New Mexico · Hiking

Bear Canyon Trail

3.5 mi
round trip
995 ft
climb
7,633 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Bear Canyon Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Silver City Ranger District. It doesn't name Bear Canyon Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Silver City Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Canyon Trail is a 7-mile out-and-back hike in the Silver City Ranger District of Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from a low point of 6,765 feet to a high of 7,633 feet, with a total elevation gain of 995 feet, and is rated moderate. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Ft Bayard weather station, which sits about 1,500 feet lower, show October highs around 74°F with lows near 47°F, and May highs around 80°F. Summer is hot and wetter, with July and August highs in the upper 80s and about 13 wet days a month. Several other trails lie within a few miles. Woodhaul Wagon Road is about 1.5 miles away, the Continental Divide Trail about 2.3 miles, and Cameron Creek Basin about 2.4 miles. Signal Peak is roughly 3 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jan–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Bear Canyon Trail

    Best months: January–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

      56° / 32°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      59° / 34°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 37°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 43°

      3 wet

    5. May

      80° / 50°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 60°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 64°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 63°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 58°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 47°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      63° / 37°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 30°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ft Bayard, NM, 6.8 mi away at 6,099 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors