Twelve months in one year, 12 hikes to take on! Are you up for the challenge? If so, here are the very best hikes in Arizona to embark on this year – one for each month (though, of course, you can shake it up in any way you want).

  1. January - Bell Rock Trail (Sedona)

Flickr/Mitch Heider Pretty much everyone in Sedona knows about Bell Rock, and it’s one of the first places many tourists go. Despite being so popular, however, the trail sees most of its traffic during the summer. That’s such a shame—Red Rock Country is so gorgeous when it’s covered in snow! Learn more in this mystical, magical article. Bell Rock Trail, Sedona, AZ, USA

  1. February - Rim Trail (Grand Canyon National Park)

Flickr/Grand Canyon National Park - Michael Quinn Although much of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is closed during winter, the South Rim remains wide open! The 12.7-mile Rim Trail leads to some of the most stunning vistas in the park, and it isn’t nearly as crowded this time of year. If you’ve never seen our state’s most iconic natural wonder blanketed in a world of white, it’s truly bucket list-worthy. Learn more in this article. Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA

  1. March - Bill Williams Mountain Trail (Williams)

Flickr/U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest - Dylan Bone Before winter officially draws to a close, we had to squeeze in one last snowy hike. Bill Williams Mountain Trail is a 7.5-mile, difficult ascent up Bill Williams Mountain in the Kaibab National Forest, but the sweeping summit views are worth every ounce of effort (especially when the landscape is a frozen fairytale). Learn more on the official AllTrails page. Bill Williams Mountain Road, Bill Williams Mountain Rd, Williams, AZ 86046, USA

  1. April - Treasure Loop Trail (Apache Junction)

AllTrails/Joe Andersen Spring has sprung, Arizona! Wildflowers surprisingly bloom like crazy in the desert, and Treasure Loop Trail at Lost Dutchman State Park is among the best places to spot them. This 2.3-mile hike is a great little adventure for the whole family. Learn more on the official AllTrails page. Treasure Loop Trail #56, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USA

  1. May - Calloway Trail (Picacho)

Flickr/Broderick Delaney Let’s keep taking advantage of wildflower season before it’s too late! Calloway Trail at Picacho Peak State Park is under a mile long, but still manages to pack in gorgeous views at every turn. You’ll see flowers in every color of the rainbow, including myriad bright and cheerful poppies lining the path. Learn more in this delightful article. Calloway Trail, Arizona 85141, USA

  1. June - Devils Bridge Trail (Sedona)

AllTrails/Donny Barnec Before it gets too unbearably hot outside, embark on one of Sedona’s most-loved hikes: Devils Bridge Trail. It’s 4.2 miles long and rated as moderate, leading to the largest sandstone arch in the area—not to mention panoramic vistas that are second to none! Learn more in this article. Devil’s Bridge Trailhead, Devil’s Bridge Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

  1. July - Fay Canyon Trail (Sedona)

AllTrails/David Le Beau Jr. Sedona is an ideal place to hike during the summer since it doesn’t get nearly as hot as in the lower elevations. An evergreen meadow awaits on the 2.6-mile Fay Canyon Trail, and it promises to transport you into a world of whimsy. Learn more on the official AllTrails page. Fay Canyon Trailhead, Fay Canyon Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

  1. August - Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail (Pine)

AllTrails/Daniel Markovitz Summer is for waterfall hikes! Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail meanders through the Tonto National Forest on its way to this breathtaking natural wonder. It’s easy, under three miles, and you can even jump in the water to cool off before heading back! Learn more on the official AllTrails page. Fossil Creek - Waterfall Trail Parking, Fossil Creek Road, Pine, AZ 85544, USA

  1. September - Tanque Verde Falls Trail (Tucson)

AllTrails/Micah Salazar Another waterfall hike, Tanque Verde Falls Trail is under two miles long and features an elevation gain of under 500 feet. In that short amount of time, you’ll embark on a fun, primitive rock scramble that leads to a beachy oasis. Soak up the sun and take a dip before summer draws to a close! Learn more in this previous article. Tanque Verde, AZ, USA

  1. October - Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail (Flagstaff)

AllTrails/Anthony DiMascio October in Flagstaff can only mean one thing: the aspens are beginning to turn colors! Transforming from green into the most stunning amber imaginable, these whimsical trees are a sight for sore eyes in the fall—and what better place to marvel at them than the 2.7-mile Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail? Learn more on the official AllTrails page. Aspen Nature Loop, Arizona 86001, Humphrey’s Peak Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA

  1. November - West Fork Trail #108 (Sedona)

AllTrails/Patrick Montgomery Fall foliage peaks a bit later in Sedona, so November is the perfect time to go leaf-peeping. Thousands flock to West Fork Trail, a moderately difficult, 7.5-mile hike, every autumn for its breathtaking seasonal hues. This isn’t just one of the best hikes in Arizona; it’s one of the best hikes in the United States. Learn more on the official AllTrails page. West Fork Trailhead, 10251 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

  1. December - Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail (Phoenix)

AllTrails/B B This strenuous uphill climb isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you like a challenge, add it to your list of trails to tackle in December. Heat exhaustion—an ever-present threat in Phoenix during the warmer months—won’t be a factor, and volunteers even put up a Christmas tree on top of the mountain. Talk about a rewarding finish! Learn more on the official AllTrails page. Echo Canyon Trailhead, E McDonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA

How many of these trails have you hiked? What are YOUR picks for the best hikes in Arizona? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, and check out our previous article for more of our choices for the best hikes in Arizona.

Flickr/Mitch Heider

Pretty much everyone in Sedona knows about Bell Rock, and it’s one of the first places many tourists go. Despite being so popular, however, the trail sees most of its traffic during the summer. That’s such a shame—Red Rock Country is so gorgeous when it’s covered in snow! Learn more in this mystical, magical article.

Bell Rock Trail, Sedona, AZ, USA

Flickr/Grand Canyon National Park - Michael Quinn

Although much of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is closed during winter, the South Rim remains wide open! The 12.7-mile Rim Trail leads to some of the most stunning vistas in the park, and it isn’t nearly as crowded this time of year. If you’ve never seen our state’s most iconic natural wonder blanketed in a world of white, it’s truly bucket list-worthy. Learn more in this article.

Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA

Flickr/U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest - Dylan Bone

Before winter officially draws to a close, we had to squeeze in one last snowy hike. Bill Williams Mountain Trail is a 7.5-mile, difficult ascent up Bill Williams Mountain in the Kaibab National Forest, but the sweeping summit views are worth every ounce of effort (especially when the landscape is a frozen fairytale). Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

Bill Williams Mountain Road, Bill Williams Mountain Rd, Williams, AZ 86046, USA

AllTrails/Joe Andersen

Spring has sprung, Arizona! Wildflowers surprisingly bloom like crazy in the desert, and Treasure Loop Trail at Lost Dutchman State Park is among the best places to spot them. This 2.3-mile hike is a great little adventure for the whole family. Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

Treasure Loop Trail #56, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USA

Flickr/Broderick Delaney

Let’s keep taking advantage of wildflower season before it’s too late! Calloway Trail at Picacho Peak State Park is under a mile long, but still manages to pack in gorgeous views at every turn. You’ll see flowers in every color of the rainbow, including myriad bright and cheerful poppies lining the path. Learn more in this delightful article.

Calloway Trail, Arizona 85141, USA

AllTrails/Donny Barnec

Before it gets too unbearably hot outside, embark on one of Sedona’s most-loved hikes: Devils Bridge Trail. It’s 4.2 miles long and rated as moderate, leading to the largest sandstone arch in the area—not to mention panoramic vistas that are second to none! Learn more in this article.

Devil’s Bridge Trailhead, Devil’s Bridge Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

AllTrails/David Le Beau Jr.

Sedona is an ideal place to hike during the summer since it doesn’t get nearly as hot as in the lower elevations. An evergreen meadow awaits on the 2.6-mile Fay Canyon Trail, and it promises to transport you into a world of whimsy. Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

Fay Canyon Trailhead, Fay Canyon Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

AllTrails/Daniel Markovitz

Summer is for waterfall hikes! Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail meanders through the Tonto National Forest on its way to this breathtaking natural wonder. It’s easy, under three miles, and you can even jump in the water to cool off before heading back! Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

Fossil Creek - Waterfall Trail Parking, Fossil Creek Road, Pine, AZ 85544, USA

AllTrails/Micah Salazar

Another waterfall hike, Tanque Verde Falls Trail is under two miles long and features an elevation gain of under 500 feet. In that short amount of time, you’ll embark on a fun, primitive rock scramble that leads to a beachy oasis. Soak up the sun and take a dip before summer draws to a close! Learn more in this previous article.

Tanque Verde, AZ, USA

AllTrails/Anthony DiMascio

October in Flagstaff can only mean one thing: the aspens are beginning to turn colors! Transforming from green into the most stunning amber imaginable, these whimsical trees are a sight for sore eyes in the fall—and what better place to marvel at them than the 2.7-mile Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail? Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

Aspen Nature Loop, Arizona 86001, Humphrey’s Peak Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA

AllTrails/Patrick Montgomery

Fall foliage peaks a bit later in Sedona, so November is the perfect time to go leaf-peeping. Thousands flock to West Fork Trail, a moderately difficult, 7.5-mile hike, every autumn for its breathtaking seasonal hues. This isn’t just one of the best hikes in Arizona; it’s one of the best hikes in the United States. Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

West Fork Trailhead, 10251 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

AllTrails/B B

This strenuous uphill climb isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you like a challenge, add it to your list of trails to tackle in December. Heat exhaustion—an ever-present threat in Phoenix during the warmer months—won’t be a factor, and volunteers even put up a Christmas tree on top of the mountain. Talk about a rewarding finish! Learn more on the official AllTrails page.

Echo Canyon Trailhead, E McDonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Arizona March 09, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Arizona?   Arizona is a state perfect for the hiking enthusiast and their families! With more than 3,000 epic trails to choose from, many of them are perfectly appropriate for small children and strollers, too. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona include the iconic Horseshoe Bend Trail, which is one and a half miles long and easy enough for very small children; best of all, it leads to one the desert southwest’s most iconic landscapes and is a must-do for every Arizonan. Try out Oak Creek Trail, near Sedona, if you like water with your hikes; it’s 1.3 miles of beautiful scenery surrounding Oak Creek, and among the most scenic destinations in Arizona in general. If you prefer to stay near the Phoenix area, the White Tank Mountains west of the city offer an epic hike with a seasonal waterfall; it’s the White Tank Waterfall Trail, and at 1.8 miles long it’s perfect for everyone. Want more inspiration? Check out this list of some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona. What are the best hiking trails near me?   That depends on where you’re located, but the good news is that there are so many hiking trails around the state that you’re sure to find something great in all corners. Southern Arizona residents will want to check out Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Saguaro National Park for some of the most ridiculously amazing hiking trails in the entire area. Folks in northern Arizona should visit the Grand Canyon for some challenging hikes, and Sedona or Flagstaff (or both!) for plenty of incredibly scenic hikes. Some of Arizona’s most amazing trails are in northern Arizona, if you ask us. Central Arizonans can enjoy amazing views on hikes like the above-mentioned White Tank Waterfall Trail, as well as the Hole in the Rock Trail at Papago Park (near the Phoenix Zoo) and some of the trails on Camelback Mountain (which really does look eerily like a camel’s back).  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Arizona

March 09, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Arizona?   Arizona is a state perfect for the hiking enthusiast and their families! With more than 3,000 epic trails to choose from, many of them are perfectly appropriate for small children and strollers, too. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona include the iconic Horseshoe Bend Trail, which is one and a half miles long and easy enough for very small children; best of all, it leads to one the desert southwest’s most iconic landscapes and is a must-do for every Arizonan. Try out Oak Creek Trail, near Sedona, if you like water with your hikes; it’s 1.3 miles of beautiful scenery surrounding Oak Creek, and among the most scenic destinations in Arizona in general. If you prefer to stay near the Phoenix area, the White Tank Mountains west of the city offer an epic hike with a seasonal waterfall; it’s the White Tank Waterfall Trail, and at 1.8 miles long it’s perfect for everyone. Want more inspiration? Check out this list of some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona. What are the best hiking trails near me?   That depends on where you’re located, but the good news is that there are so many hiking trails around the state that you’re sure to find something great in all corners. Southern Arizona residents will want to check out Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Saguaro National Park for some of the most ridiculously amazing hiking trails in the entire area. Folks in northern Arizona should visit the Grand Canyon for some challenging hikes, and Sedona or Flagstaff (or both!) for plenty of incredibly scenic hikes. Some of Arizona’s most amazing trails are in northern Arizona, if you ask us. Central Arizonans can enjoy amazing views on hikes like the above-mentioned White Tank Waterfall Trail, as well as the Hole in the Rock Trail at Papago Park (near the Phoenix Zoo) and some of the trails on Camelback Mountain (which really does look eerily like a camel’s back).  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Arizona is a state perfect for the hiking enthusiast and their families! With more than 3,000 epic trails to choose from, many of them are perfectly appropriate for small children and strollers, too. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona include the iconic Horseshoe Bend Trail, which is one and a half miles long and easy enough for very small children; best of all, it leads to one the desert southwest’s most iconic landscapes and is a must-do for every Arizonan. Try out Oak Creek Trail, near Sedona, if you like water with your hikes; it’s 1.3 miles of beautiful scenery surrounding Oak Creek, and among the most scenic destinations in Arizona in general. If you prefer to stay near the Phoenix area, the White Tank Mountains west of the city offer an epic hike with a seasonal waterfall; it’s the White Tank Waterfall Trail, and at 1.8 miles long it’s perfect for everyone. Want more inspiration? Check out this list of some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Arizona.

What are the best hiking trails near me?  

That depends on where you’re located, but the good news is that there are so many hiking trails around the state that you’re sure to find something great in all corners. Southern Arizona residents will want to check out Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Saguaro National Park for some of the most ridiculously amazing hiking trails in the entire area. Folks in northern Arizona should visit the Grand Canyon for some challenging hikes, and Sedona or Flagstaff (or both!) for plenty of incredibly scenic hikes. Some of Arizona’s most amazing trails are in northern Arizona, if you ask us. Central Arizonans can enjoy amazing views on hikes like the above-mentioned White Tank Waterfall Trail, as well as the Hole in the Rock Trail at Papago Park (near the Phoenix Zoo) and some of the trails on Camelback Mountain (which really does look eerily like a camel’s back).