Arizona · Hiking

Fish Bench

0.7 mi
loop
299 ft
climb
8,062 ft
high point
Loop
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Fish Bench open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Fish Bench is a short, easy loop hike in the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.74 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 299 feet, and it runs on natural surface. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and September, when typical averages from the nearby Alpine weather station run around 69°F and 72°F, with lows near 30°F. July and August are the wettest, with about 13 to 15 wet days a month. The trail is open to both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Nearby, Bear Creek and Double Cienega are hikes within about 3 miles. The Black River offers canoeing about 4 miles away, and Caldwell Cabin is a campground about 4.4 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Fish Bench

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