Where To Go Hiking in Arizona

From the Grand Canyon all the way down to Tucson, you’ll find plenty of amazing hiking trails throughout Arizona.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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If you’re looking to plan your next hiking trip in
Arizona
, you’ve come to the right place. From Devil’s Bridge Trail to SP Crater Trail, the Grand Canyon State offers plenty of breathtaking hiking options for novice and experienced hikers alike. 
The diverse landscape of Arizona makes it one of the best states in the nation for hiking. Whether you want to take in the mesmerizing desert views of the Grand Canyon from the South Kaibab Trail or surround yourself with giant saguaros and waterfalls on the Seven Falls Trail in Tucson—you’re sure to embark on a magnificent hiking adventure in all regions of Arizona. 
But where will you go?
Jerry
, the comparison
super app
that helps you save money on your
car insurance
is here to help guide you on hiking in Arizona. We’ve put together a list of some of the best hiking trails in Arizona, including the total distance, estimated time, and elevation gain of each hiking trail. 
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Devil’s Bridge Trail, Coconino National Forest

Location: Sedona
Distance: 3.9 miles
Estimated time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Elevation gain: 521 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Have no fear,
Devil’s Bridge
is a glorious landmark with breathtaking views of Sedona and its mesmerizing red rocks and distinctive formations. As the largest natural sandstone archway in the desert town, the journey to the top of this hiking trail will leave you blown away. 
If you have
an all-wheel off-road vehicle
, you can easily park right at the trailhead and make this a super easy hike. If you don’t, there’s a parking lot where the paved street ends that's about a 1.3 mile walk on a dirt road to get to Devil’s Bridge—which ends up becoming a hike in itself. 
This moderately difficult hiking trail is very popular among both casual and experienced hikers who appreciate natural wonders and sweeping views. Dogs on leashes are welcomed too!

Echo Canyon Trail to Camelback Mountain

Location: Near Phoenix
Distance: 2.5 miles
Estimated time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Elevation gain: 1,420 feet
Difficulty: Hard
The iconic landscape of
Camelback Mountain
is pretty hard to miss as it looks like an enormous camel lying down from a distance. Located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area, Echo Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails near
Phoenix
. It will lead you through splendid ridges and canyons to the highest peak in the city with epic views of Phoenix and surrounding mountains. 
But don’t let the short distance fool you! Echo Canyon Trail is a steep climb to the top that’s considered expert level and not for the faint of hearts. The trail starts off moderately enough but gets progressively more difficult—though the payoff will definitely be worth it for experienced hikers. It’s best to start early to beat the heat and don’t forget to bring plenty of water with you. 

Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron

Location: Near Apache Junction
Distance: 5.5 miles
Estimated time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Elevation gain: 2,641 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Located near
Apache Junction
, the Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron is a challenging, yet popular hike in the Superstition Mountains. The trail starts at the
Lost Dutchman State Park
, where you’ll encounter beautiful cactuses and desert life all around as you slowly make your way up to the top as you’re surrounded by unique rock formations. 
Siphon Draw Trail turns into Flatiron Trail as you start to reach the curving cliff. Once you reach the top, you can continue onto the Flatiron Summit for incredible views of the Apache Junction Valley. The other option is heading straight up to Superstition Peak if the climb so far hasn’t been challenging enough! You’ll be rewarded with an astonishing view of Weavers Needle, so don’t forget to pack a camera as well.
This is another strenuous hiking option that should be carried out by expert hikers. Dogs on leashes are also welcomed if they can handle the bumpy ride up.

Horseshoe Bend Trail, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Location: Near Page
Distance: 1.5 miles
Estimated time: 35 minutes
Elevation gain: 137 feet
Difficulty: Easy
If you’re near the
Page
area, stopping by
Horseshoe Bend
in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area is a must. This is one of the most accessible hiking trails on the list. Not only is the trail short and sweet, but the Horseshoe Bend Overlook provides one of the best spots for sublime views of the Colorado River that curves 270 degrees around the iconic landmark.
Thanks to social media, this is one of the most heavily visited sites in the park—so expect a crowd no matter what time of year it is. It’s best to start early before the tour buses get there and don’t forget to pay your $10 parking fee as well. But it is well worth it as an easy hiking trail for the whole family to enjoy. You can even bring your leashed pooch along for all the pictures you are sure to take.
MORE: How to check for Arizona road closures

South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park

Location: Grand Canyon
Distance: 2.8 miles
Estimated time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Elevation gain: 1,102 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
When it comes to hiking in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park usually comes to mind first. And if you want to see some of the best views of the park without all the difficulties of most other park trails,
South Kaibab Trail
is the way to go. 
Accessible from the South Rim, South Kaibab Trail features impeccable panoramic views of the Grand Canyon but it is a steep trek up that can be moderately difficult for casual hikers. There is also little shade and no water around, so bring your sunscreen and pack plenty of water. 
Also, please note that vehicles are not allowed at the trailhead. You can only get to the trail through the park’s free shuttle bus services from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. 

Seven Falls Trail to Bear Canyon

Location: Tucson
Distance: 8.3 miles
Estimated time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Elevation gain: 1,013 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Waterfalls, saguaros, prickly pear cactuses—oh my! The majestic scenery of the Seven Falls Trail to Bear Canyon makes it one of the best and most popular hikes in all of
Tucson
. After you park at the
Sabino Canyon Recreation Center
, you can either walk two miles on paved road or take a $4.00 tram ride to the trailhead that takes about 10 minutes. 
Seven Falls Trail is only moderately difficult for novice hikers, though it’s still a long journey with little shade along the way, so going in the late winter or early spring might be best for those who don’t want to deal with rising temperatures. But it will all be worth it once you reach the gorgeous waterfalls and natural crystal clear pool at the base.

Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Sonoran Conservatory

Location: Scottsdale
Distance: 4.0 miles
Estimated time: 2 hours 10 minutes 
Elevation gain: 1,236 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Managed by the
McDowell Sonoran Conservatory
, the famous Tom’s Thumb Trail is one of the best hikes in the
Scottsdale
area. Named after Tom Kreuser, the first member of the Arizona Mountaineering Club who climbed it, the stunning landmark is so massive it can be seen from the trailhead.
The first half mile of the hike is peaceful as you’re surrounded by desert flora and saguaros. But after that, the trail will get increasingly more difficult as the climb gets steeper, so don’t forget to pack water and take breaks when you need to. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to majestic views of the McDowell Mountains and the surrounding area atop Tom’s Thumb. 

SP Crater Trail

Location: Flagstaff
Distance: 2.9 miles
Estimated time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Elevation gain: 987 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Located near
Flagstaff
, the volcanic landscape of SP Crater Trail is a short but relatively steep climb that promises surreal views of the San Francisco Volcanic Field. You’ll also see a spectacular lava flow that heads north from the base of the SP!
There is no official start point for this trail, so you’ll need to park your car at the base of the SP Crater. From there, you’ll follow a dirt road up a tough climb that will be worthwhile when you get to walk around the rim of the crater to view the perfectly preserved cinder cone. This trail is off the beaten path, so if you like hiking in solitude, this may be the trail for you. 
If you’re into stargazing, Flagstaff is one of the top-rated “Dark Sky Cities” due to low light pollution, and you’ll have a prime viewing spot from the SP Crate Trail. 

Finding cheap car insurance before hitting the road

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