Landmark
Aravaipa Trail West (west trailhead)
MI 0 · 2,630 ft
Each entry point carries its own quota
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Permit
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness · Arizona
Entry permit for the permitted stretch of Aravaipa Canyon. You pick East or West trailhead and a date, then walk the creek: there are no trails, no signs and no designated campsites.
Get an alert when Aravaipa Canyon opens on your dates.
Yes. You need a permit to backpack Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. It is the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Permit, and it is booked in advance through a reservation system rather than won in a lottery. Cost: $5 per person per day plus a $6 reservation fee.
Aravaipa Canyon reservation dates
- Season
- January 1 to December 31
- route distance, point to point
- 12.25mi
- elevation gain
- 430ft
- daily quota
- 50people
- max group size
- 10people
Aravaipa Canyon elevation profile
Aravaipa Trail West (west trailhead) to Aravaipa Trail East (east trailhead)0.7% average grade
Landmark
Aravaipa Trail West (west trailhead)
Mile 0 of 12.25
0 Aravaipa Trail West (west trailhead)12.25 Aravaipa Trail East (east trailhead)
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 2,630 ft
Aravaipa Canyon landmarks
Map of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Aravaipa Trail West (west trailhead) to Aravaipa Trail East (east trailhead)
13 of 13 places in this section
Loading the map
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
0.7% average grade
How to get an Aravaipa Canyon permit
As of November 2026, Aravaipa Canyon in Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Arizona requires a permit issued via reservation. Aravaipa Canyon is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, rating 9/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Canceled Aravaipa Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Aravaipa Canyon runs January 1 through December 31. The Aravaipa Canyon route covers 12.25 miles with 430 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Southeast Arizona, AZ
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Aravaipa Canyon pro tips
- Book the West Trailhead if you do not have high clearance. The East approach crosses the creek 46 miles in on dirt with no bridges.
- You will be walking in the creek most of the way, with dozens of crossings up to knee deep. Plan on wet feet from the first mile.
- Flash floods are the real hazard. Check the flow gauge before you go and camp high, well back from the creek.
- Two cars per permit, and the permit number goes on each dashboard.
More on Aravaipa Canyon: Live availability activityWhen Aravaipa Canyon permits open upChance of an openingAravaipa Canyon Wilderness permit itineraryDo I need a Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness permit?
Guides: Aravaipa Canyon permit guide
How much an Aravaipa Canyon permit costs
Aravaipa Canyon permit fee: $5 per person per day plus a $6 reservation fee.
The Aravaipa Canyon hike
- Distance
- 12.25 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 430 ft
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 1-3 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation Range
- 2,630 - 3,060 ft
How hard the Aravaipa Canyon hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required3/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Intermediate hikers comfortable with long days and moderate challenges.
Recommended experience: Experience with 6-10 mile hikes on varied terrain.
When to hike Aravaipa Canyon
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (2,630 ft)
As of Nov 11
Wed
☀️
75°
43°
Thu
☀️
77°
51°
Fri
🌧️
71°
55°
40%
Sat
🌧️
65°
55°
Sun
🌧️
65°
54°
Mon
☀️
68°
55°
Tue
🌧️
67°
54°
47%
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Aravaipa Canyon rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01Permit required year-round for all entry, including day hiking
- 02Maximum group size 10 people, no combining permits
- 03Maximum stay three days and two nights
- 04No pets, and fishing is prohibited
- 05Pack out human waste or bury it 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from the creek
- 06Groups must travel and camp at least a quarter mile apart
Hazards & considerations
- Flash floods, which BLM describes as common in the canyon
- Dozens of creek crossings in up to knee-deep water over slick cobble
- No cell service: BLM recommends a personal locator beacon or satellite messenger
- Five species of rattlesnake live in the canyon
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Aravaipa Canyon.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Aravaipa Canyon · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Aravaipa Canyon FAQ
How many Aravaipa Canyon permits are available each day?
BLM caps the permitted part of the wilderness at 50 people per day, split 20 at the East Trailhead and 30 at the West Trailhead. Your permit is only valid for the trailhead you picked, though you can change trailheads later if space exists.
When does the Aravaipa Canyon permit window open?
Thirteen weeks, or 91 days, ahead of your entry date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Arizona does not observe daylight saving, so that lands at 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. local depending on the season. Permits go live online and at the 1-877-444-6777 call center at the same moment.
How long can I stay on one Aravaipa Canyon permit?
Three days and two nights, maximum. BLM issues the permit by days rather than nights, so a day hike is a one-day permit and a two-night backpack is a three-day permit. You also need at least one day between reservations after using a full three-day permit.
Do I need a permit to day hike Aravaipa Canyon?
Yes. BLM requires a permit for all entry to the permitted portion of the wilderness, including day hiking, backpacking and hunting. There are no passes or discounts: the America the Beautiful series does not apply here.
Aravaipa Canyon trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
If you've been on this trail recently, help others by reporting current conditions.
Questions
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