Arizona National Scenic Trail

About Arizona National Scenic Trail

The Arizona National Scenic Trail spans over 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. This multi-use non-motorized, long-distance trail highlights Arizona’s topographic, biologic, historic, and cultural diversity. Congress designated it in 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Lands Bill.The trail features historic sites, natural landmarks, geologic wonders, and remote wilderness. Opportunities include dispersed camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, mountain biking (outside wilderness, national parks, or other specially managed areas), horseback riding and backpacking.The BLM manages Passages 15, 16, and 43. These passages are some of the driest on the trail. Whether fall or spring presents better water options depends on the strength of and the balance between winter snowfall and summer monsoons. The Arizona Trail Association has a database of water sources.The trail does not pass through any designated wilderness on these passages, but it does graze the boundary of the White Canyon Wilderness on the north portion of passage 16. Mountain bikers should be careful not to enter the designated wilderness at this location. Other sections of the trail do pass through parks and designated wilderness where bicycling is prohibited.Southern Arizona: The Tucson Field Office (TFO) administers 34 miles of trail through two passages, Passage 15 (Tortilla Mountains) and Passage 16 (Gila River Canyons). Passage 15 parallels and then crosses the Tortilla Mountains and Ripsey Wash to reach the Gila River. Passage 16 parallels the Gila River, crosses Walnut Canyon’s outlet, turns north at the trail’s lowest point, and winds through canyons to end at the Tonto National Forest boundary.Northern Arizona: Passage 43 (Buckskin Mountain) runs through land administered by the Arizona Strip Field Office (ASFO). The northern terminus begins at the Utah/Arizona Stateline Campground in Coyote Valley. The passage here ascends the northern end of the Kaibab Plateau through North Larkum Canyon and of

How to Get There

Passage 16 North: Tonto National Forest boundary. No direct vehicle access. Passage 16 South/Passage 15 North: Kelvin Bridge (paved). Accessed via Florence-Kelvin Hwy off AZ-177 from the north or via dirt section of Florence-Kelvin Hwy off AZ-79 from the south. From the town of Superior, take AZ 177 south for 15.2 miles (MP 152.1) and turn south onto Florence-Kelvin Highway (next to RR crossing) for 1.2 miles through the community of Kelvin and cross the Kelvin Bridge. Passage 15 approaches the bridge from below the rock outcrop along the Gila River and ends at the south end of the old bridge. Parking is limited here since the new bridge was completed in 2018. Ample parking is available at the Florence-Kelvin Trailhead ~1.5 miles further west on the Florence-Kelvin Highway. Another option is the BLM trailhead at the end of Centurion Road (one-half mile into Passage 16 northbound). Either location provides easy access to the Arizona Trail.From Florence, drive 1.5 miles south on AZ 79 and turn left (east) on the dirt Florence-Kelvin Highway. Continue 31 miles to the town of Kelvin and a historic bridge over the Gila River.From the town of Hayden/Winkleman, drive northwest on AZ 177 about 16 miles then south (left) toward Kelvin. Continue 1.2 miles to the bridge.Passage 15 South: Freeman Road Trailhead. From Mammoth, drive north on Hwy 77 to the town of Dudleyville. Turn left (west) on Dudleyville Road to the center of the community and locate San Pedro Road. Head west on San Pe

Plan Your Visit to Arizona National Scenic Trail

Heading to Arizona National Scenic Trail? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)