Sunflower Flat Wildlife Area
Sunflower Flat Wildlife Area is located about 15 miles southeast of Williams, Arizona, on the Kaibab National Forest. The property is 160 acres, with approximately 120 acres within an ephemeral wetland located in an ancient lake bed. There is an earthen stock tank at the northeast corner of the property. The remaining 40 acres is upland habitat of grassland with scattered ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). It is bordered by federal lands managed by the USFS Kaibab National Forest. There are no designated roads into or within Sunflower Flat; therefore, access to the property is on foot only.
Due to the fact that the wildlife area is a stopover point for a number of different migratory bird species and waterfowl and is a travel corridor for big game species such as elk; Sunflower Flat Wildlife Area is highlighted as a premier location in northern Arizona for watchable wildlife opportunities.
Recreational opportunities
Camping: Overnight public camping is not permitted. Effective summer 2019, overnight camping will be a permitted activity within the wildlife area.
Hunting: Open to all hunting in season as permitted under R12-4-304 and R12-4-318. Motorized big game retrieval is allowed within the wildlife area. Game Management Unit 8.
Hiking: There is a 3.7 ad-hoc loop trail (not maintained) around the perimeter of the wildlife area.
Restrictions
Motorized vehicle travel permitted on designated roads or areas only, except as permitted under R12-4-110(H).
Wildlife observed in the area
Amphibians and Reptiles: Arizona toad, canyon tree frog, Arizona tree frog. Greater short-horned lizard, plateau lizard, gopher snake, Arizona black rattlesnake.
Birds: Osprey, bald eagle, great blue heron, white faced ibis, American avocet, ruddy duck, Canada geese, mallard, redhead, ringneck, green-wing teal, blue-wing teal, cinnamon teal, northern pintail, bufflehead, northern shoveler, gadwall, wigeon.
Mammals: Elk, mule deer, black bear, pronghorn antelope, mourning dove, Abert’s squirrel, coyote, grey fox, bobcat, skunk, raccoon.
Plants and Vegetation: Wetland species such as: sedges, spikerush, and bulrush. Ponderosa pines dominate the habitat up-slope of the ephemeral wetland.
Directions: From Williams, go southeast on Forest Road 141 about 5 miles to Forest Road 109. Take this south about 3 miles to Forest Road 14. Go south and west 1 mile and look for unmarked road on left. Sunflower Flat is about a half mile down this road.
