Sycamore Canyon (Yavapai County, Arizona)

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.

This article is about the canyon in Yavapai County. For other canyons with the same name, see Sycamore Canyon (disambiguation).
Sycamore Canyon
Sycamore Canyon from Sycamore Point, south of Williams, Arizona.
Sycamore.Canyon
Location of Sycamore Canyon,
northwest of Sedona, Arizona.
Length21 miles (34 km)
Width7 miles (11 km)
Geography
LocationSycamore Canyon Wilderness,
Arizona,
United States
Coordinates35°03′06″N 111°57′33″W [1]
Topo mapUSGS Davenport Hill, AZ
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
Designated1972

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.[1]

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 35.05°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" prior to the Wilderness Act of 1964.

  • Lower Sycamore Canyon, near the trailhead
  • Sycamore Falls
  • Columnar basalt in lower canyon

See also

Additional Reading
  • Paradise Forks Rock Climbing by David Bloom

References
  1. "Sycamore Canyon". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. February 8, 1980. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
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