Arizona National Scenic Trail
A continuous foot, horse, and bike route links deserts, sky islands, canyons, forests, communities, and the Grand Canyon from Mexico to Utah.
Artwork inspired by Ed Mell
The Arizona Trail is a state-spanning corridor rather than one attraction. Its 43 passages cross multiple land managers and ecosystems, including wilderness segments where bicycles are prohibited. A day hike should be chosen by passage, season, access, and water—not simply proximity on a statewide map.
Through-hiking requires permits, resupply planning, fire awareness, water reports, and major seasonal strategy. For a first visit, select an official passage with a clear trailhead and turnaround, then use the Arizona Trail Association’s current conditions rather than an undifferentiated map pin.
- Length
- About 800 miles
- Passages
- 43
- Ends
- Mexico to Utah
Quick guide
- Route question
- Sky-island passages ↔ Grand Canyon crossing
- Final evidence
- Mogollon Rim forests
Arizona National Scenic Trail: choose passage and check rules
- Choose passage
- Name the exact segment before planning transport.
- Check rules
- Confirm land manager, permits, and bike access.
- Verify water
- Never assume a mapped source is flowing.
- Plan season
- Avoid desert heat and high-country snow windows.
Good to know
The statewide Google entity is not an arrival point. Every outing needs a passage-specific trailhead, conditions report, and water plan.
Notice these
- Sky-island passages
- Grand Canyon crossing
- Mogollon Rim forests