Kaibab National Forest

The Kaibab National Forest encompasses a total area of about 1.6 million acres of land that is situated in central and north-central Arizona in the counties of Mohave, Coconino, and Yavapai. The forest is divided by the Grand Canyon into two main sections called the north and south districts. To access the park, you can use several routes including US 89, US 64, and US 67. 

Some of the cities and towns located close to the park include Cottonwood, Ash Fork, Flagstaff, Fredonia, Grand Canyon, and Williams. The Kaibab National Forest was established in 1909 and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service to protect several plants and animal species like the Kaibab squirrels. The Kaibab National Forest provides the only known habitat for the Kaibab squirrel. 

Besides the Kaibab squirrel, several other animal species reside in the forest including large wild animals like turkey, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, coyote, pronghorn, black bear, bobcat, cougar. Other smaller animals in the forest include Albert’s squirrels, chipmunks, ground squirrels, rattlesnakes, small lizards, and porcupines. Bird species include crows, woodpeckers, robins, bluebirds, Steller’s jays, flickers, nuthatches, ravens, hummingbirds, and several hawk species. 

Plant species in the forest are also diverse with the main trees being Aspen, Pinyon Pine, Engelmann Spruce, Blue Spruce, Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Douglas-Fir, and Juniper. Other plants in the forest include Gambel Oak, Cliffrose, Bitterbrush, and Sagebrush. Besides all this rich biota, the forest is also a great place to enjoy recreational activities like hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. 

Amenities in the forest include picnic sites, two visitors’ centers, trails, ski area, scenic drives, and several campgrounds. Visitors to the Kaibab National Forest are allowed to bring their dogs, but it is critically important to obey the forest service rules. Generally, dog owners are expected to maintain immediate control of their dogs at all times and ensure that their dogs do not wander off into areas of the forest that are restricted.