New Mexico · Hiking

South Box Trail

0.5 mi
round trip
127 ft
climb
5,952 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
best months

South Box Trail is a short, easy hike on Bureau of Land Management land in the Socorro Field Office, about half a mile from Socorro, New Mexico. The trail is an out-and-back that covers about a mile of ground, with a one-way climb of roughly 127 feet from a low point of 5,814 feet to a high of 5,952 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Socorro show April highs around 75°F and October highs around 73°F, while July and August average highs near 91°F with more wet days. The trail sits among a cluster of climbing areas and other hikes. Las Hermanas and Minor Wall are climbing spots about 0.2 miles away, and Gramont Peak Trail and Gloryana Trail are hikes at a similar distance. Water Canyon Campground, about 8.6 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

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

    Best time to visit South Box 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, 7.7 mi away at 4,593 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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

~13 min drive

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

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

Mesa

~15 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)

~15 min drive

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

HIKE

Six Mile Trail

~7 min drive

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

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

Copper Canyon Trail

~15 min drive

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

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

Six Mile

~17 min drive

11.04-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,285 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Grand Enchantment Trail

~7 min drive

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

Water Canyon RoadPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Water Canyon Road

~19 min drive

0.79-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 516 ft elevation gain.

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

Timber Peak

~18 min drive

8.67-mile out-and-back to Timber Peak in New Mexico with 1,636 ft gain.

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