Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area
Campground
Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail
Arizona · Lake fishing · Happy Jack · Near Blue Ridge
Bear Canyon Lake
- May–Oct
- best months
Is Bear Canyon Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It doesn't name Bear Canyon Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Temporary Emergency Closure
Agency closure covering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests · Order 03-01-26-004 · USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Benny Creek Campground/Southfork Day Use Area Closure Order - Springerville Ranger District
Agency closure covering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests · Order 03-01-25-06-004 · USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Forest Road Conditions Alert
Agency alert covering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests · USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
No Fire Restrictions
Agency alert covering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests · USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
As of · Source: USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Bear Canyon Lake is a 55-acre lake near Happy Jack, Arizona, at about 7,593 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Creekside Steakhouse
Restaurant
Restaurant · 5.4 mi from Blue Ridge
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Blue RidgeBest time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Bear Canyon Lake
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
45° / 17°
Feb
49° / 20°
Mar
55° / 25°
Apr
61° / 30°
May
70° / 38°
Jun
80° / 47°
Jul
83° / 55°
Aug
81° / 53°
Sep
76° / 46°
Oct
67° / 34°
Nov
55° / 24°
Dec
45° / 17°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blue Ridge Rs, AZ, 18.2 mi away at 6,880 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Bald Eagle Temporary Closure - Bear Canyon Lake - Black Mesa RD
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests · Order dated June 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 30, 2026 · Forest Service
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
SEE
Deer Lake
~6 min drive
Deer Lake is a 10-acre lake near Heber, Arizona, at about 7,667 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Black Mesa Ranger District
~50 min drive
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Knoll Lake
~9 min drive
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Woods Canyon Lake Area Boating Site
~9 min drive
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Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area
~10 min drive
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Willow Springs Lake Fishing and Boating Site
~16 min drive
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Chevelon Canyon Lake
~21 min drive
Chevelon Canyon Lake is a 198-acre lake near Heber, Arizona, at about 6,378 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir
~26 min drive
SEE
Black Canyon Lake
~31 min drive
Black Canyon Lake is a 43-acre lake near Heber, Arizona, at about 7,059 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Black Canyon Lake Fishing and Boating Site
~31 min drive
