Arizona Trail

The Arizona National Scenic Trail is an 800 mile long trail that stretches from the Arizona / Mexico border to the Arizona / Utah border.

It is maintained by the Arizona Trail Association.

Overview

Length: 800 miles

Standard direction(s) of travel: Northbound in the spring, Southbound in the fall

Season: Spring and Fall

Trail Association: Arizona Trail Association

Permits and Regulations

• Arizona Trail Association's Closures and Reroutes page: https://aztrail.org/category/closures-reroutes/
• Backcountry permits are required in Saguaro National Park and Grand Canyon National Park

Information Resources

Websites

• https://warspite.wordpress.com/2019/12/29/silvers-guide-to-the-arizona-trail/
• Arizona Trail guide on BackpackingRoutes.com
• Resupply guide
• Shuttles
• David's Arizona Trail Thruhike Notes

Weather and Seasonality

Northbound hikers generally depart the southern terminus during March or early April. Hikers starting too early will find abundant snow and cold weather in southern Arizona's "Sky Island" mountain ranges (Huachucas, Rincones, Catalinas), while hikers leaving too late will face oppressive heat in the low desert areas surrounding Tucson and the Gila River area. Northbounders generally complete their treks in late April or May. In high snow years and/or the early season, large parts of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Kaibab Plateau may still be snowbound.

Southbound hikers hikers generally leave the northern terminus in mid-late September, after monsoon season has wound down. As the weather cools, they drop off the Mogollon Rim into warmer climes. The sky islands may still be chilly, but weather is generally pleasant, though with greater wildfire risk than in the spring. Most southbound hikers will finish at the southern terminus in November.