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ForestMatters, LLC

The Grand Canyon State

Arizona

Desert peaks, sky islands, and saguaro forests where the Sonoran meets the high country.

1Forest Guide
8Trail Guides
1.9MAcres Covered
12,637 ftHighest Peak

Arizona at a Glance

Sonoran Desert

Arizona's national forests span from Sonoran Desert scrub at 2,000 ft to spruce-fir forests above 10,000 ft

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon exposes 2 billion years of geologic history across a mile-deep, 277-mile-long gorge

Sky Islands

Isolated mountain ranges rise from the desert floor, creating unique ecosystems found nowhere else in the US

Saguaro Forests

Tonto National Forest alone contains millions of saguaro cacti, some over 200 years old and 40 ft tall

Dark Sky Preserves

Arizona has more International Dark Sky places than any other state, with pristine stargazing from forest campgrounds

Monsoon Season

Summer monsoons bring 35% of annual rainfall in dramatic afternoon storms from July through September

When to Visit

October through April for desert elevations. May through October for high-country forests above 7,000 ft. Summer monsoons (July through September) bring afternoon thunderstorms and flash flood risk.

National Forests in Arizona

Fall color along the Verde Wild and Scenic River in Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Coconino National Forest

1,856,038 acresMarch through November

Complete guide to Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, red rock country, and trip planning resources.

12 min read

Trails in Arizona

strenuousout-and-back

Bear Mountain Trail

4.8 mi1,900 ft gain
ArizonaOctober through April

Guide to the Bear Mountain Trail in Coconino National Forest, Arizona. A strenuous 4.8-mile out-and-back near Sedona with 1,900 feet of gain through red rock terrain, ending at one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the entire Sedona basin.

7 min read

easyout-and-back

Bell Rock Pathway

3.6 mi200 ft gain
ArizonaYear-round

Guide to the Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona, Arizona. An easy 3.6-mile hike through classic red rock terrain with views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

Boynton Canyon Trail

6 mi900 ft gain
ArizonaOctober through May

Guide to the Boynton Canyon Trail in Coconino National Forest, Arizona. A 6.0-mile out-and-back through a stunning red rock canyon near Sedona, with Sinagua ruins visible in the canyon walls and sweeping views at the canyon's end.

7 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Cathedral Rock Trail

1.2 mi740 ft gain
ArizonaMarch through November

Guide to the Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona, Arizona. A short, steep 1.2-mile scramble to the saddle between Sedona's most iconic red rock spires.

5 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Humphreys Peak Trail

10 mi3,333 ft gain
ArizonaJune through October

Guide to the Humphreys Peak Trail near Flagstaff, Arizona. A strenuous 10-mile out-and-back to the highest point in Arizona at 12,637 feet.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

Vultee Arch via Sterling Pass Trail

3.8 mi500 ft gain
Arizonayear-round

A 3.8-mile out-and-back through shaded Sterling Canyon in Coconino National Forest, Arizona, to an 80-foot sandstone arch named for aviation pioneer Gerard Vultee, killed in a 1938 crash near Sedona.

6 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

West Fork Trail

6.9 mi340 ft gain
ArizonaMarch through November

Guide to the West Fork of Oak Creek Trail in Coconino National Forest. A stunning 6.9-mile canyon hike through Arizona's best fall foliage, with 13 creek crossings and towering red rock walls.

9 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Wilson Mountain via North Wilson Trail

10.4 mi2,300 ft gain
ArizonaSeptember through May

A strenuous 10.4-mile out-and-back to Wilson Mountain's 7,122-foot summit above Sedona in Coconino National Forest, Arizona, with views of red rock formations, Oak Creek Canyon, and the Verde Valley.

6 min read

Trip Planning Guides

Best Hikes Near Phoenix, Arizona

Best Hikes Near

The best day hikes within 2 hours of Phoenix. Coconino and Tonto national forests deliver red rock canyons, Arizona's highest summit, and some of the most visually striking hiking in the Southwest.

6 min read

Did You Know?

1

Coconino National Forest contains more red rock scenery than anywhere else in Arizona, including the famous formations around Sedona.

2

Prescott National Forest was one of the first six forest reserves created by President Benjamin Harrison in 1891.

3

The Mogollon Rim stretches 200 miles across Arizona, creating a 2,000-foot escarpment that divides the state's geography.

4

Arizona's Kaibab National Forest is home to the only population of Kaibab squirrels, found exclusively on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

5

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests contain the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world.