South Canyon
New Mexico
Free — you'll pick up right here.
8.1 mi
Distance
1,215 ft
Gain
Conditions: Caution
for hike, todayAgency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good
2 factors · 2 sources
Newest 23 h ago · oldest 23 h
caution: Agency alerts
2 active alerts in Cibola National Forest; most severe: Occupancy & Use Prohibitions Forest Order #03-03-00-23-03
USFSPosted May 20, 2023 · checked 23 h ago
clear: Weather
Clear, high 72°F / low 67°F, 0% precip — 100/100 for hike
OpenWeather23 h ago
Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.
Why you'll love it
Here's your day, mapped
South Canyon
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Meals
Gear for the day
Elevation & route
- Distance
- 8.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,215 ft
- Highest point
- 8,063 ft
- Lowest point
- 6,822 ft
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Managing agency
- Forest Service
- Bikes
- Allowed
- Horses
- Allowed
- Surface
- Natural
Source for bikes, horses, surface: USDA Forest Service National Forest System Trails (EDW)
About this trail
South Canyon is an 8.11-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico managed by the Forest Service. The trail follows a canyon route and returns via the same path it went out on.
Facts about this trail
The climb
- High point
- 8,063 ft
- Length (round trip)
- 8.1 mi
- Shape
- Out and back
Source: Roamze elevation profile and trail geometry (DEM samples along the mapped route)
When to go
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Augustine 2e, NM weather station, 28 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan46° high17° low1 days with snow
- Feb49° high21° low1 days with snow
- Mar56° high25° low
- Apr63° high31° low
- May72° high40° low
- Jun82° high49° low
- Jul82° high56° low
- Aug80° high54° low
- Sep75° high46° low
- Oct66° high34° low
- Nov55° high23° low
- Dec46° high16° low1 days with snow
The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.
Where it is
- Magdalena Ranger District · Ranger district
- Cibola National Forest · National forest
- Managed by
- Forest Service
Conditions
Active alerts for Magdalena Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:
Magdalena Ranger District Bear Trap Campground Closure Order #03-03-03-26-01
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- Ryan Hill Trail (17)Hiking0.7 mi
- MesaHiking1 mi
- Ryan HillHiking1.1 mi
- Copper Canyon TrailHiking1.1 mi
- Water Canyon CampgroundCamping1.7 mi
- Alf RigRock climbing8.4 mi
- Scarry WallRock climbing8.5 mi
- Minor WallRock climbing8.7 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Add to a trip & share
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