Hikes in Arizona

Pueblo Canyon Trail leads you to one of the best-kept unprotected ruin sites in the state over 19.3 km of challenging terrain. Despite being a workout, this hike will feel well worth the trip with gorgeous views and, often, a good bit of solitude. This route is very remote with no cell service, so come prepared with everything you need for a long day out on the trail.

The Willow Springs Loop is a 6.9 km loop hike in the Tonto National Forest that can be reached quickly from the upper northeast reaches of the Phoenix metro area. This hike offers stellar views of towering saguaros and red rock mountains. It does require some routefinding and a GPS track is essential, but it’s worth the small bit of preparation required. Bring lots of water on this route.

As far as caves go, this one is pretty impressive. This hike leads you along a stretch of the Arizona Trail to the end of a canyon where a deep tunnel into the rock wall awaits. This is a fun hike for families and it’s only moderately difficult. The elevation gain is gradual until the last quarter mile, where you’ll have to climb a rocky steep section. The tunnel is worth it, though! Expect moderate traffic on this route.

Babe Haught Trail is one you can do again and again. This short, sweaty trail near Payson offers a panoramic vista from its summit atop a mesa, making you glad you persevere through every rocky step. You can either hike this route as-is or continue further to nearby Knoll Lake, a great place to camp for the night. Bring plenty of water on this hike and pack your poles and sturdy boots.

If you’re on the hunt for a waterfall hike (chasing waterfalls, if you will), try the Flume Road Trail. This hike is 14.5 km long and on the easier side of moderate, making it great for a longer leg stretch without too much elevation gain needed at any point. The waterfalls are beautiful, especially if it has rained recently. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

The Arnett Canyon Trail is a beautiful spot to hike, horseback ride, or bike in the Tonto National Forest. This route is 13.4 km long and moderately difficult with fairly minimal elevation gain. With changing scenery from desert to woods and lots of wildlife to observe, it’s a rewarding hike that’s suitable for most skill levels. Expect light to moderate traffic on this route.

The Monument Peak Loop is a 5.5 km easy hike near Payson that circles a small peak with lovely views of the surrounding forested mountains. This trail has a nice balance of shade and views, with some parts of the trail leading you through the pine forest and some parts offering glimpses of the surrounding landscape. Expect heavy traffic on this hike.

Wild Horse Trail is a 11.3 km easy out and back trail near Apache Wells that’s popular for its mild terrain and great desert scenery. This route is frequented by both hikers and mountain bikers, so be prepared to share the trail. Several interconnecting trails offer you the opportunity to extend your adventure if you’d like. Expect moderate mixed traffic on this route.

The Blue Point to the Oven hike is a 6.4 km trek in the Tonto National Forest that leads you along the Salt River to an old limestone oven built into the hillside. Between the river scenery and the massive oven, it’s a unique hike with lots of spots to dip your feet and cool down on hot days. Expect moderate traffic on this route.

The Weavers Needle Vista hike is a beautiful loop trail with a popular viewpoint over the Sonoran Desert. With cacti, desert foliage, and mountains to enjoy, it’s a delightful trip suitable for all ages. Keep in mind that this loop is poorly marked and hard to follow, making a downloaded GPS route a necessity. Additionally, we don’t recommend this hike in the extreme heat of the summer months.

The Arnett Canyon Trail is a beautiful spot to hike, horseback ride, or bike in the Tonto National Forest. This route starts your hike from E Arnett Road and travels 5.3 km through the canyon. It’s an overall easy hike with fairly minimal elevation gain. With changing scenery from desert to woods and lots of wildlife to observe, Arnett Canyon is a rewarding hike that’s suitable for most skill levels. Expect light to moderate traffic on this route.

The Pine Creek Loop is a hike north of Mesa in the Tonto National Forest with views of The Boulders, Boulder Mountain, Pine Mountain, and the surrounding desert. This hike is quite easy, making it a good pick for all levels. When the wildflowers are blooming, it’s a great place to enjoy nature. Bring plenty of water on this hike and avoid visiting in the hot summer months.

Drew Trail via Highline Trail is a moderate 21.2 km hike that leads you up the side of a mesa to a viewpoint near a campground. This hike is delightful on a day where you’re searching for shade and it’s at its very best in the fall when the colors of the trees turn. You can hike this route as is or use it to connect to the network of trails atop the mesa. Expect light traffic.

The Hawes Trail System offers trail runners, hikers, and mountain bikers a place to get outside in the Tonto National Forest with a maintained network of trails near the Salt River. The Horse Tale Trail is a 6.9 km route in this network on the north side of this network that, while alright for hikers, is great for trail runners and mountain bikers in particular.

Red Creek Trail is a 15.6 km route in the Tonto National Forest that sees little traffic despite its pleasant scenery. This trail is nicely shaded under a canopy of trees as it meanders along the creek, making for a lovely view. There are camping sites along the trail if you want to backpack. Watch for motorized traffic and free-roaming cows on this route. You may need a high-clearance vehicle to reach this trailhead.

The Black Cross Butte hike is a challenging trip in the Tonto National Forest that sees light traffic. This route loops around the butte to give you an amazing view of the Salt River below and the thousands of tall saguaros that dot the desert around you. We recommend downloading your route ahead of time since the trail down the east side of the butte can become quite difficult to follow.

The See Canyon and Drew Trail Loop is an 18.3 km moderate hike in the Tonto National Forest that takes you to the headwaters of the See Spring and through a gorgeous canyon. The fall colors are incredible to view from atop the mesa, making this a great autumn hike. Bring a GPS route on this hike as it’s not quite as easy to follow the further you get into the canyon.

The Bulldog Saddle Trail is a fun, quick hike that starts right from the city limits of Apache Junction, Arizona. The hike takes you to the saddle between Peak 3004 and the ridge beside it. The views are awesome and the hike will get your legs working without being overly strenuous. This is a good pick if you want to feel like you’re in the mountains without having to actually climb one.

Twisted Sister to Saguaro Trail is a 5.0 km moderate point-to-point trail near Apache Wells that’s popular for its mild terrain and great desert scenery. This route is frequented by both hikers and mountain bikers, so be prepared to share the trail. Several interconnecting trails offer you the opportunity to extend your adventure if you’d like. Expect moderate mixed traffic on this route.

East Mountain Trail is a 11.3 km moderate hike near Globe that’s popular for its easily followed route and lovely views of the surrounding mountains. There’s a nice amount of shade on this trail and you won’t need to share it with many others. You can also make this hike a loop if you’d prefer a shorter adventure or make use of the campsites south of the trailhead. Expect light traffic on this hike.