Big Canyon
- 4.0 mi
- round trip
- 1,308 ft
- climb
- 10,304 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Big Canyon open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ely Ranger District. It doesn't name Big Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Ward Fire Closure (Ely Ranger District)
Agency closure covering Ely Ranger District · Order 04-17-26-09-02 · USFS · Ely Ranger District
Elephant Fire Closure
Agency closure covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-26-01-04 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Area, Road, and Trail Closures (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)
Agency alert covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-25-04 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Year-Round Fire Restrictions (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)
Agency alert covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-24-01 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Vehicle Snow Chain Requirements during Inclement Weather (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)
Agency alert covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-23-01 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Ely Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Big Canyon is a 4-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail surface in Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Ely Ranger District. The route rises about 1,300 feet from roughly 9,680 feet to about 10,300 feet, and the Forest Service manages the land. It is a moderate hike, and horses are allowed. The trail is open year-round. Bikes are not allowed, so plan on walking or riding with a horse. Several other hikes lie close by. Mount Moriah Trail is under a mile away, and Sheep Canyon Trail is about 1.4 miles off. Chalk Creek Trail is about 2.1 miles away, and Mt. Moriah is about 2.2 miles away.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Osceola Ditch Trailhead
~32 min drive
The Osceola Ditch Trailhead is located about 4.5 miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The Osceola Ditch Trail follows the path of a historic mining ditch used to carry water from Lehman Creek to the mining boomtown of Osceola. Due to trail damage resulting from the 2016 Str…
Photo: paulinkenbrandt, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Osceola Ditch Trail
~32 min drive
5.23-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,375 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Mt. Moriah
~4 min drive
2.32-mile out-and-back trail to Mt. Moriah in Nevada with 971 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Cottonwood Spring Trail
~31 min drive
9.52-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada with 2,162 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
Mount Moriah Trail
~1 min drive
1.8-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada with 974 ft gain and 9,686 ft max elevation.
Photo: paulinkenbrandt, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Lower Lehman Trail
~33 min drive
0.54-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 233 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Timber Creek
~4 min drive
6.23-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 2,019 ft elevation loss.
HIKE
Negro Creek
~4 min drive
8.28-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,865 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Sheep Canyon Trail
~2 min drive
1.77-mile loop in Nevada with 362 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
Second Fork
~5 min drive
6.58-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,501 ft of elevation gain.
