Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North Map – Elk, Antelope & Canyon Country Adventure
- ADVENTURE iDIAZ
- 15 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Sunrise on Anderson Mesa changes everything in a moment. One sweep of light reveals elk bugling through rim canyons, pronghorn grazing wide flats, and trout-filled lakes shimmering in the distance. This is Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North—a high-country mix of canyon country, mesa grasslands, and pine forests where elk, antelope, deer, bear, and turkey all find a niche. Hunters, hikers, and anglers come here for the variety; what keeps them coming back is the adventure, and why our Arizona hunting maps are trusted across the state.
Exploring Anderson Mesa in Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North – Terrain, Lakes & Wildlife
Unit 5B North stretches across the northern and northeastern portions of Anderson Mesa southeast of Flagstaff. Elevations range from about 5,000′ grasslands up to nearly 7,000′ ponderosa flats. Within the unit, Ashurst Lake, Marshall Lake, and Kinnikinick Lake anchor the landscape, while smaller tanks dot the mesa. This mix of meadows, canyons, and forests supports a wide range of wildlife—elk, mule deer, pronghorn, turkey, and black bear.
Motorized access is restricted to designated routes on the Coconino National Forest. Be certain to plan ahead—verify road status in the Coconino National Forest before beginning your adventure
Hunting in Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North – Elk, Antelope & More
When it comes to hunting, 5B North is a unit that demands adaptability. Anderson Mesa may look wide-open, but elk and deer quickly learn to use its canyons, rim edges, and forest pockets once pressure builds. Pronghorn stick to the flats, bears key on mast crops, and turkeys stay close to cover. Hunters who put in the scouting hours—glassing at first light, studying water sources, and adjusting to seasonal changes—consistently see the best success here. The Arizona Game and Fish Department provides valuable resources on regulations and season updates, while our detailed Arizona hunting maps make it easier to track water sources, rim canyons, and travel corridors that define elk and deer movement.
Elk Hunting in 5B North
Early Season: Bulls often feed in the open mesa grasslands at dawn and dusk. Glassing points near Ashurst Lake, Kinnikinick Lake, and Marshall Lake provide visibility and a good read on herd movement.
Mid to Late Season: After pressure, elk shift into north- and east-facing canyons off Anderson Mesa. Focus on travel corridors where they move between bedding cover and water.
Tips: Use the rim as a natural funnel. Thermals are tricky on canyon edges—drop in mornings and rise in evenings.
Pronghorn Hunting in 5B North
Where to Glass: The open grasslands between Ashurst and Kinnikinick are pronghorn strongholds. Flat terrain makes spotting scopes essential.
Seasonal Movement: After monsoon green-up, pronghorn can spread into smaller meadows and grassy benches.
Tips: Long-range glassing and careful stalks using terrain breaks are essential.
Mule Deer & Whitetail Hunting in 5B North
Mule Deer: Found on oak-and-pine transition edges throughout the mesa. Bucks use thicker cover in daylight and move into meadows at night.
Whitetails: A limited presence, mostly along Walnut and Cherry Canyons. They prefer brushy canyon rims with escape cover.
Tips: Focus on browse-rich areas near water and edges where open meets cover.
Black Bear Hunting in 5B North
Best Habitat: Walnut, Cherry, Mormon, and Padre Canyons during acorn drops. Gambel oak mast is the prime fall attractant.
Tips: Hunt shaded benches and glass oak slopes early and late. A heavy acorn year equals higher bear visibility.
Turkey Hunting in 5B North
Where to Find Them: Small flocks roam ponderosa stands around Marshall Lake and along Mormon Canyon.
Tips: In spring, toms use open meadows to strut; in fall, focus on mast-rich edges. Call sparingly—pressured birds stay tight in timber.
Special Access Areas Twin Arrows Hunt Area: Defined by the rim, FR-125, FR-126 (Twin Arrows Rd), I-40, Meteor Crater Rd, and FR-69. Tag-specific. Raymond Wildlife Area: Bison habitat; closed May 1–July 29 for calving, with OHV restrictions year-round.
Hiking, Camping & Fishing in Arizona Game Management Unit (GMU) 5B North
Hunting isn’t the only draw—5B North is an outdoor playground. Imagine walking mesa meadows where elk trails crisscross the grass, or casting a line into a stocked lake while the San Francisco Peaks rise on the horizon. From multi-day hikes to shoreline camping and trout fishing, this unit offers plenty of ways to experience Anderson Mesa.
Arizona Trail – Passage 30 (Anderson Mesa). This stretch of the Arizona Trail runs the length of the mesa, following old railroad grades and wide-open meadows. It’s an easy walk with big views of the San Francisco Peaks and a great way to scout country where elk and antelope often cross. Even a short out-and-back hike from Marshall Lake trailhead gives you a taste of the high-country scenery.
Camping on the Mesa. Developed campgrounds like Ashurst Lake and Forked Pine put you right on the shoreline, with cool summer temperatures and plenty of wildlife watching. Lakeview Campground near Upper Lake Mary is another option, offering quick access to the rim and canyon country. For those who prefer solitude, dispersed camping is available in designated areas of the Coconino National Forest—just remember to check seasonal fire restrictions.
Fishing Opportunities. Anglers will find reliable action at Ashurst Lake and Kinnikinick Lake, both regularly stocked with rainbow trout by AZGFD. Kinnikinick also has a self-sustaining population of brown trout that rewards patient bank fishing. Marshall Lake is shallow and water levels vary, but when conditions are right it produces good seasonal trout catches and excellent bird watching. Bringing along light tackle makes for a perfect midday break between hunts.
Access Considerations. Roads across the mesa are subject to closures from snow, rain, and seasonal gates. Even in dry weather, two-tracks can become muddy or rutted. Always check the Coconino NF road status before you go, and carry a current MVUM to stay compliant with travel rules.
History & Local Flavor of Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North
Anderson Mesa is more than a hunting ground—it’s a cultural landscape. Native peoples once used these canyons and springs as travel corridors and hunting grounds. The 1800s brought cattle ranching, with outfits like the Bar T Bar shaping grazing rights that still influence access today.
In the 1960s, the Lowell Observatory Anderson Mesa Station was built to take advantage of the mesa’s dark skies. It remains part of Flagstaff’s astronomy heritage. Meanwhile, the mesa’s designation as an Important Bird Area draws birders for species like pinyon jays and raptors.
Hunting, ranching, science, and birding all intersect here, making 5B North one of Arizona’s most layered outdoor destinations.
Maps & Navigation in Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North
Navigating 5B North takes preparation. Anderson Mesa is a maze of roads, meadows, and canyons where conditions shift with weather and fire restrictions.
ADVENTURE iDIAZ Map. Our Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North Map marks lakes, canyons, tanks, and numbered roads at a usable scale.
Forest Travel Maps. The Coconino NF MVUM is mandatory to stay legal; off-route driving is prohibited.
Private Ranch Access. Ranch lands like Bar T Bar, Flying M, and Hopi Three Canyon require written permission through AZGFD’s Landowner Relations Program.
Safety. Fire bans, muddy roads, and closures are common—always check alerts before you go.
Watch the Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North Map Overview Video
FAQ – Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North
Q1: What are the exact boundaries of Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North? A: 5B North lies north of the FR-125 → FR-82 → FR-69B → FR-69 line on Anderson Mesa, stretching across mesa lakes and rim canyons southeast of Flagstaff.
Q2: Which lakes are located inside Unit 5B North? A: Ashurst Lake, Marshall Lake, and Kinnikinick Lake are the main lakes, along with many smaller tanks.
Q3: What animals can you hunt in Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North? A: Hunters target elk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, black bear, and turkey.
Q4: Are there seasonal closures or special restrictions in 5B North? A: Yes. The Raymond Wildlife Area closes May 1–July 29 for bison calving; OHV restrictions apply. Check Coconino NF for fire bans and closures.
Q5: Can you drive off-road in 5B North to retrieve game? A: No. Travel is limited to designated routes on the MVUM.
Q6: Where are the best campgrounds in Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North? A: Ashurst Lake, Forked Pine, and Lakeview Campgrounds are all within the unit.
Q7: Where do elk move in 5B North after hunting pressure begins? A: Elk often move from mesa grasslands into north- and east-facing canyons along rim corridors.
Why Choose ADVENTURE iDIAZ Maps for Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North
When you’re in Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North, you don’t want to rely on generic maps or phone service that can disappear in canyon country. Our maps are built for the field—tough, detailed, and designed with hunters, anglers, and outdoor explorers in mind.
More Roads & Water Sources – Includes more roads, tanks, creeks, springs, and water markings than any other map covering 5B South.
Trails & Recreation Areas – Clear identification of hiking paths, camping access, and nearby recreation corridors.
Easy-to-Read Layout – Smart labeling and intuitive design make navigation fast and frustration-free.
Durable Construction – Printed on tear-resistant & water-resistant material built for real Rim-country conditions.
Compact Scale – Lightweight, foldable, and crafted at 1:100k scale for balance between detail and coverage.
Detailed Topographics – Contour lines and elevation markings help hunters and hikers plan routes and glassing points.
Recreation Highlights – Campgrounds, picnic areas, scenic overlooks, and other recreational touchpoints are included.
Full-Color Quality – Professionally printed with vibrant colors for crisp clarity in all field conditions.
Plan your Anderson Mesa adventure today. Order the Arizona Hunt Unit 5B North Map from ADVENTURE iDIAZ and take the guesswork out of hunting, hiking, camping, and fishing in this high-country unit.
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