Juniper Mesa Wilderness

Juniper Mesa Wilderness is a protected area in Arizona’s Prescott National Forest in the Juniper Mountains, northwest of Prescott. Encompassing 7,406 acres and rising from about 5,600 to 7,000 feet, it is centered on a mesa of Tapeats sandstone and Martin and Redwall limestones standing above surrounding granite, a remnant of an older, broader Colorado Plateau. Steep canyons cut its sides, and some areas look south and east toward nearby wilderness areas. Vegetation varies by slope and elevation, supporting pinyon pine, Utah juniper, ponderosa pine, and alligator juniper. Wildlife includes black bear, elk, mule deer, bobcats, and Abert’s squirrels, while recreation emphasizes low-impact backcountry travel on about 15 miles of trails.

Seligman, Arizona · United States