Arizona · Hiking

Bob Bear

Bob BearPhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
6.2 mi
round trip
3,307 ft
climb
5,610 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Get a permit

Bob Bear Trail (Fossil Creek) · day hike

Reserve on Recreation.gov

Is Bob Bear open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Bob Bear is a hard hike of about 6.2 miles in the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a total climb of about 3,300 feet, and the steepest stretch comes around the 2-mile mark, where the grade reaches about 21 percent. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically April and October, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run around 70°F and 74°F for highs, with lows near 41°F and 46°F. That station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. Bikes are not allowed on this trail, and the surface is natural. Flume is about 1.4 miles away, and Waterfall Trail is about 3 miles off. Fossil Creek, a paddling spot, is about 4 miles away, and Sharp Creek Group campground is about 7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Bob Bear

    Best months: February–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

      54° / 30°

    2. Feb

      57° / 32°

    3. Mar

      64° / 36°

    4. Apr

      70° / 41°

    5. May

      79° / 48°

    6. Jun

      88° / 58°

    7. Jul

      91° / 65°

    8. Aug

      89° / 62°

    9. Sep

      84° / 57°

    10. Oct

      74° / 46°

    11. Nov

      63° / 36°

    12. Dec

      53° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Natural Brg, AZ, 8.6 mi away at 4,608 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

FlumePhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Flume

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PinePhoto: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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DonahuePhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Waterfall TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Waterfall Trail

~5 min drive

2.08-mile out-and-back hike to a waterfall in Arizona with 203 ft of elevation gain.

Turkey SpringsPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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~17 min drive

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MaxwellPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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MohawkPhoto: cogdogblog, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Mohawk

~9 min drive

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West Clear CreekPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

West Clear Creek

~21 min drive

16.26-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 1,947 ft gain.