Explore This Secret Trail Around One Of The National Memorials In Arizona

The Grand Canyon State is home to mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers as well as national parks, historical sites, and memorials that contain some of our most incredible sights. It may be obvious to some, but exploring these places on foot is, by far, the best way to visit. And if you like solitude once in a while like I do, there's a secret trail in Arizona you may want to discover. Located within the Coronado National Memorial is an underrated gem of a trail that offers views, a challenging trek, and, perhaps best of all, peace and quiet.

Okay, so don't tell anyone, but we have a secret to share. Well, actually it's a secret trail, one that's challenging but also less traveled than most trails in the area.

Located within the Coronado National Memrtial, the Atascosa Lookout Trailhead can be found along Ruby Road in Nogales, Arizona. Parking is located across from the trailhead.

This rugged trail is quite a challenge but totally worth it if you're physically able to. Just make sure you bring plenty of water and sunscreen and check out our hiking essentials packing list for anything else you need.

This 4.5-mile out-and-back trail is rated as hard by AllTrails. It has an elevation gain of 1,601 feet and will take nearly 3 hours to complete, so make sure you give yourself enough time and daylight to make this trek.

The Coronado National Memorial was once an important area of exploration for European settlers and the Aztecs.

In fact, there was The Coronado Expedition led by commander Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in 1540. Unfortunately, this expedition changed the course area's indigenous people's lives as well as their culture.

While this area is absolutely gorgeous, it's had a storied past. And it's important to think about the history of a place when visiting and exploring

Have you ever trekked along the Atascosa Lookout Trail? To learn more about this challenging trek, head to AllTrails. To learn more about the Coronado National Memorial, visit the National Park Service website.

For more on this and other trails in the area and beyond, download the AllTrails+ app!