Arizona · Hiking · Near Oracle

Bear Canyon

Bear CanyonPhoto: H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
13.3 mi
round trip
1,537 ft
climb
4,278 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Bear Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Bear Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Santa Catalina Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Canyon is a hard out-and-back hike in Arizona's Coronado National Forest, within the Santa Catalina Ranger District. The trail runs about 13.3 miles one way, from a low of 2,668 feet to a high of 4,278 feet, with an elevation gain of 1,537 feet. It's managed by the Forest Service. The trailhead is called Bear Canyon Trailhead, and the parking is listed as BEAR CANYON TRAILHEAD. The route is on natural surface and allows horses. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 74°F in March and 86°F in October, while June and July average in the 100s. Sabino Walkway starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Bajada Loop mountain biking route is the same distance. The Sabino Overflow Connector is 0.6 mile off, and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1 is 0.7 mile away.

Around this trail

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More in Oracle
  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Bear Canyon

    Best months: November–April. 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.

    1. Jan

      65° / 41°

    2. Feb

      68° / 43°

    3. Mar

      74° / 48°

    4. Apr

      82° / 54°

    5. May

      91° / 62°

    6. Jun

      101° / 72°

    7. Jul

      100° / 74°

    8. Aug

      98° / 73°

    9. Sep

      94° / 69°

    10. Oct

      86° / 59°

    11. Nov

      75° / 48°

    12. Dec

      65° / 41°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Saguaro Np, AZ, 10.3 mi away at 3,080 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.

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