Arizona
Nature|Hiking

The Easy 2.7-Mile Aspen Nature Loop Trail Will Lead You Through The Arizona Forest

Aspen Nature Loop Trail offers a scenic and family-friendly hiking experience with diverse landscapes and cooler temperatures near Flagstaff, Arizona.

Published Feb 10, 2022

Written by 

Libby Monson

When you want to escape Arizona's more well-known rugged deserts, this beautiful loop trail will take you through a picturesque forest full of dramatic views and cooler temperatures. Aspen Nature Loop Trail is 14 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona at the top of Snowbowl Road. With plenty of parking in the Snowbowl lower lot, this is an uncrowded family hike even on the weekends.

At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Aspen Nature Loop Trail is the perfect escape from the heat. This trail is best hiked from May to November. This trail is also popular with mountain bikers, runners, and can be used for horseback riding.

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Gayle Gordon/Alltrails

Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Mt. Humphreys, home of Arizona Snowbowl. Volcanic fields, meadows, and plenty of aspen and pine trees make the landscape of this hike varied and interesting. If the weather cooperates, you’ll even get a glimpse of the Grand Canyon.

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Stuart Z/Alltrails

Aspen Nature Loop Trail offers colorful wildflowers dotting rich green meadows in the spring. In the summer, you can expect cool shade and the gentle sound of aspen leaves rustling in the breeze.

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Stuart Z/Alltrails

Don’t miss this hike in the autumn. It is the perfect trail to see an abundance of golden fall leaves and feel those crisp end of summer temperatures.

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Cassie Howard/Alltrails

Pack plenty of snacks and water for this hike, and plan to take a break if you start feeling the effects of the altitude. Even though this easy hike is mostly flat, Aspen Nature Loop Trail is 7,600 feet higher than Phoenix. If you aren’t used to the altitude, you can experience fatigue and loss of energy.

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Ben Uribe/Alltrails

The whole family, including your four-legged friends, are welcome on this trail. This hike is rated as easy to moderate and should take you about an hour. Save a little trail mix for the last few hundred yards because that fun downhill at the beginning of the hike has to be climbed at the end of the hike

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Julie Toma/Alltrails

When you finish your forest adventure, Flagstaff is only a 30-minute drive and has lots of great dining options. Before you go, be sure to check out the Aspen Nature Loop Trail on the USDA Forest Service website to get the latest updates or new use restrictions.

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Nature|Hiking

The 1.3-Mile Hiking Trail in Arizona That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

To view fall foliage, take this short but sweet hiking trail in Arizona's Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

Published Sep 27, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Well before we go walking in a winter wonderland, there are the months of fall, and with this season comes the foliage. For many, including myself, fall is the best season of all! The grueling heat of summer falls to the wayside allowing cooler air to settle over the Arizona landscape. Ice cream is traded in for apple cider donuts and other delectable autumnal goodies, days by the pool give way to days at the pumpkin patch, and many more residents emerge from summer hibernation to hit the trails in search of exercise and fall foliage. If you're someone who loves to view fall foliage, you must take this short but sweet hiking trail in Arizona's Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

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Ramsey Canyon Preserve sits in Southeastern Arizona close to the Mexican border. With its diverse landscapes of two deserts and two different mountain ranges coming together in the same area, you'll find a unique variety of plants, trees, and wildlife here.

ramsey canyon trail fall hike
Tamara Ponchahar/AllTrails

Among the trees in Ramsey Canyon are sycamores and maples which turn a kaleidoscope of hues like yellow, red, orange, and brown come fall. Needless to say, as far as fall foliage hikes go, a trip to Ramsey Canyon Preserve should be at the top of your list.

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Tamara Ponchahar/AllTrails

Take the Ramsey Canyon Trail, a short and sweet 1.3-mile hike. The trail is well-maintained and considered an easy trek. That being said, you'll be able to take the whole family for some leaf-peeping! However, leave the pups at home as they are not allowed on the trail.

Let the peace and calm of nature wash over you as you hike through the preserve. Notice the cooler fall air on your face, the colors of the foliage, and the way the fall light hits the leaves. This is such an incredible time of year, isn't it?

ramsey canyon trail fall foliage
Jessica Juarez/AllTrails

Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the year along with Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, so keep that in mind when planning your trip here.

Are you planning to take a fall foliage trek along this hiking trail in Arizona's Ramsey Canyon Preserve this year? What are some of your favorite hiking trails for leaf-peeping in the state? Let us know! Visit AllTrails for a Ramsey Canyon Trail map and reviews. You should also download the incredibly handy AllTrails+ app so you can download offline maps.

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Nature|Hiking

The One Loop Trail In Arizona That’s Perfect For A Short Day Hike, No Matter What Time Of Year

Gateway Loop Trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers a family-friendly, scenic hike accessible year-round with breathtaking views.

Updated Aug 7, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

The best hikes are accessible year-round and have equally gorgeous views in all four seasons, and Gateway Loop Trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one such adventure. It's short, easy, and incredibly scenic, leading to a jaw-dropping overlook that requires minimal effort to reach. If you've been searching for family-friendly hikes or short day hikes in Arizona, look no further!

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Next time you're in the mood for a short and sweet adventure, don't look any further than the Gateway Loop Trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

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AllTrails/Grant Arnold

It's one of the most popular hikes in Scottsdale, and for good reason. At just over four miles long, it's perfect for a quick sunrise stroll or meditative evening walk.

What really sets this trail apart is the fact that it's accessible year-round, and the views are breathtaking no matter the season.

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AllTrails/Nick Tomas

Regardless of the weather, the mountainous landscape studded with mighty Saguaros never gets old.

The loop is rated as moderate on AllTrails, with an elevation gain of just over 700 feet.

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AllTrails/Jas Lee

It's a gradual ascent, however, so even beginners should have no problem reaching the summit.

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In the spring and summer, eye-catching wildflowers line the path, making each step more magical than the last.

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AllTrails/Drew III

Not much about the terrain changes when fall and winter roll around - it is southern Arizona, after all. But as far as we're concerned, the mild climate is a blessing rather than a curse!

Don't leave your furry friend at home - leashed dogs are welcome and encouraged to accompany their owners.

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AllTrails/Jolyn Safranek

The trail is also kid friendly, so it can be a whole-of-family affair.

If possible, we recommend embarking on the hike at either sunrise or sunset.

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AllTrails/Michael Shulman

Not only are the views unbeatable, but you'll also practically have the trail all to yourself.

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Feel free to customize your adventure, as the trail connects to several others within the park.

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AllTrails/Ruth Brown

You can explore the area for as little or as much time as your heart desires. That's the beauty of this hike!

Click here to learn more about the trail. Have you ever hiked Gateway Loop Trail? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience! Tell us in the comments, and check out our previous article for more family-friendly hikes in Arizona:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arizona/kid-friendly-hike-az/

Looking for more Arizona fun? Take a look at this footage of Sedona:

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