AZ · Southwest
7 forest guides within driving distance
Coronado National Forest encompasses 1,780,000 acres of Arizona's sky island mountain ranges, where pine forests and alpine meadows rise dramatically from surrounding Sonoran Desert, creating some of the most biologically diverse terrain in North America.
8 min read
Arizona's largest and most visited national forest, spanning 2.9 million acres from the Phoenix metro desert to the Mogollon Rim with seven wilderness areas and world-class saguaro and canyon hiking.
6 min read
Arizona's high-country escape covering 2 million acres of ponderosa pine forest, alpine meadows, and the rugged Blue Range Primitive Area in the White Mountains.
7 min read
Sitgreaves National Forest spans Arizona's Mogollon Rim country east of Payson, offering ponderosa pine hiking, Show Low Lake, and cool summer refuge in the White Mountains region.
5 min read
Gila National Forest spans 3,300,000 acres of New Mexico's southwestern mountains, containing the first federally designated wilderness in US history and one of the most remote and intact wild landscapes in the lower 48.
7 min read
Complete guide to Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, red rock country, and trip planning resources.
13 min read
Central Arizona's most accessible high-country escape, surrounding the historic city of Prescott with granite mountains, ponderosa pine forest, and four wilderness areas just 100 miles from Phoenix.
5 min read
The Sabino Canyon to Seven Falls route covers 9.0 miles out and back through the Santa Catalinas, following Bear Canyon to a series of cascading pools in a narrow canyon above Tucson.
3 min read
Bear Canyon Trail is a 7.8-mile out-and-back route through the Bear Canyon tributary of Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains, visiting granite canyon scenery and creek pools without reaching the upper Seven Falls.
4 min read
The Butterfly Trail is a 5.0-mile out-and-back walk through the high country of the Santa Catalinas near Mt. Bigelow, traversing meadows and mixed conifer forest above 8,000 feet in Coronado National Forest.
3 min read
This 12.0-mile out-and-back route climbs through the Wilderness of Rocks, a dramatic granite landscape in the Santa Catalina Mountains, to reach the forested summit area of 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon.
3 min read
The Mt. Wrightson Trail climbs 9.0 miles out and back to the 9,453-foot summit of Mt. Wrightson in the Santa Rita Mountains, the highest point in the range and the best summit hike in Coronado National Forest.
3 min read
Cochise Stronghold Trail covers 4.5 miles out and back into the rocky granite canyon that served as the home base of Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise in the 1860s-1870s, in the Dragoon Mountains of Coronado National Forest.
3 min read
Carr Peak Trail climbs 5.4 miles out and back through the Huachuca Mountains to 9,223-foot Carr Peak, with views across the San Pedro River Valley and south into Mexico from one of Coronado National Forest's sky island summits.
3 min read
An easy-moderate desert history trail in the Superstition Wilderness area, passing through saguaro cactus terrain with historical significance and broad views of the Superstition Mountains.
4 min read
Hike the Salt River Canyon Trail in Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona. This moderate-hard 7-mile out-and-back gains 1,200 feet through dramatic canyon terrain along the Wild and Scenic Salt River.
3 min read
The Chiricahua Wilderness Loop is an 8.5-mile circuit through pine forest and canyon terrain in the heart of the Chiricahua Mountains, one of the most remote sky island settings in Coronado National Forest.
3 min read
A strenuous climb to the iconic quartzite summits visible from the Phoenix skyline, gaining 2,400 feet through desert scrub and chaparral to one of central Arizona's most dramatic vantage points.
4 min read
A remote hike into the Salome Wilderness through canyon and creek terrain in the western Tonto, far from the Phoenix crowds with perennial water and genuine solitude.
4 min read
Hike the Bonita Creek Trail in Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona. This moderate 4-mile out-and-back follows a riparian creek through the White Mountains with diverse wildlife habitat and canyon scenery.
3 min read
A moderate desert hike in the Cave Creek area north of Phoenix, climbing through saguaro cactus and chaparral terrain with canyon views and good wildlife habitat.
4 min read
A moderately demanding wilderness trail in the Mazatzal Mountains, climbing 2,100 feet through dramatic canyon terrain to the crest of the Mazatzal Wilderness with expansive views.
4 min read
The most demanding day hike in central Arizona, climbing 3,500 feet through the rugged Mazatzal Wilderness to one of the most remote and rewarding summit views in the state.
4 min read
Summit Mount Thomas in Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona. This strenuous 5-mile out-and-back gains 1,600 feet to the highest point in the White Mountains with panoramic views across eastern Arizona.
3 min read
Hike the Soldier Creek Trail in Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona. This moderate 4.5-mile out-and-back follows a mountain creek through ponderosa pine forest with wildflowers on the Mogollon Rim.
3 min read
The signature long hike of Arizona's White Mountains, climbing to the shoulder of the state's second-highest peak through spruce-fir forest and alpine meadows with views reaching into New Mexico.
5 min read
A quieter approach to the Mount Baldy massif from the east side, climbing through open subalpine meadows and spruce-fir forest with fewer crowds than the main Baldy trail.
4 min read
Walk the Pueblo Park Trail in Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona. This easy 3.5-mile loop explores open ponderosa pine grassland on the Mogollon Rim with excellent wildflowers and wildlife habitat.
3 min read
A demanding loop through the nation's first designated primitive area, crossing canyon drainages and ridgelines in some of Arizona's most remote and seldom-visited terrain.
5 min read
An easy lakeside loop around one of Arizona's premier high-elevation fishing lakes, passing through spruce-fir forest and open meadows at 9,000 feet in the White Mountains.
4 min read
A multi-use trail system threading through the ponderosa pine forests of the White Mountains, connecting communities and offering accessible day-hiking sections for all experience levels.
4 min read