Arizona · Hiking · Near Oracle

Crystal Spring

Crystal SpringPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
7.5 mi
round trip
467 ft
climb
7,013 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Crystal Spring open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Crystal Spring, 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.

Crystal Spring is a hard hike in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, about 7.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 467 feet. The trail runs out and back, rising from a low point of 6,583 feet to a high point of 7,013 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is at Crystal Spring, with parking named CRYSTAL SPRING. The route is open year-round, and the Forest Service's trail records show it is a natural-surface trail. Bikes and horses are both allowed, but it is not an accessible trail. For timing, typical averages from the nearby Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon weather station, at a similar elevation, point to late spring and early fall as the most comfortable windows. May runs around 71°F for highs and 51°F for lows, and September averages about 75°F and 59°F. Summer is warm, with highs near 80°F, while winter highs sit around 50°F. Several other spots lie within a few miles. Roadside Boulder and Loma Linda offer climbing, the Oracle Ridge Trail #1 is a mountain biking option, and Spencer Canyon is a campground about 2.2 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Bigelow/Bear Wallow

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Sawmill Run

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Crystal Spring

    Best months: March–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

      50° / 34°

    2. Feb

      50° / 33°

    3. Mar

      55° / 37°

    4. Apr

      62° / 43°

    5. May

      71° / 51°

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

    7. Jul

      80° / 63°

    8. Aug

      79° / 62°

    9. Sep

      75° / 59°

    10. Oct

      68° / 49°

    11. Nov

      59° / 40°

    12. Dec

      49° / 33°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon, AZ, 4.9 mi away at 7,027 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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