On 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 […]
Read moreKVOA (June 5, 2026) A new bipartisan measure aims to prevent federal public lands from being sold through budget negotiations, according to U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s office. U.S. Reps. Ciscomani and Gabe Vasquez introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act on Thursday, according to the release. The legislation would stop public lands like Sabino Canyon Recreation Area from being sold through […]
Read moreIslands (May 23, 2026) by Kate Mothes The United States has myriad trails across its vast and varied landscapes. There are 11 official National Scenic Trails, and they offer some of the world’s most beautiful and ambitious walks. Ranging from 65 to 4,600 miles and covering all of the country’s major mountain ranges, the U.S. National Scenic Trails system appeals […]
Read moreAZ Family (May 28, 2026) by Mason Carroll An Arizona man is going to great lengths to honor the man who inspired the Arizona Trail. The Trail runs from the border with Mexico to the border with Utah, and completing it is a rite of passage for endurance hikers. The Arizona Trail winds through 800 miles of desert, forest, and even the […]
Read moreBetween 2017 and 2023, the Arizona Trail Association partnered with Arizona State University to study wildlife and recreational patterns on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. This was accomplished through the placement and monitoring of 59 camera traps throughout the state. The results of this multi-year statewide study are now available through the final report: Wildlife and Recreation on the Arizona […]
Read moreForbes (May 21, 2026) by Emese Maczko Following the devastating wildfire in July 2025, the National Park Service announced that the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park reopened on May 15, 2026. “This year’s reopening carries special significance not just for Arizonans, but for the visitors from everywhere who hold this place close to their hearts,” says Josh Coddington, […]
Read moreArizona Horizon (May 20, 2026) by Ted Simon, Arizona PBS In this episode of “Arizona Horizon,” we will also discuss the Arizona National Scenic Trail’s closure, meant to give way to border wall construction after The Department of Homeland Security and the Arizona Trail Association announced a double-layered border wall through the Coronado National Memorial. Trump administration officials say there is […]
Read moreBikepacking (May 20, 2026) by Daniel Jessee Much continues to happen regarding public land management and access in the United States. In this update, we summarize four significant issues that have made headlines in the last few months… As has become common over the last 15 months, it’s almost impossible to keep up with all the changes within the agencies […]
Read moreTucson Sentinel (May 18, 2026) by Paul Ingram Contractors carving a border wall through the Coronado National Memorial may have ignited a wildfire last week that consumed around 60 acres of the protected landscape. Around 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, the Yaqui Fire was first reported near a wall construction area on the southern edge of the Huachuca Mountains, less than […]
Read moreCheck out the wonderful article from Annette McGivney in Arizona Highways, featuring the Trail Angels of the Arizona Trail! Welcome, Stranger! The article profiles three different Trail Angels in Kearny, Superior and Flagstaff, and is a wonderful testament to the the kindness of strangers. Trail Angels are just one of the volunteer opportunities that help local residents connect with thru-hikers […]
Read moreArizona Highways (May 16, 2026) by Annette McGivney After yearsin a demanding state goverment job and a lifetime of frigid Minnesota winters, Mary Jo Kvidera was ready to move someplace warm and peaceful when she retired. In February 2018, she bought a home in Superior, having been drawn by the town’s mild climate and scenic location at the foot of […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (May 16, 2026) by Larry Hendricks The wind blows, but we’re protected by the trees. The pines and leafless aspens creak and groan amid the knocks of woodpeckers and flickers rooting out bugs from the trunks of grayed snags. The deer grass, browned and flattened from winter snows, is about to burst alive in vivid green. The […]
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