Nevada · Hiking

Spanish Canyon

4.6 mi
round trip
1,613 ft
climb
8,448 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Spanish Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Spanish 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.

Spanish Canyon is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District. The trail climbs from about 6,820 feet to a high point of 8,448 feet, a total gain of 1,613 feet, and is rated hard. The route is on natural ground, and the Forest Service allows horses and bikes. The land is managed by the Forest Service, and the trail is open year-round. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. At a nearby weather station, typical averages run to highs around 76°F in June and 74°F in September, with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs sit in the low 40s with lows near 15°F. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than the canyon's high point, so temperatures up high run cooler. Nearby options include the Crest Cut-Off, about 4.6 miles away, and Bob Scott Slide, about 5.9 miles away. For an overnight stay, Big Creek Campground is about 6.2 miles off and Bob Scott Campground about 6.6 miles.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Spanish Canyon

    Best months: May–September. 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° / 15°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 17°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      51° / 23°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 27°

      6 wet

    5. May

      66° / 35°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 41°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 47°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 40°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 31°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 21°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 15°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Snowball Rch, NV, 49.4 mi away at 7,160 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Bob Scott SlidePhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bob Scott Slide

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Pony Canyon DownhillPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pony Canyon Downhill

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Pony Express LoopPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pony Express Loop

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Gold Venture Loop

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Bob Scott Slide

~10 min drive

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Toiyabe Crest TrailPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Toiyabe Crest Trail

~27 min drive

0.33-mile out-and-back hike on Toiyabe Crest Trail in Nevada.

Cahill Canyon RunPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cahill Canyon Run

~16 min drive

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TANK CANYON

~11 min drive

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Bob Scott Slide Alternate

~10 min drive

2.80-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 7,316 ft elevation gain.

Camp Creek National Recreation - CaliforniaPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Camp Creek National Recreation - California

~19 min drive

222-mile point-to-point Nevada backcountry trek for experienced long-distance hikers.