Regional Guide
Arizona Backpacking Regions
Arizona's backcountry ranges from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to 12,000-foot alpine peaks. Each region has its own personality, permit quirks, and best season. This is the overview we use when planning trips.
If you don't see a favorite hike or route listed then please contact us.
Ready to reserve? See the Arizona Backpacking Permit Clearinghouse for official links, reservation windows, and costs for each region.
How to Use This Guide
- Difficulty ratings: Green circle (beginner), blue square (intermediate), black diamond (advanced), double black diamond (expert). These are backpack ratings, not day-hike ratings.
- Best season: Arizona's elevation changes create wildly different conditions. A 9,000-foot peak can have snow while the desert is 80°F.
- Permits: Rules change. Always verify current requirements with the managing agency before your trip.
- Water: The single most critical factor in Arizona. Check recent trip reports for current water sources.
Long-Distance Trails
Arizona Trail (AZT)
800+ miles from Mexico to Utah, crossing deserts, canyons, and mountains. The ultimate Arizona thru-hike.
- Length: ~800 miles
- Time: 2-3 months
- Permits: None required
Grand Enchantment Trail
760-mile loop through central Arizona's sky islands and desert valleys. Less crowded than the AZT.
- Length: ~760 miles
- Time: 6-8 weeks
- Permits: None required
Northern Arizona - Canyon Country
Grand Canyon National Park
AdvancedThe big one. Corridor trails and backcountry routes.
The big one. Corridor trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab, North Kaibab) are maintained and have water. Backcountry routes require route-finding and are genuinely difficult.
- Best: Oct-Apr (avoid summer below the rim)
- Permits: Backcountry permit required; lottery system 4 months ahead
- Critical Detail: Summer temperatures below the rim regularly exceed 110°F. The park closes trails when it's dangerous.
For Havasupai and Havasu Falls, see the Western Arizona - Tribal Lands & Desert Edges section.
Notable Routes
- Bright Angel Trail - 9.5 miles to Phantom Ranch; the park's most popular corridor trail, with water and shade.
- South Kaibab Trail - 7 miles to Phantom Ranch; steeper, no water, but huge views.
- Grandview Trail - reaches the river and can be done out-and-back; also connects to the Tonto Trail for longer loops.
- Rim-to-Rim (R2R) - point-to-point from the North Kaibab Trail to the South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trail; the classic Grand Canyon traverse.
Grand Canyon Escalante Route
ExpertRugged off-trail traverse below the rim.
The Escalante Route is a rugged, off-trail traverse along the Colorado River below the South Rim. It requires advanced route-finding, scrambling, and exposure to extreme conditions.
- Best: Oct-Apr (avoid summer at all costs)
- Permits: Same Grand Canyon backcountry permit as corridor trails
- Critical Detail: No maintained trail; involves boulder scrambling, exposure, and potential flash-flood risk. Only for experienced canyon travelers.
Notable Routes
- Escalante Route - Multi-day off-trail traverse along the Colorado River; requires advanced navigation and scrambling skills.
Paria Canyon / Vermilion CliffsAdvancedBuckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the world.
Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the world. Wire Pass to Lee's Ferry is a classic 21-mile journey through deep sandstone.
- Best: Spring and fall
- Permits: BLM permit required
- Critical Detail: Flash-flood risk makes summer dangerous.
Notable Routes
- Paria Canyon Through-Hike - Wire Pass to Lee's Ferry, ~20 miles, 2-3 days. Classic sandstone narrows with hanging gardens and arches. Permits limited to 20 people/day.
- Buckskin Gulch - 16 miles through the world's longest continuous slot canyon. Deep sand, cold pools, and log jams. Can be done as through-hike or out-and-back.
- White House to Confluence - 7 miles one-way to the junction of Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. Shorter overnight option with easier access.
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness
IntermediateNear Sedona but far less crowded.
Near Sedona but far less crowded. Red-rock canyons, creeks, and a 20+ mile loop option.
- Best: Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Permits: Dispersed camping rules
- Critical Detail: Spring wildflowers are exceptional.
Notable Routes
- Kelsey Trail #3 + Dorsey Spring Trail #7 - 7.3 mile loop through ponderosa pine with multiple springs; the classic Sycamore Canyon backpack.
- Parsons Trail #144 - 4 miles along a cool desert stream through red rock canyon to Parsons Springs; multiple creek crossings.
- Dogie Trail #116 + Taylor Cabin Trail #35 - 5.5+ mile connection through the heart of the wilderness to historic Taylor Cabin on the canyon floor.
- Winter Cabin Trail #70 - 5.9 miles descending 1,500 feet to Sycamore Creek; connects to Kelsey Trail for extended loops.
Kaibab PlateauIntermediateHigh pinyon-juniper forest above the North Rim.
High pinyon-juniper forest above the North Rim. Cooler and less visited than the South Rim because the access road is seasonal.
- Best: May-Oct
- Permits: Generally none
- Critical Detail: North Rim road is closed in winter.
Notable Routes
- Snake Gulch-Kanab Creek Trail #59 - Remote wilderness trail past multicolored cliffs and pictographs to Kanab Creek; connects to Ranger Trail #41.
- Rainbow Rim Trail #10 - Connects five Grand Canyon rim viewpoints with canyon crossings through aspen groves and ponderosa pine.
Central Arizona - High Country & Volcanic Fields
San Francisco PeaksIntermediateHighest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet.
Highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet. Alpine environment with aspen groves and volcanic features.
- Best: Jun-Sep
- Permits: None for most trails
- Critical Detail: Sacred to multiple Native American tribes; stay on designated trails.
Notable Routes
- Humphreys Peak Trail #151 - 4.5 miles to the summit; Arizona's highest peak with 360-degree views.
- Inner Basin Trail - 8-mile loop through aspen groves and alpine meadows.
Sunset Crater Volcano
BeginnerYoung volcanic field with cinder cones and lava flows.
Young volcanic field with cinder cones and lava flows. Easy access from Flagstaff.
- Best: Year-round (snow in winter)
- Permits: None
- Critical Detail: Fragile volcanic terrain; stay on trails.
Notable Routes
- Lava Flow Trail - 1-mile loop through black lava fields with volcanic features.
- Bonito Trail - Steep 1-mile climb to the rim of Sunset Crater; closed to protect the cinder cone.
Wupatki & Walnut CanyonBeginnerAncient Puebloan ruins and cliff dwellings.
Ancient Puebloan ruins and cliff dwellings. Easy day hikes with historical significance.
- Best: Year-round
- Permits: Park entrance fee
- Critical Detail: Do not climb on or touch the ruins.
Notable Routes
- Wupatki Pueblo Trail - 0.3-mile loop to a large ancestral Puebloan village.
- Island Trail - 1-mile loop around a cliff dwelling in Walnut Canyon.
Southern Arizona - Sky Islands & Desert
Santa Catalina MountainsAdvancedMount Lemmon rises from desert to alpine forest.
Mount Lemmon rises from desert to alpine forest. The Sky Island Scenic Byway provides access to high-elevation trails.
- Best: Oct-May (avoid summer monsoons)
- Permits: Coronado National Forest rules
- Critical Detail: Bighorn sheep closure Jan 1-Apr 30; dogs prohibited in the Bighorn Sheep Management Area.
Notable Routes
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness - Technical granite peaks above Tucson; route-finding required.
- Finger Rock Trail #43 - 4.5 miles to a dramatic granite spire; steep and exposed.
- Marshall Gulch Trail - 8.5 miles from Summerhaven to the Catalina Highway; aspen groves and wildflowers.
Chiricahua MountainsIntermediateRemote sky island with hoodoos and historic sites.
Remote sky island with hoodoos and historic sites. Less crowded than other Arizona ranges.
- Best: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- Permits: Chiricahua National Monument entrance fee
- Critical Detail: Backcountry camping not permitted in the monument; adjacent Coronado NF allows dispersed camping.
Notable Routes
- Echo Canyon Loop - 3.5-mile loop through hoodoo formations and balanced rocks.
- Heart of Rocks Loop - 1.5-mile loop with the most dramatic hoodoo formations.
Superstition WildernessIntermediateRugged volcanic peaks east of Phoenix.
Rugged volcanic peaks east of Phoenix. Popular but with plenty of backcountry options.
- Best: Oct-Apr
- Permits: Tonto National Forest rules
- Critical Detail: Extremely popular on weekends; go weekdays for solitude.
Notable Routes
- Four Peaks Trail - 12-mile ridge traverse with 360-degree views; exposed and strenuous.
- Devil's Chasm Trail #233 - 6-mile loop through a narrow canyon with waterfalls (seasonal).
- Peralta Trail to Weavers Needle - 6 miles to a dramatic volcanic spire; the iconic Superstition landmark.
Mazatzal WildernessIntermediateLarge wilderness area with diverse terrain.
Large wilderness area with diverse terrain. Less visited than the Superstitions.
- Best: Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Permits: Tonto National Forest rules
- Critical Detail: Limited water sources; carry extra.
Notable Routes
- Mazatzal Peak Trail - 7 miles to the highest point; panoramic views of central Arizona.
- Pine Creek Trail - 5 miles through a riparian canyon with year-round water.
Aravaipa CanyonIntermediateDesert oasis with year-round water.
Desert oasis with year-round water. Managed by BLM with a permit system to limit impact.
- Best: Oct-Apr
- Permits: BLM permit required; limited to 12 people/day
- Critical Detail: No fires; pack out all waste including human waste.
Notable Routes
- Aravaipa Canyon Trail - 11 miles through a lush riparian canyon; wading required.
Eastern Arizona - White Mountains & High Desert
White MountainsIntermediateHighest and wettest range in Arizona.
Highest and wettest range in Arizona. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest with extensive trail system.
- Best: Jun-Oct
- Permits: Generally none
- Critical Detail: Monsoon season (Jul-Sep) brings afternoon thunderstorms.
Notable Routes
- Escudilla Mountain Trail - 3 miles to the third-highest peak in Arizona; volcanic summit with views.
- Black River Trail - 12 miles along a trout stream through dense forest.
- Lake Creek Trail - 6 miles to alpine lakes; popular fishing destination.
Canyon de ChellyIntermediateNavajo Nation canyon with ancient ruins.
Navajo Nation canyon with ancient ruins. Requires a Navajo guide for backcountry access.
- Best: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
- Permits: Navajo Nation permit + authorized guide required
- Critical Detail: Respect Navajo culture and private property; no drones.
Notable Routes
- White House Ruin Trail - 2.5-mile descent to a well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling; the only trail you can hike without a guide.
- Canyon de Chelly Backcountry - Multi-day routes with a Navajo guide; ancient ruins and petroglyphs.
Petrified Forest / Painted DesertBeginnerColorful badlands and fossilized wood.
Colorful badlands and fossilized wood. Backcountry camping allowed with a free permit.
- Best: Year-round (hot in summer)
- Permits: Free backcountry permit required
- Critical Detail: No water; carry all you need. Do not remove petrified wood.
Notable Routes
- Painted Desert Backcountry - Open route-finding through colorful badlands; permits issued at visitor center.
Western Arizona - Tribal Lands & Desert Edges
Havasupai / Havasu FallsIntermediateTurquoise waterfalls in a red-rock canyon.
Turquoise waterfalls in a red-rock canyon. Managed by the Havasupai Tribe with a reservation system.
- Best: Feb-May (avoid summer crowds)
- Permits: Havasupai Tribe reservation required; sells out fast
- Critical Detail: 10-mile hike each way; no day hikes allowed.
Notable Routes
- Havasupai Trail - 10 miles to Havasu Falls; turquoise pools and red-rock canyon walls.
Lake Mead / Black CanyonIntermediateDesert canyon along the Colorado River.
Desert canyon along the Colorado River. Hot springs and river access.
- Best: Oct-Apr
- Permits: NPS rules; no permit for day use
- Critical Detail: Extreme heat in summer; carry extra water.
Notable Routes
- Spirit Hot Springs Trail - 2.5 miles to natural hot springs along the river.
- Black Canyon Water Trail - Paddle or hike along the Colorado River; access points at Hoover Dam.
Hualapai MountainsBeginnerSmall range with pine forests near Kingman.
Small range with pine forests near Kingman. County park with camping facilities.
- Best: Year-round
- Permits: County park fees
- Critical Detail: Limited backcountry; mostly developed trails.
Notable Routes
- Hualapai Peak Trail - 3 miles to the highest point; views of the Colorado River valley.
Not Listed?
Some regions on the Arizona Backpacking Regions page fall on BLM, National Forest, or county land where no permit or reservation is required for backcountry camping. If you spot a location that should be here, or a link that needs updating, let us know.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Fees and rules change; always confirm the official source before you reserve.