| |
|
Arizona has a plethora of trail types to choose from including those traversing through canyons, mountains and desert terrain. Here we have chosen some unique hikes that are great for getting away from the crowds and experiencing an Arizona hike that is anything but typical. Whether that is discovering a new town, a trail running through a town, abundant wildlife or a staircase up the side of a mountain, here are some recommendations throughout the state.
|
|
| |
|
Trails that Traverse the State
|
| |
|
| |
|
The Arizona National Scenic Trail (Arizona Trail)
This 800-mile long trail traverses the entire state and crosses several mountain ranges including the Rincon Mountains, Mazatzal Mountains, the Mogollon Rim north of Payson, the San Francisco Peaks, Coconino Plateau, the Grand Canyon, and the Kaibab Plateau. From the south, the trail meanders north through Saguaro National Park, the Catalina Mountains, Tonto National Forest, Mormon Lake, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon. Divided into 43 passages ranging from 8 to 33 miles long, all are off limits to motorized vehicles. Things to do along the way include fishing opportunities where the trail crosses Roosevelt Lake, Mormon Lake, and creeks along the route. For camping, permits are not required along most of the Arizona Trail if you are passing through; however, you will need one if you choose to camp in certain areas such as Saguaro or Grand Canyon national parks. For more information: https://aztrail.org/
|
|
| |
|
The Sun Corridor Trail
When completed, the Sun Corridor Trail, consisting of six trail segments and 1,500 miles in total, will begin in Douglas, travel through Tombstone, Tucson, Phoenix, Black Canyon City, Prescott, Jerome, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Sedona and Flagstaff before heading west to Kingman, Bullhead City and eventually the Nevada border and end (or start, depending on which way you are headed) in Las Vegas. With easy accessibility from many metropolitan areas and rural communities utilizing and connecting existing loop trails, it is a unique way to explore Arizona's diverse geography, rural communities and urban centers. While still under development, check for more information and latest updates here: https://suncorridortrail.org/
|
|
| |
| |
|
Tomb Trail - Papago Park
Papago Park is one of the most scenic and easily accessible hiking areas in the Phoenix metro area. Explore its 1,500 acres filled with hiking and biking trails and picnic areas. Papago Park is also home to attractions including the Hole in the Rock hike, Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo and the Arizona Heritage Center.
|
|
| |
|
| |
You will find Tomb Trail, which will take you to Governor Hunt's tomb. One of Phoenix metro areas most unique landmarks, the white pyramid-shaped tomb is the final resting place of George W.P. Hunt, Arizona's first governor. Rumor has it that Governor Hunt had a fascination with Egypt, hence his tomb in the shape of a pyramid.
Length: .2 miles (Tomb Trail from Hole in the Rock)
Rated: easy
Tip: From the top of the hill where the pyramid sits there are great views of downtown Phoenix, north Scottsdale and Tempe. This hike is perfect to combine with another hike in the Park.
|
|
|
If camping isn't quite your style, there are numerous hotels, both inside and outside the park.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
South Mountain Park/Preserve is more than 16,000 acres and is the largest municipally operated park in the US. The park includes three mountain ranges-the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe and offers more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. At 2,330 feet, Dobbins Lookout provides awe-inspiring views.
|
|
| |
|
Located in the Foothills of South Mountain Park you will find the Mystery CastleThis castle was built in the 1930s by Boyce Gulley for his daughter and is made entirely out of recycled materials and found objects. The Mystery Castle is open for tours May thru October. There is an entrance fee.
|
|
| |
| |
Length: 4 miles out and back (Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout)
Rated: Challenging
Tip: There is no fee to enter South Mountain Park. The fourth Sunday of every month is "Silent Sunday" when the road into the park is closed to all motor vehicles. This is the day everyone can hike, bike, and stroll on the roads and enjoy the silence of no vehicles.
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
The 4.60-mile trail consists of lots of stairs and is considered a challenging route that takes approximately two hours to complete. Popular for trail running and walking, the trail is open year-round and has great views of Bisbee.
|
|
| |
|
One of Bisbee's most interesting architectural achievements is the countless number of stairs that cling to the steep mountainsides. Beginning in the late 1870s, miners constructed hillside homes in Bisbee, thanks to the lack of flat land. Hillside trails, the only way to access their homes, proved to be difficult to maintain which led the creative miners to build wooden stairs, resembling ladders. In the 1930s the wooden stairs were replaced by concrete ones as part of a federal work project to put men back to work during the Great Depression.
|
|
| |
Length: 4.6 miles (loop)
Rated: Challenging
Tip: The annual Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb is a popular race (always the third weekend in October). For more information: https://www.bisbee1000.org/
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Ramsey Canyon, in the Upper San Pedro River Basin in southeastern Arizona, is renowned for its outstanding scenic beauty and the diversity of plants and animals that live here. Enjoy the natural and cultural history of the canyon, and the abundant opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. On your hike you are likely to spot deer, turkeys, hummingbirds, and reptiles.
|
|
| |
Length: 1.4 mile loop
Rated: Easy
Tip: Ramsey Canyon is located in southeastern Arizona where the Sierra Madre of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts all merge. This, coupled with the surrounding mountains like the Huachucas, create a phenomenon known as "sky islands" that create habitats that are home to a diverse range of plant and animal life. If you enjoy spotting wildlife in their natural habitat, this is the hike for you!
|
|
| |
| |
Rim Trail (Grand Canyon National Park)
This is an easy day hike with minimal elevation change and spectacular views along the rim of the Grand Canyon. There is shade along the trail and most of it is paved with some sections accessible (please note a few sections between Pipe Creek Vista and Bright Angel Lodge have grades that exceed accessibility standards). West of Bright Angel Lodge, the Rim Trail narrows and climbs the Bright Angel Fault to viewpoints along Hermit Road. Between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista the trail is a three-foot wide dirt trail.
|
|
| |
Length: 13 miles
Rated: Easy
Tip: Due to the high elevation (6,820 feet) be sure to pace yourself and rest often, if needed. If you get tired, hop aboard a shuttle bus at one of three points along the trail (Hermits Rest, Pima Point or Monument Creek Vista).
|
|
| |
| |
|
The Kachina Trail traverses the southern slopes of the San Francisco Peaks, just north of Flagstaff. For most of the trail, there is little elevation change while enjoying pine forest, aspen groves and meadows. The Kachina Trail is named for the Kachina Peaks, which is just another name for the San Francisco Peaks. According to the Hopi tribe, these peaks are home to the Kachina-the various gods and deities of the Hopi - and are considered sacred (so please be respectful when recreating on the peaks).
|
|
| |
Length: 5.5 miles one way
Rated: Mostly easy
Tip: This hike is popular in the autumn when hikers gravitate here for the fall colors as bright gold leaves light the way through the surrounding aspen groves.
|
|
| |
| |
Jail Trail River Walk (Cottonwood)
This trail is easily accessible off Main Street in Old Town Cottonwood. Just stroll under the "Gateway to the Verde River" archway to get to the trail, which begins by winding through a dense Cottonwood riparian area and then opens to the Verde River flood plain. The trail follows the River downstream for approximately one mile. Eventually, the trail offers a choice between continuing to Dead Horse Ranch State Park or looping back into Old Town Cottonwood.
|
|
| |
Length: 1.6 mile loop
Rated: Easy
Tip: After your hike, stroll along Main Street in Old Town Cottonwood with its many wine tasting rooms, vintage shops and restaurants.
|
|
| |
Bell Trail (Camp Verde)
Originally built to move cattle between the high country and valley floor, this trail is believed to be the path that the first Spanish visitors to the area entered in the late 1500's when they came looking for gold. This scenic trail wanders along Wet Beaver Creek, which has deep and shady pools of water. The hike starts out through the canyon bottom among junipers and mesquite trees and slowly turns into red sandstone and scenic views of the riparian area, canyon and surrounding mountains. After crossing Wet Beaver Creek, the trail ascends the canyon's southern wall to a grassy plateau that winds through an open grassland, offering views of Sedona's red rocks and the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff.
|
|
| |
Length: 6.9 miles (out and back)
Rated: Moderately challenging
Tip: Your reward at the end of the hike is referred to as 'the Crack': two beautiful deep green pools of water connected by a narrow passage.
|
|
| |
| |
|
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is 665,400 acres of desert and mountains 40 miles northeast of Yuma that offers an array of wildlife. The refuge was established in 1939 to protect desert bighorn sheep. Today, it is home to not only bighorn sheep but also mountain lion, desert tortoise, desert fox, and many species of birds.
|
|
| |
|
At the refuge, you will find the Palm Canyon Trail. This is an easy, half-mile trail that winds up toward the base of the canyon. This trail leads to a small, slightly elevated area near the middle of the canyon. When you look upward into the canyon, you will see Arizona's only native palms, which grow here.
|
|
| |
Length: .5 miles
Rated: easy
Tip: Other activities at the wildlife refuge include camping, horseback riding, birding, and wildlife watching.
|
|
| |
|
| |
SARA (Special Activities and Recreation Area) Park (Lake Havasu City)
SARA Park is an 1100-acre regional park with spectacular mountain views and access to Lake Havasu. The park's facilities cater to a wide range of recreational activities and also serve an event venue. SARA Park has a network of hiking trails worth exploring ranging from easy to moderate to difficult. These trails feature a wide range of terrain, scenic beauty and wildlife. For a list of trails visit: https://www.golakehavasu.com/hiking/
|
|
| |
|
Hiking Tips: Traversing Arizona's diverse landscape requires common sense preparation. Pack plenty of water, protective clothing and sunscreen; watch the weather; bring a cellphone (please note GPS may not work in remote locations so download a map prior to your hike); and research the best seasons to visit specific areas. It's also a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
|
|
| |
| |
Appreciate AZ:
The Arizona Office of Tourism and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics have forged a partnership to promote sustainable tourism practices across Arizona's spectacular landscapes and unique destinations. In addition to following local rules and regulations, it's important to understand the principles of Leave No Trace, which are guidelines that help protect beautiful, wild spaces. These include such things as plan and prepare, stick to trails, trash your trash, leave what you find, be careful with fire, respect wildlife, and share the outdoors. Appreciate AZ is Arizona's program for responsible tourism. It ensures they are doing our part to educate visitors and residents on how to recreate responsibly and to keep the state beautiful for future generations.
Please note: For visitor guidance due
to COVID-19 such as mask-wearing, a list of
tourism-related reopening's or closures, and a link to
public health guidelines, click here: https://www.visitarizona.com/covid-19/.
Some attractions are open year-round, and some are
open seasonally or move to seasonal hours. To ensure
the places you want to see are open on your travel
dates, please check their website for hours of
operation.
Additional information can be found on the website: https://visitarizona.com/
|
|
| |
|
