Arizona Trails

Canyon del Muerto Route, Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Arizona

Bates Mountains Route, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona

Towering cacti and no crowds make this a perfect hike for getting away from it all.

Explore the Superstition Mountains on this overnight across Red Tanks Divide. BY QUINN HARPER

Get crowd-free, after-work views; see the Superstition's greener side; and overnight in a heavenly oasis on Phoenix's best local hikes.

Petrified Forest National Park's trailless backcountry is the setting for a trip that will test both your navigation skills and your desert sense.

Three backcountry ruins cool enough to make Indiana Jones reach for his boots. But remember: Look, don’t touch.

The forbidden fruit of Arizona, Coconino's Agassiz will mesmerize and tempt you.

This desert gem is an explorer’s heaven.

Hot weather + cool water = late-summer heaven. Add a dose of backcountry solitude and scenic camping, and you might never leave.

This little-used trail plunges 1,700 feet through wildflower country to a cool reward by West Clear Creek. Watch for cairns on this 6.8-mile hike to avoid involuntary bushwhacks.

Hoof it up more than 2,000 feet over 2.3 miles on this leg-burner up Bear Mountain for huge, arcing vistas over Sedona's redrock wonderland and the lush Verde Valley.

Veer off this popular trail on a scenic detour with elevated views of impressive rock formations and beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. This out-and-back variation runs 6.7 miles.

Named after a Forest Service employee who disappeared while hiking in the late 1990s, this 6.5-mile loop links rugged high desert terrain with deep, cool forest.

This 5-mile round-trip route to Munds Mountain offers postcard-quality views of Sedona's famed red rocks.

This remote, partly unmarked 10.4-mile route leads to a beautifully carved canyon with high desert views in Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.

This 6.4-mile dayhike is a tour de force: You'll be rewarded with magnificent views, an isolated arch, and unusual plant life in Coconino National Forest.

Venture into cowboy country on a faded cattle trail that visits desolate buttes, colorful meadows, and quiet vistas in 6 rolling miles (each way).

Take 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.

Hike through a variety of Arizona vegetation to a Native American ruin and a classic red-rock rim on this 8.4-mile out-and-back trip in black bear country.

Hike saguaro-covered hillsides to a small desert spring on this 5.2-mile loop encircled by mesas and red sandstone cliffs.

Discover the remote cliff dwellings of a long-lost Native American tribe on this 8-mile out-and back in Tonto National Forest.

Navigate rocky canyon bottoms amid colorful cactus-studded hills on a 6.8-mile off-trail excursion in the Superstition Wilderness.

Climb 2,300 feet in 3 miles to a pine forest and red-rock views on this 6.8-mile out-and-back excursion.

Native ruins and red-rock views are the main attractions on this 3-mile climb up a Sedona-area mesa.

You'll find plenty of choice skyline views on this 4.6-mile dayhike to the top of Piestewa Peak, one of Phoenix's famous Seven Summits.

Test your physical stamina on this 13.4-miler over rugged terrain with wild elevation challenges. The reward: vistas, hoodoos, and petroglyphs.

This popular 8.9-mile lasso loop crosses mesa and cacti country near Weavers Needle, whose shadow allegedly leads treasure seekers to a lost gold stash.

You'll climb nearly 1,300 feet and bag two neighboring peaks by the end of this 7.1-mile lasso loop in Phoenix Mountains Preserve.

This popular 10.6-mile hike begins gently in aspen groves, then crescendos with a climb up Arizona's tallest peak.

This 6-mile dayhike in the Superstition Mountains is a photographer's delight: rocky spires, hoodoos, a desert cave, and sunset light on Weavers Needle.

Go from rocky canyons to desert slickrock to an off-trail overlook with five-star views on this 5.6 mile-trek starting in Lost Dutchman State Park.

Explore a century-old mining camp in the Coronado National Forest.

This 3-mile out-and-back in the Superstition Mountains climbs gently through ocotillo and saguaro cacti to Hieroglyphic Canyon's mysterious petroglyphs.

Hike rolling terrain on one of Arizona's highest mountains.

Immerse 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.

A high-altitude intro to the Santa Catalina Mountains, this trail literally sparkles as it circles Marshall Peak for an easy, 3.3-mile loop through the Pusch Wilderness Area.

A high-altitude intro to the Santa Catalina Mountains, this trail literally sparkles as it circles Marshall Peak for an easy 3.3-mile loop through the Pusch Wilderness Area.

Splash through a pink slot canyon in the Salome Wilderness Area on this fun canyoneering route.

Stunning views of Weavers Needle and a fun, route-finding slickrock descent make this 4.6-mile Superstition Wilderness loop a Phoenix-area favorite.

A short and easy introductory hike in Arizona's San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

Ditch crowds on 12,637-foot Humphreys Peak for a quiet, five-mile point-to-point. In fall, see turning aspens and bugling elk.

Hike six miles through canyons of mixed conifer and aspen to expansive views of the Grand Canyon 90 miles away.

Tackle tricky terrain to gain a solitary alp.

Rock-hop and wade your way down a wild sandstone corridor.

360 degree views of the mighty Colorado River sound breathtaking? How about a soak in natural hot springs? This hike has it all! Stay for an hour or set up camp on a nearby beach to take full advantage of this easy hike just one hour from Las Vegas.

Snag views of a red-cliffed valley and stand toe-to-rock with iconic 1,000-foot sandstone towers on this 4.9-mile, half-day adventure.

Remote Hannah Hot Spring (133°F at the source) is the ultimate basecamp: Hike off-trail 8.3 miles up a tricky canyon system to camp near top-tier dayhikes and nightly soaks.

Two rim-to-rim hikes, one solitude-filled backcountry loop, and two remote backpacking trips make up this bundle of epic hikes into the Big Ditch.

Inflatable kayaks make big-water action accessible to all.

Rock-hop and wade your way down a wild sandstone corridor.

Tackle tricky terrain to gain a solitary alp.

Hike to a natural day spa.

Hike through a winding canyon, then cool off in a whitewater spa.

Slip and slide into refreshing pools at these backcountry swimming holes.

An easy high point with an unpredictable personality