New Mexico · Hiking

Picnic Loop

1.9 mi
round trip
157 ft
climb
6,660 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Picnic Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gila National Forest. It doesn't name Picnic Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Picnic Loop is an easy hike of about 1.9 miles in the Silver City Ranger District of Gila National Forest in southern New Mexico. It's a short, low-elevation outing, with a one-way climb of about 157 feet from a low point around 6,495 feet to a high of about 6,660 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Ft Bayard weather station show October highs around 74°F and April highs around 73°F, with July and August highs near 88°F and more frequent wet days. The trail is a natural-surface route that allows both horses and bikes, so it works well for a variety of outings. It sits among a cluster of loops and roads. Poderosa Loop and Pinon Loop are each about 0.3 miles away, and Mountain Loop Trail is about half a mile off. Climbers can find the New Mexico, other Southern Areas climbing area roughly 2.3 miles away.

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 Picnic Loop

    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, 8.9 mi away at 6,099 ft. The station sits about 600 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.