Arizona Republic (Nov 24, 2025) by Joan Meiners Day 25, Mile 595 (Passage 15: Tortilla Mountains) With Kearney’s Ray copper mine as my backdrop, I set off on my bike into the remote and wild Tortilla Mountains from Kelvin Trailhead. Loaded with seven liters of water and six days of food to get me through the next stretch, my bike […]
Read morePayson Roundup (Nov 18, 2025) by David C. Bolla About 500 man-hours of labor. Thousands of dollars in materials. An Arizona Trail Association crew has completed a new pipe rail fence in Pine. Over the course of eight Thursday morning sessions, between eight and 10 volunteers worked to replace a fence around the parking lot at the Pine Trailhead. The […]
Read moreArizona Republic (Nov 17, 2025) by Joan Meiners Day 21, Mile 512 (Bike detour passage 19/18: around Superstition Wilderness) In the 1870s, a European prospector found a solution to all his problems in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. He struck gold, literally, or so the legend goes, and left several caches hidden in the hills. On his deathbed in Phoenix, the “Dutchman,” […]
Read moreBackpacker (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 […]
Read moreBackpacker (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 […]
Read moreThe 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 […]
Read moreIn November 2025, contractors for the Department of Homeland Security installed concertina wire at the U.S./Mexico border at the southern terminus of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. This prevents trail users from accessing Border Monument 102 — the traditional “start” or “finish” of the AZT. In the interest of safety, please do not attempt to cross the wire for a […]
Read moreArizona 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 […]
Read moreThe Dragon Bravo Fire has forced 25.5 miles of the Arizona Trail to close from the Clear Creek Trail junction just north of Phantom Ranch to the Kaibab Plateau Trailhead at the Park/Forest boundary along Forest Road 610. Highway 67 is closed south of the Kaibab National Forest/Grand Canyon National Park boundary. Please avoid the AZT within Grand Canyon National […]
Read moreThe Coconino National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations near Flagstaff, and they estimate work to begin on Tuesday, November 4 and continue throughout the week as weather conditions allow. Prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires. This will impact segments of Passages 33 (Flagstaff Urban Route) and 34 […]
Read moreArizona 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 […]
Read moreArizona 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 […]
Read moreSeveral upcoming changes to inner canyon operations will go into effect in the coming weeks at Grand Canyon National Park, including trail and campground reopenings and ongoing closures related to major infrastructure repairs and safety concerns. The updates are part of phased recovery efforts following the Dragon Bravo Fire and continued work on the Transcanyon Waterline. Phantom Ranch and Bright […]
Read moreOn October 1, the Kaibab National Forest reopened 11 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail between the Kaibab Plateau Trailhead at the Park/Forest boundary and Forest Road 213 near Telephone Hill Trailhead. Passage 40 is now completely open! However, 29 miles of the AZT between The Tipoff (4.6 miles north of the South Kaibab Trailhead) and the Park/Forest boundary […]
Read moreOn Wednesday, September 17, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar introduced a bill that would abolish the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of Grand Canyon National Monument near Grand Canyon National Park. This is a direct attack on America’s public lands and the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Please join us today in opposing this dangerous legislation. Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National […]
Read moreArizona National Scenic Trail Thru-Hiker Update for Autumn 2025 After a dry winter and a parched spring, we all knew this could be the worst wildfire year in recent history. But we held out hope for a bountiful summer monsoon season. Instead, we keep seeing heat records being broken and rainstorms yielding just a few intermittent drops. Living in the […]
Read moreThe US Department of Agriculture recently announced plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a popular policy that has protected nearly 45 million acres of National Forests across 42 states. Rolling back the Roadless Rule would open the door to logging, road construction, and development—threatening the outdoor experiences we treasure, and undermining the shared legacy of our public lands. This […]
Read moreThe Tonto National Forest is advising thru-hikers and visitors to avoid camping near drainages recently impacted by the Washington Fire along Passage 26 (Highline). This includes 2 miles between Chase Creek (AZT mile 477.1) and the two drainages to the east (mile 479.0). Beware of flash floods, debris flows and other hazards downstream of burned areas!
Read moreArizona PBS produces an amazing outdoor program called Trail Mix’d. They want to follow an Arizona Trail Southbound thru-hiker during the Autumn 2025 season to share with the world what it’s like to hike 800 miles across the Grand Canyon State. This will include three interviews on the trail: at the start, finish, and somewhere in the middle. If you’re […]
Read moreArizona 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 […]
Read moreArizona 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 […]
Read moreThe 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. […]
Read moreArizona Republic (July 27, 2025) by Greg Burton As the Dragon Bravo Fire climbed toward Grand Canyon Lodge, I tried to remember how many times I’d stood beside it. Was it five or six? I visited the North Rim as a boy, took my kids there and returned after they moved away. The lodge was both way station and gateway […]
Read moreazfamily.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 […]
Read moreBackpacker (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 […]
Read moreOutside 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 […]
Read moreKVOA-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 […]
Read moreCalling all military veterans, their families, and supporters…you are invited to participate in the first Arizona Trail Operation Freedom March. This year-long initiative starts July 4, 2025 and concludes on July 4, 2026, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Operation Freedom March challenges participants to hike, ride, or horseback ride sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail until ALL 800 […]
Read moreKVOA (July 4, 2025) Arizona’s military community begins 800-mile trail adventure. Watch the Operation Freedom March promo, featured on KVOA-TV here.
Read moreDespite widespread outreach from members, donors, volunteers, gateway community representatives, and trail users like you, the Arizona Legislature did not include a single dollar for the Arizona Trail Fund in our state’s fiscal year 2026 budget. This fund was established in 2006 to support trail construction and maintenance, and is matched by private donations, federal grants, and volunteer labor contributions. […]
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