New Mexico · Hiking

Black Canyon Trail

1.3 mi
round trip
334 ft
climb
5,701 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
best months

Black Canyon Trail is an easy, out-and-back hike on Bureau of Land Management land in New Mexico's Socorro Field Office, about 1.3 miles long. It rises from 5,360 feet to 5,701 feet, a climb of about 334 feet, and the whole trip covers roughly 2.6 miles round trip. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Socorro weather station run to highs around 75°F in April and 73°F in October. That station sits about 1,100 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The climb to the top is short and gentle, and the trail makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding area. About a mile away, the climbing areas of Harmonica Convention (AKA Below Edges) and Alcohol Wall sit close to the trail. Blue Canyon Trail and South Box Trail are also within about 1.2 miles.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Black Canyon Trail

    Best months: March–May and September–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

      52° / 23°

      3 wet

    2. Feb

      59° / 28°

      3 wet

    3. Mar

      67° / 34°

      3 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 41°

      2 wet

    5. May

      83° / 49°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      91° / 57°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 63°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 61°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 53°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 31°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 24°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Socorro, NM, 7.2 mi away at 4,593 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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

Dead Horse Trail # 12Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Dead Horse Trail # 12

~15 min drive

Quick, easy sub-mile trail suitable for families and beginners.

MesaPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mesa

~17 min drive

Mesa is an 11.26-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 3,020 feet of elevation gain.

Ryan Hill Trail (17)Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ryan Hill Trail (17)

~17 min drive

9.18-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 3,376 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Grand Enchantment Trail

~9 min drive

6.35-mile lollipop trail in New Mexico with 6,037 ft gain

Copper Canyon TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Copper Canyon Trail

~17 min drive

Copper Canyon Trail is a 0.41-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico with 33 feet of elevation gain.

South CanyonPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

South Canyon

~17 min drive

8.11-mile out-and-back trail in South Canyon, New Mexico.

HIKE

Six Mile Trail

~9 min drive

3.48-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 7,904 ft gain.

HIKE

Blue Canyon Trail

~2 min drive

1.76-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico with 340 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Socorro Single Track

~14 min drive

Moderate 11.66-mile singletrack loop near Socorro with desert and woodland views.

HIKE

M Mountain Run

~9 min drive

Steep 1.69-mile climb with 2,240 ft gain near M Mountain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors