Oregon · Hiking · Black Canyon Wilderness

Black Canyon

13.2 mi
round trip
4,048 ft
climb
4,480 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Black Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Black Canyon is a hard out-and-back hike in the Black Canyon Wilderness, part of the Paulina Ranger District of Ochoco National Forest in Oregon. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail sits within designated wilderness. The route is 13.2 miles long, with a total climb of about 4,048 feet, roughly 2,000 feet one way. It rises to about 4,480 feet and drops back to around 2,848 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 27 percent. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Paulina show highs around 69°F in May and 79°F in September, with summer highs climbing into the upper 80s. Horses are allowed on the trail, but bikes are not. Several other routes start close by, including the Coffee Pot Trail #820B and the Owl Creek Trail. For an overnight base, the nearest town is about 5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Black Canyon

    Best months: May–June and September. 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

      41° / 21°

    2. Feb

      46° / 22°

    3. Mar

      54° / 25°

    4. Apr

      60° / 28°

    5. May

      69° / 35°

    6. Jun

      78° / 39°

    7. Jul

      89° / 45°

    8. Aug

      87° / 42°

    9. Sep

      79° / 35°

    10. Oct

      65° / 27°

    11. Nov

      50° / 22°

    12. Dec

      40° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Paulina, OR, 21.5 mi away at 3,684 ft. The station sits about 800 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.