AZPM (Sept 30, 2026) by Katya Mendoza A 55-mile section of land along the U.S.-Mexico border has been closed to the public during border wall construction. The Coronado National Forest issued a public health and safety closure order Monday, signed by Forest Supervisor Kerwin Dewberry, stating that individuals who violate the order could face a fine of up to $5,000 […]
Read moreBikepacking (Sept 30, 2026) The Arizona Trail Race is an unofficial challenge that spans the entire state. Two distance options are available: the Arizona Trail 300, a 300-mile event held yearly since 2006, and the Arizona Trail 800, the complete traverse from Mexico to Utah, first offered in 2010 as the AZTR750. Both routes are run concurrently, and at the […]
Read moreCibola Citizen (Sept 30, 2026) by Diego Lopez The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is raising concerns about the proposed Roca Honda uranium mine northwest of Grants, warning that mining can affect surrounding public lands, recreation and communities connected to national scenic trails. The coalition issued a statement Sept. 24 identifying mining as a growing threat to scenic trails in several […]
Read moreKVOA (Sept 25, 2026) More than 130 National Park Service partnership agreements worth at least 25 million dollars in pre-approved funds have been blocked by the Interior Department, impacting several Arizona sites. The Center for Western Priorities says Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Lake Mead National Recreation Area are among the Arizona locations affected. The Arizona Trail Association also […]
Read moreAn overwhelming majority of Arizona voters across the political spectrum strongly support maintaining current protections for the state’s national public lands and national monuments, according to a new statewide poll. The survey, fielded by Echelon Insights on behalf of The Wilderness Society, reveals that 83% of Arizona voters oppose eliminating national monument lands in Arizona, including 71% of Republicans and […]
Read moreIdaho Mountain Express (Sept 11, 2026) In 1982, in a rebellion against convenience, brothers Troy and Powell “Gil” Gillenwater walked across Arizona. They weren’t chasing fame or following a mapped route – because there wasn’t one. What began as a homegrown adventure evolved into a journey that reflected the rugged beauty of the Southwest. Accompanied by two mules, a stray […]
Read moreAZ Luminaria (Sept 3, 2026) by Stephanie Casanova Amy Juan questioned why the Trump administration is misrepresenting the border wall as a critical security measure and targeting millions of dollars to build a structure the Tohono O’odham Nation doesn’t want. Juan, a Tohono O’odham citizen, said there are three Customs and Border Patrol Sectors – Ajo, Tucson and Casa Grande – […]
Read moreThanks to our friends at the Jim Click Automotive Team, we’re excited to announce this year’s raffle for a new 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Roush Edition, airfare to anywhere in the world, and $5,000 cash. Tickets are available for $25 each or 5 for $100 and will only be on sale online until Thursday, December 3rd, at midnight. Grand Prize: 2026 Nissan […]
Read moreCronkite News (September 2, 2026) by Ellis Preston The Trump administration’s push to allow more road construction in national forests has alarmed preservationists in Arizona, who warn the change could lead to logging or more uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. On Aug. 18, the Department of Agriculture announced the plan to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prohibits road construction and […]
Read moreIntense summer monsoon storms have been drenching Arizona over the past week. Autumn is shaping up to be a spectacular season for thru-hiking and biking the Arizona National Scenic Trail! However, recent flash floods inside Grand Canyon National Park have resulted in at least two deaths, 14 missing hikers, and over 60 people rescued from the inner canyon. The flood has […]
Read moreDue to significant flash flood damage that occurred on August 29, the North Kaibab Trail is closed with Grand Canyon National Park (AZT Passage 38). We will provide updates as we learn more about the extent of the damage and when it may be open again. For now, the Arizona Trail is not a continuous path and no reasonable reroutes […]
Read moreOn August 18, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its plans to rescind the Roadless Rule, a longstanding policy that protects millions of acres of National Forest land from new road building and large-scale logging. If finalized, the proposal will remove protections from 45 million acres of National Forests across the country. This directly impacts the Arizona National Scenic […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (Aug 2, 2026) by Brenden Martin The triple crown of bikepacking is a relatively new idea and riders from all over have quickly grown attached. The trio of races — the Arizona Trail Race, the Colorado Trail Race and the Tour Divide — ask riders to complete more than 4,000 miles of all-terrain biking all on their […]
Read moreDue to monsoon storms and intense flooding within the Dragon Bravo burn scar, Grand Canyon National Park has closed 1/2-mile of the Arizona National Scenic Trail between North Kaibab Trailhead (mile 720.4) and Point Sublime Road (mile 720.8). Please avoid this area for your own safety as there is an exposed electrical line where the trail used to be. There […]
Read moreMarshall Gulch Trailhead parking will remain closed until December 15, 2026. Starting on Monday July 27, the Arizona Trail, Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Aspen Trail #93, and Sunset Trail #90 will reopen to pedestrian use weekly on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and all federal holidays. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a closure of the entire area will be implemented for […]
Read moreNational Forest Foundation (Summer/Fall 2026) by Erin Vivid Riley Stretching from near the Grand Canyon to the Little Colorado River in Northern Arizona is a swath of country that’s nearly the size of Rhode Island. It’s a mix of private, state, and federal land—including the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests—historically part of Babbitt Ranches, a family-owned enterprise that was founded in 1886. When Billy Cordasco, the great-grandson of the ranch’s original […]
Read moreCustom made for us by Ride Reactive, the Arizona Trail 50+ UPF hoodie is a game changer for any outdoor activity! This long-sleeve shirt is lightweight, breathable, anti-bacterial, moisture wicking and stretchy. Our popular Rincon Sunrise print, designed by Shannon Villegas, has returned and it might be your favorite AZT sun hoodie yet. It features a view from the Rincon […]
Read morePayson Roundup (July 10, 2026) by David C. Bolla Rim Country trail builders are riding high following the release of a new federal report. After more than a decade of advocacy from the mountain biking and bikepacking communities, the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act was signed into law in January of last year. And last month the Highline […]
Read moreLaddie Cox, an Arizona Trail legend and American hero, passed away on May 31, 2026 at age 91. Laddie got involved in Arizona Trail work events in 2003 and over the next 20 years he built and maintained trail with care, led the first concerted effort to build gates at fence crossings statewide, and was a vital part of the […]
Read morePima County (June 30, 2026) Finding a place to park in Summerhaven is a little easier now thanks to a recently completed project undertaken by the Pima County Transportation Department in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and Coronado National Forest. Visitors to Mount Lemmon can now enjoy a new paved parking lot with 75 spaces as well as 21 additional spaces along Sabino […]
Read moreSingletracks (June 27, 2026) by Travis Reil The BOLT Coalition’s portfolio of long-distance trails is poised for massive growth, with 13 potential trail additions that would nearly triple the length of its current list. These proposed routes would add approximately 7,778 miles across 10 states to the existing 5,232 miles of currently recognized trails. From the ambitious 5,000-mile Orogenesis stretching […]
Read morePatch (June 23, 2026) by Vianella Burns One of the most popular recreation sites on Mount Lemmon is about to undergo its biggest transformation in years, and that means a temporary closure for hikers and picnickers this summer. The Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead near Summerhaven will close from Monday, July 6, through July 26, as crews begin tree […]
Read moreStarting Monday, July 6, 2026, the Coronado National Forest’s Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead, near the town of Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon, will be closed as part of a maintenance and reconstruction project. The temporary closure is in place for public safety while tree remediation work occurs as part of the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead Improvement Project. […]
Read moreBikepacking (June 18, 2026) by Miles Arbour Rogue Panda Designs has been designing bikepacking bags purpose-built for the rigors of the Arizona Trail and beyond since 2014, maintaining its position in the industry by innovating, embracing new manufacturing methods, and adapting. Miles spent a few days with founder Nick Smolinske in Flagstaff, Arizona, exploring the workspace and the local machine […]
Read moreSingletracks (June 15, 2026) by Greg Heil The holy grail of backcountry mountain biking is the point-to-point singletrack trail. Not a loop. Not a convoluted network. Not a dirt road. Uninterrupted singletrack that takes you from A to B via an epic landscape that will leave an impression lasting a lifetime. Unfortunately, many of the iconic — and most-ridden — […]
Read moreArizona Highways (July 2026) Among the things we love most about Arizona are the people. Around the state, ordinary people are doing extraordinary things. Here are just 10 of them — people doing interesting and innovative work that’s making a difference in their communities. Without exception, they resist taking credit, insisting that their accomplishments result from the work of many […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (June 14, 2026) by Ian Torrence Cocodona has concluded but have no fear — this year’s local ultrarunning fun isn’t over. This September, Flagstaff’s original 100-mile race guides runners and mountain bikers from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon on the iconic Arizona National Scenic Trail. The racecourse traces the historic stagecoach line tourists took to reach the […]
Read moreOn Friday, June 12, the Arizona Legislature and Governor reached a compromise on the state’s budget for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). Within the $18.3 billion budget was a total allocation of $0 for the Arizona Trail. A special Arizona Trail Fund was established in 2006 with an initial investment of $500,000. Since that time, it has only received […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (June 8, 2026) The City of Flagstaff was one of 28 cities recognized last month by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) as a “Trail Town,” a new designation intended to honor communities that support access to robust and well-supported trail networks. “IMBA Trail Towns represent communities that understand the powerful role trails play in shaping vibrant […]
Read moreThe Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act was signed into law on January 4, 2025, after more than a decade of advocacy from the mountain biking and bikepacking communities. The first core deliverable of the BOLT Act is that federal land management agencies must develop a list of at least 10 existing and 10 potential long-distance bike trails of […]
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