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 hoodoos crowning Chiricahua National Monument to the gaudy badlands of Petrified Forest National Park to the miles of seductive shoreline at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. And there’s even a certain canyon known to steal hearts and alter lives.

Last year brought cutbacks to staff and funding, putting a strain on our national parks. Let’s show our support in 2026 by rediscovering these crown jewels. To get you started, here are 10 of the best hiking trails in Arizona’s national parks.

Coronado National Memorial, Joe’s Canyon Trail

This lanky route traverses Montezuma Canyon gaining 1,000 feet of elevation in the first mile as it switchbacks up with lovely views. Out of the canyon, you’ll cross the slanted grasslands of Smuggler’s Ridge while peering deep into the green rolling hills of Sonora, Mexico. When you reach the junction with the Yaqui Ridge Trail, this is more than just two paths crossing. This is the beginning of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The 800-mile-long iconic trail stretches the entire length of the state from Mexico to Utah, and Yaqui Ridge is the southern terminus. Joe’s Canyon Trail ends at the high saddle of Montezuma Pass. Return the way you came for a 6.2-mile round-trip hike. The park occasionally runs a hiker shuttle so that only a one-way hike is necessary.

 

To read the entire article online, complete with inspiring photographs, click here.