AZ Utopia: Insider's Guide to Best Arizona Hiking Trails

February 13, 2015

Finding a Hike

CLICK HERE for the easy to use Hike Finder. Search by skill level, area (with map) or distance.

Landscape view of a hiker taking in the view, from the back of Fay Canyon in Sedona, Arizona’s, with red rock formations, cliffs, trees and shrubs, Bell and Cathedral Rocks visible in the distance. Fay Canyon Hiking Trail, Easy Hiking Trails; Northern Arizona Hiking Trails, Family Friendly Hiking Trails, Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

★★★☆☆ Easy / Sedona This short, easy hike meanders through the base of an iconic red rock canyon. Its pine shaded path, flanked by soaring sandstone cliffs, makes the Fay Canyon Hiking Trail A-OK for hikers of all ages.

AZ Utopia, Hiker, Fingers , Sunset, Calculate, Easy trick to measure daylight left, Daylight, Sundown.

December 4, 2015

Easy Trick to Measure Daylight Left while Hiking

Ah! Arizona’s wonderfully cooler hiking weather has arrived. And with it cursedly shorter days. As the daylight hours wane, it’s important to be aware of how much hiking time is left ’til sunset. It’s no fun fumbling back to the trailhead in the dark – as the result of squeezing in “Just one more mile!” Yes. If the coyotes are joining you on the trail, you’ve probably stayed out too long.…

Arizona's Fall color. A landscape view of Aspens in Fall from Flagstaff, Arizona’s Inner Basin Hiking Trail. Copyright azutopia. 10 Best Hikes to Experience Arizona’s Fall Color. No use without prior permission.

September 24, 2016

10 Best Hikes to Experience Arizona’s Fall Color

For what seems like the blink of an eye, Arizona’s mountains and canyons light up in brilliant hues of yellow and red. From late September to mid-October, high-elevation Aspens shimmer in gold. While from early-to-mid-October the Oaks and Maples in Sedona, and on the Mogollon Rim, blaze orange and red. At lower elevations Cottonwood flanked streams glow yellow in Fall. Here’s…

February 6, 2016

What to Take on a Hike

Whether you’re heading out on a short 1-mile, or long 20-mile day hike, here’s a list of essential items to bring: What to Take on a Hike WATER – Your absolute “Must have!” on any hike! Use a system that keeps your hands free and body balanced. Hydration backpacks (from companies like CamelBak or Osprey) are fantastic. Their insulation helps keep liquids cool (a big…

Landscape; Red cliffs; Rock formations; Overhang; Canyon; Ponderosas; Ravine; outdoors; Grand Canyon National Park; North Rim; Cliff Spring Hiking Trail; Northern Arizona Hikes; Family Friendly Hikes; Easy Hikes; Copyright azutopia.com; No use without permission.

August 27, 2021

Cliff Spring Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Easy / Grand Canyon North Rim See ancient ruins, upside down plants and a dripping spring on this pretty, easy hike. The Cliff Spring Hiking Trail gently descends an intimate ravine at the top of the Grand Canyon. Along the way a number of natural treasures are revealed … one-by-one.

March 19, 2016

Choosing the Perfect Hiking Shoe or Boot

Besides having enough water, your hiking footwear has the most radical impact on whether you reminisce about your hike in “Whoo Hoo!” or “*!%*!#*%!” terms. Having your feet feel impervious to the trail is pretty sweet. While getting bumped up toes, blisters or twisted ankles, due underperforming footwear, is less than cool! So what should you look for when choosing a hiking shoe or boot?…

Landscape view from top of Mount Union; from the Dandrea and Yankee Doodle Hiking Trails; Mountain tops; Prescott Mountains; Pine Trees; Prescott; Arizona; Moderate Hiking Trails; Central Arizona Hiking Trails. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

May 7, 2021

Dandrea Hiking Trail to Mount Union

★★★☆☆ Moderate / Prescott Area Make a beeline to the top of the Bradshaw Mountains highest peak, on this shady, woodland trail. The Dandrea Hiking Trail cuts a straight path up the northern side of Mount Union. Near the top, a quick turn onto the Yankee Doodle Trail pays off with stunning southwards views over the…

Grup of Hikers with Backpacks; Haulapai Canyon; Boulders; Arroyo; Cliffs; Trees; Canyon; Havasu; Arizona; Grand Canyon. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

February 23, 2019

Havasu Falls Backpacking Supply Guide

Congratulations! You’ve scored a permit to visit Havasu Falls. And now you’re in serious planning mode. To help out, we’ve put together a recommended supply list (below) and downloadable checklist (with recommended weights, etc.) on what to tuck into your backpack. Plus, the camping descriptions below provide a good heads-up on the ins-and-outs of Havasu Falls camping.…

Havasu Falls; Northern Arizona; Arizona; Havasu River; Havasu Canyon; Turquoise Water; Waterfall; River; View; Canyon; Havasupai; Supai; Arizona; Northern Arizona Hikes; Difficult Hikes; Copyright azutopi.com; No use without permission

January 13, 2018

Havasu Falls Hiking Trail

★★★★★ Difficult / North of Seligman Turquoise blue water and a thundering 100′ waterfall make Havasu Falls one of Arizona’s most spectacular places. Winding through a remote desert canyon, the Havasu Falls Hiking Trail descends into a magical land – almost surreal in its beauty. Deep in the canyon, a treelined, icy blue creek, and roaring falls,…

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