Hikes in Arizona

The Easy Breezy, Baldwin, and Slim Shady Loop is a 15.6 km hike in Sedona that makes use of several trails to create one awesome adventure. The star of the show is Cathedral Rock! This hike has a bit more elevation gain and loss included than the average route in Sedona, making it a good pick if you want a bit more of a workout. Watch for mountain bikes on this loop.

Broken Arrow Trail is a very popular route in Sedona used by hikers, mountain bikers, and off-roaders. This route uses Broken Arrow Trail and another route to create a quick, easy hike. You’ll be able to check out the Devil’s Dining Room sinkhole on the way. This trail is suitable for most skill levels and children should be able to complete it. As with all hikes in Sedona, bring plenty of water if it’s hot outside!

The Transept Trail is a route less travelled in Sedona, Arizona. This hike is pretty quick and suitable for most. The views are special, especially during golden hour. You can hike this trail on its own or use it to connect to Hiline Trail. This route is rocky, so good boots are recommended. Expect light traffic on this hike.

Herkenham Trail is a 3.2 km out and back trail in the Coconino National Forest near Sedona. This route is rated as moderate and can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and running. It’s got pleasant views and less traffic in general than many other routes in the Sedona area, so it’s a nice pick on otherwise busy weekends. Expect moderate traffic on this trail.

The Baby Bell, Llama, and Bail Loop is a 5.8 km hike in Sedona near Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. This loop explores the gorgeous land north of these two rock formations and provides the opportunity to enjoy an optional scramble for even better views. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

The Horton Creek, Highline, and Derick Loop makes use of three lovely trails to create one moderate adventure. This hike is 15.3 km long, but the elevation gain is well spread-out. You can also use the Upper Tonto Creek camping area to make this a backpacking trip if you’d prefer.

Horton Creek runs through part of this trail, offering an unexpectedly lush experience. There are lots of spots where you can dip your feet to cool off and take a breather. Dogs who like the water will definitely love this stretch of the route. We do recommend exercising caution in this area if there’s a monsoon in the forecast, as we advise with all hikes near a water source in this part of Arizona. Flash flooding can occur.

Want to check out two of the coolest rock formations in the Tonto National Forest in one hike? The Praying Hands to Slot Rock hike is an awesome trek that shows off just how otherworldly the scenery of the Arizona desert can be. You’ll start at Praying Hands, a rock formation that--you guessed it--looks just like praying hands. You’ll then hike to Slot Rock, another neat formation with natural windows and narrow slots.

This hike is moderately difficult. Most skill levels will be capable of completing it. As with most hikes in the Phoenix area, you won’t want to attempt this adventure in the scorching summer months. Bring lots of water and slap on some sunscreen before heading out on the trail.

As the legends of the Superstition Wilderness say, a rich Mexican family came to this area to mine gold in the 1840s. Cornered and killed by the Apache, Massacre Falls and Massacre Falls Trail got their names from this bloody past. Don’t let the moniker deter you, though. This is a great hike with lots of pleasant scenery and not as much violence these days.

Massacre Falls are seasonal, so you’ll want to plan to visit when there’s been some recent rain. Generally, a hike in the monsoon season is best as long as you avoid the monsoon itself and prepare for the associated heat. You can also visit when snowmelt in the mountains is running off.

The Hawes Trail System is a well-planned and maintained mountain biking and hiking route network near the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest of Arizona. The Hawes Ridge Loop combines several trails in the system into one hike with epic desert and river scenery.

This trail system is mostly used by mountain bikers, so you’ll need to share it. Additionally, bring more water than you think you’ll need and avoid this trail in the summertime or heat of the day; some users report struggling with heat exhaustion. You can make this hike your own by using the connecting routes to shorten or lengthen it as you please. If you want a longer loop in the same area, try the Hawes Trail System Loop.

The Flatiron via Siphon Draw Loop is a 8.9 km hike in Tonto National Forest that takes you to a high viewpoint over the surrounding mountains and desert. This route takes you through a dramatic basin lined by low granite mountains and up The Flatiron. It’s a hard hike considering the elevation gain at the end, but it’s a good way to nab views on a hike that’s not too long. You will need to be comfortable with some hands-on climbing in parts.

There are many trails in this area that allow you to keep exploring if you want a longer adventure. Make sure you bring lots of water on this hike, wear sturdy boots, and avoid visiting in the hot summer months. While dogs are allowed on this hike, we don’t recommend trying to bring them.

The Pine Loop Trail is a laidback 2.7 km loop hike near Pine, Arizona in the Tonto National Forest. This route follows a section of the Arizona Trail, which extends from the border with Utah to the border with Mexico. This route comes in just under three miles long and the elevation gain is gentle. You’ll explore a red dirt path lined by trees and with a peekaboo mountain view at the end.

With a snow-capped peak visible on the high point of this hike and the forest surrounding you, you might not feel like you’re in typical Arizona, but you’ll love the scenery. Try to visit in the spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

The Icehouse Canyon Trail #198 is an incredible hike that we’d venture to call an underrated gem. Despite its amazing scenery, this route doesn’t see very much traffic. It begins in the brushy desert and leads you up through old-growth pine forest into a canyon that stretches up to Signal Peak. The scenery is unreal, the hike is challenging, and you’ll likely encounter few fellow hikers as you soak up the views.

We recommend coming prepared with extra layers of clothing, especially in the shoulder season. It can be snowy and windy at the peak. Additionally, make sure you have a map on hand as cell reception on this hike is poor or nonexistent for most. Finally, bring lots of water!

The network of trails right outside of Payon makes adventure easy for those in town, and the Cypress Trail to Boulder Trail Loop is one of the easiest to access of all of them. Beginning right from the edge of town, this moderate route takes you through varied scenery, including through forests, past interesting boulder formations, and along creeks. This route can be used by hikers and mountain bikers alike.

This hike requires a few creek crossings, but they’re quite narrow and easy to complete. The footing can be loose and sandy in some spots, so good footwear is recommended.

Dome Mountain sits just north of Apache Junction, Arizona. The 10.0 km roundtrip hike makes for a challenging adventure, but you’ll likely have the views to yourself since this trail sees little traffic. While it’s a pretty hike, you’ll want to prepare for a bit of overgrowth near the top and a lack of signage past the trailhead. Long pants and a GPS route will go a long way!

The Saguaro Trail undulates up over a hill near the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. This 3.7 km adventure is easy to reach for those near Apache Wells and makes for a rewarding trip with awesome views of Red Mountain and the river. There’s consistent elevation gain and loss, but it’s never too difficult for strong beginners and better to enjoy.

The Barnhardt Waterfall Trail is a 9.7 km hike in the Tonto National Forest that feels very remote and is quite beautiful. If feeling like you’re far from the beaten path appeals to you, this could be your new favorite hike. The trail leads to a waterfall that doesn’t flow year-round, so visiting after rain will be your best bet to seeing it active, although we caution you to avoid this area if there’s flash flooding risk. Bring long pants to deal with the overgrowth.

The Barnhardt Trail is a 19.3 km hike in the Tonto National Forest that feels very remote and is quite beautiful. If feeling like you’re far from the beaten path appeals to you, this could be your new favorite hike. The trail leads to a waterfall that doesn’t flow year-round, so visiting after rain will be your best bet to seeing it active, although we caution you to avoid this area if there’s flash flooding risk. You can also check out a slot canyon just off the trail and enjoy the views from the top viewpoint. Bring long pants to deal with the overgrowth.

The Deer Creek Loop is a challenging day hike or backpacking route with 29.5 km of rugged trail on offer. This route has spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including Mazatzal Peak, Pine Butte, and Mount Peeley. The vistas are breathtaking, but the journey to find them will test you. This route is subject to extensive overgrowth, so bring a machete or good clippers or you may struggle to get through at all. It’s worth the work!

Pass Mountain is a hike that toes the line of climbing. Hikers don’t call it hiking, but climbers don’t call it climbing. The signage is lacking and there are some intense sections of climbing and steep sandy descents. Hike this one with a buddy and keep an eye on your GPS route to help you find your way. The views will be worth it if you can persevere through!

Pinal Peak via Pioneer Pass is a 7.7 km out and back hike in the Tonto National Forest that leads you up to the highest point in the Pinal Mountains, Pinal Peak. The scenery is nice, the hike is just challenging enough, and you’ll likely encounter few fellow hikers as you soak up the views. We recommend coming prepared with extra layers of clothing, especially in the shoulder season. It can be snowy and windy at the peak. Additionally, make sure you have a map on hand as cell reception on this hike is poor or nonexistent for most. Finally, bring lots of water!