Those of us living in Arizona know that there’s no better place to spend our time than outdoors, especially when it’s not too hot. We’re going to celebrate all the beauty that Arizona has to offer with a list of some easy, scenic hikes in our beautiful deserts. Here are some of the best hikes in Arizona for big fans of the desert; check out what we have:

1. Baseline Trail (Estrella Mountain Regional Park)
Estrella Mountain Regional Park, 14805 W Vineyard Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338, USA
Jasper Nance/Flickr
This is a relatively easy trail that takes you in a small loop in the north end of the park near the Gila River. The trail is easy to navigate and gives you a chance to explore the mountains’ foothills.

Length: 2.5 miles (round trip)
Get more trail information about Baseline Trail on Arizona State Parks.
2. Calloway Trail (Picacho Peak State Park)
Calloway Trail, Arizona 85141, USA
Alan Stark/Flickr
Want to enjoy the views of Picacho Peak without the strenuous trail straight up? Calloway Trail will take you to a lookout on the south side of the peak.

Length: 0.7 miles (one way)
Get more trail information about Picacho Peak State Park on Arizona State Parks.
3. Desert View Trail (Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument)
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321, USA
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr
You’ll find quite a few trails at this park and this one takes you on a loop near the visitors center that will give you a perfect view of a wide variety of cactus and other Sonoran Desert plant life. The trail also acts as an interpretive one with biological information and also how the plants are used by indigenous peoples.

Length: 1.2 miles (round trip)
Get more trail information about Desert View Trail and Organ Pipe on Arizona State Parks.
4. Garden Valley Loop (Superstition Mountains)
Superstition Mountains, AZ 85119, USA
Chris J/Flickr
If you want an easy trail near the Superstitions without too much of a crowd, you’ll want to check out this one! It’s a scenic area with plenty of plant growth and won’t make you think twice about the source of the trail name.

Length: 5.25 miles (round trip)
Get more trail information about Garden Valley Loop on Arizona State Parks.
5. Hieroglyphic Trail (Superstition Mountains)
Hieroglyphic Trailhead, Hieroglyphic Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, USA
Bill In Arizona/Flickr
This is a pretty short trail near the Superstitions that shows off the desert landscape here and a little bit of history with pictographs clearly displayed. Visiting when the wildflowers are blooming makes this trail look extra pretty if you time it right.

Length: 3 miles (round trip)
Get more trail information about the Heiroglyphic Trail on Arizona State Parks.
6. Liberty Bell Arch Trail (Lake Mead National Recreation Area)
Liberty Bell Arch Trail, Arizona 86445, USA
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr
Want to see some of the cool landscapes along the Colorado River and near Lake Mead? This trail can be a little steep and has little to no shade, so definitely hike this one when the weather is cool. However, you’ll find some beautiful rock formations like the Liberty Bell Arch above.

Length: 5 miles (round trip)
Get more trail information about the Liberty Bell Arch Trail on Arizona State Parks.
7. Mohave Sunset Trail (Lake Havasu State Park)
Lake Havasu, United States
Mispahn/Flickr
This hike will probably feel more like an easy stroll with its well-defined trail that overlooks the lake.

Length: 1.75 miles (one way)
Get more trail information about the Mohave Sunset Trail on Arizona State Parks.
8. Sabino Canyon Trail #23 (Tucson)
Sabino Canyon Trail #23, Sabino Canyon Trail, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Jordan/Flickr
The most difficult part of this trail will be the first half mile or so, where you are hiking up steep switchbacks. From there on, it’s smooth sailing and you’ll encounter some beautiful views of the canyon.

Length: 2.65 miles (one-way)
Get more trail information about Sabino Canyon on Arizona State Parks.
9. Wildcat Trail (Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park)
Wildcat Trail, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Rick McCharles/Flickr
If you want an up close view of the Mittens at Monument Valley, this is the trail to take. The loop trail can be a little difficult to navigate for some but if you pay attention, you’ll be able to stay on the trail.

Length: 3.2 miles (round trip)
Get more trail information about Wildcat Trail on Arizona State Parks.

Want to see some other fantastically easy Arizona hikes? Check out our recent article 10 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Arizona for ideas.

Note: Even when the temperatures are lower, please continue to exercise caution when hiking. This includes staying well-hydrated, dressing appropriately for the environment, keeping an eye out for wildlife, and staying on the trail. You can find additional tips on the Arizona Hikers Guide website.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes in Arizona

Tori Jane | March 08, 2022

What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Arizona?  

For the purposes of this answer, we’ll define a kid-friendly hike as one that is both less than two miles in length and rated as “easy” by our friends at AllTrails. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in northern Arizona are the Devil’s Kitchen Trail (0.4 miles long) and the Oak Creek Trail (1.3 miles long), both of which are nearby Sedona. While in northern Arizona, bring the kids to Horseshoe Bend Trail, near Page; it’s just one and a half miles long and leads to one of Arizona’s most iconic desert landmarks. In the Phoenix metro/central Arizona region, bring the kids to Papago Park for a very short (0.3 mile) hike to some awesome views on the Hole in the Rock Trail, or head west of Phoenix and do the White Tank Waterfall Trail, which is 1.8 miles long and features an awesome seasonal waterfall. In southern Arizona, check out the Valley View Overlook Trail, which is nestled within Saguaro National Park, and the Mica View Trail to Cactus Forest Trail, also at Saguaro NP. Want more ideas? Check this article out. 

What are some wonderful easy hikes in Arizona?  

So, Arizona has more than 900 easy hikes, and although a lot of those are short and sweet, there are others that are longer but still pretty easy. For example, the Grand Canyon Rim Mules to Mather Point hike is longer, at six miles in length, and so is the Grand Canyon Rim Trail, at 12.7 miles in length. Other great easy hikes in Arizona that we love include the Double Butte Loop Trail and the Hole in the Rock Trail, both at Papago Park in Phoenix, and the Catalina Canyon Loop Trail in southern Arizona is truly to die for (okay, but not literally, though). Lynx Lake Loop Trail, in Prescott, has amazing lake views and wildlife viewing opportunities, and the Water Ranch Trail at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve is also pretty amazing. The possibilities are only as limited as you are, so get out and explore Arizona!  

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