Water Canyon
- 10.0 mi
- round trip
- 847 ft
- climb
- 7,997 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Sep
- best months
Is Water Canyon open right now?
No closures listed
The Forest Service lists no closures for Bridger-Teton National Forest.
As of · Source: USFS · Bridger-Teton National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Water Canyon is a 10-mile out-and-back hike in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest, within the Kemmerer Ranger District. The route climbs from a low point of 7,015 feet to a high of 7,997 feet, with an elevation gain of 847 feet one way. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail is a natural-surface route, and horses and bikes are both allowed, so the hike works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Piney run to highs around 72 to 82°F from June through August, and the trail is open from May 1 to October 31. That station sits about 1,000 feet below the hike, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Allred Flat Campground and the Allred Flats Group Picnic Site are both about 2 miles away. The Salt River Pass XC Ski Trail is 1.5 miles off, and the Packstring Creek hike is about 2.8 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Greys River Cove47 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jun–Sep
Best time to visit Water Canyon
Best months: June–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.
Jan
27° / -3°
4 wet
Feb
30° / 0°
4 wet
Mar
41° / 13°
6 wet
Apr
52° / 21°
7 wet
May
62° / 29°
8 wet
Jun
72° / 36°
6 wet
Jul
82° / 42°
6 wet
Aug
80° / 40°
6 wet
Sep
70° / 32°
6 wet
Oct
55° / 21°
5 wet
Nov
39° / 9°
4 wet
Dec
28° / -2°
4 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Piney Marbleton Ap, WY, 42.2 mi away at 6,970 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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
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SALT RIVER PASS XC SKI TRAIL
~3 min drive
3.58-mile out-and-back ski trail in Wyoming with 769 ft elevation gain.
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FISH CREEK XC SKI TRAIL
~4 min drive
7.96-mile out-and-back ski trail in Wyoming with 1,367 ft elevation gain.
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Packstring Creek
~5 min drive
7.89-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 999 ft of elevation gain.
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Ccc Camp
~5 min drive
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State Line
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3.48-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 533 ft gain.
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Salt River
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17.96-mile out-and-back trail along Salt River in Wyoming with 1,250 ft gain.
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Upper Salt Basin
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1.25-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 118 ft of elevation gain.
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North Fork Smiths Fork
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3.31-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 1,059 ft elevation gain.
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North Smiths Fork
~8 min drive
8.95-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 1,347 ft elevation gain.
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Cedar Creek Ridge
~13 min drive
6.81-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 67 ft of elevation gain.
