It’s no secret that Arizona has some of the country’s best hiking trails. Towering red rocks, majestic Saguaros, and abundant wildlife make for truly stunning scenery that gets better with each turn. Below are seven of the most breathtaking mountain and canyon trails across the state, each one offering a unique perspective of our beloved desert landscape:
- Treasure Loop Trail, Phoenix
AllTrails/AJ Ferrara Exploring the Superstition Mountains is an obligatory adventure for tourists and locals alike, and it doesn’t have to be daunting. Treasure Loop Trail clocks in at a mere 2.4 miles and features minimal elevation gain, making it perfect for beginners. The path is extremely well-marked and leads hikers through mystical rock formations and stunning desert landscape. You can access the trailhead at Lost Dutchman State Park, but be forewarned: this hike is said to be haunted! Read more about its spooky side in our previous feature article here.
Address: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119.
- Deadman’s Pass Trail, Sedona
AllTrails/Erin Richmond Located deep within the Coconino National Forest is Deadman’s Pass Trail, a 2.6-mile out-and-back hike. It slopes downhill for most of the route, making it accessible to all skill levels - though what goes down must also come back up on out-and-back trails. However, the lack of intensity frees up more mental space to admire the captivating red rocks that tower in all directions.
- Piestewa Peak Nature Trail, Phoenix
AllTrails/Kerry Nowadly Matthews Hiking up a mountain will never truly be easy, but this is a fair compromise. Piestewa Peak’s Nature Trail is 1.5 miles long and ascends the mountain’s eastern face. The landscape is rocky and a bit steep, but there are benches placed along the route in case you need to rest. Informative plaques offer tidbits about native plants and animals you’ll encounter along the way, so bring the kids and make learning fun! Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the park’s many tables when you’re all finished.
Check out our previous feature article about the Piestewa Peak Nature Trail here.
- Tumamoc Hill, Tucson
AllTrails/Mike Larson Nothing quite compares to the sight of majestic Saguaros stretching endlessly into the distance, which is exactly what Tumamoc Hill provides. This hike is just over three miles round-trip and provides stunning panoramic views of Tucson. Visit at dawn or dusk for the most striking visuals - oh, and night hiking is allowed, as well!
- White Tank Waterfall Trail, Waddell
AllTrails/April Hinton While the waterfall on this highly popular trail only flows after a heavy rain, there are plenty of equally worthwhile reasons to visit. The hike is just under two miles long and features some incredibly well-preserved Native American petroglyphs that can’t be found anywhere else in Arizona. Feel free to bring along your leashed pup or embark on a leisurely mountain bike ride. The trail is largely exposed with almost no shade, so this trail is best suited for use between November and April when the weather is cooler.
- Boynton Vista Trail, Sedona
AllTrails/Seungmin Lim Sedona is known worldwide for its alleged energy vortexes located atop certain rock formations. You’ll pass several of these metaphysical gyres along the Boynton Vista Trail, which is only about a mile long. Upon completion, the powerful energy field surrounding you will be impossible to ignore - so sit in it and emerge with a calm soul and purposeful spirit.
- Blue Mesa Trail, Holbrook
AllTrails/Gary Tindall While the Petrified Forest spans many acres of undulating terrain, a mile-long walk is all it takes to see the primary focal points. Blue Mesa is a paved trail that leads right past actual pieces of petrified wood before descending into multicolored badlands. Everyone deserves to experience this truly extraterrestrial landscape.
Click here to read our previous feature article about Blue Mesa Trail.
How many of these trails have you embarked on? Did we miss your favorite easy hike in Arizona? Let us know your thoughts and recommendations. Here are a few more of our top picks: 9 Easy Desert Hikes In Arizona Anyone Can Do.
AllTrails/AJ Ferrara
Exploring the Superstition Mountains is an obligatory adventure for tourists and locals alike, and it doesn’t have to be daunting. Treasure Loop Trail clocks in at a mere 2.4 miles and features minimal elevation gain, making it perfect for beginners. The path is extremely well-marked and leads hikers through mystical rock formations and stunning desert landscape. You can access the trailhead at Lost Dutchman State Park, but be forewarned: this hike is said to be haunted! Read more about its spooky side in our previous feature article here.
Address: 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119.
AllTrails/Erin Richmond
Located deep within the Coconino National Forest is Deadman’s Pass Trail, a 2.6-mile out-and-back hike. It slopes downhill for most of the route, making it accessible to all skill levels - though what goes down must also come back up on out-and-back trails. However, the lack of intensity frees up more mental space to admire the captivating red rocks that tower in all directions.
AllTrails/Kerry Nowadly Matthews
Hiking up a mountain will never truly be easy, but this is a fair compromise. Piestewa Peak’s Nature Trail is 1.5 miles long and ascends the mountain’s eastern face. The landscape is rocky and a bit steep, but there are benches placed along the route in case you need to rest. Informative plaques offer tidbits about native plants and animals you’ll encounter along the way, so bring the kids and make learning fun! Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the park’s many tables when you’re all finished.
Check out our previous feature article about the Piestewa Peak Nature Trail here.
AllTrails/Mike Larson
Nothing quite compares to the sight of majestic Saguaros stretching endlessly into the distance, which is exactly what Tumamoc Hill provides. This hike is just over three miles round-trip and provides stunning panoramic views of Tucson. Visit at dawn or dusk for the most striking visuals - oh, and night hiking is allowed, as well!
AllTrails/April Hinton
While the waterfall on this highly popular trail only flows after a heavy rain, there are plenty of equally worthwhile reasons to visit. The hike is just under two miles long and features some incredibly well-preserved Native American petroglyphs that can’t be found anywhere else in Arizona. Feel free to bring along your leashed pup or embark on a leisurely mountain bike ride. The trail is largely exposed with almost no shade, so this trail is best suited for use between November and April when the weather is cooler.
AllTrails/Seungmin Lim
Sedona is known worldwide for its alleged energy vortexes located atop certain rock formations. You’ll pass several of these metaphysical gyres along the Boynton Vista Trail, which is only about a mile long. Upon completion, the powerful energy field surrounding you will be impossible to ignore - so sit in it and emerge with a calm soul and purposeful spirit.
AllTrails/Gary Tindall
While the Petrified Forest spans many acres of undulating terrain, a mile-long walk is all it takes to see the primary focal points. Blue Mesa is a paved trail that leads right past actual pieces of petrified wood before descending into multicolored badlands. Everyone deserves to experience this truly extraterrestrial landscape.
Click here to read our previous feature article about Blue Mesa Trail.
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Address: Treasure Loop Trail #56, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USAAddress: Piestewa Peak, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USAAddress: Tumamoc Hill, Tucson, AZ 85745, USAAddress: Waterfall Canyon Trail, Waddell, AZ 85355, USAAddress: Boynton Canyon Trail, Boynton Cyn Trl, Sedona, AZ 86336, USAAddress: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
