These 10 Day Hikes Will Show You The Very Best Of Arizona
It’s no secret that Arizona is home to tons of incredible hiking trails covering hundreds of miles of land. Some are long — like the 800-mile long Arizona Trail that runs the length of our state — and others can be tackled in just a few hours. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the best hikes in Arizona that not only show off diverse beauty but can also be easily done in a few hours. Put on your hiking boots, and grab your day pack because you’re going to want to embark on these trails right away!
The first hike on our list is a real workout but it also happens to be one of the most scenic hikes in Arizona and has some absolutely stunning views along all 9.5 miles. This hike leads you through the beautiful landscape at Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona, and is home to spires, hoodoos, and other incredible rock formations. The trail will lead you through some of the best views over more than 9 miles, so make sure you eat and hydrate well before heading out on this hike.
Hiking the Grand Canyon is something every Arizonan should do at least once, but if you don’t quite have the time to hike all the way down to the floor and back, you might want to give this trail a shot. This trail is steep but gives you a chance to get an unforgettable view of the canyon to complement your trip. We recommend hiking this in early fall or late spring when the weather is pleasant.
The Mogollon Rim is home to some gorgeous trails and this one near Kohls Ranch is no exception. This easy to navigate trail follows Horton Creek to the base of the Rim and has plenty of beautiful views along the way. Stop to enjoy the small waterfalls when you need a breather!
This is the longest hike on this list and the only one that will take you up Arizona’s tallest peak. Extremely steep and rocky, it zigzags up the San Francisco Peaks to a delicate alpine tundra home to some rare plants. Because of the delicate environment here, it is important to stay on the trail and be prepared for cold temperatures.
Another must-do trail at the San Francisco Peaks in northern Arizona, this trail leads you along the southern side of the mountain through towering trees and a beautifully green landscape. In the fall, this trail is a special treat with the alpines changing colors. This trail is easy to moderate and is considered one of the kid friendly hikes around Arizona.
Traversing through Arizona’s second largest canyon, Sycamore Canyon, this trail will help you navigate your way from the desert to the beginnings of a forest. You will love following the creek and dipping your toes in the spring before turning around to return to the trailhead.
Did you know there are beautiful waterfalls just beyond Tucson’s city limits? Located in the Santa Catalinas, this trail will take you to Seven Falls, a lovely seasonal waterfall that varies between a trickle and roaring. If you want to see the falls in full force, early spring is the perfect time to hike this trail.
This trail is a pretty good workout towards the end, so make sure you’ve been working out your quads and hamstrings before hitting the trail. This is one of the best ways to see the Superstition Mountains and experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. It’s especially pretty in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming, but fall and winter can be quite lovely as well.
If you ask Arizonans to create a list of the best hikes in Arizona, this one near Sedona is sure to top the list. One of the most photogenic places in the state and also one of the most popular trails, West Fork of Oak Creek takes you through gorgeous scenery. It’s beautiful year round but most people love it best during the fall months when the leaves are changing colors and the temperatures are chilly.
When you drive several hours to make it to Monument Valley, spending only a few minutes to take photos doesn’t seem like enough. Take this public trail through a portion of the park to get some of the best views of the famous mitten buttes and experience the stark landscape.
Length: 3.2 miles round trip
Details: Hike Arizona
Wildcat Trail, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
With options from Flagstaff to Tucson, these 10 trails are sure to answer the question, “Where is the best hiking trail near me?”
Address: Chiricahua National Monument, E Bonita Canyon Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
Address: Grandview Trail, Arizona 86023, USA
Address: Horton Creek Trailhead, Nf-289, Payson, AZ 85541, USA
Address: Humphrey's Peak Trail, Humphreys Summit Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Address: Kachina Trail, N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Address: Parsons Trail Head, Parson Spring Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA
Address: Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USA
Address: West Fork Trailhead, 10251 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Wildcat Trail, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Arizona
March 09, 2022
Libby Monson
What are the best fall hikes in Arizona?
Depending on where you live in Arizona, it can take a little extra effort to find beautiful fall foliage. One sure bet is the West Fork of Oak Creek Trail in Sedona. This hike combines stunning red rock with amazing autumn colors. Another good choice is the Mogollon Rim Interpretive Trail. At an elevation of over 7,000 feet, the fall colors are gorgeous, and the air is crisp.
What are the best outdoor adventures in Arizona?
When the temperatures soar in the desert, head to the Salt River for a tubing adventure. Rent a tube from Salt River Tubing and spend the afternoon floating down the river. Salt River Tubing will arrange for your drop off and pick up at the river, so this adventure couldn’t be easier. Don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty to drink. If you’re lucky, you might see the famous Salt River wild horses!
Where can I hike to a cave in Arizona?
You don’t need to hike to see the caves at Kartchner Caverns State Park near the Whetstone Mountains. This park is home to a massive limestone cave. The caverns have been intricately decorated over hundreds of thousands of years, with speleothems created by water slowly dripping into the cave. You can tour parts of the cave by making reservations with the Arizona State Parks Department, which manages the area. The Throne Room and the Big Room are both open for tours. In addition, you can choose to experience the cave with just the use of a headlamp as you hear the exciting story of the cave’s discovery in 1974. Finally, experience the park above ground by exploring its hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Camping is also available.
Address: Chiricahua National Monument, E Bonita Canyon Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
Address: Grandview Trail, Arizona 86023, USA
Address: Horton Creek Trailhead, Nf-289, Payson, AZ 85541, USA
Address: Humphrey's Peak Trail, Humphreys Summit Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Address: Kachina Trail, N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Address: Parsons Trail Head, Parson Spring Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA
Address: Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USA
Address: West Fork Trailhead, 10251 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: Wildcat Trail, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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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.
