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.

★★★☆☆ Easy / Sedona This gently rolling, Pinyon & Juniper-lined trail winds through scenic red-rocks and leads to a deep sink hole. The Jordan Hiking Trail is a short, easy out-and-back day hike. It can also be combined with the Cibola, Brins Mesa & Soldiers Pass Trails for equally beautiful, 2 to 5.2-mile, loop hikes.

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?…

March 15, 2020

Barnhardt Hiking Trail

★★★★★ Difficult / Payson Area Spring waterfalls are the sweet reward for this trek up a gorgeous Mazatzal Mountain valley. While the Barnhardt Hiking Trail’s elongated views make it a bucket list worthy hike year round.

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.…

Young Woman with backpack; Hiker; Sitting inside cave; in front of opening; Redrocks; Cliffs; Crevice; Bright light; Soldiers Pass Hiking Trail; Soldiers Pass Caves; Sedona; Arizona; Northern Arizona Hiking Trails; Difficult Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

November 2, 2019

Soldiers Pass Caves Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Sedona A two-story, red rock cave, sporting excellent Sedona views, sits at the top of this trail. Although unofficial, the Soldiers Pass Caves Hiking Trail is well worn and a cinch to follow. Inside the cave, a short, steep, rock scramble leads to a hidden upper chamber.

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…

Woodchute Hiking Trail; View of Sedona Red Rocks and Woodchute Mountain; Coconino National Forest; Woodchute Wilderness; Mingus Mountain; Jerome; Prescott Area Hiking Trails; Easy Hiking Trails; Pet Friendly Hiking Trails; Copyright azutopia.com; No use without permission.

September 29, 2018

Woodchute Hiking Trail to Overlook

★★★☆☆ Easy / Jerome Following the Woodchute Mountain ridgeline, this hike is loaded with insanely good red rock views. Bonus views of the Chino Valley and Prescott Mountains are also sprinkled all along the trail. Pretty sweet for a mostly-easy hike!

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.…

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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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