Kaibab National Forest
800 South Sixth Street
Williams, AZ 86046
(928) 635-8200
Fax: (928) 635-8208
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More About Us
Fun Facts about Kaibab
- Unless the skies are overcast, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
is visible from forest headquarters located in Williams, Arizona
- The Kaibab Plateau - North Rim Parkway (a 44-mile scenic drive from
Jacob Lake to the North Rim) is one of only two National Scenic Byways
in the Southwestern Region.
- The North Kaibab is the only southwestern district that provides numerous
opportunities to view the majestic California condor (for more
information visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife California Condor web page
http://endangered.fws.gov/i/B0G.html)
- The Kaibab, as it is known, is a derivative of the original Paiute
word, kaibabits, meaning "mountain lying down". The name was
given by Major John Wesley Powell in the course of his exploration in
the 1870's
- Red Butte, located on the southern end of the Tusayan district, is
considered the "naval of the earth" by the Havasupai people.
- The North Kaibab is home to the densest population of Northern goshawk
found in the lower 48 states.
- The Kaibab is the only forest in the system that has the designation
of "Game Preserve." President Teddy Roosevelt established
the Grand Canyon Game Preserve in 1906.
*Click for larger view The Kaibab National Forest is part of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine
forest in the United States. Bordering both the north and south rims of
the Grand Canyon, the 1.6 million acres of the Kaibab has the distinction
of being divided by one of Nature's greatest attractions. Headquartered
in Williams, Arizona, the South Kaibab covers 1,422 square miles and the
North Kaibab stretches over 1,010 square miles.
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*Click for larger view Elevations vary on the forest from 5,500 feet in the southwest corner to 10,418 feet
at the summit of Kendrick Peak on the Williams Ranger District. All the
way from north-central Arizona into Utah, you'll find enough breathtaking
views, outstanding forest scenery, unusual geologic formations, and just
plain fun to keep you satisfied for days!
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Vegetation on the forest varies by elevation and exposure. Principal
tree species are ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, aspen,
blue spruce, oak, pinyon pine, and juniper. Among other things, they enhance
the beauty of the landscape, hold soil in place, and provide cover and
food for wildlife. As elevation decreases, trees give way to bitter brush,
Gambel oak, sagebrush, and cliffrose.
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Large wild animals commonly seen are elk, mule deer,
and antelope. Turkey and coyote are also fairly common. Mountain
lion, black bear, and bobcat are seen on rare occasions.
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The most commonly encountered small animals on the Kaibab are Abert's
squirrels, chipmunks, and ground squirrels. Less easily seen are
porcupines, small lizards, and rattlesnakes. Frequently observed
birds are bluebirds, robins, nuthatches, flickers and other woodpeckers,
various hummingbirds, Steller's jays, crows, ravens, and a variety
of hawks. There are over 20 species of bats on the forest!
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*Click for larger view Like all of our national forests, the Kaibab is a "land of many
uses." While logging and grazing are traditional forest activities,
hunting and fishing are allowed under the rules and regulations of the
Arizona Game & Fish Department. Increasingly, recreational activities
such as hiking, trail rides, mountain biking, sightseeing, cross-country
skiing, and wildlife viewing attract more and more people to the Kaibab
National Forest.
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*Click for larger view Thousands of visitors travel to the Kaibab Plateau each fall to enjoy the vibrant
colors of autumn leaves, yet winter is a beautiful time of year in Northern
Arizona as well. During the summer, the thermometer may reach 90 degrees
during the day but dip to the 50s at night. The rainy season brings brief
but often violent thunderstorms across the forest. Such conditions make
wildfires a serious threat to the Kaibab: there is an average of 100 fires
each year, with 25% caused by people. At times, campfires may be restricted
to certain designated areas and parts of the forest may be closed to public
entry. The sunny climate can be deceptive, be it summer or winter, and
visitors who hike, bike, or ride the forest roads should always have appropriate
clothes with them for inclement weather.
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*Click for larger view
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