Exploring the New River Mountains
The New River Mountains are part of a larger area that stretches south from the Black Hills in central Arizona. This region has flat-topped hills called mesas, smaller hills, and mountain peaks.
Rivers and Canyons
To the west, the mountains are bordered by the Black Canyon. The Agua Fria River flows through this canyon, heading south towards Phoenix. On the east side, there are canyons where the Verde River also flows south into the Phoenix valley.
What the Mountains Look Like
This small mountain range is about 14 miles (23 km) long. To the south and southeast of the New River Mesa, you'll find more hills. These hills reach the northern cities of Phoenix, like Cave Creek and Carefree.
To the north of the New River Mountains, there are two mesas. Squaw Creek Mesa stretches west towards the Black Canyon. Cooks Mesa extends east towards West Cedar Mountain. West and East Cedar Mountain are southwest of Tangle Creek. This creek flows into the Verde River and borders the large Mazatzal Wilderness area.
Highest Points
The middle of the mountain range is near Benchmark Mountain, which is about 5,855 feet (1,785 meters) high. The very highest point in the range is Squaw Mountain. It is located in the northern part of the range, on the eastern edge of Squaw Creek Mesa. Squaw Mountain stands tall at about 5,905 feet (1,800 meters).
How to Visit the Mountains
The New River Mountains are easy to get to. Interstate 17 runs along the western side of the range. Several towns are located right on I-17, west and southwest of the mountains. These include Black Canyon City, Rock Springs, New River, and Desert Hills.
