[1] The first known settlements in the Bradshaws were a group of Yavapai people, called the Kwevkapaya who built forts and mined copper from around AD 1100 to 1600.

[2] They called the mountains Wi:kañacha, meaning "rough, black range of rocks"[3] The Walker Party found gold, and within a few years, the Bradshaws were filling up with settlers mining for gold, silver, and copper.

[citation needed] The Bradshaw Mountains consist primarily of Precambrian granite, gneiss and schist.

Many species of trees are found in the Bradshaws, including Piñon, Alligator Juniper, Ponderosa pine, Blue Spruce, Quaking Aspen, White fir, and Douglas fir.

As well, much wildlife is present, including javelina, mountain lion, bobcat, black bear, mule deer, porcupine, fox, skunk, abert's squirrel, rock squirrel, wild turkey, many species of reptiles and amphibians, and many species of birds.