Arizona · Hiking · Near Whetstone

John Cooper

2.3 mi
round trip
281 ft
climb
6,078 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Sep–May
best months

Is John Cooper open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra Vista Ranger District. It doesn't name John Cooper, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

John Cooper is an easy out-and-back hike in the Sierra Vista Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona. The trail rises from about 5,800 feet to roughly 6,080 feet, a gain of 281 feet over about 2.3 miles. It is a short walk with a gentle climb, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 75°F in April to 77°F in October, while summer highs climb into the low 90s. The trail is on natural surface and is open year round. The Miller Canyon Trail #106 and Lower Miller Canyon both sit about 0.1 mile away. For an overnight stay, Reef Townsite Campground is about 1.1 miles off, and Ramsey Vista is about 1.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Reef Townsite Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Pizzeria Mimosa

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    O.K. Corral

    Museum

    Museum · 24 mi from Whetstone

    Livery and horse corral in Tombstone, Arizona (1879-1888)

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Whetstone

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Sep–May

    Best time to visit John Cooper

    Best months: September–May. 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

      58° / 33°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      62° / 35°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      68° / 39°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 45°

      2 wet

    5. May

      83° / 52°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      92° / 60°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 63°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 61°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 58°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      77° / 50°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      67° / 40°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      58° / 34°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Coronado Nmem, AZ, 5.2 mi away at 5,242 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Clark SpringPhoto: StellarD, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Clark Spring

Next door

3.20-mile out-and-back trail at Clark Spring in Arizona with 318 ft of elevation gain.

PerimeterPhoto: StellarD, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Perimeter

~2 min drive

11.81-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 578 ft elevation gain.

Hunter SpringPhoto: sloalan, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Hunter Spring

~2 min drive

1.27-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 524 ft gain.

HIKE

Sunnyside Canyon Trail #117

~12 min drive

9.08-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 2,573 ft elevation gain.

Brown CanyonPhoto: StellarD, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Brown Canyon

~7 min drive

8.33-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 1,228 ft elevation gain.

Pat Scott Trail #123Photo: ToddMorris, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pat Scott Trail #123

~5 min drive

3.85-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 1,643 ft gain.

Hunter CreekPhoto: kevin dooley, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hunter Creek

~2 min drive

1.97-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 21 ft gain and 288 ft loss.

Crest TrailPhoto: George Self, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crest Trail

~8 min drive

A 1.96-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona connected to the Arizona National Scenic Trail system.

Oversite Canyon Trail #112Photo: StellarD, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Oversite Canyon Trail #112

~6 min drive

5.37-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 2,024 ft gain.

Carr Nature TrailPhoto: StellarD, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Carr Nature Trail

~3 min drive

1.08-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 213 ft elevation loss