New Mexico · Hiking

Waterhole

2.1 mi
round trip
144 ft
climb
6,340 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Waterhole open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Gila National Forest. It doesn't name Waterhole, 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.

Waterhole is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2 miles in the Silver City Ranger District of Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 144 feet from a low point of roughly 6,187 feet to a high of about 6,340 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 with lows near 47°F, and April highs around 73°F. Summer is hot and wetter, with July and August highs near 88°F and about 13 wet days a month. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Servis Corrals is about 0.4 miles away, and Fence Line is about 0.9 miles away. Cornell Ranch and Twin Sisters Cr. are both within about 1.4 miles.

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 Waterhole

    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, 2 mi away at 6,099 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.