Hikes in Arizona

The Puerco Pueblo Trail is a historical hike in Petrified Forest National Park that reveals the ruins of a pueblo. This area was inhabited about 650 years ago, and the remains of the pueblo walls and several sets of petroglyphs can be observed today. The hike itself is very easy and quick to complete. Expect moderate traffic.

The Hole in the Rock is one of the most popular hikes in Phoenix, especially for families. This route leads you up to a cave in a giant red rock, which looks like something out of an aquarium. The hole gives you a view of the beautiful golf course and botanical gardens below, but its uses by Native people were much more practical. The hike is easy and very short. If you can climb a few sets of stairs, you can likely make it up to the hole in the rock. Dogs on leash are welcome. Expect a busy trail.

This route is located in Papago Park, a popular recreation area just minutes from downtown Phoenix. Papago Park was a reservation in past years, then a fish hatchery in the Great Depression, a prisoner of war camp in WWII, and a VA hospital. Talk about a storied past! Today, it offers hiking opportunities and access to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens.

The Grandview Trail may not be quite as “epic” as those that hike way down to the river, but nonetheless the steep climbing is easily worth the fantastic views of the eastern section of the Grand Canyon – and it’s typically less crowded, too!

Allens Bend Trail is a 1.8 km moderately trafficked hike in Sedona that begins from the Grasshopper Point Picnic Area. This is a nice walk for the whole family, giving you the chance to stretch your legs and see some of Sedona’s scenery along the creek. This hike sees less traffic than many other trails in Sedona, so it’s a nice choice to pair with a picnic. You’ll have a nice spot to swim in the canyon before the hike, and then you’ll be able to enjoy the creek as you walk.

This hike follows a small part of a longer trail through Casner Canyon, so adventurous hikers can go further if they want to keep exploring. It’s not a very well-signed trail, so consider downloading a GPS track, especially if you want to explore the canyon.

Butcher Jones Trail leads you through the Sonoran Desert to the shores of Saguaro Lake and the Salt River. This is an absolute oasis in the middle of the desert and an excellent place to spot wildlife like bighorn sheep, javelinas, and bald eagles. If you’re exceptionally lucky, you could even spot the wild horses of the Lower Salt River while travelling through the area. The hike is moderately difficult, with some narrow, rocky sections of trail and occasional overgrowth. It’s mostly downhill for the first half of the hike, and then you’ll be gaining moderate elevation on the way back.

There is a beach and picnic area near the trailhead, so consider bringing along your picnic blankets and some bathing suits to cool off after your hike. Speaking of cooling off, this area can get incredibly hot in the summer months. We don’t recommend this hike between June and August, and you should be sure to bring lots of sunscreen, water, and protective clothing if you’re hiking between March and November.

Blackett's Ridge Trail from Bear Canyon is an awesome adventure. This 10.5 km difficult trail climbs up Saddleback in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness on the northeast edge of Tucson. This hike is excellent for its ease of access from the city and for its diverse, beautiful terrain. The city views and desert views are both excellent, and the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is always a treat.

This ridge can reach scorching temperatures in the middle of the day. Start your hike early, bring plenty of water, and avoid hiking this route in the summertime if at all possible. Note that there are occasional closures on this route for bighorn sheep lambing season.

In the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, the Kachina Trail #150 links Humphreys Peak Trail and Weatherford Trail #102. This is a popular route all on its own though, featuring beautiful mountain views and an approachable difficulty level. This route hugs the southwestern flanks of Agassiz Peak and Fremont Peak with a view of Schultz Peak. It’s a great trek if you want to be close to the mountains without needing to work all that hard. This is an especially enjoyable hike in the fall when the aspens turn color.

The Kachina Trail #150 is a longer hike, but the elevation gain is very gradual and spread out, so there aren’t many intense climbs. For this reason, we consider this route beginner and kid-friendly, although families may need to turn back if the entire distance is too much. With peekaboo views the whole way, this won’t prevent a hike on this route from being an enjoyable outing.

The Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail is a historical hike in Petrified Forest National Park that shows off some of the best examples of petrified wood in the entire park. Entire trees lie in chunks on this trail, each crystallized into its own colors and patterns. Along with the petrified wood, this hike takes you to a house made of agate, a fascinating sight. This route is easy and sees moderate traffic.

Piestewa Peak is the second-tallest mountain in Phoenix after Camelback Mountain. From the top of this peak, you’ll have a jaw-dropping, panoramic view of the city below and the mountains that surround it. This route guide follows the trail to the summit and then returns, but you can also add on the Freedom Loop if you want a longer adventure, which encircles the base of the mountain. You’ll do best on this hike if you embrace a sense of community, since this is a very popular hike.

There’s some interesting history behind the name of this mountain, which used to go by two different names. To prepare for this hike, get an early start, stay out of the heat, bring water, and leave dogs and children at home. Expect a tough but beautiful adventure.

The mostly flat trail leading out to the rim of the stunning Cape Final isn’t the most well known, but it’s definitely well worth it. Here you will get absolutely fantastic panoramas of the Grand Canyon as well as views down to the Colorado River.

The Birthing Cave is a special spot in Sedona and has been a place where people go to find spiritual meaning for many years. The cave itself is incredible to be in, and you’ll enjoy a lovely view of the unique Arizona landscape from the cave. This trail used to be an underrated gem, but it becomes more popular every year. It’s important to be respectful of other hikers and the environment on this trail (and every trail!). Expect some mountain bike traffic.

This trail is easy and quite quick. The cave is wide but shallow, making it fairly easy to explore. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do a quick steep climb to get into the cave, but most hikers have no problem with this section. This trail is suitable for children and leashed dogs.

Bob Bear Trail (formerly known as Fossil Springs Trail, not to be confused with Fossil Creek) is one of the most popular day hikes in the Tonto National Forest. This trail leads you along a canyonside route with amazing views of the Verde Valley, down through a treed-in trek, and to Fossil Springs. These springs flow over a short waterfall into a swimming hole. It’s a beautiful site that’s ideal on hot, sunny days.

While this is a must-do hike, we don’t recommend bringing dogs or children. This route is very exposed to the hot sun and it is somewhat strenuous. Dehydration and heat stroke are risks on this hike. Bring plenty of water! Additionally, this is a permit-only site. You’ll need to purchase your permit ahead of time; there are no permits given at the site.

Blackett's Ridge Trail is an excellent adventure near Tucson. This 9.2 km difficult trail climbs up Saddleback in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness on the northeast edge of Tucson. This hike is excellent for its ease of access from the city and for its diverse, interesting terrain. This version of the hike begins from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. You can also do Blackett’s Ridge Trail from Bear Canyon if you want to skip the paid parking and add a little bit of distance.

This ridge can reach scorching temperatures in the middle of the day. Start your hike early, bring plenty of water, and avoid hiking this route in the summertime if at all possible. Note that there are occasional closures on this route for bighorn sheep lambing season.

The Old Caves Crater Trail is a fascinating hike that reveals a small piece of the volcanic history of the Flagstaff area. Many years ago, a volcanic field in northern Arizona shaped the landscape through eruptions, with the crater and caves along this route remaining as two small pieces of this past. This hike leads you around the entire crater area, where you can explore the caves and hollowed-out areas where looser volcanic material has been eroded over the years.

This hike is moderately difficult. There are some switchbacks and a bit of elevation gain to complete, but it’s still suitable for strong beginners and adventurous kids. Two words of caution: the signage can be confusing, so consider bringing a downloaded GPS route. Additionally, there is a lot of wildlife on this trail (particularly deer), so remember that dogs need to be kept on leash. Expect heavy traffic on this hike.

The Devil’s Playground Loop is a 12.2 km moderate hike in Petrified Forest National Park known for its hoodoos, rock formations, dry waterfall, and petrified fossils. This hike is rugged and it can be hard to follow the trail in some parts, but you’ll be up close to some of the most interesting geology in the park. Bring lots of water and a downloaded GPS route for this trail. Expect light traffic.

Dobbins Lookout via Holbert Trail is a 6.4 km hike on South Mountain in the South Mountain Park in Phoenix. South Mountain is always a treat to hike in. While there are a bunch of different trails that start from the same area here, they all have unique, enjoyable views of their own. Dobbins Lookout gives you the perfect place to admire your birds-eye view of Phoenix from. There’s an old stone house up here that makes for an ideal shelter on a hot day and a neat place to pop into any time.

This hike is moderately difficult. It’s steep but not technical, and it’s a nice break from the many rocky trails in Phoenix. This route is a good pick for hikers who want to take on one of their first strenuous trails–it’s forgiving enough!

While exploring the far western tip of the Grand Canyon, this hike descends towards a rest shelter with a quaint rocking chair as well as water for the horses. Stunning views of the edge of the canyon, as well as of impressive rock formations permeate the entire trail.

Boynton Canyon Trail explores one of the most beautiful box canyons in Red Rock Country. The trail is easy to get to and offers some chances to extend your hike. You can also check out the Subway Cave on this hike, which is a photo-worthy Sedona spot. This hike sees heavy traffic, so it’s best to arrive early if you can. There are parts of the trail that are more suited to stronger hikers, but most of these areas also have ways to get around them that are beginner-friendly.

Make sure you bring lots of water for this hike, especially if you’re hiking in hot weather. This is a very convenient trail to enjoy if you’re staying at the Enchantment Resort.

Picketpost Mountain Trail is a 6.8 km out and back hike that leads you up a dramatic, isolated butte in the Tonto National Forest. Previously used as a battleground in efforts by Geroge Stoneman to seize this land from the Yavapai, the butte is now an area for campers and hikers to appreciate Arizona’s rugged scenery. At the top, make sure you bring a little note to place in the mailbox. You can also read the notes from previous hikers.

This trail is rated as hard and isn’t the best choice for families or beginners. There’s lots of elevation to be gained for a relatively short hike, and you’ll be out in the sun for the entire route. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen and a hat, and avoid hiking this trail between June and August when the temperatures soar.

Hutch's Pool is a popular spot tucked away in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. The route there travels through the Sabino Canyon in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, known for its rugged desert beauty and plentiful wildlife. This is a rewarding trip that ends at a great swimming hole. While it can be done in a day, we recommend splitting this one up over two days and spending a night on the trail. If you plan to do it in a day, get a very early start and don’t hike in the scorching summertime.

You’ll be able to filter water from the river, but water levels vary depending on the time of year you choose to visit. Bring plenty of hydration with you and wear sun protection.