The Best Running in Arizona

Looking for the best running in Arizona? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Arizona. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top running spots in and near Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Piestewa Peak Summit

4.4

2.25 mi / 1050 ft gain

Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak and conveniently located in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is a relatively short hike that yields impressive views of the city and is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Piestewa Peak is a popular spot for locals who do not want to drive or...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain

4.5

2.46 mi / 1214 ft gain

If you live near or around Phoenix, you know that Camelback Mountain is pretty hard to miss. Due to the mountain's height, this hike isn't exactly what you would call easy. There are two sides of the mountain you can hike, Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail. Echo Canyon is shorter, but still an extreme...
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Scottsdale, Arizona

Tom's Thumb

4.3

3.98 mi / 1236 ft gain

The infamous “thumb” can be seen from most places in the valley – a white burst of rock jutting skyward out of the desert ridgeline. The new Tom’s Thumb Trailhead in 2012 has nice restrooms and offers tons of information about the surrounding rock climbing areas, day hikes and desert knowledg...
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Apache Junction, Arizona

Camp at Lost Dutchman State Park

4.8

Lost Dutchman State Park is located near the Superstition Mountains in central Phoenix, about 40 miles from Phoenix. There is a $7 day use fee to enter the park, which is waived if you’re camping ($15/night). The park offers 134 campsites, each with a picnic table, barbeque grill, and fire pit, a...
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Sedona, Arizona

Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point

4.6

2.79 mi / 420 ft gain

Start your hike at the Broken Arrow Trailhead, just .2 miles past the end of Morgan Rd. You will be immediately greeted by Sedona slickrock trails and red rock views for days! Take a minute to sneak a peek at Devil's Dining Room Sinkhole around 0.6 miles in. It has a sign and is just of to the ri...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Hike to the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park

3.6

0.2 mi / 200 ft gain

Papago Park is located right next to the Phoenix Zoo. The park is known for its rock formations and short hiking / running trails. The main attraction, the Hole in the Rock, at the top of the short trail, is a great place to take pictures as it is one of the highest points in the area and it off...
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Flagstaff, Arizona

Trail Run in Lockett Meadow

4.8

Getting There North of Flagstaff on the 89A, take a left turn directly after a sign for Sunset Crater. This road winds up a well-developed path; when it ends, turn right. After the road banks left, take a right at the next fork and continue on the dirt road up a single lane path until you enter t...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Quartz Ridge Trail

4.5

2.29 mi / 509 ft gain

Quartz Ridge in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve (also known as Trail 8A) is a great escape getaway trail that can be done as a single track or combined with many intersecting trails. It is a very popular trail for hikers, trail runners, pet walkers, sky gawkers and more! The trailhead sits in a sm...
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Flagstaff, Arizona

SP Crater

1.96 mi / 341 ft gain

Off of the 89, just north of Flagstaff AZ, there is an unmarked dirt road just before a gas station. It leads out to privately owned land that's open to the public. Some friends and I went out there to get away from our day jobs. As we headed down the road, the land opened up in vast expanses of ...
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Scottsdale, Arizona

Hike Sunrise Trail to Sunrise Peak

4.8

3.8 mi / 1200 ft gain

SunrisePeak,alsoknown as Sunrise Trail, is located at the residential foothills ofthe McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale,Arizona.The trail will start next to a residential neighborhood,butafter about a quarter mile you'll be immersed in the pristine SonoranDesert. The trail will lead you to the sad...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Hike the West Park Loop Trail in Papago Park

4.4

4 mi

This trail begins from the parking lot on the west side of Galvin Parkway. To the east of the parking lot is a single track, dirt trail that heads north towards the big buttes. It continues counterclockwise around the big butte and heads south around the smaller butte. It continues west around th...
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Flagstaff, Arizona

Hike and Camp at Arizona's A1 Mountain

4.7

6.6 miles west of downtown Flagstaff off the I-40 West is the A1 Mountain Road. Continue over the cattle guards and enter into the A1 Mountain Area—perfect for hiking, camping, and trail running.The main road is well established for a dirt road, and many of the hiking trails branch off from it. T...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Hike Marcos de Niza Ridgeline / National Loop

5.0

2.8 mi / 640 ft gain

This is somewhat of a hidden gem in South Mountain Park, the largest municipal park in the United States, even though it's right there for all to see. The best way to take advantage of this trail is to attack the ridgeline with an intense hiking pace or trail run, connecting it to the National Tr...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Hike North Mountain Trail

4.7

1.4 mi / 600 ft gain

Beginning from the start of the trail on 7th Street, this short hike can be a good quick workout that offers great views of the greater Phoenix area. Be aware that this hike is a fairly steep climb 600 feet to the top. Once you reach the summit of North Mountain you'll find great views of the c...
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Phoenix, Arizona

Hike Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout

4.0

4.1 mi / 1135 ft gain

Dobbins lookout is a popular high point in South Mountain Park that offers views of the entire Phoenix area. It's accessible by road or by trail with no entry fee. Consider going in the evening for the best views.If you plan to hike to the top, the shortest route is the Holbert trail. Take a l...
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Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

Camp at Mather Campground, Grand Canyon NP

4.5

Mather campground provides forest camping at its best while visiting the beautiful South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spacious RV, tent, group and even horse sites are available in this well kept facility. The area also provides clean restrooms, water, dump station and showers (additional cost) if yo...
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