Backpacker (Nov 15, 2025) by Adam Roy For more than 30 years, Arizona Trail hikers have celebrated their achievements at Monument 102, a stone obelisk that marks the U.S.-Mexico border and the southern end of the path. Whether kicking off an 800-mile adventure or celebrating the end of the journey of a lifetime, they could slip through the two-strand barbed […]

Backpacker (Nov 7, 2025) by Adam Roy Hikers can no longer access the monument at the Arizona Trail’s (AZT) southern terminus after the Department of Homeland Security blocked it off with razor wire, the nonprofit that helps manage the famed long trail said. In an Instagram post on November 6, the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) wrote that contractors for the DHS had […]

The Trek (Nov 7, 2025) by Kelly Floro Contractors for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have reportedly installed concertina wire blocking access to the southern terminus of the Arizona Trail, according to the Arizona Trail Association (ATA). The 800-mile national scenic trail begins at Border Monument 102 just north of the Mexican border, within Coronado National Memorial, and terminates […]

Arizona Republic (Nov 3, 2025) by Joan Meiners Day 12, Mile 309 (Passage 31: Walnut Canyon) Riding my trail rig through Flagstaff on busy streets felt strange after a week in the wilderness. But the car traffic was reasonably courteous about sharing the road, and the miles on a paved surface to reconnect with the singletrack felt easy. That didn’t […]

Arizona Republic (October 27, 2025) by Joan Meiners Day 7, Mile 196 (Passage 37: Grand Canyon South Rim) From the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, I cruised south on a paved, downhill path out of the park toward Tusayan, riding with Ryan Choi, an ecologist in from Alaska and an old friend. It was a cool, sunny morning and we were […]

Arizona Republic (October 20, 2025) by Joan Meiners Editor’s note: Over seven weeks this fall, Arizona Republic climate reporter Joan Meiners is biking the length of the 850-mile Arizona Trail from Utah to Mexico to report on how climate change is affecting the state’s landscapes and communities. You can follow her journey in a series of weekly dispatches, beginning with this one, which […]

Arizona Republic (August 15, 2025) by Scott Garlid, Matthew Nelson, Dan Stellar and Don McDowell As representatives from diverse organizations that depend on public lands, we don’t always agree on every policy or management practice. But there is one issue we are unequivocally united on: Congress should not be in the business of selling off public lands to the highest […]

Arizona Daily Sun (August 15, 2025) by Sam McLaughlin A month after two major fires roared into life in northern Coconino County, the end of active firefighting operations seems to be finally approaching. The White Sage Fire has been contained after burning almost 60,000 acres, and the Dragon Bravo Fire, though still active in some areas, is slowly coming under […]

The National Park Service (NPS) Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Awards are the agency’s annual recognition of outstanding contributions to wilderness stewardship by an individual, team, and external partner, including those involving interpretation and education; management of natural, cultural, and social resources; planning; protection; and maintenance operations. Award recipients are nominated by fellow NPS staff and selected by an interdisciplinary panel. […]

azfamily.com ~ By Steven Sarabia Jul. 23, 2025 PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Devastating wildfires in northern Arizona continue to threaten popular trails that draw people from around the world. “Seeing how much damage was done at the north rim with the buildings being destroyed, it is really disappointing, said Hiker Samantha Pinkley. “I mean it’s just, it’s unfortunate,” said hiker Stan […]

Backpacker (July 15, 2025) by Alexandra Gillespie Reports of thru-hikers facing rejection and even detention at the U.S. border have left some backpackers questioning whether to cancel their long-planned trips. For hikers flying to the U.S., the most unpredictable stretch of the trip might arrive before the first mile. In recent months, hiking hopefuls with valid visas and detailed itineraries […]

Outside Magazine (July 2025) by Graham Averill Load up your bike and disappear into America’s wildest places on these incredible multi-day rides… Coconino Loop, Coconino National Forest, Arizona  Distance: 240 miles Duration: Seven days Highlights: Slick rock, canyons galore The Coconino Loop is 240 miles of singletrack and dirt roads through the canyons and peaks of Northern Arizona, combining some of the best trails and […]

KVOA-TV (July 9, 2025) by Marissa Orr A 67-year-old hiker from Alvarado, Texas, tragically passed away after hiking at Grand Canyon National Park. Officials said the incident happened on July 8, 2025, on the South Kaibab Trail. The hiker was returning from Skeleton Point and was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay, according to officials. The hiker was […]

KVOA (July 4, 2025) Arizona’s military community begins 800-mile trail adventure. Watch the Operation Freedom March promo, featured on KVOA-TV here.

Treeline Review (June 26, 2025) by Meg Carney A fast-moving proposal in the U.S. Senate threatens to open the door to one of the largest public land sales in modern history. Buried within the Senate’s recent budget bill, a provision would require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sell off at least public lands they manage in 11 Western […]

Mountain Getaway (June 27, 2025) Dotting America’s mountain towns, wilderness, and shores are incredible trails for trail runners. They often weave through state and national forests, over sweeping landscapes, and along shimmering bodies of water. It makes for a perfect way to enjoy some of the most beautiful parts of America while getting in a workout. It’s a win-win. But […]

Copper Area News (June 21, 2025) The Tri-Community has had two recent fires centered in or around the town of Oracle. Oracle Fire District personnel were joined by Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with CERT and Firewise volunteers, at the Firewise meeting in Oracle on June 11, 2025. Community members were also in attendance. The recent Cedar […]

Payson Roundup (June 18, 2025) by Alexis Bechman An Eagar man injured while hiking the Arizona Trail was rescued last week by local search and rescue teams. Tonto Rim Search and Rescue (TRSAR) responded June 9 to a call to locate a missing 67-year-old hiker. He had been hiking Passage 25 of the Arizona Trail, a remote 23-mile stretch from […]

KGUN 9 (June 16, 2025) by Jim Spindle Summer months in the Sonoran Desert might be the most dangerous of the year, keeping search and rescue teams busy. Considering just how extreme our landscape and climate can be, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse (CochiseSAR) invited me out to their monthly training and told me it’s a […]

Payson Roundup (June 10, 2025) by Paul Aleshire A feel-good proclamation. A do-good grant application. Trails have become a hot topic all across Rim Country – from Payson to Pine. So Payson last week declared the second week in June to be “National Recreation Highline Trail Week.” Payson Ranger District Recreational Manager Angie Abel was on hand to dole out […]

azdailysun.com ~ PETER FRIEDERICI ~ June 9, 2025 The sight of a giant smoke plume on the horizon is one of those sights that I regard as quintessential Arizona. Having never encountered wildfire before I moved to the state, the idea that a swath of forest or grassland could suddenly be turned to charcoal and ash and threaten towns and […]

Cycling West (June 7, 2025) by Charles Pekow Staff and budget cuts imposed by the Trump regime may mean fewer opportunities to ride on federal lands in the long run, but nobody knows how much, and people don’t even want to talk about it. National Parks Conservation Association representative Kati Schmidt gave Cycling West a statement saying, “Everyone, from cyclists […]

www.kold.com ~ By J.D. Wallace ~ Jun. 1, 2025 TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Recovery from the Cody Fire near Oracle continues as it approaches containment. The 1223-acre blaze is 90% contained. The effort around it has shifted to repairing the terrain, assisting vegetation and preventing flooding. As bad as the area within the Cody Fire looks, it’s considered a […]

www.backpacker.com ~ May 30, 2025 ~ Stasia Callaghan In the 50 years since the National Trails System Act was passed, more than 50,000 miles of trail have been designated. It is, as President Johnson envisioned, a network where “old and young alike can participate.” And it created something he probably couldn’t have imagined: a community of thru-hikers, section hikers, weekend […]