There’s no better way to experience our state’s human and natural history than through hiking, and the many hikes to ruins in Arizona offer excellent ways to experience both. You get to see spectacular views, experience the weather, spot wildlife, and occasionally run into Arizonans doing the exact same thing. Sometimes, it will even introduce you to the history of the area through interpretive trails or, in this case, old ruins from decades or centuries ago. So, no matter your ability, here are some unique hiking trails in Arizona.

1. Besh-ba-Gowah Archaeological Park
Besh-Ba-Gowah Park, South Jesse Hayes Road, Globe, AZ, USA
Alan English CPA/Flickr
This kid-friendly park is located in Globe and offers some pretty incredible views of the ruins and interpretive displays. Most people don’t realize there’s also the Gila Pueblo Ruins just a couple miles away via a pathway along Pinal Creek. It’s a fairly easy walk and will show you just how close many of these sites are to each other.

Miles: 3.57 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
2. Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Apache Pass Road, Bowie, AZ, USA
Julius Whittington/Flickr
There are two trails you can take here and either will earn you a "Hike Through History" pin! See the visitor center for details. The Fort Bowie Loop is shorter and provides details about the area’s history. You’ll get to see several ruins along this trail.

Miles: 3.0 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
3. Mogollon Rim: Aspen Springs Cabin
Mogollon Rim Visitor Center, Rim Road, Payson, AZ, USA
Alan English CPA/Flickr
The beautiful Mogollon Rim is home to some fantastic old cabins hiding in the trees once serving as fire guard stations during the early days of the Forest Service. This hike to Aspen Springs cabin is just one example. Here you can spot an old cabin, a fireplace that hints at the possibility of a nearby cabin once co-existing there, and even an old outhouse.

Miles: 3.5 one way

Hike details: Hike Arizona
4. Navajo National Monument: Betatakin
Alan English CPA/Flickr
If you want to spot old ruins but someone in your party lacks the agility to hike way down into a canyon, then this short trail at Navajo National Monument may be just what you’re looking for. The Sandal Trail is paved and wheelchair-friendly. It leads you from the visitor center to an overlook where you can see the cliff dwelling through a spotting scope.

Miles: 1.3 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
5. Navajo National Monument: Keet Seel
Navajo National Monument, Arizona 564, Shonto, AZ, USA
Alan English CPA/Flickr
If you’re looking for a real workout, then try this trail that takes you down to see Keet Seel, also at Navajo National Monument. Make sure your knees are in good condition and that you can carry a couple days of water on your back; this is a tough one!

Miles: 17 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona

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6. Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness: Secret Cabin
Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sedona, AZ, USA
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr
Secret Mountain is no secret but the views here are gorgeous. Secret Mountain Trail #109 is a hike that will probably take up a good part of your day but the excursion is worth the views and you’ll even get to see an old, abandoned cabin along the way.

Miles: 10.5 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
7. Tuzigoot National Monument: Pueblo ruins
Tuzigoot National Monument, Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale, AZ, USA
Regina Rioux/Flickr
This is less of a hike and more of a nice walk along a paved path but not everyone is able to go on a 3-hour tour! This pathway leads you up to and around the ruins that date back 1,000 years.

Miles: 0.5 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
8. Tonto National Monument: Lower Dwelling
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Aside from the steep incline, this trail is easy peasy, especially after the crazy drive along Apache Trail. A hike here starts at the visitor center and will lead you up to the ancient dwelling where you can explore the dwellings. The Lower Dwelling experiences occasional closures if safety issues, such as flooding, lightning, or bee activity, are present. Be sure to check the national monument’s website before you go.

Miles: 0.9 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
9. Tonto National Monument: Upper Dwelling
Tonto National Monument, 26260 AZ-188, Roosevelt, AZ 85545, USA
Alan English CPA/Flickr
The hike here is longer, it is only open seasonally, and it requires a ​​reservation for a guided tour. The hike follows a creek before going through a series of switchbacks to the cliff dwellings. Because it is a guided tour, you’ll get some interesting information about the plants, wildlife, and people who’ve called this area home.

Miles: 3.1 round trip

Hike details: Hike Arizona
10. Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona, USA
Joe Hackman/Flickr
There are two trails at Walnut Canyon but we’ll be looking at the one that actually takes you down to the ruins. Island Trail directs you to the 25-room dwelling, where signs will provide details about the people who lived here. Just keep in mind that the trail is occasionally closed in winter, so check in advance if it is open.

Miles: 1.0 round trip

Hike details: National Park Service
11. Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki National Monument, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Alan English CPA/Flickr
A trip to see the Wupatki ruins near Sunset Crater is worth the time but if you really want a unique experience, then try to make reservations for the Crack-in-Rock hike. The two-day hiking excursion is strenuous but will give you incredible information about life in the area and a chance to see sites currently being excavated.

Miles: 16 round trip

Hike details: National Park Service

These 11 hikes to ruins in Arizona look pretty cool and accessible! Just remember to respect history by leaving these areas untouched and to always “pack it in, pack it out” when visiting natural or historic areas of our state.

If you want to check out some more abandoned places that requires less physical activity, you might be interested in reading our previous article: You’d Never Know These 7 Ghost Towns Are Hiding In Arizona’s Most Populated County.

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Unique Hiking Trails In Arizona

Leah | August 28, 2020

What are the best outdoor adventures in Arizona?

Let out your inner explorer by experiencing some outdoor adventures in Arizona. Antelope Canyon is one of the most iconic spots in the state, with its wave-like naturally eroded walls. You need a special permit and guide to see it, but the hike there is well worth it when you see it in person. A trip to Monument Valley is an outdoor-must in Arizona. See the iconic Mitten Buttes for yourself while hiking the trails around there and you won't regret it. And, of course, we can't leave out a suggestion for a visit to the Grand Canyon. No matter which side you visit, from the top or deep down into it, it's an outdoor adventure you don't want to miss.

Can I visit any abandoned places in Arizona?

Exploring the ancient ruins in Arizona can be both fun and a learning experience. The state's history is a long one, back to long before it became a state. If you're looking for more abandoned spots to visit, we put together an Arizona Abandoned Places Road Trip you might be interested in. The trip includes old pueblos, decaying Route 66 icons that have been left to rot, and old trading posts that haven't seen use in decades. It's a thrilling trip for people who enjoy seeing remnants of yesteryear - you may even encounter some haunted trails in Arizona!

What are the oldest ruins in Arizona?

With so many well-preserved and incredible ancient ruins throughout the state, you might wonder which of them are the oldest. It can be hard to tell as there are many ruin sights, some incredibly preserved and others nothing but the outlines of buildings long since gone. You might be surprised to know that some of the oldest ruins in the state are located in the middle of Phoenix and are surrounded by the modern city sights. The Pueblo Grande is thought to have been established sometime around 450 AD and lasted for a thousand years. There are prehistoric irrigation canals and a mound preserved as well as reconstructions of the buildings you would have found here back then. You can visit it for yourself at the Pueblo Grande Museum Archaeological Park right next to Sky Harbor.

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