California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Bear Valley

Bear ValleyPhoto: cjmartin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.8 mi
round trip
460 ft
climb
7,320 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Bear Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Bear Valley, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Bear Valley is an easy out-and-back hike in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Calaveras Ranger District. The trail is about 2.8 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 460 feet, taking you from a low point of about 6,857 feet to a high of about 7,320 feet. The route is on natural surface, and the Forest Service allows both horses and bikes. It is open year-round, so you can plan a trip any time of the year. Summer is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, and only about two wet days a month from June through September. The 7N17G Snow Trail lies about half a mile away, and Utica Rocky Point campground is about 1.2 miles off. Utica/Union Reservoirs, about 1.9 miles away, offers lake fishing, and the Warm-up Wall climbing area is about 2.4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Utica Rocky Point

    Campground

    Campground · 1.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rebas 's Toll House Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Bear Valley

    Best months: May–October. 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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 37.3 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

7N17G SNOW TRAILPhoto: cjmartin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

7N17G SNOW TRAIL

Next door

7N17G Snow Trail is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in California with 712 feet of elevation gain.

Union Rock LakePhoto: cjmartin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Union Rock Lake

~3 min drive

3.03-mile out-and-back trail to Union Rock Lake in California with 359 ft of elevation gain.

Highland CreekPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Highland Creek

~5 min drive

33.98-mile out-and-back trail in California with 3,227 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

7N01G SNOW TRAIL

~6 min drive

20-mile out-and-back trail in California with 2,536 ft elevation gain and loss.

Lakeshore TrailPhoto: weldonwk, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lakeshore Trail

~3 min drive

1.12-mile out-and-back trail in California with 196 ft elevation gain.

Elephant RockPhoto: wiskinator, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Elephant Rock

~5 min drive

5.19-mile out-and-back trail to Elephant Rock in California with 344 ft gain.

Underwood ValleyPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Underwood Valley

~7 min drive

15.35-mile out-and-back trail in California with 2,156 ft elevation gain.

Inspiration PointPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Inspiration Point

~4 min drive

1.36-mile out-and-back trail in California with 563 ft gain.

Grouse ValleyPhoto: tpeters11, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Grouse Valley

~6 min drive

4.92-mile out-and-back trail in California with 197 ft elevation gain.

Lake ValleyPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lake Valley

~8 min drive

11.45-mile out-and-back trail in California with 378 ft elevation gain.