Arizona Republic (Jan 29, 2026) by Roger Naylor An extraordinary array of national park units — 34 in all, which include national monuments and historic sites in addition to parks — blanket Arizona from border to border. This is where we keep our most exquisite scenery, our storied history and wide-open spaces. Parks range from the volcanic sprawl of stone […]
Read moreAZ Family (Jan 28, 2026) by Michell Koch The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is set for a phased reopening this year after a devastating wildfire in 2025. Authorities closed the North Rim last year as the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed about 145,000 acres, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Grand Canyon National Park officials announced Wednesday that they will take an […]
Read moreWildflower are blooming across the Sonoran Desert, signaling an early start to Spring. This is shaping up to be a spectacular season for thru-hiking and biking the Arizona National Scenic Trail! However, 25.5 miles of the AZT within Grand Canyon National Park remain closed due to impacts from the Dragon Bravo Fire. Some exciting news is that 6 miles of […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Jan 25, 2026) by Shaun Mckinnon Every night for about eight weeks last fall, my phone buzzed with a text that its sender – Republic climate reporter Joan Meiners – called her “proof of life.” Sometimes the texts were from here and included updates on her day; sometimes they were sent by a satellite service that worked where […]
Read moreAs the Arizona Legislature kicked off its session in January, State Senator Wendy Rogers introduced SB1041. If passed, this bill will appropriate $500,000 to the Arizona Trail Fund. Established in 2006 to support Arizona Trail maintenance and construction, the Fund has only received intermittent support, but we are hopeful that after $0 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2024 that it […]
Read moreWe are excited to share highlights and successes from 2025 through our Annual Report. Inside these 12 pages you’ll find inspiring stories and photographs from: Volunteer Program Trail Operations Seeds of Stewardship Gear Girls AZT VETS Plus, a letter from our Executive Director; ATA Financial Report; and priorities for 2026. Check out the Annual Report HERE. Printed reports will be […]
Read moreKGUN (Jan 11, 2026) by JJ McKinney 15 years after the January 8th shooting in Tucson, dozens of community members gathered in Vail to honor the life and legacy of one of the victims who lost their lives that day. On January 8, 2011, a lone gunman opened fire at a constituent meeting, shooting 19 people, including then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Jan 10, 2026) by Sarah Lapidus Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords spoke to a group of hikers and community members in front of an image of a smiling, bearded young man who was killed 15 years ago in a mass shooting that almost took Giffords’ life. The man, Gabe Zimmerman, was one of the six people killed when […]
Read moreAZPM (Jan 12, 2026) by Thatcher Warrick Hess Gabe Zimmerman was the community outreach director for former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2011 and was killed in the January 8 shooting. He was 30 years old. Alongside his passion for politics, Gabe was a soccer player and athlete. His father Ross Zimmerman explained that he would hike with anyone who asked him. […]
Read moreNogales International (Jan 12, 2026) by Jorge Encinas A new single-track trail is making its way through the Santa Rita Mountains as part of an improvement to the Arizona Trail that will increase safety and add more dedicated non-motorized path to the 800-mile statewide system. The 10.7 miles under construction on the eastern side of the mountains runs from Oak […]
Read moreNavajo-Hopi Observer (Jan 13, 2025) by Aaron Chatters Being a lifelong hunter and fisher, I’ve always been an avid hiker as well. I travel wherever it is necessary to get meat for the table, but I rarely hike just for fun and almost never on a trail. My wife enjoys trail hiking as she can relax and enjoy nature, not […]
Read moreAs a lifelong hiker, starting as a Boy Scout, David Burkett was thrilled at the launching of the Arizona Trail. He volunteered, helped build, and hiked the Trail. He proudly displays his AZT volunteer of the year award plaque. David had a long, active and happy life. He was born in Dimmitt, TX in 1936. He attended West Texas College […]
Read moreSingletracks (January 9, 2026) by Greg Heil Greg set a personal record for miles ridden in 2025, and with it, came a whole lot of new trail exploration! Here are the best new trails that he discovered last year. I launched into 2025 with the goal of shattering my limiting beliefs, and man, did last year deliver! My top-line mileage goal […]
Read moreKVOA (Jan 6, 2026) by Marissa Orr A third remote rainwater collector was recently installed along the Arizona Trail. The new installation will allow visitors and wildlife a chance to access the water which is located in Redington Pass. According to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest, the Arizona Trail Association installed and designed the remote rainwater collector in […]
Read moreAZ Big Media (January 1, 2026) Spring in Arizona is synonymous with sunshine, baseball, and adventure—and nowhere is that spirit stronger than in Pinal County. Located in the heart of the state, between Phoenix and Tucson, this fast-growing region has become a favorite stop for visitors who want to pair their love of the game with unforgettable off-the-field experiences. Whether you’re […]
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