Northern Arizona is a diverse region home to a various types of wildlife. No visit to the area is complete without some wildlife watching. At any time of year, you can see a broad range of animals that are native to Northern Arizona.

Winter

Winter in northern Arizona is anything but desolate. In the winter months, put on a pair of snowshoes and take a silent walk through the woods to view wildlife. You can hear Abert’s squirrels moving through the canopy if you listen closely. You can also hear downy and hairy woodpeckers, dark-eyed juncos and stellar’s jays.

In November, when early snow starts and lakes get icy, migratory bald eagles descend on the high country of Arizona. You can take some spectacular photos of bald eagles during this period. Large groups of bald eagles can be found in Rogers Lake, the Kachina Wetlands, Pumphouse Greenway, and Marshall Lake. Elk can also be spotted at these lakes.

Permanent resident birds that can be spotted in the region during winter include the pygmy nuthatch, mountain chickadee, and northern flicker. In the pinyon-juniper woodlands, you can see American robins, mountain bluebirds, and white-crowned sparrows feeding on leftover seeds and berries. To see badgers, look out for oval-shaped den openings.

Spring

As ice begins to recede on Rogers Lake and Anderson Mesa Lakes, you can spot cinnamon teal and other water fowl. At the Grand Canyon, especially at Navajo Bridge, you can see California Condors in flight around March. At the south rim of the Grand Canyon in April, bighorn sheep and mule deer become more visible. In the springtime, you can easily take photos of tiger and common side-blotched whiptails as well as eastern collared lizards as they bask on the warm rocks in the area.

May is the best time to view prairie wildlife such as elk, buffalo, pronghorn, and Gunnison’s prairie dogs at the Raymond Wildlife Area. Spring grasses and wildflowers are bountiful during this time of year when even the most reclusive of animals are tempted to venture outside.

Summer

In Arizona high country during the summer months, you can find hundreds of calf elk, bulls, and cows out in the early evening at Mormon Lake. Birders can view Ibis, Avocet, and Osprey at this time. At Upper and Lower Lake Mary, lots of elk can be found. The Lamar Haines Memorial Wildlife Area is a great place to visit to view mule deer and elk in the mornings and evenings.

Mid-summer in Northern Arizona also happens to be lizard season. Everything from western fence lizards to plateau lizards can be spotted along the rock walls of the Rio de Flag, which is on the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. Rock squirrels scurrying for food can also be seen on this trail system.

August is another good time to spot California Condors on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, where you should also look out for Abert’s squirrels. Signs that Abert’s squirrels are in the area include clipped pine twigs, small digging spots around the base of pine trees, and sheared pine cones. At the House Rock Wildlife Area in August, buffalo and mule deer are commonly spotted.

Fall

During September, when the Aspen leaves change color, large numbers of elk can be found at Mormon Lake. Territorial bulls can also be found at dawn and dusk in forested areas throughout September. The monsoon rains start in October, ushering in the migration of waterfowl. Watch ducks and geese crowd in open water before they head further up north. At Rogers Lake, you can view a diversity of waterfowl and hundreds of cinnamon teal. Fall is the perfect time to drive along the Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail to view western bluebirds, Abert’s squirrels, red-tailed hawks, pine siskins, and much more.