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.

Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Hiking Trail

★★★☆☆ Moderate / Yarnell It’s hard not to shed a tear on this hike memorializing AZ’s 19 fallen Hotshots. Winding through beautiful Weaver Mountain and Yarnell Hill, the Granite Mountain Memorial Trail ends at the spot where these firefighters lost their battle with a wildfire. Here, crosses display each name. While plaques along the trail commemorate…

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.…

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!

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?…

View of Granite Mountain from the Groom Creek Hiking Trail; Prescott; Arizona; Prescott National Forest; Spruce Mountain; Moderate Hiking Trails; Pet Friendly Hiking Trails. Copyright azutopia.com. No use without permission.

August 31, 2018

Groom Creek Hiking Trail Loop

★★★☆☆ Moderate / Prescott Hike this shady Pine & Oak lined trail to the top of Spruce Mountain. The Groom Creek Hiking Trail meanders gently upwards to a high Watchtower. From the lookout, stunning 360° views of Granite Mountain, the Chino Valley and Prescott National Forest are a sweet reward. This trail’s consistent 3.5 mile ascent…

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…

March 14, 2015

Devil’s Bridge Hiking Trail

★★★★★ Moderate / Sedona Area: Ka’ching! It is rare to find a hike that provides the scenic jackpots of the Devil’s Bridge Hiking Trail, with so little effort. Walking only 1.6 miles – on a wide, gently tiered and treelined path – trail goers arrive at the base of one of Sedona’s most prized possessions: a monolithic, fifty foot high, natural sandstone arch, nestled into…

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…

Arizona, Phoenix, Boulders, Camelback Mountain, Echo Canyon Hiking Trail.

October 24, 2015

Echo Canyon Hiking Trail, Camelback Mountain

★★★★★ Difficult / Phoenix: If there is one defining Phoenix hike, this is it! Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Hiking Trail is a local favorite for multiple reasons. The hike is short, but high up there on the challenge scale. Is located just steps from downtown. Plus offers spectacular city views framed by rugged canyon walls and Saguaro Cacti. With its extreme popularity you’ll encounter local trail-runners making multiple treks…

Let’s Hike!

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