Arizona · Hiking

Walnut

5.0 mi
round trip
505 ft
climb
5,880 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Walnut open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Walnut, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Walnut is a 5-mile out-and-back hike on natural-surface trail in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, within the Payson Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. The route gains about 500 feet from a low point of 5,207 feet to a high of 5,880 feet, and it is rated moderate. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically spring and fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 70°F with lows near 41°F in April to highs around 74°F with lows near 46°F in October. That station sits roughly 1,300 feet below the hike's high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The hike is open year-round, and the trail allows bikes. Pine, another hike, starts just 0.3 miles away, and Mohawk is about a mile off. The Arizona Trail lies about 1.7 miles away, and Sharp Creek Group campground is about 2 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 Walnut

    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, 3.7 mi away at 4,608 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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.

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Pine ViewPhoto: cogdogblog, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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