Despite widespread outreach from members, donors, volunteers, gateway community representatives, and trail users like you, the Arizona Legislature did not include a single dollar for the Arizona Trail Fund in our state’s fiscal year 2026 budget. This fund was established in 2006 to support trail construction and maintenance, and is matched by private donations, federal grants, and volunteer labor contributions. Over the years, the fund has received anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000, and there have been some years where no money was appropriated at all. We are disheartened to report that FY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) will also be one of those years with no state funding.

The Arizona Trail Fund directly supports state-approved contractors to conduct priority trail construction and maintenance projects that are often beyond the ability of most of our volunteer corps. Last year, the Arizona Trail Fund received $100,000 and supported four major trail maintenance projects, and two wildfire rehabilitation projects. These funds flow directly from Arizona State Parks & Trails to the contractors, with the ATA providing planning, oversight, logistics and staff support (no state money is provided to the ATA as we are not a state-approved trail contractor). We advocate for this funding as it directly supports our mission, and often frees up financial resources we would have spent on trail construction and maintenance for Volunteer, AZT VETS, Seeds of Stewardship, Gear Girls, and other important programs.

“I’m disappointed in the lack of state funding for the Arizona National Scenic Trail,” said Karen Gresham, ATA Board President. “The trail is truly a point of pride that requires year-round maintenance. People from around the world come to Arizona to experience the AZT, and local residents enjoy it on a daily basis. This is an investment that comes back to the state more than seven times over through our outdoor recreation economy. It has never been more important to protect natural, cultural, recreational and economic resources like the Arizona Trail.”

In addition to being an internationally renowned recreational resource for hikers, runners, backpackers, mountain bikers and equestrians, the AZT also supports wildfire prevention and emergency response. By maintaining the trail, our staff, volunteers and contractors reduce fuels on-the-ground and the AZT is an 800-mile fire break. Wildland firefighters often use the Arizona Trail to access remote areas to fight fires, and trail users are known to be the first to report wildfires.

“It’s hard to believe that Arizona’s only State Scenic Trail and National Scenic Trail is not being supported by our state,” said ATA Executive Director Matthew Nelson. “A modest request for $250,000 is only 0.00141% of our state’s operating budget. The Arizona Trail contributes to our state’s $14 billion annual outdoor recreation economy in a big way, and our dedicated volunteers contribute more than $700,000 in labor each year. For the Governor’s Office and State Legislature to forget about the Arizona Trail Fund entirely is just embarrassing,” he said.

If you feel inspired to reach out to your state representatives to share your disappointment and encourage them to prioritize funding for the Arizona Trail next year, now is the time to do that. You can find contact information for your state legislators here.