Dark Canyon Wilderness
Dark Canyon Wilderness is a remote drainage area in northern Arizona characterized by narrow sandstone slot canyons, rugged cliff walls, and high-desert terrain.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Colorado Plateau |
| Subregion | Northwest Plateau |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Coconino County |
| District | Dark Canyon Wilderness |
| Timezone | AmericaPhoenix |
| Latitude | 36.6 |
| Longitude | -111.6 |
| Maps |
7:14 PM LOCAL TIMEDark Canyon Wilderness is a rugged, relatively undeveloped area in northern Arizona that offers a mix of deep, narrow slot canyons, expansive mesas, and rough high-desert landscapes. Named for its dark, sandstone walls and small perennial streams, the area is popular with experienced hikers, trail runners, and backcountry users seeking solitude and dramatic geology. Trail options vary from short creekside walks to multi-day descents into Dark Canyon itself; many routes require route-finding and cross-country skills. The region lies within the Arizona Strip basin and shares characteristics with nearby areas like The Blue and Chinle, including layered sandstone deposits and ephemeral surface water. Key access points are often remote; prepare for gravel roads, limited services, and weather extremes that can rapidly change conditions. Besides canyon exploration, visitors come to view regional birdlife, learn about Navajo and Ancestral Puebloan histories, and experience vast, open desert skies at sunrise and sunset.
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