Black Canyon National Recreation Trail
~10 days · 88.2 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail is known for
Black Canyon National Recreation Trail is a 4-6-day backpacking route in Arizona (Bradshaw foothills).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 5,243 ft to 14,747 ft over 88.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 46.7 mi · 53%
- Downhill 16.7 mi · 19%
- Flat 24.0 mi · 27%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail scores 27/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail in about 10 days (9 nights out) over its 88.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail?
The Black Canyon National Recreation Trail climbs roughly 9,577 ft total — about 109 ft per mile, topping out near 4,537 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.