On Saturday, October 9, hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts from across Arizona will stage themselves along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, ready to complete the entire trail in a single day. Each person will have a few miles to complete and 24 hours to do it. Want to join in the fun and help us make history? Register for free here. […]
Read moreThe Coconino and Kaibab National Forests will reopen to the public beginning 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6. This includes most of Passages 27 – 42 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The decision to reopen the forest was made based on the amount of recent rainfall that occurred across all three districts of the forest. Recreation technicians ask for […]
Read moreFlagstaff Business News (July 5, 2021) by Bonnie Stevens Billy Cordasco and Ryan Butler sat on a hilltop behind Cedar Ranch and watched as the Slate Fire pushed its way east through juniper, pinyon and ponderosa pine forest from Highway 180 toward the historic ranch house, barn, wells and pipeline north of the San Francisco Peaks. Cordasco, president and general […]
Read moreWorld Atlas (July 1, 2021) Arizona is located in the southwestern region of the United States. The State has diverse geography featuring volcanoes, mountains, canyons, plateaus, and deserts. Situated in the central part of the US State of Arizona, mostly within Gila County is the majestic Theodore Roosevelt Lake. This large lake is located in the Salt River Valley about 130km […]
Read more12 News (Jun 29, 2021) by Brahm Resnik In the wake of the devastating Telegraph wildfire east of the Valley, questions have been raised about the potential role of military aircraft in sparking the fire. Here’s what we know: Wildfire’s impact on area The wildfire has charred almost 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness and forced hundreds of people to evacuate. It […]
Read moreTucson Local Media (Jun 29, 2021) by Ireland Stevenson A hiker was found dead after embarking on the Arizona Trail near Oro Valley, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office reported last week. 71-year-old John “Jack” Menard started his hike on June 17. His hike itinerary included starting from American Flag Ranch in Oracle to the Gordon Hirabayashi Campground (about 18 miles south […]
Read morePathways Across America (Spring 2021) The cover of the Spring 2021 issue of Pathways Across America, the quarterly magazine of the Partnership for the National Trails System, features an image from the Arizona Trail Association’s Seeds of Stewardship program!
Read moreWe are excited to announce the release of our Summer 2021 long sleeve tech shirts and cycling jerseys, featuring an original design from Shannon Villegas inspired by the San Francisco Peaks Passage of the AZT. All proceeds from the sale of this product will directly benefit mountain bike projects on the AZT, including rollover gates, singletrack construction to replace roads, […]
Read moreThe Trek (June 23, 2021) by Kelly Floro Wildfires currently raging across Arizona have prompted full closures of several national forests within the state in the interest of public safety. The move effectively shuts down 300 miles of the Arizona Trail in the northern part of the state. Kaibab, Coconino, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests announced the closures on Tuesday afternoon, […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (Jun 22, 2021) by Sam McManis Whenever I step foot on a passage of the Arizona Trail, especially a segment that’s somewhat remote, I think about all those hardy (crazy?) thru-hikers who have traversed the 800-mile trail, in toto. How were they feeling at this point in their epic trek? Were they dehydrated, blister-sore and cursing the […]
Read moreAssociated Press (June 22, 2021) A 71-year-old hiker reported missing on Mount Lemmon has been found dead, authorities said Tuesday. Pima County Sheriff’s officials said the body of John “Jack” Menard was located about three miles northwest of the Gordon Hirabayahsi Campground. Menard started hiking the Arizona Trail on June 17 in Oracle and planned to hike from American Flag […]
Read moreAZ Big Media (June 22, 2021) Supporters of one of the state’s most important recreational trails are advocating for an injection of funding by the Arizona Legislature to help protect and advance this key resource. State funding is vital to the maintenance and protection of the Arizona Trail – the incredible 800-mile path from Mexico to Utah that connects deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, […]
Read moreThe Backbone Fire has forced a closure of the Arizona Trail west of the town of Pine. In the interest of public safety, AZT Passage 25 (Whiterock Mesa) and a portion of Passage 26 (Highline) is currently closed between East Verde River (mile 430) and Bray Creek (mile 462). Trail users are discouraged from visiting any portion of Passage 26 […]
Read moreRegistration for the AZT Virtual Adventure is now open. This do-it-yourself virtual event encourages you to set a mileage goal and track your progress along the 800-mile Arizona Trail. Pick a distance you feel comfortable with (50, 100, 200 or all 800 miles) and take as long as you need to get there. You can manually enter your mileage on our […]
Read moreUSA TODAY (June 11, 2021) by Dave Stamboulis The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a continuous footpath that runs roughly 800 miles from the Mexican border all the way across the state until reaching the Stateline Campground in Utah. The trail weaves through the Sonoran Desert and a selection of appropriately named “sky islands,” stretches of towering mountain ranges that […]
Read moreArizona Republic (June 9, 2021) by Mare Czinar Short, easy and scenic, the Sandy Seep Trail offers quick access to a network of routes on the east flanks of Mount Elden in northeast Flagstaff. While the 1.5-mile path makes for a sweet standalone hike, it also serves as an on-ramp for the 42-mile, city-circling Flagstaff Loop Trail and the 800-plus-mile, state-traversing […]
Read moreBackpacker Radio/The Trek (June 9, 2021) by Elise Ott In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by recurring guest, Steph Lotus aka Weezer, and her good pal, Dirty Avocado, as the duo recently wrapped a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail. This one is the mid-point between a trail overview and first person narrative of […]
Read moreKNAU (June 10, 2021) Crews continue to manage a fire about 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff; the Slate Fire has grown to about 2,000 acres, or about 3.1 square miles, according to a Wednesday morning report from Coconino National Forest officials. The fire prompted continued closures along Highway 180. Slate and Red Mountain trailheads, along with Kendrick Cabin and parts […]
Read moreABC News (June 8, 2021) by Kirsten Johnson Kicking their confidence into full gear, that’s the goal of a program in northern Arizona. Gear Girls empowers young women through mountain biking, trail work, and snow sports. Julie Polovitch, with Arizona Trail Association, said the girls-only setting helps young women step into roles they may not get the chance to hold […]
Read moreThe Slate Fire has forced a closure of the Arizona Trail north of Flagstaff near Babbitt Ranch. In the interest of public safety, the northern half of AZT Passage 34 (San Francisco Peaks) is currently closed between Kelly Tank (mile 603.3) and Cedar Ranch (mile 616.2). Trail users are discouraged from visiting Passage 35 (Babbitt Ranch) as the fire advances […]
Read moreThe Telegraph Fire is the first major wildfire of the season to force a closure of the Arizona Trail. In the interest of public safety, the AZT’s Passage 17 (Alamo Canyon) is currently closed, and trail users are discouraged from visiting Passage 18 (Reavis Canyon) in case the fire advances north of Highway 60. The Telegraph Fire was first reported […]
Read morePayson Roundup (May 28, 2021) by Michele Nelson Undaunted, my daughter trudged up the Highline/Arizona Trail from the Pine Trailhead. She walked this same stretch two years and a pandemic century ago — a different person. Brooke solo hiked the 800-mile Arizona Trail after obtaining an undergraduate degree in geology from ASU. She’s working on a master’s degree in geology […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (May 30, 2021) by Eric Newman A group of five girls, in grades fourth through eighth, spent a recent Saturday morning picking up trash in the forest, working on their respective mountain bikes and riding the Arizona Trail. The Gear Girls, a girls-only outdoor group, formed in 2017 with the intention of giving young girls a safe […]
Read moreDo you love trails? Does time spent on the Arizona Trail enrich your life? Then join us in celebrating National Trails Day® on Saturday, June 5 along with American Hiking Society and trail organizations nationwide! Here are just a few ways you can participate: Hit the Trail! Get out on the Arizona Trail, or any trail, on June 5th to […]
Read moreAZ Central (May 24, 2021) Click here to read about the top 14 things to do around Flagstaff this summer, including hiking, running or riding on Flagstaff’s world-famous trails — many of which connect to the Arizona Trail! Beautiful photos accompany all of the activities within the Arizona Trail’s premier gateway community.
Read moreDue to key criteria being met for restrictions, public lands throughout Arizona have implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in an effort to protect public health by reducing the number of preventable human-caused wildfires. Under Stage 2 restrictions, the following activities are prohibited: Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove including fires in developed campgrounds or improved […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (May 21, 2021) Check out all the great things to do in Northern Arizona here, including a mention of the Arizona Trail: 14. The Arizona Trail. For either a short jaunt or an expansive adventure, the Arizona Trail has been many years in the making and stretches 800 miles from Utah to Mexico, with several miles of […]
Read moreCronkite News (May 10, 2021) by Hunter Hippel Arizona is not just a desert. The state boasts six national forests, tied for the ninth-most for any state in the country. Approximately 15 percent of the state’s land is designated as forest, including the largest ponderosa pine forest in North America. Mountainous grassland and chaparral in the state’s “transition zone” separates the true desert and the woods, […]
Read morePayson Roundup (May 11, 2021) by Michele Nelson After six months, a grant, a donation, and hundreds of volunteer hours, the Arizona Trail Association has completed a re-route of one of the most hated portions of the Arizona Trail — Passage 25. The Arizona Trail marches up the middle of Arizona. It starts in the south at the Mexican border, […]
Read moreIf you love mountain biking and want to help make mountain biking a more equitable sport, consider joining our team as a Lead Coach! Gear Girls coaches serve as instructors and role models for the next generation of young women riders. Coaching with us is an opportunity to share your skillset, positively influence girls’ lives in your community, and combine […]
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