If your thru-hike or thru-ride is scheduled for Spring of ‘22, you picked a prime time! With decent winter precipitation and mild temperatures, chances are this Spring could be an epic wildflower year with fresh flowing streams and pleasant weather. But no promises. The one thing you can be sure of is the adventure of a lifetime. The Arizona Trail […]
Read moreEvery five years, the Arizona Trail Association develops a Strategic Plan to help guide staff and board strive as they fulfill the mission and vision of the organization. As annual work plans are developed and as issues arise, the Strategic Plan provides the framework for sound decision-making. Thanks to input from ATA members and the hard work of the Board […]
Read moreWhether you’re hiking, running, biking, riding, or rolling along the Arizona Trail, wrap yourself in one of these versatile and stylish neck gaiters, featuring the official critter of the Arizona National Scenic Trail: the Gila Monster. It’s the ultimate trail accessory — providing skin protection and a cloth face covering when you need it. Use it as a sun guard/wind […]
Read moreThe National Park Service announced on December 30 that the southernmost mile of the Arizona Trail will reopen again on December 31 after a nearly 18-month closure. “We look forward to reopening the first passage of the Arizona Trail (AZT) this week,” said Southeast Arizona Parks Superintendent Matthew Carroll. “During the spring hiking season, many begin their northward journey at Monument 102 on the US/Mexico border within Coronado National Memorial. […]
Read moreThe 5th annual AZT Oracle Rumble presented by Summit Hut takes place on Saturday, January 29th near the beautiful, historic town of Oracle — located one hour north of Tucson in the shadow of the mighty Santa Catalina Mountains on the ancestral lands of the Tohono O’odham and Ndee (Western Apache). The trail running event is mostly singletrack around and […]
Read moreWe’re excited to introduce the Official Footwear of the Arizona Trail, created by our friends at Erem. Erem is the first outdoor brand designed from the ground up for desert performance and made with progressive environmental standards. Erem’s products are Biocircular™, meaning they only use materials with 100% proven paths back to nature and can be re-streamed at the end […]
Read moreFor the past four years, we’ve invited the Arizona Trail community to help us complete the entire length of the Arizona Trail in 24 hours through our ambitious AZT in a DAY initiative. This year, on October 9, at least 431 people participated. There were 357 hikers, 30 runners, 17 mountain bikers, and 27 equestrians. At least 91 family and friends […]
Read moreEarlier this year we asked active members of the Arizona Trail Association to participate in a survey to help inform our organization’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2026. A total of 763 ATA members took the survey (that’s more than 33%) and shared their thoughts and opinions about the greatest assets and challenges facing the trail and the ATA. Both quantitative and […]
Read moreOn September 20, the Arizona Trail Association released a three-minute video essay featuring a diverse collection of outdoor enthusiasts urging Arizona’s US Senators to protect the Arizona National Scenic Trail by fighting climate change. The video includes inspiring imagery from various passages along the Arizona National Scenic Trail as well as footage of wildfires and extreme weather events that threaten the […]
Read moreRegister today to hike, run or ride a segment of the 800-mile Arizona Trail, and help make history as we attempt to complete the entire trail in one day. Together, we can do it! Choose your segment and register for free today by visiting our AZT in a DAY event page. If you have any questions, please email karrie@aztrail.org.
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 moreNow that monsoons have returned (with a vengeance), it’s important to avoid wet trails. As tempting as it may be to head for the hills after a storm, the hard work that our trail stewards and volunteers do to maintain the Arizona Trail can be destroyed when people hike and ride on muddy trails. The damage that feet, tires and […]
Read moreHave you ever wanted to learn more about what happens at ATA volunteer events? Whether you’re just curious and want to know more before you come or you’re a regular volunteer who wants to know more about why we’re digging in that particular spot, the videos created for our Video Trail Skills Institute are just what you need! If you watch […]
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 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 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 […]
Read moreWe are excited to share the latest Arizona Trail Commemorative Mug! Handmade by Deneen Pottery, this fourth mug in the series features a scene of Grand Canyon National Park from the South Kaibab Trail portion of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, complete with a pair of California condors. These robust vessels are finished with a colored glaze inspired by the […]
Read moreWe are delighted to share the news that the Alder Ridge Project is now complete. Thanks to the hard work of conservation corps members from American Conservation Experience, machine operator extraordinaire Rob Bauer, and Arizona Trail Association (ATA) staff and volunteers, there is now 6.7 miles of new trail on the Tonto National Forest. Please join us in celebrating this […]
Read moreThe Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) at the University of Arizona invites you to join them in exploring the Arizona Trail during the month of April while also recognizing the ancestral lands upon which we hike, run, pedal and ride. To participate in this wellness challenge and cultural education initiative, post a photo from your AZT adventure on Instagram, […]
Read moreYour support is needed to help us reach our fundraising goal this Spring to support construction of the Temporal Gulch Reroute Project. Please DONATE securely online today! Our goal is to raise enough money between March 22 – April 3 to sustain the next phase of trail construction. This project will remove the AZT from 17 miles of paved and […]
Read moreAfter the hottest, driest year on record, precipitation has finally returned to Arizona, blanketing much of the state with rain and snow over the past week. As hundreds of individuals make their journey north on the Arizona Trail, this surprise springtime weather will be a blessing — replenishing natural water sources, sustaining wildlife, and giving every plant clinging to life […]
Read moreThe Grand Canyon Protection Act passed the U.S House of Representatives today! This important conservation legislation would protect the Arizona Trail from dangerous uranium mining north and south of Grand Canyon National Park. Thank you, Congressman Raul Grijalva, and all Representatives who voted in favor of the Act (Gallego, Kirkpatrick, O’Halleran, Stanton). Now, it’s on to the Senate. Please encourage your […]
Read moreThe southern mile of the Arizona Trail and the southern terminus remain closed and off limits to the public. The trail and terminus have been closed since border wall construction began in July of 2020. A total of 1,250 feet of cement-filled steel barriers have been installed near Border Monument #102. Although President Biden’s Proclamation on January 20, 2021 terminated […]
Read moreIf you missed the ATA’s Annual Members Meeting on Saturday, February 6, the Zoom Webinar is now on our Facebook page and also on our YouTube channel. If you are a member, donor, volunteer, business partner, agency staff, grantor, gateway community representative, trail angel, or general lover of the Arizona National Scenic Trail — THANK YOU for your support.
Read moreOn Friday, February 5 the Tonto National Forest rescinded the Bush Fire Closure Order that has affected over 32 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail’s Passages 20 (Four Peaks) and 21 (Pine Mountain) since the Bush Fire started in June of 2020. Thanks to the hard work of the Arizona Trail Association, Arizona Conservation Corps and Conservation Corps New […]
Read moreAs we embrace a New Year and look forward to a healthier 2021, the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) invites you to experience the Arizona National Scenic Trail on foot, mountain bike or horseback along 800 scenic and diverse miles between Mexico and Utah. This letter is specifically intended for those attempting a thru-hike or thru-ride in the Spring of 2021, […]
Read moreAll of us at the Arizona Trail Association wish you a healthy and happy New Year filled with outdoor adventures, inspiring landscapes, and quality time with friends. Remember, the Arizona Trail is your trail. We invite you to explore and enjoy it, and also to Join, Volunteer and Donate to support our mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the […]
Read moreThe Bureau of Land Management’s Arizona Strip Field Office recently rescinded the fire closure order that has kept the Buckskin Mountain Passage off-limits since the Pine Hollow Fire started in July 2020. The northernmost 10.6 miles of trail between Winter Road and Stateline Campground are open again, but all Arizona Trail adventurers should use caution within the burn zone. Falling […]
Read moreSince March, more people have been heading into the great outdoors than ever before. We are proud that the Arizona Trail has received record visitation, and provides a safe outdoor space at a time when we need it most. If you’re among the many who have visited the AZT and Arizona’s public lands during the pandemic, we want to hear […]
Read moreWe are pleased to premier our new Trail Skills Institute Video Series on the ATA’s Youtube channel. The videos were produced in partnership with Flagline Trails, American Conservation Experience (ACE) and Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) by Outdoor Evolution Media. They are being filmed in various locations across the state and include tips on trail maintenance in the wide variety of […]
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