Boulder Canyon
Boulder Canyon Trail to the viewpoint · Boulder Canyon Trailhead (SR 88, across from Canyon Lake Marina)
Photo: Smiles1479 · CC BY-SA 3.0- Distance
- 5.1 mimi
- Climb
- 1,108 ftft
- Est. time
- about 2 hours 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A rocky climb from Canyon Lake into the Superstition Wilderness to a viewpoint over Boulder Canyon, with Weaver's Needle and Battleship Mountain in view.
The Boulder Canyon Trail starts on the Apache Trail (SR 88) across from Canyon Lake Marina, about an hour east of Phoenix. Most of the climbing comes in the first half, on a rocky, rough trail with little shade and views back over the lake. At about 2.2 miles a viewpoint looks down into Boulder Canyon toward Weaver's Needle and Battleship Mountain, and that's where most people turn around. The trail keeps going down into the canyon for longer days.
- Parking
Ten free spaces for hikers at Canyon Lake Marina, across the highway. The other Canyon Lake lots need a Tonto Pass.
Trailhead: Boulder Canyon Trailhead (SR 88, across from Canyon Lake Marina).
- Fee
Free
- Dogs
- Dogs on leash
- Shade
- Minimal
- Hazards
- Rocky, uneven trail that can be slippery.
- Best months
October to April, when the average high in Phoenix is under 90°F.
- Sources
6 sources · last verified Oct 2, 2026. Report a change
Photo: Smiles1479 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Where each fact comes from
- Boulder Canyon Trail #103 — OpenStreetMap checked 2026-10-02
- Boulder Canyon Trailhead — OpenStreetMap checked 2026-10-02
- Tonto National Forest — FAQs ("Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash") checked 2026-10-02
- Boulder Canyon Trail in Arizona's Superstition Wilderness — My Backyard and Beyond (hiked Nov 2023) checked 2026-10-02
- Hike Boulder Canyon Trail 103: Superstition Wilderness — The AZ Hikeaholics (Nov 2020) checked 2026-10-02
- Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-10-02
Caution: Canyon Lake's recreation sites, including the marina lot where hikers usually park, are closed for a lake drawdown. The Boulder Canyon Trail itself is outside the closure, so check where to park before you go.
Low heat risk · now
73°F now · high 85°
Sunset 5:47p · ~2h 15m hike
As of Today 9:42a · NWS forecast · NWS alerts · NWS HeatRisk · Tonto National Forest
Next 6 days · high / low · NWS HeatRisk today 1 of 4
- Tomorrow88° / 66°
- Wed83° / 70°Rain 86% 6:10a–5:44p
- Thu75° / 67°Rain 93% 6:11a–5:43p
- Fri73° / 60°
- Sat75° / 56°
- Sun78° / 58°
From the trail
Field notes
Not field-tested yet. This hike is researched from 6 sources, listed above. When Owen hikes it, his notes go here with the route and month.
Nearby
East Valley & Superstitions
