Arizona

Though there are many unique viewpoints from within and around Monument Valley, none is as grand as the view from Hunts Mesa! Not easily accessible, the only way to get to Hunts Mesa is through an authorized tour guide via a ~2 hour off-road drive around the backside of the mesa. Even if you did ...

This short hike is spectacular at sunset. Park in the parking just beyond Echo Canyon right off of the park's scenic eight mile drive. Follow the well marked trail along the edge of Sugarloaf Mountain for beautiful views of the surrounding rock formations and valley below. At the top you will rea...

Crescent Moon Ranch was established in the 1880's, and now serves as a day use facility for the U.S. Forest Service. It lies on Oak Creek directly below Cathedral Rock, one of the most iconic towering monuments in Sedona. The ranch is beautiful, and is popular for picnic's, swimming, hiking, and ...

I really enjoyed this hike. I recommend doing the hike as an out and back from the Kinney Road parking area. Also, the best time to hike is just before sunset. The hike is just over 4 miles total out and back with only about 500 feet of elevation gain. It has a climb at the beginning then rolls a...

The Valley Vista trail is a short hike in Skyline Regional Park, located in the southern region of the White Tank Mountains west of Phoenix.  From the top you'll have a great view of the Estrella Mountain Range and the southwest valley.  For the most direct route, take the Turnbuckle trail.  This...

This trail takes you to the rim of Montezuma Well, a massive collapsed limestone sinkhole. The springs at the bottom of the sinkhole feed a large pond which supports a unique aquatic habitat in this dry landscape. Scientists are still baffled as to the origin headwaters of the water within this c...

Badger Spring Wash is a dry stream bed most of the year. This trail starts from the Badger Spring Trailhead just off Route 17 north from Phoenix. The trail follows the stream bed, sometimes in or along side for 1.5 miles. At about one mile, you reach the spring and a good amount of water which is...

Start at the Sabino Canyon trailhead - you can either walk up the dirt road (which adds about 4 miles) or take the $10 tram from the Visitor Center and hop off at the last stop #9. From there you hike 2.5 miles into Sabino Canyon into the basin (beautiful views of the canyon all the way there). O...

To get to the Nordic Village from Flagstaff, just take the 180 North until you see the signs for the Nordic Village (on your right).Once at the Nordic Village, go inside the entrance building to buy your day pass ($10 for a snowshoeing day pass) and rent your gear.  Feel free to bring your own sn...

Right off Arizona Highway 260 at Porter Mountain Rd., you'll find this easy out-and-back hike that will wind you past Scott Reservoir to an ancient lava tube cave. To access the trailhead, take Porter Mountain Rd. for one mile off Highway 260, the parking area is easily visible about 0.1 mi past...

Great, short hike in Red Rock Crossing. Make sure to check out the hundreds of cairns at Buddha Beach. Beautiful views of Cathedral Rock.  Lots of places to relax and have lunch, with picnic tables near the parking lot.  Lots of parking, good amount of shade down near the creek.   Good for all sk...

Both trails begin from the Rainbow Forest Museum located at the southern entrance of the National Park. Start with the Giant Logs trail which will take you on a short .4 mi paved loop through magnificently colored wood. Make sure to stop at the top of the trail by "Old Faithful" which is almost 1...

This easy hike features a lovely creek and the beautiful red rocks of Sedona! This is a flat, shady, 1.3 mi hike and follows Oak Creek for a portion.  Beautiful spots to stop and have a picnic or just relax and watch the birds.  Lots of signage, and great to do with kids of all ages. If you’r...

Take Rt. 10 east toward Benson and onto Cochise. Follow the sign to Pearce then to Sunsite. Take Ironwood Rd., Forest Rd. 84, for about 12 miles to the Stronghold Campground. Cochise Stronghold is about 1 hour from Tucson and well worth the drive. This is an out and back hike which makes for a lo...

The Mescal Mountain Loop Hike circles Mescal Mesa uses three different trails. Park at the Mescal Trail parking area on Long Canyon Road.  The Mescal Trail is 2.4 miles long and winds up to the base of the mesa where it travels along beautiful open slick rock. It is an easy hike but the trail is ...

This hike starts at the Kelsey Spring Trailhead. Park at the end of Forest Service Road 538G. There is parking for about 6-7 cars. Just past the signage for the trail, which is also called Kelsey Winter Trail, there is a trail registration box. Be sure to sign in. The trail descends steeply for t...