Wet Beaver Wilderness
The Wet Beaver Wilderness, established in 1984, encompasses much of the Wet Beaver Creek and surrounding canyons. Wet Beaver Creek is a perennially flowing stream in a desert environment, which offers a unique and precious habitat for wildlife and plants. Closer to the creek, cottonwoods and sycamore trees are a dominate plant. As you traverse farther up the canyon walls, those trees give way to junipers, prickly pear cacti, mesquite and catclaw before the canyon opens up to grassy plateaus with scenic views.
Travelers going into the depths of the canyon will see a number of cold-water pools stretching between canyon walls of sandstone, shale, and -- in some sections -- basalt. Whether you ascend the plateaus, navigate the canyon floors, or enjoy a mild hike to a favorite swimming spot or viewpoint, the Wet Beaver Wilderness has plentiful opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation.
Most visitors spend their time in the wilderness’s lower, more accessible areas, such as the first several miles of Bell Trail No. 13, which is the only developed route into Wet Beaver Creek Canyon. Apache Maid Trail No. 15 starts at the mouth of Wet Beaver Creek Canyon, then splits from Bell Trail to climb the canyon's north wall. Wier Trail No. 85 contours from near the information board on Bell Trail before dropping to creek level, and White Mesa Trail No. 86 is located on the west side of Casner Canyon.
Hiking, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing trail and running are popular forms of recreation for this area.
Bell Trail trailhead is located a short jaunt from the Sedona exit off Interstate 17.
The Wier Trail branches off the Bell Trail Trailhead at the Wet Beaver Wilderness boun
The White Mesa Trail actually doesn't begin at an established trailhead, but begins where it intersects Bell Trail a
Once listed as a campground, Beaver Creek is now a day-use site popular for picnicking and birding year round, and water play in the summer. The area has limited spac
