Welcome to the Arizona Trail

We are very concerned about the President's proposed budget cuts to National Trails for federal fiscal year 2026. What's at risk? The National Park Service will face a $900 million funding cut to National Park Service Operations BLM funding for National Trails reduced from $11 million to $0 - overall 74% cut to National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails The Forest Service will face trail funding...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service recently signed the Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan. The plan establishes a long-term framework to guide the coordinated management of the 800-mile trail that spans Arizona from Mexico to Utah. Required by the National Trails System Act, the comprehensive plan outlines administrative objectives, policies, and management guidance for the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The plan supports future stewardship actions by the Forest Service and partners, including landowners, land managers, and volunteer organizations,...

Congress is trying to sell our public land. NOW is the time for you to reach out to your Senators and tell them our heritage is not for sale. There is language within the Senate Budget Reconciliation bill that mandates the sale of over 3 million acres of public lands in 11 states across the West, including Arizona. It also forces more oil and gas leasing, expedites road construction through environmentally sensitive areas, requires mass timber sales in national forests,...

In addition to being a recreational destination that attracts hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians from around the world, the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) is a valuable resource for wildfire prevention, response and recovery. Fire Break Trails act as important fire breaks, often stopping the flames once they reach the trail as they run out of fuel. Some communities are building recreational trails around their towns to simultaneously increase fire breaks and provide recreational opportunities. Fuels Reduction ATA volunteers...

This is the time of year when the Arizona State Legislature returns from recess to hammer out the final details of next year's budget. We need your help to encourage them to dedicate funding for Arizona Trail maintenance and construction. There is a line item in our state budget for Arizona Trail Fund, and it is used to pay conservation corps and other state-approved contractors to conduct major maintenance and trail construction projects on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Can...

In response to recent concerns about gastrointestinal illness along the Arizona Trail and potential causes being the Gila River and Remote Rainwater Collector, the ATA took water samples to a local laboratory for analysis. Results can be found here: Gila River - Passage 16 Rainwater Collector - Passage 17 The only alarming result is the presence of E. coli in the Gila River. This is no surprise, since cattle are found in abundance along the river. A recent survey also...

Stage II Fire Restrictions are now in place on public lands throughout Arizona. The following are prohibited on lands, roads, and trails: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building Welding or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open area Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun (legal hunting is exempt) Operating a chainsaw or other equipment operated by an internal combustion engine This affects all Passages...

From May 4-10, we are celebrating the deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, lakes, streams, and trails that make Arizona such an incredible place to live, work, play and explore. Today, we are encouraging you to stand up for public lands, which are currently being threatened. The time for you to take action is NOW. There are members of Congress pushing for the selling of public lands to cover tax cuts and federal expenses. These lands belong to all Americans, and we...

Did you get sick while visiting the Arizona National Scenic Trail in the 2025 spring season? The Arizona Department of Health Services is following up on reports of people with gastrointestinal illness while hiking the Arizona Trail this spring. This online survey will help gather information from individuals that were sick with a gastrointestinal illness after visiting the Arizona National Scenic Trail during the 2025 spring season. All responses are confidential and will be used for public health investigation and...

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to protect themselves and their pets by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, especially animals that may be behaving abnormally, such as those that appear aggressive and/or lacking a fear of humans. The reminder comes as an increasing number of rabies-related incidents have been reported  statewide. A recent Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) report indicated that foxes and skunks were the most common species to have tested positive for rabies...

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastrointestinal illness and has recently affected hikers and bikers along certain sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), particularly around Kearny, Superior and Roosevelt. This advisory is intended to help trail users understand the risk and take proper precautions. What is Norovirus? Norovirus spreads easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or person-to-person contact. Symptoms typically include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach cramps Symptoms often appear 12–48 hours after exposure and can...

The Lumberjack (April 5, 2025) by Darby Walker Protesters gathered at the Arizona Capitol building on March 27 to hold a “Rally for Public Lands,” showing support for national parks, monuments and federally protected public land being threatened by policy changes. Rally attendees advocated for various issues, the most prominent of which included a lawsuit in Utah that could open federal land to commercial development and legislators threatening the national monument status of a section of the Grand Canyon. The crowd of around 300...

The U.S. Senate, by a slim three-vote margin, has approved public lands being sold to reduce the federal deficit as well as the total acreage managed by federal land management agencies. During a late-night session April 4, 51 senators voted against an amendment that would have blocked the sale of public lands. All but two Republicans —Senator Daines and Senator Sheehy, both of Montana — voted against the anti-sell-off amendment, which was proposed by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and six other Senate...

URGENT: The fate of our public lands is on the line. Right now, lawmakers are considering selling off public lands to cover tax cuts and federal expenses—putting forests, mountains, deserts, canyons and trails at risk. This is a short-sighted move with irreversible consequences. Once public lands are gone, they’re gone forever. Tonight, the Senate will vote on Senator Heinrich’s Amendments 1453 and 1454 to the Senate Budget Resolution, which would prevent this disastrous land sell-off. We need your help to...

The Arizona Trail Association does more than just maintain the 800-mile Arizona Trail. We also install gates and interpretive signs, improve water sources, and construct new trail segments to remove the AZT from roads. We also build community, foster stewardship, and provide life-changing opportunities for people of all ages. This season, your donation supports vital programs like AZT VETS, which helps military veterans heal through outdoor experiences, and Seeds of Stewardship, which connects youth to nature through hands-on environmental education. Our Gear Girls program empowers...

Please join us at the Arizona State Capitol on Thursday, March 27 at 1 pm for a non-partisan Rally for Public Lands! This is an opportunity to come together in celebration of the lands, waters, trails, wildlife and outdoor recreation activities that make the Grand Canyon State so special. Currently, there are many threats at the state and federal levels to our cherished public lands, so we will be reminding members of the Arizona State Legislature that the majority of...

Backpacker (March 11, 2025) by Nathan Pipenberg With the busy summer season around the corner, there’s one prevailing sentiment among those who look after the nation’s trails: uncertainty. After news of mass firings and funding cuts at federal agencies like the National Park Service, many hikers and other outdoors recreationists held out hope that nonprofits, conservation corps, and volunteers would be able to pick up the slack. Instead leaders at trail organizations say they are canceling projects, disbanding trail crews,...

The Trek (March 10, 2025) by Caitlin Hardee It’s every international thru-hiker’s worst nightmare: training for a long hike, saving enough money for the trip, and clearing your calendar, only to be stopped at the border and turned back before ever setting foot on US soil — let alone the trail. Seasoned German thru-hiker and Trek blogger Annika “Ravenclaw” Ananias says that nightmare came true for her — and escalated to a horrifying degree when she attempted to enter the US to...

Thank you to everyone who has reached out ask how recent announcements from the White House have impacted the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) and Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT). While there’s still a lot of uncertainty, here’s current information on what’s happening… Federal Funding The ATA currently receives 37% of our operating budget from the US Forest Service (USFS). In 2024, that was $555,000! This money is delivered through a Challenge Cost Share Agreement – the ATA spends money on...

The Arizona Trail Association's Annual Report is now available, complete with highlights from 2024. Please take a moment to celebrate our collective accomplishments within all of our programs and operations, including: Trail Operations Volunteer Program Veterans Program Seeds of Stewardship Financial Report 2025 Priorities Business Partners & Supporters and more! You can read it online here. If you would like a printed copy of the 12-page report, just send an email to ata@aztrail.org and we'll send one your way.