Camping Restrictions Within Washington Fire Burn Area

The Tonto National Forest is advising thru-hikers and visitors to avoid camping near drainages recently impacted by the Washington Fire along Passage 26 (Highline). This includes 2 miles between Chase Creek (AZT mile 477.1) and the two drainages to the east (mile 479.0). Beware of flash floods, debris flows and other hazards downstream of burned areas!

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We sometimes disagree, but not on this: Selling public lands would ruin Arizona

Arizona Republic (August 15, 2025) by Scott Garlid, Matthew Nelson, Dan Stellar and Don McDowell As representatives from diverse organizations that depend on public lands, we don’t always agree on every policy or management practice. But there is one issue we are unequivocally united on: Congress should not be in the business of selling off public lands to the highest […]

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2025 Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Awards

The National Park Service (NPS) Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Awards are the agency’s annual recognition of outstanding contributions to wilderness stewardship by an individual, team, and external partner, including those involving interpretation and education; management of natural, cultural, and social resources; planning; protection; and maintenance operations. Award recipients are nominated by fellow NPS staff and selected by an interdisciplinary panel. […]

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International Thru-Hikers Are Being Denied Entry to the U.S.: Here’s What Backpackers Should Know

Backpacker (July 15, 2025) by Alexandra Gillespie Reports of thru-hikers facing rejection and even detention at the U.S. border have left some backpackers questioning whether to cancel their long-planned trips. For hikers flying to the U.S., the most unpredictable stretch of the trip might arrive before the first mile. In recent months, hiking hopefuls with valid visas and detailed itineraries […]

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66 Miles of Arizona Trail Closed Due To Wildfires

The White Sage Fire and Dragon Bravo Fire have forced 66 miles of the Arizona Trail to close from The Tipoff (4.4 miles north of the South Kaibab Trailhead) on the South Rim of Grand Canyon to Orderville Trailhead at Hwy 89A. Both fires started from lightning strikes in July and are being managed by the Kaibab National Forest, Grand […]

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7 of the Best Bikepacking Trips Across the U.S.

Outside Magazine (July 2025) by Graham Averill Load up your bike and disappear into America’s wildest places on these incredible multi-day rides… Coconino Loop, Coconino National Forest, Arizona  Distance: 240 miles Duration: Seven days Highlights: Slick rock, canyons galore The Coconino Loop is 240 miles of singletrack and dirt roads through the canyons and peaks of Northern Arizona, combining some of the best trails and […]

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White Sage Fire prompts evacuations of Jacob Lake and Grand Canyon’s North Rim

ABC 15 Arizona (July 10, 2025) Evacuations have been ordered for the area north of Jacob Lake, in northern Arizona, due to the White Sage Fire. Jacob Lake is located southeast of Fredonia along U.S. Highway 89A. The White Sage Fire is currently at 1,000 acres and 0% containment. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued a “GO” evacuation order on […]

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White Sage Fire Forces Evacuation of Grand Canyon North Rim, Kaibab Plateau & Jacob Lake

Coconino County Emergency Management has issued the following evacuation notices for the White Sage Fire, which started on July 10 and has already grown to 8,700 acres. GO STATUS – EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY – All areas NORTH of Jacob Lake – All areas SOUTH of Jacob Lake to Forest Service Road 212 – All North Rim Grand Canyon visitors SET STATUS […]

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Operation Freedom March on the Arizona Trail

Calling all military veterans, their families, and supporters…you are invited to participate in the first Arizona Trail Operation Freedom March. This year-long initiative starts July 4, 2025 and concludes on July 4, 2026, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Operation Freedom March challenges participants to hike, ride, or horseback ride sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail until ALL 800 […]

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Arizona Trail Fund Hacked From State Budget

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. […]

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Public Lands Sell Off Averted

Thanks to supporters like you who contacted members of Congress, an amendment within the federal budget that would have sold off millions of acres that belongs to all Americans has been removed. By reaching out to your representatives and telling them how important National Forests, BLM lands, and the Arizona Trail are to you and future generations, we were able […]

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Oracle Firewise: The Tale of Two Fires

Copper Area News (June 21, 2025) The Tri-Community has had two recent fires centered in or around the town of Oracle. Oracle Fire District personnel were joined by Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with CERT and Firewise volunteers, at the Firewise meeting in Oracle on June 11, 2025. Community members were also in attendance. The recent Cedar […]

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Feds award $309M contract for 27 miles of border wall in Arizona’s Tucson sector

Arizona Republic (June 20, 2025) by Raphael Romero Ruiz U.S. Customs and Border Protection awarded more than $309 million to Fisher Sand and Gravel Co. to build 27 miles of border wall in Arizona’s Tucson Sector. This is the second contract for border wall construction awarded since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The new project will use […]

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Comprehensive Plan Signed for Arizona National Scenic Trail

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 […]

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Little America Hotel in Flagstaff closing access to social trails across property; Arizona National Scenic Trail to remain open

Arizona Daily Sun (June 11, 2025) by Sam McLaughlin Little America Hotel is in the process of rebuilding the fence line around its 530-acre property and will soon be closing off access to unauthorized but long-established social trails that crisscross the forested land. Tony O’Brien, vice president of operations for parent company Grand America Hotels and Resorts, said the change […]

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Arizona Trail Supports Wildfire Prevention & Emergency Response

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 […]

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Payson, Pine picking up the pace on trails

Payson Roundup (June 10, 2025) by Paul Aleshire A feel-good proclamation. A do-good grant application. Trails have become a hot topic all across Rim Country – from Payson to Pine. So Payson last week declared the second week in June to be “National Recreation Highline Trail Week.” Payson Ranger District Recreational Manager Angie Abel was on hand to dole out […]

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Binational ‘border happening’ celebrates San Rafael Valley as DHS prepares to build new wall

Tucson Sentinel (June 5, 2025) by Paul Ingram As the Trump administration plans to erect 35 miles of new border barriers, environmentalists gathered last weekend in a Southern Arizona hamlet to trade food and songs during a bi-national “border happening.” Under the shade of large, decades-old cottonwood trees, a man from the nearby village of Santa Cruz, Sonora, played a […]

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