Arizona · Hiking · Bear Wallow Wilderness

Bear Wallow

15.8 mi
round trip
1,902 ft
climb
8,722 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Bear Wallow open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It doesn't name Bear Wallow, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Wallow is a hard hike in Arizona's Bear Wallow Wilderness, part of the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 6,600 feet to about 8,700 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,902 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is not accessible. The route is natural-surface and allows horses, but not bikes. The trailhead is Bear Wallow TH, and the hike is open year-round. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the Alpine, AZ weather station, about 22 miles away, show May highs near 69°F and October highs near 64°F, while July and August bring the most wet days. Nearby, Reno is about 1.7 miles away and Mcbride Mesa about 2.7 miles. Kp Cienega Campground is about 3.2 miles off, and Aker Lake Fishing Site is about 3.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Bear Wallow

    Best months: June and September. 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

      46° / 15°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 18°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 23°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      61° / 26°

      3 wet

    5. May

      69° / 31°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 39°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 47°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 46°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 39°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 30°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 22°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Alpine, AZ, 22.4 mi away at 8,050 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.