Welcome to the Arizona Trail

The Black Fire was started by lightning strikes on the Tonto National Forest and as of July 15 had consumed over 5,565 acres of desert environment, including three miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Passage 19 (Superstition Mountains) is currently closed from Reavis Gap Trail (AZT mile 324.8) to Vineyard Trailhead (AZT mile 346.6). Evacuations have been ordered for the following areas: Tonto National Monument Black Brush Ranch Cross P Ranch Reevis Mountain School Cottonwood Cove Picnic Area Fraser...

On July 11, lightning strikes caused a wildfire northwest of Oracle near the intersection of Freeman Road and Willow Springs Ranch Road in Pinal County. The Freeman Fire has very heavy fuel load with mesquite and brush and has quickly grown to 37,000 acres. In the interest of pubic safety, Passage 14 (Black Hills) is closed. There is no safe and reasonable detour. Pinal County has also closed the following roads, which include primary access routes to the Arizona Trail’s...

Grand Canyon National Park announced in July that Bright Angel Campground will be closed from November 4, 2024 - May 15, 2025 to support replacement of the TransCanyon Pipeline. This will impact Arizona Trail thru-hikers during the Spring 2025 season. Since dispersed camping is not permitted in this area and inner canyon corridor trails are patrolled daily, thru-hikers should attempt to obtain an overnight camping permit for Cottonwood Campground (halfway between Bright Angel Campground and the North Rim) or hike...

If you plan to recreate and camp in Arizona this summer, please be advised that Fire Restrictions are now in place on most forests throughout the state. The only Arizona Trail Forest that hasn’t implemented fire restrictions is the Coronado National Forest in southern Arizona. These restrictions are enforced to protect public safety and preserve forest resources like trails, wildlife and watersheds. Know what you can and can’t do before leaving home to avoid disappointment, conflicts, fines, or worse.

Over the past year, the Arizona Trail Association has worked with 4th through 8th grade students at STAR School (Service to All Relations) -- which serves Native American students from Flagstaff and the Navajo Nation -- through our Seeds of Stewardship program. As a finale for our school year with the 4th and 5th graders at STAR, we organized three days of camping, stewardship, and cultural experiences at Grand Canyon National Park and Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints...

Get ready to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon's North Rim as the 2024 season kicks off on Wednesday, May 15. Starting at 8 a.m., visitor services including the campground, Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, Backcountry Information Office, Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will be up and running. And don't miss out on daily Park Ranger programs available at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk until October 15. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations will be in...

Our partners at Coronado National Memorial have observed an increase in immigrant foot traffic activity over the past few weeks. Visitors to Coronado National Memorial have reported seeing people in camouflage near the border and on the Arizona Trail, although no direct contact between the groups has occurred. If you're planning a hike along Passage 1 this season, especially to Border Monument 102 at the southern terminus of the AZT, please review the Safety Alert on the National Park Service...

We are turning 30 years old this year! Please help us celebrate by donating $30 or more. Your contribution supports our mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment. If everyone who had incredible experiences on the AZT donated, our trail construction and maintenance needs would be taken care of. But not everyone understands that trails don't just happen -- they need maintenance and protection. Please invest in the Arizona...

Please check out our 2023 Annual Report, which includes highlights from all of our programs and operations. Within these 16 pages you'll find stories, photos and accomplishments from: Trail Operations Volunteer Program AZT VETS Youth Outreach Programs Goals for 2024 Business Partners and so much more Read the Annual Report online here, or download it and enjoy it at your leisure. Printed copies are available, too. Just email ata@aztrail.org to request one (include your mailing address).

Show your love for the AZT by wearing these Wooleater® socks from DeFeet, which feature a plum topographic line print of the Colossal Cave Mountain Park area (Arizona Trail Passage 8). These high-top socks are made for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, backpackers, equestrians, and anyone who prefers Merino wool to other materials. Wool stays cool in heat, warm in cold, and is among the most non-odorous textiles on Earth. These socks are comfortable, sport the traditional Arizona Trail logo, and...

The Coconino National Forest has expanded the boundaries of the existing year-round camping and campfire ban located adjacent to the City of Flagstaff in an attempt to lower the hazard from human-caused wildfires. A full map of the expanded camping and campfire ban, which went into effect May 1, 2023, is available on the Coconino National Forest’s website. This information is also on all Arizona Trail navigational resources, including the FarOut app, topo maps, passage maps, website, and other important resources so AZT users know where they can camp outside...

On August 8, members of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition and leaders from conservation, sportsmen, recreation, faith and outdoor organizations joined President Biden as he used his authorities under the Antiquities Act to protect 917,618 acres adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park as Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This includes nearly 40 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail along Passages 36 (Coconino Rim) and 37 (Grand Canyon - South Rim). The...

The 2023 Arizona budget includes a historic $500,000 investment in the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The bipartisan budget shows the dedication of elected officials to support outdoor recreation and conservation efforts.  Senator David Gowan (LD-19) sponsored the original appropriation bill. “The Arizona Trail is a gem within our state and creates an incredible opportunity for people of all shapes, sizes, abilities and walks of life to explore the diverse, natural beauty of our lands. The trail also contributes to the...

Merriam-Webster defines shine as (1) to emit rays of light; (2) to be bright by reflection of light; (3) to be distinguished; (4) to perform extremely well; and (5) to have a bright glowing appearance…  … let’s face it, it’s TOASTY in Tucson… and we anxiously await the monsoon season. As adults, we are familiar with the summer outdoor exercise routine–either you are up and at it early or you wait until evening to head out.  As part of the...

Beginning Thursday, June 29th Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect across the entirety of the Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Portions of the Tonto National Forest have been under Stage 1 restrictions since June 6, including the Mazatzal, Four Peaks and Superstition Mountain ranges. For information on all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, visit wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, ...

After 18 months of hard work, our partners at the Coronado National Forest have released the first comprehensive trail plan for the Santa Catalina Ranger District, which includes the northern slope of the Rincon Mountains, Mount Lemmon, Summerhaven and Oracle Ridge.  According to Adam Milnor, Recreation, Heritage and Lands Staff Officer for the Forest, the plan includes projects to "diversify trail opportunities, improve sustainability, create new trail connections and boost trailhead access" on the district. A number of the proposed...

In late May, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland joined Raul Grijalva and staff from Senator Kyrstin Sinima's office in a visit to several tribes in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon and northern Arizona, including a first-ever visit by a sitting Interior Secretary to the village of Supai in the Havasupai Tribe's lands within the Canyon. Secretary Haaland met with tribal leaders, environmentalists, local officials and community members to learn more about the proposed Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National...

As you gaze in awe at the wildflowers and enjoy a memorable hike, run or ride along the Arizona Trail, please help us celebrate by donating today in support of our important Spring Fundraiser! During the month of May, a $25 donation will get you a one-year Arizona Trail Association membership and this special edition retro sticker. This classic Southwestern design was created at a time when a complete path from Mexico to Utah was still just a dream. Decades of dedication...

On April 6, Arizona Trail Association staff and volunteers completed installation of a Remote Rainwater Collector along a particularly arid segment of trail on Passage 15 in Pinal County. This unit is located north of the Freeman Road Trailhead on the ancestral lands of the O’odham and Western Apache, and holds 1,500 gallons of water. This is the second remote collector the ATA has developed in an effort to provide a reliable source of water in areas that have been...

Yesterday, tribal leaders of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, joined by Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Senator Kyrsten Sinema, launched an effort to call on President Biden to use his authorities under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. Baaj Nwaavjo means “where tribes roam” for the Havasupai Tribe, and I’tah Kukveni means “our footprints” for the Hopi Tribe. The proposal builds on the tribes’ longstanding effort to permanently protect the region....