Arizona · Hiking

Black River

35.1 mi
round trip
975 ft
climb
7,570 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 9 h ago

Is Black River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It doesn't name Black River, 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.

Black River is a hard hike in the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 35 miles long, with a one-way climb of roughly 975 feet from a low point of about 6,544 feet to a high of about 7,570 feet. It is an out-and-back route on natural surface, and it is open to both horses and bikes. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Alpine weather station show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 72°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 13 to 15 a month. Caldwell Cabin sits about half a mile away, and Horse Springs Group Campground and Horse Springs Campground are each about 2.7 miles off. Bear Creek, another hike, is about 2.5 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 Black River

    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, 14.1 mi away at 8,050 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.