Grand Canyon National Park: Thunder Canyon
Multi-layered red rocks line mile-deep canyons and cactus flowers explode with pastels on this 16-mile out-and-back to a Colorado River tributary.
| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Arizona featured hikes / reader trips
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Tucson: Bog Springs LoopTake a walk on the wildlife side on this moderate 4.5-mile half-day hike in the Santa Rita Mountains to springs, shady campsites, and pleasant views. Sedona, AZ: West Clear CreekImmerse yourself (literally) in the crystal clear waters of the Coconino National Forest on this multi-day amphibious trek that features classic—and unavoidable—canyon swims. Phoenix: Rogers CanyonDiscover the remote cliff dwellings of a long-lost Native American tribe on this 8-mile out-and back in Tonto National Forest.
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Tucson, AZ: Milagrosa LoopTesting stamina and skills, this 36-mile mountain bike epic rewards with a finishing descent along Tucson's famous La Milagrosa ridgeline trail. Tucson, AZ: Mount Lemmon and Saguaro National ParkThe 27-mile ride up Mount Lemmon is a Tucson classic. Finish with another: a cool down through Saguaro National Park.
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Quick Escapes: 10 Trails Near Major CitiesThe perfect metro-area trail: close, wild, uncrowded. Here are 10 major city options. 
Jonathan Dorn's Photo SlideshowsOur editor in chief digs through his years of trips, trails, and tales to share some of his adventures in the wild, from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rainier. 
Where Solitude RulesSharing is for kindergarten. Take one of these 30 hikes and you can have the wilderness all to yourself. |
Hike It, Save It: Tumacacori Highlands, ArizonaUrban sprawl and local opposition lead the threats to this 84,000-acre tract of Coronado National Forest. 
America's Best DayhikesFrom dawn-to-dusk epics in Utah canyons to lazy-picnic blueberry strolls in Maine–plus hikes to peaks, redwoods, hot springs, beaches, and more–here are 100 ways to spend a perfect day on the trail. |
Tanner-Escalante Loop, Grand Canyon National Park, AZBACKPACKER editor Jon Dorn and his wife have a tradition: They've been celebrating New Year's Eve in the backcountry for almost a decade. In 2009 they did a 40-mile, 5-day hike beneath the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. (Photos by Jonathan Dorn) 
Gunsight Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZIn spring 2006, BACKPACKER editors Jon Dorn, Peter Flax, and Kris Wagner joined a group of readers for a weekend of hiking and mapping in a remote slot canyon. (Photos by Jonathan Dorn) 
Hiking to Grand Canyon's Royal ArchJoin photographer Elias Butler on this trek to one of the Grand Canyon's hidden gems. |
November 2008 Reader PhotosThis month our readers found sun in Sedona, Arizona and snow and ice on Rainier–plus everything in between. 
August 2008 Reader PhotosWaterfalls and sunsets rule in this summer batch of BACKPACKER reader photos. |
3D Flyover: Grand Canyon's South RimDive off the Grand Canyon's South Rim and explore a waterfall-rich grotto and the canyon's largest natural rock bridge on this classic, 34-mile trek captured in vivid 3-D detail. 
3D Flyover: Grand CanyonEnjoy yawning panoramas and no campsite competition along the Big Ditch's middle balcony–the Tonto Plateau–on a 5-day trek locals call "the jewels" for its perfectly placed (and lifesaving) springs. |
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Photos + Videos
Gear Lab: Boots Torture TestCan any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out. |
Gear Lab: Tents Torture TestWho wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top. |
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Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.
Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.
Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.
Hiking Hip Deep in Florida's Swamps
Get your feet (and more) wet on the Florida Trail's best section.
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