The Yavapai and Hopi people are among those who regard the Agua Fria area as traditionally important. Camping Dispersed camping is allowed in the Agua Fria area for no more than a period of 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days. More information about BLM camping. The monument is characterized by a high semi-desert grassland plateau that is dissected by the steep Agua Fria River canyon and its tributaries. The river bottom is only 600 feet above sea level, while the northern hills in the area rise to 4,300 feet elevation.
Wildlife is abundant and diverse, including pronghorn, mule deer, and white-tail deer.
Javelina, mountain lions, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and neotropical migratory birds also inhabit the area. Elk and black bear are present, but less abundant. Four species of native fish, including the longfin dace, the Gila mountain sucker, the Gila chub, and the speckled dace, exist in the Agua Fria River and its tributaries. The monument contains one of the most significant systems of late prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. At least 450 prehistoric sites are known to exist within the monument and there are likely many more.