Bear Wallow Wilderness

Located in eastern Arizona, Bear Wallow Wilderness spans 11,080 acres of terrain with dense Ponderosa pine forests and year-round flowing streams at elevations between 6,700 and 8,880 feet.

The area became an official wilderness designation in 1980 and gained attention in 2011 when it became the starting point of the largest wildfire in Arizona history.

Native American tribes from the adjacent San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation have maintained connections to this land, utilizing its natural resources through generations.

Five maintained trails totaling over 18 miles provide access through the wilderness, with Gobbler Point Trail descending 2,100 feet through challenging switchbacks over 2.7 miles.

The wilderness received its name from the numerous natural depressions created by black bears rolling in the soil, which remain visible throughout the canyon system.

Location: Arizona

GPS coordinates: 33.60230,-109.44900

Latest update: March 23, 2025 10:09