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.

Widforss Point View; Widforss Hiking Trail; Grand Canyon; Arizona; North Rim; Easy Hiking Trails; Family Friendly Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.com; No use without permission

★★★☆☆ Easy / North Rim Grand Canyon Insanely good Grand Canyon views are the prime feature of this easy, shady trail! The Widforss Hiking Trail skirts the rim of The Transept, a deep canyon jutting out from the Grand Canyon’s northern edge. Vast canyon views, stunning rock formations and seasonal wildflowers are just a few…

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?…

June 7, 2019

See Spring Hiking Trail

★★★☆☆ Easy / Payson Area Explore a babbling creek and gushing springs on this shady, family-friendly hike. The See Spring Hiking trail criss-crosses lush Christopher Creek and leads to one of its sources – a series of cascading springs on the base of the Mogollon Rim.

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…

Hiker and dog; Tanque Verde Hiking Trail; Tucson; Arizona; Rincon Mountains; Canyon; Boulders; River Bed; Steam; Saquaros; Copyright azutopia.com; no use without permission.

March 31, 2019

Tanque Verde Falls Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Tucson Find splash-worthy pools, a canyon stream & seasonal falls on this short, rocky trail. Swimming season or not, Tanque Verde Canyon is a fantastic area to explore! With its seasonally-flowing waterfalls, huge granite boulders and high canyon walls, it’s a narrow desert oasis.

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…

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…

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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