Arizona · Hiking · Mazatzal Wilderness

Willow Basin

0.7 mi
round trip
3 ft
climb
3,847 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Willow Basin 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.

Willow Basin is a short, easy 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 open year-round. The route is an out-and-back of about 0.7 miles, with a low point of 3,637 feet and a high of 3,847 feet. The climb is minimal, with only about 3 feet of elevation gain, so the walk is more about the setting than the effort. 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, while July highs reach about 91°F. Several other hikes lie within a few miles, including Dead Man at about 1.6 miles, Lost Trail #279 at about 2.7 miles and Red Hills at about 2.9 miles. The Verde River is about 5.7 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 Willow Basin

    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, 17.9 mi away at 4,608 ft. The station sits about 800 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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