Arizona · Hiking · Mazatzal Wilderness

Wet Bottom

5.1 mi
round trip
208 ft
climb
4,899 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Wet Bottom open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 7 alerts for Cave Creek Ranger District.

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

Wet Bottom is a 5.1-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona's Mazatzal Wilderness, within the Cave Creek Ranger District of Tonto National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced. The route rises from about 4,515 feet to about 4,899 feet, a climb of 208 feet one way, and is rated moderate. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 74°F with lows near 46°F, and April highs around 70°F with lows near 41°F. Summer highs there typically reach the low 90s. The trail is open year-round. Bikes are not allowed. Nearby hikes include Highwater, about 3.8 miles away, and Midnight, about 5.6 miles away. Red Hills and the Arizona Trail are both within about 6.4 miles.

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 Wet Bottom

    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, 12.7 mi away at 4,608 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.