Arizona · Hiking

Reef Basin

4.4 mi
round trip
362 ft
climb
5,345 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Oct–Nov
best months

Is Reef Basin open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Coronado National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Coronado National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Reef Basin is a hard hike in the Safford Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona, about 4.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 362 feet from a low point of about 4,759 feet to a high of about 5,345 feet. The trail is natural surfaced and not accessible, and it is managed by the Forest Service. The route is out and back, and it is rated hard. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Oracle, about 32 miles away, show October highs around 80°F with lows near 49°F, while June and July highs reach about 94°F. That station sits roughly 750 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the basin run cooler. The Holdout hike starts just 0.1 mile away. Cobre Grande and Fischer Basin lie within about 5 miles, and Fourmile Canyon Campground is about 6 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Reef Basin

    Best months: February–May and October–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

      59° / 31°

    2. Feb

      62° / 34°

    3. Mar

      67° / 38°

    4. Apr

      74° / 45°

    5. May

      83° / 51°

    6. Jun

      94° / 62°

    7. Jul

      94° / 69°

    8. Aug

      91° / 66°

    9. Sep

      88° / 59°

    10. Oct

      80° / 49°

    11. Nov

      68° / 39°

    12. Dec

      59° / 31°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oracle Sp, AZ, 32.3 mi away at 4,595 ft. The station sits about 800 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.