Hopi Salt Trail Leads Some Of To The Most Crystal-Clear Water In Arizona

We Arizonans love a good hike, and Hopi Salt Trail offers exactly that. Though challenging, it leads to crystal-clear water unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Spanning 5.8 miles each way, the Hopi Salt Trail is a hidden gem near the Grand Canyon. Its elusive nature is due in part to the 3,000-foot elevation gain, a difficulty level that dissuades many hikers from even attempting to conquer such a daunting adventure.

From the very beginning, unique natural formations pose a challenge to even the most experienced of hikers. Walk beneath red rock ceilings, scramble over canyon walls, and truly understand what it means to become one with the great outdoors.

Rated 'hard' on AllTrails, this is one hike you definitely shouldn't underestimate. Even still, seeing the majestic desert landscape rising up in all directions is worth every last drop of sweat.

Your efforts will be duly rewarded upon coming to the final stretch. Turquoise water unlike anything you've ever seen appears to extend infinitely towards the horizon, almost beckoning hikers to jump right in.

When it's too cold to swim, the views are no less magical. Frozen mid-stream, the icy river is a winter wonderland if we've ever seen one.

Unless you're very experienced and agile, trying to make this a day hike probably isn't feasible. You'd have to leave at sunrise in order to even make returning before dark a possibility, so consider camping out halfway through. You won't have to rush and the effort is cut in half — a good situation all around, in our humble opinion!

A Navajo Nation permit is required to embark on the hike. Please check with the Cameron Visitor Center prior to heading out.

Visit the hike’s AllTrails page to learn more.

Have you ever traversed the Hopi Salt Trail? If so, do pictures do it justice? Let us know your thoughts.

Address: Marble Canyon, AZ 86036, USA

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing. Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.