The National Park Service announced on December 30 that the southernmost mile of the Arizona Trail will reopen again on December 31 after a nearly 18-month closure. “We look forward to reopening the first passage of the Arizona Trail (AZT) this week,” said Southeast Arizona Parks Superintendent Matthew Carroll. “During the spring hiking season, many begin their northward journey at Monument 102 on the US/Mexico border within Coronado National Memorial.

“Visitor and contractor safety needs required us to close the Yaqui Ridge Trail during border wall construction and subsequent make-safe activity,” said Carroll. “Now that contractor activity will be suspended for three to six months, we can safely welcome visitors and AZT hikers back to this section of trail. The NPS appreciates the support of the Arizona Trail Association as we navigate this changing landscape.”

“We are so delighted to hear the news that the AZT will again be a complete path from Mexico to Utah,” said ATA Executive Director Matthew Nelson. “Reopening the southernmost mile and providing access to the southern terminus has been a major priority since the closure was put into effect during the summer of 2020. We encourage everyone to hike from Montezuma Pass down to border monument 102 to soak up the serenity of the San Rafael Valley and witness the environmental devastation from border wall construction activities firsthand,” he said.

To learn more about access to this beautiful area within the Huachuca Mountains, visit the Passage page of our website. Also, check out current conditions, alerts and other information at the Coronado National Memorial website.