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

November 25, 2020

Best Hiking Gifts 2020-2021

We’ve put together a curated list of coveted hiking gifts! From stocking stuffers to high-end technical gear, we’ve tested and researched to ID the gifts worth giving. Additionally, if you purchase these (or any other gift) by clicking a purple link below, a very small part of your purchase will go to keeping our site…

February 13, 2015

Finding a Hike

Click here for the easy to use Hike Finder, including skill level markers, location map, and area listings.

Upwards landscape view of Picketpost Mountain; with hills Saquaros and brush below; Picketpost Hiking Trail; Superior; Arizona; Difficult Hiking Trails; Central Arizona. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

November 14, 2020

Picketpost Mountain Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Difficult / Superior If butt-kicking scrambles up rocky ravines are your thing, this hike is for you! The Picketpost Mountain Hiking Trail kicks off with a deceptively easy approach that quickly morphs into a rugged climb up a steep, narrow gorge. The payoff for bagging this solitary peak? A well-deserved sense of accomplishment and some…

Hikers with their dog; Views of Blue Skies and McDowell Mountains in distance; Desert; Dixie Mountain Hiking Trail; Sonoran Desert Preserve; Phoenix; Arizona; Saquaros; Moderate Hiking Trails; Family Friendly Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.comNo use without permission.

October 9, 2020

Dixie Mountain Hiking Trail Loop

★★★☆☆ Moderate / North Phoenix Pretty views, an owl’s nest and a rusted out car are fun features of this neighborhood hike. The Dixie Mountain Hiking Trail Loop winds through northern Phoenix’s Sonoran Preserve. Inside the park, the suburbs fade from view, replaced by pretty, rolling desert hills.

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.…

Hikers; Treasure Trail Hiking Loop; Sunburst; Cliffs; Rock Formations. Brush; Saguaros; Lost Dutchman State Park; Superstition Mountains; Arizona; Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

February 23, 2020

Treasure Loop Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Phoenix Area This short, family-friendly loop winds around the huge rock formations at the base of the Superstition Mountains. The Treasure Loop Hiking Trail heads up a scenic foothill. At the top, there are ginormous boulders to explore and excellent valley views.

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…

January 9, 2016

Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak

★★★★★ Difficult / North of Tucson: Exhilaration! Steep scrambles, climbing cables and wooden planks are all included on this adrenaline-inducing hike. Not for the faint-of heart, or anyone prone to vertigo, the Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak is a short, but intrepidly-steep-in-spots, climb to the apex of this mountain’s soaring rock face. The 360 degree views from the top, and well-deserved satisfaction in getting there, make…

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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