7 Picturesque Trails In Arizona That Are Perfect For Winter Hiking
By Monica Spencer|Updated on November 15, 2022(Originally published November 10, 2022)
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Any kind of precipitation is a welcome occurrence here in Arizona. But snow? In some areas, it’s something to tolerate, while in others, it’s a welcome, rare treat. If you’re looking to take a long hike – or just a short walk – through some snowy areas (after it actually snows), then you’ll be in for a treat at these Arizona hiking trails! Just remember to exercise caution when engaging in physical activity in these areas due to ice and chilly weather. Anyone on the search for the best winter hikes in Arizona needn’t look much further than these amazing options:
We’re starting this list off with one heck of a hike! Agassiz Peak is one of the highest points in the state and is only accessible when snow is covering the ground due to the fragile environment. The entire hike is six miles long, and it’s a doozy because it has a 3,000-foot elevation gain and is pretty much all off-trail hiking, meaning you’ll need to blaze your own way without disturbing the delicate environment. This one may be a challenge, but it's a worthy challenge indeed for the incredible payoff at the end.
If you’re looking for an easy hike that doesn’t skimp on the views no matter the time of year, then you’ll want to check out this hike. It tends to get crowded in summer, but you’ll see far fewer people this time of year. Enjoy the views and fewer people! Winter in Arizona has never been so iconic, and this stunning trail is an amazing example of exactly that.
This trail measures just over 7.5 miles overall and is a nice climb up Bill Williams Mountain. However, if a steep hike isn’t in the cards for the day, then turn around after about 2 miles (one-way) for a quick day hike. This is one of the more challenging hikes in Arizona, but like Agassiz Peak, it's completely worth the effort.
If you want to hike underground, then try out this trail which goes through the only known lava tube in Arizona. It’s short but chilly and can be a bit of a workout. But, it is definitely a sight worth seeing! What is a lava tube? Oh, nothing special - just a cave carved out of the earth by flowing magma way back in the day, resulting in a cave once it cleared out of the area and cooled. Neat!
5. Mogollon Rim Interpretive Trail, Pinetop-Lakeside
Located right in between Show Low and Pinetop is this super short trail that is perfect if you just want to escape into the quiet forest for less than an hour. The trail is less than one mile and introduces you to the environment that makes the Mogollon Rim so unique. This short hike in AZ is perfect for those times you only have a few hours but you still feel like getting out into the snowy winter world.
Some people tend to think the Grand Canyon is closed in winter but it’s definitely open (however, access to the North Rim is severely limited). Rim Trail guides you along the South Rim on a well-maintained path, taking you to some of the most popular viewpoints. Not only is the park less crowded this time of year but you will also get to see just how beautiful this canyon looks on a snowy day. Winter at the Grand Canyon is absolutely unforgettable, and this trail highlights every reason why.
This popular trail doesn’t see as many hikers in the winter but it sure does look gorgeous with layers of snow! You might not be able to hike the entire six-mile stretch but it is worth the visit for a quiet day. Read more about this famous Arizona hiking trail and then head out to enjoy it - it's easily one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we think you'll agree!
Those look like fun! Have you been on any of these trails after a recent snowfall? What would you call the best winter hikes in Arizona? If you want to see more incredible hiking trails in Arizona, be sure to check out these hiking spots in Arizona that are completely out of this world.
