New Mexico · Hiking · Gila Wilderness

Ee Canyon

Ee CanyonPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5.7 mi
round trip
809 ft
climb
6,658 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Ee Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Ee Canyon is a 5.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Gila Wilderness, part of the Wilderness Ranger District of Gila National Forest in New Mexico. The trail rises from about 5,832 feet to about 6,658 feet, a climb of 809 feet one way, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surfaced and allows horses, but not bikes. It is open year-round, and the nearest town is Gila Hot Springs, about 5 miles away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Gila Hot Springs show April highs around 73°F and October highs around 75°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 12 and 13 a month. Several other trails sit close by. Big Bear Canyon Trail #28 is under a mile away, and the West Fork Shortcut and Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 are within 2 miles. Forks Campground, about 5.7 miles off, offers a place to stay.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Ee Canyon

    Best months: April–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

      57° / 17°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      60° / 22°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 25°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 30°

      2 wet

    5. May

      81° / 36°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 44°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 53°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 53°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      75° / 33°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      65° / 24°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      56° / 18°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gila Hot Springs, NM, 5.1 mi away at 5,636 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Big Bear Canyon Trail #28Photo: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Big Bear Canyon Trail #28

~1 min drive

6.99-mile out-and-back hike in Big Bear Canyon with 1,792 ft gain.

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

~2 min drive

0.09-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 64 ft of elevation gain.

Alum Camp TrailPhoto: maximalideal, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Alum Camp Trail

~12 min drive

2.48-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,266 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Ring Canyon Trail

~7 min drive

9.26-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico with 2,312 ft gain and 7,857 ft max elevation.

Lilley ParkPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lilley Park

~4 min drive

50.40-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 4,034 ft elevation gain.

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

~3 min drive

Ultra-short introductory walk in New Mexico's Grand Enchantment area.

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729Photo: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Bear Canyon Trail #729

~3 min drive

3.95-mile out-and-back hike in Little Bear Canyon with 955 ft gain.

HIKE

Middle Fork Trail #157

~5 min drive

Middle Fork Trail #157 is a 38.73-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,908 feet of elevation gain.

West Fork ShortcutPhoto: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

West Fork Shortcut

~2 min drive

West Fork Shortcut is a 1.06-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 238 ft of elevation gain.

Cdt - Gila River AlternatePhoto: maximalideal, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cdt - Gila River Alternate

~10 min drive

2.65-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 505 ft elevation gain.