Hike of the Week: Arizona National Scenic Trail, Saddle Mountain Passage

Phoenix Magazine (March 17, 2024) by Mare Czinar Officially the closest Arizona Trail entry point to the Valley, the dirt pullout at Bushnell Tanks on State Route 87 half way between Fountain Hills and Payson, provides access to Arizona’s geological transition zone—a swath of mountain ranges and long valleys created over eons of volcanic activity, seismic uplifts and intermittent sea […]

Read more

Comprehensive Plan for the Arizona Trail Released — Please Comment!

The USDA Forest Service just released the Draft Comprehensive Plan for the Arizona National Scenic Trail, and you’re invited to comment! This 196-page document details how the Forest Service and all agencies will cooperatively manage the trail in perpetuity alongside the Arizona Trail Association, private landowners, and other partners. We have been waiting almost 14 years for this plan. Your […]

Read more

New AZT Wool Blend Socks

Show your love for the AZT by wearing these Wooleater® socks from DeFeet, which feature a plum topographic line print of the Colossal Cave Mountain Park area (Arizona Trail Passage 8). These high-top socks are made for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, backpackers, equestrians, and anyone who prefers Merino wool to other materials. Wool stays cool in heat, warm in cold, […]

Read more

Camping Ban Near Flagstaff Impacts Passages 31, 32, 33, 34

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 […]

Read more

New National Monument Includes Protection for 40 Miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail

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 […]

Read more

Special Membership Offer for the Month of May

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 […]

Read more

1,500-Gallon Rainwater Collector Installed on Arid Section of Arizona Trail

The Trek (May 12023) by Rachel Shoemaker The Arizona Trail Association recently installed a 1,500-gallon Remote Rainwater Collector along an arid segment of trail in Passage 15 in Pinal County.  The installation of this collector, which was completed on April 6, is a welcome addition that will bring much-needed relief to hikers on this 28.1-mile dry stretch of trail. The unit, which is the […]

Read more

Rainwater Collector Installed Along Arid Segment of Arizona Trail in Pinal County

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 […]

Read more

New National Monument Proposal Would Protect Forty Miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail South of Grand Canyon National Park

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 […]

Read more

Walking between two worlds

White Mountain Independent (March 22, 2023) by Michele Nelson Meandering along the face of the 2,000-foot-tall Mogollon Rim, the Highline Trail threads the boundary between ponderosa pine and pinyon juniper forests. The soaring cliffs capture storms, creating springs, drainages and hidden canyons. These storms and the Rim’s geology provide a unique ecological meeting place for plants and animals from the […]

Read more

We are Hiring An Administrative Director

We are excited to announce an employment opportunity with the Arizona Trail Association! The Administrative Director is a core member of the ATA staff and is responsible for overseeing administrative details, bookkeeping, payroll, membership, public engagement, and a variety of duties to ensure the success of the organization. Experience with nonprofit financial bookkeeping and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles is required, […]

Read more

Award-winning author Tom Zoellner explores his relationship with Arizona in his latest book, written while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail

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 […]

Read more

History PhD candidate turns 46-day walk into a love letter to Arizona

ASU News (Feb 28, 2023) by Scott Bordow Award-winning author Tom Zoellner explores his relationship with AZ in his latest book Tom Zoellner was born in Colorado but he’s an Arizonan through and through. His great-great-grandfather was a cotton farmer on Homestead Act land near Papago Buttes. Zoellner went to elementary school and high school in Arizona, and later worked […]

Read more

The Arizona Trail Association Supports Federal Climate and Clean Energy Investments

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 […]

Read more

So Far. So Good.

Arizona Highways (February 2023) by Kelly Vaughn I’VE LOST ROB KRAR. Well, kind of. It’s midafternoon on a Thursday, and we’re running a segment of the Arizona Trail near the San Francisco Peaks. Krar detours into the woods. So, I am — if only briefly — outpacing one of the world’s elite endurance athletes. Within seconds, though, I hear him, […]

Read more

Poll Results Show Overwhelming Support for Arizona Trail & Arizona’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

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 […]

Read more

Tip Off Toilet Closed Feb 23-March 27

Inside Grand Canyon National Park, the composting toilet facility at the Tip Off on the South Kaibab Trail will be closed February 23-March 27 for maintenance. There will be no restroom facilities available for public use during this time. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at Cedar Ridge or at Phantom Ranch. […]

Read more

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 […]

Read more

The Top 5 Women’s FKTs of 2022

Trail Runner Magazine (January 3, 2023) by Brian Metzler The FKT of the Year voting panel was asked to select the top five women’s FKTs of 2022 (from a pool of 22 finalists culled by the Fastest Known Time staff) and rank them in order from first to fifth. Katie Brown’s Arizona Trail FKT was second with 60 points. Brown […]

Read more
1 2 3 9