Nevada · Hiking

Sawmill Canyon

1.4 mi
round trip
384 ft
climb
8,302 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Sawmill Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Sawmill Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Sawmill Canyon is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.4 miles in the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District of Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 384 feet from a low point of 7,918 feet to a high of 8,302 feet. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The climb is gentle, with the most gain coming in the second half of the trip. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Austin put May highs around 65°F and September highs around 75°F, while July averages about 86°F and winter brings frequent snow days. Basin Canyon and Kingston Creek are both within a mile, and Kingston Campground is about 4 miles away. The Toiyabe Crest Trail lies roughly 8 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Sawmill Canyon

    Best months: May–June and August–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

      42° / 26°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      44° / 26°

      5 wet · 4 snow

    3. Mar

      50° / 31°

      6 wet · 4 snow

    4. Apr

      56° / 34°

      6 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      65° / 43°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      76° / 51°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 59°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 58°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 50°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 40°

      2 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      49° / 31°

      4 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      40° / 25°

      5 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Austin #2, NV, 15.1 mi away at 6,780 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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