The 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 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 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 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 […]
Read moreAfter a year of research and gathering input from Arizona Trail users like you, the ATA is proud to release its final report on Perceptions of Conflict Surrounding Future E-Bike Use on the Arizona Trail. This research was motivated by changes in how federal agencies are managing electric-motorized bicycles (e-bikes) and Secretarial Order 3376, which may allow e-bikes on non-motorized […]
Read moreDisplay your love for the Arizona Trail with original jewelry handcrafted in Flagstaff. Backcountry guide and jewelry artist Ryanne Sebern has created a stunning line of silver earrings and necklaces with copper accents inspired by the AZT. She has also added stamped designs to appeal to hikers (boot print), equestrians (horseshoe), and mountain bikers (bike). Six different designs are available to choose from at […]
Read moreDid you know the Arizona Trail Association relies on you to understand current trail conditions? You’re the eyes, boots, wheels and hooves on the trail, and most of what we know about current trail conditions comes from trail users like you. That’s why we encourage you to communicate things like downed trees, blowouts from erosion, fallen signs, litter, bees, and […]
Read moreOn August 4, the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law. This is the most important piece of conservation legislation in half a century! The Act provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protect lands and waters Americans treasure most, and improves access to the outdoors for urban communities. The Act also dedicates […]
Read moreToday, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act by an overwhelming majority (310–107). It is now on its way to be signed by the President, and within the next 10 days will become the most significant piece of conservation legislation in a generation. The Act provides full and permanent funding for the […]
Read moreWater is the most important resource along the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. Where to find it, how reliable the source may be, and the quality of the water is vital to any long-distance trail adventure on foot, mountain bike or equine. Working with our friends at Atlas Guides, we are proud to introduce the Arizona Trail Water Report. This […]
Read moreCustoms and Border Protection (CBP) announced their plans today to construct two miles of border barriers through the Huachuca Mountains within Coronado National Memorial and across the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Beginning Monday, July 13 the southernmost two miles of the Trail will be closed in the interest of public safety during construction activities. Click here to send a pre-formatted […]
Read moreThe Arizona Trail Association (ATA) stands in support of Black Lives Matter and issues impacting Indigenous and other People of Color. We recognize they have faced hardship and discrimination for too long, and we want to help everyone reach a place of fairness, equality and cooperation. One way we already work to be ever more inclusive is with our Seeds […]
Read moreTrail construction on the 32-mile Temporal Gulch Reroute Project has begun! A crew of four American Conservation Experience trail professionals and a mini-excavator operator – Rob Bauer of Bauer Built Trails – have been hard at work building singletrack in the Canelo Hills. Watch this 30-second time-lapse video for a snapshot of what they’re up to. Once completed, this project […]
Read moreAnyone who has visited the Highline Passage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail over the past few years will remember the ditch that bisected the trail near Geronimo Spring. The chasm has grown deeper and more dangerous with every storm, creating a significant safety hazard for trail users. Thanks to funding from the State of Arizona and a collaborative effort […]
Read moreA new report is now available from Arizona State Parks and Trails and the University of Arizona highlighting the economic value of trails to Arizona residents, based on the benefits to those using them. Economic Value of Trails in Arizona – A Travel Cost Method Study estimates statewide demand for motorized and non-motorized trails and highlights the importance of providing […]
Read moreYesterday I spent a few hours exploring the Arizona Trail in southern Arizona. Ocotillo flowers created a bright red canopy while yellow brittlebush and pink penstemon decorated the desert floor. Everyone I encountered along the trail was smiling and enjoying a beautiful spring day outdoors. The trail was in great condition, and I noticed recent signs of tread repair and […]
Read moreAZT Thru-Hiker/Thru-Rider IMPORTANT Updates (March 18, 2020) If you are currently thru-hiking or thru-riding the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) then you’re probably in one of the safest places imaginable. The AZT is an ideal place to practice social distancing to help fight the spread of COVID-19. However, recent events locally and nationally mean your long-distance adventure is about to […]
Read more“Through the Great Southwest” is a documentary film about the Arizona Trail. The trail, which showcases amazingly beautiful and diverse terrain, has an equally significant impact on the lives of many of the people who hike, ride, run, and support it across the state of Arizona. Outdoor Evolution Founder Darwin Rakestraw makes his directorial debut with this Film Project inspired […]
Read moreThe Arizona Trail Association is proud to share our 2019 Annual Report with you. The Annual Report includes highlights of our most successful projects from throughout 2019 as well as our top priorities for 2020. The Annual Report was given to everyone who attended the Annual Members Meeting on February 1 at the Desert Botanical Garden, and it’s now available […]
Read moreThe popular Arizona Trail Topo Maps are now available through the Avenza mobile app. All 129 of the detailed topo maps can be downloaded from the Avenza store and stored to your mobile device. Once they’re downloaded, the maps work offline and without cell phone connectivity. You can use the maps to find your exact location along the trail using […]
Read moreJust when you thought 800 miles couldn’t be accomplished any quicker, a 24-year-old super hiker from Yorkshire, United Kingdom recently completed the entire length of the Arizona National Scenic Trail in 14 days, 12 hours, 21 minutes. He averaged over 55 miles per day without a day of rest and overcame a stress fracture in his tibia to become the […]
Read moreOn August 30-31, a dedicated crew of eight Arizona Trail Association volunteers joined Assistant Trail Director Zach MacDonald to venture into a particularly remote segment of the Arizona Trail to install an AZT Rainwater Collector. This unit is the first of its kind and was designed by the Arizona Trail Association and metalsmith extraordinaire Rob Bauer in consultation with sustainability […]
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