Welcome to the Arizona Trail

Thanks to our friends at the Jim Click Automotive Team, we’re excited to announce this year’s raffle for a new 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor, first-class airfare to anywhere in the world, and $5,000 cash. Tickets are available for $25 each and will only be on sale online until Thursday, December 7. The winning tickets will be chosen on December 14. Grand Prize: 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor 2nd Prize: Two round-trip, first-class airline tickets to anywhere in the world 3rd Prize: $5,000 cash 100% of...

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....

If you weren't able to join us at the Desert Botanical Garden for the Arizona Trail Association's 29th Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 5, please check out the video on our YouTube page here. Thanks to Craig Baker for capturing video and photographs from the big day!

Tom Zoellner walked across the length of Arizona to come to terms with his home state. But the trip revealed more mountains behind the mountains. Rim to River is the story of this extraordinary journey through redrock country, down canyons, up mesas, and across desert plains to the obscure valley in Mexico that gave the state its enigmatic name. The trek is interspersed with incisive essays that pick apart the distinctive cultural landscape of Arizona: the wine-colored pinnacles and complex spirituality...

The Arizona Trail Association acknowledges our support for the federal climate and clean energy investments as part of The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to encourage Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, the new Office of Resiliency, state agencies, and Arizona’s elected leaders to deploy these investments to ensure they are getting to the communities that need them the most.  The Arizona Trail is a vital resource for our state and nation. But in recent years we have seen...

In December, a multi-modal survey from TargetSmart engaged adults registered to vote in the state of Arizona to assess top priorities within the Grand Canyon State. Over 800 individuals participated via phone, text and online platforms to share their thoughts on policy priorities relating to our economy, environment, border issues, healthcare, education, partisanship and more. The poll has a credibility interval of +/- 3.5%. Some key findings related to the Arizona Trail and Arizona’s outdoor recreation economy include: 89% support...

Current members of the Arizona Trail Association are asked to please take just one minute to vote in our annual Board of Directors using this simple online ballot. Your vote will help elect community members who are interested in guiding the future of the Arizona Trail Association as volunteer board members. There are four prospective Board Members interested in serving a three-year term on the Board: Karen Gresham (Phoenix), David Rabb (Tucson), Shawn Redfield (Pine), and Clark Tenakhongva (Polacca). Please...

Our 29th Annual Meeting is happening on Sunday, March 5 at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and you are invited to attend. ATA Board and Staff will highlight some of greatest accomplishments from 2022, honor outstanding volunteers and agency partners, hear from guest speakers, and much more. The event is scheduled from 10 am – 1 pm and will include breakout sessions where you can participate in important conversations about organizational priorities and plans for 2023 and beyond. Then, we...

We encourage you to tell your Arizona Trail story with the help of this new membership perk – an Arizona Trail word magnet. Put it on your refrigerator or other metallic surface at home and let the creativity flow! Haiku, limericks, prose, inspirations and memories are all encouraged. Mix it up daily or weekly, and get stoked to get back out there on the trail. Anyone joining the Arizona Trail Association or renewing their membership at $35+/year or $5/month will receive this...

On Friday, December 16 the Arizona Trail Association celebrated the grand opening of the Oak Tree Canyon Trailhead on the Coronado National Forest near the town of Sonoita. After having been closed for nearly 20 years due to natural and cultural resource impacts from off-highway vehicles, we were delighted to have been granted permission to construct a trailhead at this scenic location. In addition to earthwork and steel fence construction, the trailhead also includes two steel gates and an interpretive...

The Pinyon Plain Mine (formerly Canyon Mine) appears to be gearing up for uranium mining operations fewer than 10 miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and less than four miles from the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Hundreds more uranium mines could eventually be developed on public lands near Grand Canyon National Park if the Senate fails to pass Senate Bill 387, the Grand Canyon Protection Act. Operators of the controversial uranium mine recently posted a job ad...