Arches Timed Entry Guide 2026: What Requires a Reservation
A practical guide to Arches timed entry in 2026, who needs a reservation, who is exempt, and how to avoid getting turned around at the gate.
Moderate
All Guides
Zion Narrows Hiking Guide: Wading the Virgin River Through Slot Canyon
The Zion Narrows is a 9.4-mile one-way or shorter out-and-back wading hike through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. No permit needed for day hike from the bottom
White Sands National Park Hiking: Trails Through the Gypsum Dunes
White Sands hiking guide covering all 4 trails, missile closure warnings, and what makes White Sands National Park unlike any desert in the Southwest
Watchman Trail: Zion's Best Sunset Hike With No Permit
Watchman Trail is a 3.3-mile loop near Zion's south entrance with a viewpoint overlooking the canyon, the Watchman formation, and the Virgin River. No permit required
Valley of Fire Hiking: Best Trails in Nevada's Oldest State Park
Valley of Fire hiking guide covering Fire Wave, White Domes, and Elephant Rock trails - plus why this 1-hour drive from Las Vegas beats the Strip on a clear day
Soldier Pass Trail: Sedona's Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole and Cave
Soldier Pass Trail is a 4-mile round trip hike in west Sedona through a natural sinkhole, Soldier Pass Arches, and a cave alcove with a permit-limited trailhead that keeps crowds manageable
Red Rock Canyon Hiking: Best Trails 20 Minutes from Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon hiking puts 197,000 acres of Mojave Desert 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Best trails, timed entry tips, and what to expect
Petrified Forest National Park: Hiking Among 225-Million-Year-Old Trees
Your guide to Petrified Forest hiking and Petrified Forest National Park trails, from Crystal Forest to Blue Mesa and the off-trail Painted Desert wilderness
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Hiking in the Most Remote Sonoran Desert
Complete guide to Organ Pipe Cactus hiking in Organ Pipe National Monument, trails, safety, permits, and what makes this remote park worth the drive
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden: Bryce Canyon's Classic Hike
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden is a 2.9-mile loop through Bryce Canyon's hoodoo amphitheater. The best introduction to hiking below the rim at Bryce
Mojave National Preserve Hiking: Dunes, Lava, and the Loneliest Road in the West
Mojave National Preserve hiking guide covering Kelso Dunes, Teutonia Peak, and Hole-in-the-Wall , the least-visited desert preserve between Las Vegas and Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree Hiking: Best Day Hikes in the National Park
Best day hikes at Joshua Tree National Park: Ryan Mountain, Skull Rock, Barker Dam, and more. Trail distances, honest difficulty ratings, and park logistics
Hidden Canyon Trail Guide: Zion's Underrated Slot Canyon Hike
Hidden Canyon is a 2.4-mile round trip hike at Zion with chains and an exposed ledge section leading to a narrow slot canyon. Less crowded than Angels Landing with a unique destination
Hickman Bridge Trail: Capitol Reef's Best Short Hike
Hickman Bridge Trail is a 1.8-mile round trip hike in Capitol Reef National Park to a 133-foot natural bridge, one of the largest in Utah, with canyon wash approach and Waterpocket Fold views
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Hiking: Texas's Highest Peak and Best Trails
Guadalupe Mountains hiking covers Texas's highest peak, a 260M-year-old fossil reef, and rare fall foliage. Full trail guide to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Grand Staircase-Escalante Hiking: Slot Canyons, Arches, and Remote Desert
Grand Staircase-Escalante hiking covers 1.87 million acres of Utah slot canyons, arches, and remote backcountry. No permits, no entrance fee, no crowds
Emerald Pools Trails: Zion's Waterfall Hikes for All Fitness Levels
Zion's Emerald Pools trails reach three pools with waterfalls and hanging gardens. Lower Pool is easy, Upper Pool adds elevation and solitude. No permit required
Delicate Arch Trail Guide: Utah's Most Iconic Hike
Delicate Arch is a 3.2-mile round trip hike across open slickrock in Arches National Park. The arch appears suddenly at the trail's end above a natural amphitheater
Death Valley Day Hikes: Best Trails for Every Fitness Level
Death Valley hiking spans salt flats to summit peaks. The best Death Valley day hikes run Nov-Mar. Summer kills people. Here's how to plan it right
Cohab Canyon Trail: Capitol Reef's Hidden Slot Canyon Route
Cohab Canyon is a 3.4-mile round trip hike in Capitol Reef that climbs through a narrow canyon slot, past two side-canyon overlooks, to reach Fruita Historic District from above
Capitol Reef National Park Hiking: Trails Through the Waterpocket Fold
Capitol Reef hiking guide covering Cassidy Arch, Grand Wash, and Hickman Bridge, the least crowded of Utah's Mighty Five national parks
Canyonlands National Park Hiking: Trails in Island in the Sky and the Needles
Canyonlands hiking guide covering Island in the Sky and the Needles trails. Plan your Canyonlands National Park trails day with district overviews and permits info
Canyon Overlook Trail: Zion's Best Short Hike
Canyon Overlook Trail is a 1-mile round trip hike at the east entrance of Zion that reaches a viewpoint above Zion Canyon without the shuttle or permit requirements
Bryce Canyon Hiking: Best Trails Through the Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon hiking guide covering the best trails through hoodoos, permits, and why October beats summer for every hike in the park
Boynton Canyon Trail: Sedona's Most Complete Red Rock Hike
Boynton Canyon Trail is a 6-mile round trip hike in west Sedona through a canyon with towering red walls, a vortex site, ancient cliff dwellings, and one of Sedona's most varied red rock environments
Big Bend National Park Hiking: Best Trails in the Chihuahuan Desert
Big Bend hiking puts you in one of the most remote national parks in the US. Best trails, logistics, and honest advice for planning your Big Bend National Park visit
Best Hikes in Zion National Park: The Trails Worth the Permit Hassle
The best hikes Zion National Park offers range from free walks to lottery permits. Here's which Zion hiking experiences are worth planning around
Bear Canyon Trail to Seven Falls: Tucson's Best Waterfall Hike
Bear Canyon Trail to Seven Falls is a 7.8-mile round trip hike through a Tucson canyon to a series of tiered waterfalls. Accessible via Sabino Canyon tram or on foot
Arches National Park Hiking: Best Trails to Delicate Arch and Beyond
Arches National Park hiking guide covering Delicate Arch, the Windows, Fiery Furnace, and what the timed entry system means for your visit
Wind Cave Trail at Usery Mountain: Mesa's Best Short Hike
Wind Cave Trail Usery Mountain guide covering the 3.2-mile route, tafoni cave geology, Four Peaks views, park fees, wildlife, and best time to visit
Widforss Trail: North Rim's Best Forest Walk to a Canyon Viewpoint
Widforss Trail Grand Canyon guide: 9.6-mile North Rim forest walk to panoramic Widforss Point. Shade, wildlife, no crowds, open May-Oct
White Tank Mountain Hiking: Waddell Trail and Ford Canyon Guide
White Tank Mountain hiking guide covering the Waddell and Ford Canyon trails, petroglyphs, granite canyon terrain, and the best routes in Maricopa County's largest park
West Fork Oak Creek Canyon: Arizona's Best Canyon Hike
West Fork Oak Creek Canyon hike is 6.8 miles of shaded canyon, creek crossings, and Arizona's best fall foliage. Full guide to timing, parking, and safety
West Clear Creek Trail: Arizona's Most Remote Canyon Hike
Complete guide to West Clear Creek trail in Arizona: 9-mile canyon hike through a 200-foot deep wilderness gorge with swimming holes and perennial stream access
Wasson Peak: Hiking the High Point of Saguaro National Park West
Wasson Peak Saguaro National Park guide: 7.7 miles, 1,800 ft gain on Hugh Norris Trail through the densest saguaro forest in North America. Routes and tips
Walnut Canyon Island Trail: Cliff Dwellings Near Flagstaff
Walnut Canyon Island Trail loops past 25 Sinagua cliff dwellings in 1 mile. The catch: last entry is 1 hour before close. Complete guide to visiting near Flagstaff
Vultee Arch Trail Sedona: A Canyon Hike With a Haunting Story
Vultee Arch trail Sedona winds through Sterling Canyon to a 40-foot sandstone arch named for aviation pioneers who died here in 1938. Less crowded than most Sedona hikes
Treasure Loop Trail: Best Beginner Hike at Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park hiking guide for the Treasure Loop Trail: wildflowers, Weaver's Needle views, fees, and how to combine it with Siphon Draw
Tom's Thumb Trail Scottsdale: Better Views, Half the Crowds
Tom's Thumb trail Scottsdale offers 1,000 ft of granite climbing and panoramic desert views with half the crowds of Gateway. Full guide to trailhead, timing, and terrain
The Wave Arizona: Permit Strategy, Navigation, and Trail Guide
The Wave Arizona permit odds, how the BLM lottery works, route navigation tips, and what to do once you're standing on Navajo sandstone
Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail: Arizona's Second Largest Canyon from the Top
The Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail offers 2,000-foot canyon views with no crowds. 9 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous, no permit. High-clearance vehicle recommended
Sunset Trail Flagstaff: Ridge Traverse on Mount Elden
Sunset Trail Flagstaff guide: 5-mile ridge traverse on Mount Elden with views of the San Francisco Peaks, Painted Desert, and Sunset Crater from 9,200 ft
South Mountain National Trail: Phoenix's Desert Spine
South Mountain National Trail Phoenix guide covering Hidden Valley, Buena Vista Lookout, access points, and how to hike the best sections of this 14-mile desert traverse
Soldier Pass Trail Sedona: Sinkholes, Sacred Pools, and a Hidden Cave
Soldier Pass trail Sedona connects Devil's Kitchen sinkhole, Seven Sacred Pools, and a small cave in 4 miles. One of Sedona's most feature-packed short hikes
Secret Canyon Trail: Sedona's Most Secluded Canyon Hike
Secret Canyon Trail is 6.4 miles into one of Sedona's tallest, narrowest canyons. Full guide with directions, permit info, photo spots, and safety tips
Schultz Creek Trail: Ponderosa Pine Hiking on Mount Elden's Northwest Slope
Schultz Creek Trail is a 5.7-mile ponderosa pine route on Mount Elden near Flagstaff. Easy to moderate, great for families and trail runners. No fee, no permit
Romero Canyon Trail: Catalina State Park's Hidden Pools
Romero Canyon trail Tucson guide: 6.2 miles round trip to natural granite pools in Catalina State Park. Conditions, mileage milestones, and what to expect
Peralta Trail Superstitions: Best View of Weaver's Needle
Peralta Trail guide to Fremont Saddle in the Superstition Wilderness. 4.6 miles RT, 1,338 ft gain, and the best direct view of Weaver's Needle in Arizona
Mormon Mountain Trail: A Quieter Summit Southeast of Flagstaff
Mormon Mountain Trail is a 4.2-mile round trip hike to an 8,178-foot volcanic summit near Mormon Lake. Great views, no crowds, no fee. Best May through October
Lookout Mountain Trail: North Phoenix's Easiest Summit Hike
Lookout Mountain trail Phoenix guide: 1.2-mile summit hike in north Phoenix with 360-degree views, free parking, and no permit required year-round
Long Canyon Trail: Sedona's Quietest Canyon Walk
Long Canyon Trail is 6.8 miles of peaceful sandstone canyon in west Sedona. No Red Rock Pass needed. Full guide with directions, photos spots, and tips
Kachina Trail Flagstaff: The Best Fall Color Hike in Arizona
Kachina Trail near Flagstaff winds through aspen groves at 9,500 ft. Best fall color in Arizona. Complete guide to the route, shuttle, and altitude prep
Inner Basin Trail Flagstaff: Hiking Inside a Volcano
Inner Basin Trail near Flagstaff climbs into the collapsed caldera of the San Francisco Peaks volcano. Complete guide with access road warnings, fall color tips
Holbert Trail: South Mountain's Summit Route to Dobbins Lookout
Holbert Trail is the main foot route to Dobbins Lookout at 2,330 ft in South Mountain Park. Plan your hike with distance, trailhead, and parking details
Hieroglyphic Trail Arizona: Superstition Mountains Petroglyph Hike
Hieroglyphic Trail Arizona guide: 3 miles RT, Hohokam rock art panels, seasonal water pools, wildflowers, and how to find the trailhead in Gold Canyon
Hermit Trail Grand Canyon: Guide to the Quiet Alternative to the Corridor
Hermit Trail Grand Canyon guide covering Santa Maria Spring day hike, Dripping Spring, distances, water sources, permits, and getting to Hermits Rest trailhead
Havasupai Falls Hiking Guide: Permits, Trail, and What to Expect
Everything you need to plan Havasupai Falls hiking: permit strategy, trail breakdown, what to bring, and the safety rules that matter most
Gateway Loop Trail: The McDowell Sonoran Preserve's Best Entry Point
Gateway Loop Trail Scottsdale guide covering the 4.4-mile McDowell Preserve loop, parking tips, wildlife, how to avoid crowds, and connector routes to Tom's Thumb
Dreamy Draw Recreation Area: Phoenix's Most Underrated Trail System
Dreamy Draw Recreation Area offers 1.5 to 4+ miles of easy-to-moderate desert trails in north Phoenix with free parking, bird watching, and mountain preserve access
Doe Mountain Trail Sedona: 360-Degree Mesa Views in Under an Hour
Doe Mountain trail Sedona guide: 1.9-mile round trip to a flat sandstone mesa summit with 360-degree views. Best Sedona sunrise and effort-to-payoff ratio
Devil's Bridge Sedona: The Arch Hike Worth Waking Up Early For
Devil's Bridge Sedona is the largest natural sandstone arch in the area. Beat the crowds with this guide to timing, trailheads, and the arch walk itself
Cockscomb and Aerie Trail Loop: Best Views in West Sedona
The Cockscomb and Aerie loop is 5 miles of ridge hiking above west Sedona with 800 ft of gain and views of Capitol Butte, Bear Mountain, and Dry Creek basin
Cape Final Trail: North Rim's Best Uncrowded Viewpoint
Cape Final Trail hikes 8.4 miles RT through North Rim forest to a viewpoint above the Unkar Delta. Far fewer hikers than Cape Royal and equally good views
Butcher Jones Trail: Desert Hiking With Lake Views at Saguaro Lake
Butcher Jones Trail follows the north shore of Saguaro Lake in Tonto National Forest for 5 miles round trip with desert scenery, water views, and a secluded cove
Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon: The Complete Day Hike and Traverse Guide
Buckskin Gulch slot canyon hiking guide: permit info, keeper pool conditions, flash flood safety, and how far to go on a day hike from Wire Pass Trailhead
Brins Mesa Trail Sedona: Capitol Butte Views Without the Crowds
Brins Mesa trail Sedona climbs to an open sandstone plateau with panoramic Capitol Butte views. 5-mile loop, no Red Rock Pass required at the Jordan Road trailhead
Bright Angel Trail: Complete Hiking Guide for the Grand Canyon's Most Popular Route
Hike Bright Angel Trail with confidence. Distances, water sources, turn-around points, and safety tips for day hikers on the Grand Canyon's busiest trail
Bell Trail Arizona: Wet Beaver Creek Hiking Guide
Bell Trail Arizona hiking guide: 7.4-mile round trip to The Crack swimming hole on Wet Beaver Creek, with canyon walls, year-round flow, and flash flood safety tips
Bell Rock Sedona Hike: The Loop That Lets You Scramble Without the Drama
Bell Rock Sedona hike combines an easy 4-mile loop with an accessible scramble up a 300-foot sandstone butte. Best Sedona hike for first-timers and dog owners
Airport Mesa Trail Sedona: Best Sunset Views in the Red Rocks
Airport Mesa trail Sedona is a 3.3-mile loop at 4,500 feet with 360-degree views of the red rock valley. The best sunset hike in Sedona, and one of four vortex sites
Saguaro National Park: Complete Hiking Guide for Both Districts
Saguaro National Park trails guide for the East (Rincon Mountain) and West (Tucson Mountain) districts, with fees, best hikes, and summer safety warnings
Sabino Canyon Hiking Guide: Trails, Gear, and Photo Spots
Complete Sabino Canyon hiking guide covering Seven Falls, Phoneline Trail, tram details, and the best photo spots in the Tucson foothills
Best Hiking Trails Near Tucson for Beginners
Five beginner-friendly trails in and around Tucson, Arizona, with distance, elevation, parking info, and what to bring for each one.
Best Desert Hikes Near Phoenix for Scenery and Challenge
The best hikes near Phoenix ranked honestly, Camelback, South Mountain, McDowell Preserve, Pinnacle Peak, and what to skip if you're new to the Valley