Arizona Republic (Feb 19, 2026) by Joan Meiners As a new poll shows overwhelming voter support for public lands, an Arizona bill proposes $500,000 for the Arizona Trail to offset federal funding cuts. Advocates say state funding alone is not enough to counter federal rollbacks of conservation rules. The Trump administration is reviewing or repealing several environmental regulations, including the […]
Read moreResults from Colorado College’s 16th annual State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll released today show widespread concern among Western voters about rollbacks of protections for land, water, and wildlife and cuts to funding for public land management. The poll, which surveyed voters in eight Mountain West states—Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—found […]
Read moreSFGATE (FEb 18, 2026) by Amanda Heidt It was a cool, breezy morning in early December when Myles Traphagen, the borderlands program coordinator for the conservation nonprofit Wildlands Network, joined a handful of people atop Coronado Peak in Arizona. Less than a mile from the U.S.-Mexico border, the mountain lies within Coronado National Memorial, a 5,000-acre stub of public land marking […]
Read moreSingletracks (Feb 18, 2026) by Greg Heil “I won’t rest until [the Arizona Trail] is an 800-mile trail between Mexico and Utah,” said Matthew Nelson, Executive Director of the Arizona Trail Association (AZTA). “So there’s about 80 miles right now that are co-located with dirt roads.” That 80-mile number used to be much higher. Over the past 10 years, Nelson estimates that […]
Read moreStarting March 15, Grand Canyon National Park will be issuing walk-up permits for AZT thru-hikers at Bright Angel Campground. Here are the walk-up permit procedures, specifically for AZT thru-hikers: Head to the South Rim Backcountry Information Center, located within Grand Canyon Village. If it is March 15 or later, inform the Ranger that you are thru-hiking the AZT and would […]
Read moreCustoms and Border Protection just announced that the next round of detonations within the Huachuca Mountains will occur on Wednesday, Feb 18 from 8 am to 1 pm, and Friday, Feb 20 from 10 am to 3 pm. The blast site is located 1,500 feet west of the southern terminus of the Arizona National Scenic Trail on lands managed by […]
Read moreYouTube (Feb 8, 2026) by Eric Hanson The Arizona Trail is one of the most iconic long trails in the country, as it runs 800 miles from The US – Mexico border up to Utah. For any thru-hiker, hiking the Grand Canyon State is an incredible achievement. But as of January 2026, construction resumed along the border in the Huachuca […]
Read moreArizona PBS (February 3, 2026) On February 19, 2026, a new documentary will premiere at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts titled “Trailblazers” about two brothers who walked across Arizona in the 1980s. Back in 1982, the Gillenwater brothers set out a plan to walk across Arizona with two mules. Their quest to pursue the frontier helped inspire what became […]
Read moreArizona 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 […]
Read moreAZ Family (Jan 28, 2026) by Michell Koch The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is set for a phased reopening this year after a devastating wildfire in 2025. Authorities closed the North Rim last year as the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed about 145,000 acres, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Grand Canyon National Park officials announced Wednesday that they will take an […]
Read moreWildflower are blooming across the Sonoran Desert, signaling an early start to Spring. This is shaping up to be a spectacular season for thru-hiking and biking the Arizona National Scenic Trail! However, 25.5 miles of the AZT within Grand Canyon National Park remain closed due to impacts from the Dragon Bravo Fire. Some exciting news is that 6 miles of […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Jan 25, 2026) by Shaun Mckinnon Every night for about eight weeks last fall, my phone buzzed with a text that its sender – Republic climate reporter Joan Meiners – called her “proof of life.” Sometimes the texts were from here and included updates on her day; sometimes they were sent by a satellite service that worked where […]
Read moreAs the Arizona Legislature kicked off its session in January, State Senator Wendy Rogers introduced SB1041. If passed, this bill will appropriate $500,000 to the Arizona Trail Fund. Established in 2006 to support Arizona Trail maintenance and construction, the Fund has only received intermittent support, but we are hopeful that after $0 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2024 that it […]
Read moreWe are excited to share highlights and successes from 2025 through our Annual Report. Inside these 12 pages you’ll find inspiring stories and photographs from: Volunteer Program Trail Operations Seeds of Stewardship Gear Girls AZT VETS Plus, a letter from our Executive Director; ATA Financial Report; and priorities for 2026. Check out the Annual Report HERE. Printed reports will be […]
Read moreKGUN (Jan 11, 2026) by JJ McKinney 15 years after the January 8th shooting in Tucson, dozens of community members gathered in Vail to honor the life and legacy of one of the victims who lost their lives that day. On January 8, 2011, a lone gunman opened fire at a constituent meeting, shooting 19 people, including then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Jan 10, 2026) by Sarah Lapidus Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords spoke to a group of hikers and community members in front of an image of a smiling, bearded young man who was killed 15 years ago in a mass shooting that almost took Giffords’ life. The man, Gabe Zimmerman, was one of the six people killed when […]
Read moreAZPM (Jan 12, 2026) by Thatcher Warrick Hess Gabe Zimmerman was the community outreach director for former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2011 and was killed in the January 8 shooting. He was 30 years old. Alongside his passion for politics, Gabe was a soccer player and athlete. His father Ross Zimmerman explained that he would hike with anyone who asked him. […]
Read moreNogales International (Jan 12, 2026) by Jorge Encinas A new single-track trail is making its way through the Santa Rita Mountains as part of an improvement to the Arizona Trail that will increase safety and add more dedicated non-motorized path to the 800-mile statewide system. The 10.7 miles under construction on the eastern side of the mountains runs from Oak […]
Read moreNavajo-Hopi Observer (Jan 13, 2025) by Aaron Chatters Being a lifelong hunter and fisher, I’ve always been an avid hiker as well. I travel wherever it is necessary to get meat for the table, but I rarely hike just for fun and almost never on a trail. My wife enjoys trail hiking as she can relax and enjoy nature, not […]
Read moreAs a lifelong hiker, starting as a Boy Scout, David Burkett was thrilled at the launching of the Arizona Trail. He volunteered, helped build, and hiked the Trail. He proudly displays his AZT volunteer of the year award plaque. David had a long, active and happy life. He was born in Dimmitt, TX in 1936. He attended West Texas College […]
Read moreSingletracks (January 9, 2026) by Greg Heil Greg set a personal record for miles ridden in 2025, and with it, came a whole lot of new trail exploration! Here are the best new trails that he discovered last year. I launched into 2025 with the goal of shattering my limiting beliefs, and man, did last year deliver! My top-line mileage goal […]
Read moreKVOA (Jan 6, 2026) by Marissa Orr A third remote rainwater collector was recently installed along the Arizona Trail. The new installation will allow visitors and wildlife a chance to access the water which is located in Redington Pass. According to the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest, the Arizona Trail Association installed and designed the remote rainwater collector in […]
Read moreAZ Big Media (January 1, 2026) Spring in Arizona is synonymous with sunshine, baseball, and adventure—and nowhere is that spirit stronger than in Pinal County. Located in the heart of the state, between Phoenix and Tucson, this fast-growing region has become a favorite stop for visitors who want to pair their love of the game with unforgettable off-the-field experiences. Whether you’re […]
Read moreWe are proud to announce the successful installation of the third remote rainwater collector along a particularly arid segment of the Arizona Trail, at Redington Pass on the Coronado National Forest. This steel structure contains a 1,500-gallon poly tank that fills with rain during the winter and will support hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians during the spring season. It will […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Dec 8, 2025) by Joan Meiners Rest of Day 35, Mile 800 (Passage 4: Casa Blanca Canyon) Traversing the Santa Rita Mountains toward the final passages of the trail manifested ups and downs in new dimensions. My conversation with Arizona Trail Association Director Matt Nelson at Kentucky Camp had been energizing after so much solitude on trail. But it also […]
Read moreQueen Creek Tribune (Dec 3, 2025) by Mary-Elizabeth Meagher When some people encounter a vending machine, they briefly scan its contents and continue on their way. But artist Anjelica Guzman’s keen eyes imagine creative possibilities. They led Guzman on a mission to combine her talent for graphic design, her passion for nature, and her connection with Downtown Mesa into an unconventional […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Dec 1, 2025) by Joan Meiners Republic reporter Joan Meiners talks with Matt Nelson about how climate change and other factors might affect the future of the Arizona Trail. Watch the video here.
Read moreArizona Republic (Dec 1, 2025) by Joan Meiners Day 30, Mile 683 (Passage 11e: Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass) At the top of the climb up Mount Lemmon to Summerhaven, I hit a limit of low temperatures I was equipped to survive with the layers I had carried with me nearly 700 miles across the state. So I booked a night […]
Read moreWe just added some wonderful Arizona Trail Merch for trail lovers: Sun Hoodies (sage and raspberry colors) Bandanas (new design for 2026) Ornaments (3D ornaments for the holiday season or all year ’round) License plate covers Socks Hats and more Visit our online Store to see the goods. All proceeds support the Arizona Trail Association and our mission to protect […]
Read moreCronkite News (November 26, 2025) by Tufan Neupane Environmental groups in Arizona are raising alarms over President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management, former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce. Pearce’s long record of supporting the sale of public land, opposing protection of national monuments and pushing to expand oil and gas extraction, they say, makes him unfit […]
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