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Sycamore Canyon (Yavapai County, Arizona) facts for kids

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Sycamore Canyon
Sycamore Point, AZ.jpg
Sycamore Canyon from Sycamore Point, south of Williams, Arizona.
Sycamore.Canyon is located in Arizona
Sycamore.Canyon
Sycamore.Canyon
Location in Arizona
Sycamore.Canyon is located in the United States
Sycamore.Canyon
Sycamore.Canyon
Location in the United States
Length 21 miles (34 km)
Width 7 miles (11 km)
Geography
Location Sycamore Canyon Wilderness,
Arizona,
United States
Topo map USGS Davenport Hill, AZ
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Designated 1972

Sycamore Canyon is the second largest canyon in the Arizona redrock country, after Oak Creek Canyon. The 21-mile (34 km) long scenic canyon reaches a maximum width of about 7 miles (11 km). 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 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north-northwest of Clarkdale.

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 56,000-acre (23,000 ha) Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, located at 35°03′N 111°58′W / 35.05°N 111.96°W / 35.05; -111.96 (Sycamore Canyon Wilderness), 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.

Gallery

  • Sycamore Wilderness (4109374915)

    Lower Sycamore Canyon, near the trailhead

  • Sycamore Falls, AZ

    Sycamore Falls

  • Sycamore Falls - 3 (21277634263)

    Columnar basalt in the lower canyon

Additional Reading

  • Paradise Forks Rock Climbing by David Bloom
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