Wet Beaver Wilderness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wet Beaver Wilderness |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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Wet Beaver Creek
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| Location | Yavapai / Coconino counties, Arizona, United States |
| Nearest city | Lake Montezuma, AZ |
| Area | 6,155 acres (2,491 ha) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Wet Beaver Wilderness is a special natural area in Arizona, United States. It's a huge protected space, about 6,155 acres (that's like 4,600 football fields!). You can find it in the Coconino National Forest. This wilderness is a place where nature is left wild and untouched, so animals and plants can thrive.
A main feature of this area is the Wet Beaver Creek. This creek flows all year round. It joins with another stream called Dry Beaver Creek near McGuireville. The water from Beaver Creek eventually flows into the Verde River. You might know some famous spots along the creek, like Montezuma Well and Montezuma Castle National Monument.
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Amazing Wildlife
The Wet Beaver Wilderness is a great place to see animals! Because the creek has water all year, many different kinds of wildlife come here.
- Large Animals: You might spot big animals like elk, deer, bear, and even mountain lions.
- Smaller Creatures: There are also many smaller mammals, reptiles (like lizards and snakes), and lots of different birds. It's a busy place for nature lovers!
Exploring the Trails
If you love hiking, this wilderness has some cool trails.
Bell Trail
The most popular way to enter the Wet Beaver Wilderness is using the Bell Trail.
- Location: You can find this trail about 2 miles (3 km) east of the Sedona exit from I-17. It's close to the Beaver Creek Ranger Station.
- History: The Bell Trail is an old path once used for moving livestock.
- Journey: It follows Beaver Creek for about 3 miles (5 km). Then, it climbs steeply up to the Mogollon Rim. The Mogollon Rim is a big cliff that marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The trail is about 10.8 miles (17.4 km) long in total.
Apache Maid Trail
There is another trail in the wilderness called the Apache Maid Trail. This trail is about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) long.
Fun Activities
The Wet Beaver Wilderness is a fantastic spot for outdoor fun!
- Hiking and Horseback Riding: You can explore the trails on foot or even on horseback.
- Fishing: If you like fishing, there are about 12 miles (19 km) of creek where you can try to catch fish.
- Swimming: On a hot day, taking a dip in the creek is a popular activity.
- Wildlife Watching: It's a perfect place to quietly watch for animals and birds.
- Photography: The beautiful scenery and wildlife make it great for taking pictures.
Camping Rules
There's a popular campground called Beaver Creek Campground just outside the wilderness area. It's run by the U.S. Forest Service and requires a fee.
However, it's important to know that overnight camping is not allowed in certain parts of the wilderness. This rule helps protect the area from too much impact, keeping it beautiful for everyone.
Fish Species
Here are some of the fish you might find in Wet Beaver Creek:
- Rainbow trout
- Brown trout
- Smallmouth bass
- Bullfrogs (though they are amphibians, not fish!)
