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, including skill level markers, location map, and area listings.

Hiker; Backpacker; O'Leary Lookout Hiking Trail; Flagstaff; Arizona; Moderate Hiking Trails; Views; Humphreys Mountain; Dog Friendly Hiking Trails. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

★★★★★ Moderate / Flagstaff Epic views of the San Francisco Mountains and Sunset Crater earn this hike a rare favorite status. Located 20 miles north of Flagstaff, the O’Leary Hiking Trail follows a primitive service road to the top of a towering lava dome. With each step the views get increasing long and ridiculously good.

June 24, 2015

Hiking During 100 Degree Days

Arizona’s 100+ degree Summer temperatures can put a definite crimp on hiking. Follow these tips to enjoy getting out there, even in the hot months. Head Out Hyper Early To get in a good hike, aim to be AT the trailhead at sun up (or shortly thereafter). Those highly precious, pre-swelter, early morning hours (between 5:30 and 8:00) are summer…

August 14, 2016

Lava River Tube Trail

★★★★☆ Easy / Flagstaff Area Headlamps required – on this naturally refrigerated hike through a short underground tunnel. Thrill seekers will love turning off their lights for a second to experience total darkness. And bonus… the Lava River Tube’s year-round 40° temperature makes this hike a definite “Yes” when the thermometer rises.

Bottle of Water, sunny, Sky, Arizona, Palo Verdes, Saguaro

January 20, 2016

H20-101: How Much Water to Bring on a Hike

Why Hydrate? Keeping hydrated is one of the most important factors in assuring a phenominal hiking experience. Drinking enough water helps maintain energy, staves off dehydration and reduces the risks of heatstroke. But figuring how much water to bring on a hike can be confusing. Carry too much of this heavy stuff and you’ll be weighed down. Carry too little and…

June 10, 2017

Huckaby Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Sedona Experience Oak Creek, up close and personal, on this creekside hike! Paralleling Sedona’s cool waterway, the Huckaby Hiking Trail traverses red rock ridges and treelined riverbanks. Boulder lined swim holes make the northern end perfect for hanging out.

April 23, 2015

10 Great Reasons to Hike!

There area so many benefits that come from hiking, both mental and physical. As an introduction, here are 10 great reasons to hike. 1. It’s Free! Or almost free. As long as you have a good pair of sneakers and access to a trail, there are almost no costs associated with hiking. Some parks charge a…

Landscape, Teens, Fossil Creek, Waterfall, Arizona, Coconino Forest, Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail

April 18, 2015

Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail (from Camp Verde)

★★★☆☆ Easy / Payson Area: Blink your eyes (on this crazy short hike) and you’ll have already arrived in paradise! The gushing waterfall and turquoise blue pools on Fossil Creek’s Waterfall Trail are truly feasts for the senses. And frolicking in these deliciously refreshing waters, after such little hiking (although there is a lot of driving), is almost junk-food-like in its nearly instant gratification – kinda’ like being given the…

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?…

September 12, 2015

Kendrick Mountain Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Flagstaff Area: For lots of elevation gain with very little pain – the Kendrick Mountain Hiking Trail is one of Arizona’s best! The trail’s extremely gentle incline, to an impressively high summit, zigzags along some of the most hyper-long switchbacks I’ve ever encountered – making it a breeze to hike. And the views from the top? “Wowza!” A hundred miles…

Let’s Hike!

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