Arizona · Hiking

Big Ridge

10.0 mi
round trip
681 ft
climb
6,225 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Big Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Big Ridge, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Big Ridge is a 20-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, within the Payson Ranger District. The trail rises from a low point of about 4,400 feet to a high of about 6,225 feet, with a total elevation gain of 681 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced, with no bikes allowed. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Pleasant Valley show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 72°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about nine and ten a month. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet below the high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Sharp Creek Campground and Christopher Creek Campground are both within about 3 miles, and Mescal Ridge is about 2.6 miles away. Climbers can find the Waterfall Area about 3.5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Big Ridge

    Best months: March–May and September–November. 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

      53° / 25°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      56° / 27°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      61° / 31°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      76° / 42°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 49°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 59°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 59°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 40°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 30°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 25°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pleasant Valley, AZ, 11.9 mi away at 5,183 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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