In many other states, people are hunkered down in their homes to avoid the cold, gray skies, but Arizonans are fortunate to have the sun still brightly shining even in winter. Hopefully, you’re taking advantage of that sun and our seasonal cool weather by staying active and enjoying the outdoors and nature in all its glory. Here are a few of the best hikes in Arizona that you ought to add to your to-do list this weekend. Each trail is under six miles long, features a maintained path, and has beautiful scenery!

1. Alamo Canyon (Organ Pipe National Monument)
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321, USA
Corey Taratuta/Flickr
The perfect time of year to visit and hike through our desert wilderness is winter. The temperatures are lower, the sun is less intense, and you may even find the plants blooming in January and February. This trail is 2.6 miles and pretty easy, although you should expect a bit of an elevation climb throughout the hike.

Trail information: Check out HikeArizona!
2. Aspen Nature Loop (San Francisco Peaks)
Aspen Nature Loop, Arizona 86001, Humphrey's Peak Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
moominsean/Flickr
This easy trail measures 1.5 miles and is a short yet pretty walk even in winter. If you’re visiting the Snowbowl in Flagstaff but want to get a little bit of walking in away from the crowd, check out this short loop just west of the mountain attraction.

Trail information: Check out this awesome article!
3. Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173, USA
Devon Christopher Adams/Flickr
If an easy stroll is what you’re looking for, a walk through a botanical garden or arboretum will probably be more your style. One suggestion for this time of year is walking through Boyce Thompson Arboretum, located near Superior, along an easy, 2.25 mile trail that is well-maintained.

Trail information: Check out this awesome previous article.
4. Echo Canyon Trail (Chiricahua National Monument)
Echo Canyon Trailhead, Fort Grant, AZ 85643, USA
Austin Godber/Flickr
What you see above is just one of the impressive views you’ll see long this 3.4 mile trail. Enjoy making memories as you walk through the beautiful rock formations in the mild winter temperatures of the national monument.

Trail information: Check out HikeArizona!

Related Stories

This Arizona Waterfall Is So Hidden, Almost Nobody Has Seen It In Person

This Arizona Waterfall Is So Hidden, Almost Nobody Has Seen It In Person

 Hike Through A Sea Of Poppies Along The Bajada Trail In Arizona

Hike Through A Sea Of Poppies Along The Bajada Trail In Arizona

 6 Things To Do In Arizona's Grand Canyon Besides Hiking

6 Things To Do In Arizona's Grand Canyon Besides Hiking
5. Hayden Butte (“A” Mountain, Tempe)
Tempe Butte, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Paul Heasman/Flickr
Of all the trails on this list, this one may be the steepest. Despite that, it’s less than one mile in total length, has a well-maintained path, and is a popular destination for locals. The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset to get the best views of the Tempe area.

Trail information: Check out HikeArizona!
6. Hieroglyphic Trail (Superstition Mountains)
Hieroglyphic Trailhead, Hieroglyphic Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, USA
Johnida Dockens/Flickr
The Superstitions are a beautiful location throughout the year but winter makes hiking this area a little more tolerable. This hike is three miles as a round trip, showing off the natural beauty of the Superstitions and a bit of history with some pictographs along the way.

Trail information: Check this article out!
7. Monolith Garden Loop (Kingman)
Monolith Garden Trail, Metwell Dr, Kingman, AZ 86401, USA
Joshua Noble/flickr
In case you never paid much attention, Kingman is home to some pretty striking rock formations and great hiking trails. One easy trail that shows off the rugged landscape is the Monolith Garden Loop, which measures almost two miles long and the trail is easy to follow.

Trail information: Learn more!
8. Sabino Canyon Trail #23 (Sabino Canyon, Tucson)
Sabino Canyon Trail #23, Sabino Canyon Trail, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Dave Bezaire/Flickr
So many pretty desert views, so little time. This is an easy trek, though the first 0.75 miles is a bit steep. Don’t worry, it makes for a good leg and glute workout, plus you get to see some gorgeous views of the landscape and you might even spot some wildlife if you’re lucky.

Trail information: Check out HikeArizona!
9. Scenic Trail (McDowell Mountain Regional Park)
McDowell Mountain Regional Park, 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264, USA
Jeff Turner/Flickr
This trail gives you a nice elevation climb without wreaking havoc on your knees! The trail in Fountain Hills measures 3.5 miles with an easy to follow path.

Trail information: Check out HikeArizona!

When it comes to the best hikes in Arizona, we’re pretty sure some of these top the list! Looking for a place in Arizona that promises beautiful scenery throughout the year? We could recommend just about any place but a definite favorite can be found in This Just Might Be The Most Beautiful Hike In All Of Arizona, which features the beauty you can only find on the West Fork of Oak Creek Trail. What do you think are the best hikes in Arizona? Tell us your picks in the comments.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Hikes in Arizona

Tori Jane | March 09, 2022

What are some great easy hikes in Arizona?  

Arizona just so happens to be a world-class hiking destination, with more than 3,000 amazing trails to choose from. With so many trails weaving all over the place, there’s something for everyone, no matter what their skill level might (or might not) be. About a third of the 3,000 trails in Arizona are rated as easy, and many of those are so scenic that you’ll almost feel like you cheated getting to the amazing places they lead to. We just so happen to be major fans of nice, easy, and scenic hikes, and some of our favorites include the amazing Aspen Nature Loop, near Flagstaff, which is one and a half miles long and offers up some of Arizona’s most beautiful forests as surroundings for the length of it. While in northern Arizona, be sure to also check out Cathedral Rock Trail, in Sedona; it’s 1.5 miles round-trip as well and offers some of the most amazing views in the entire southwest along the way. In the metro Phoenix area, check out Tempe’s Hayden Butte, which is paved and quite popular for families. Need more information on each of these and then some? Check this article out for additional easy hikes in Arizona. 

What are some of the most scenic hikes in Arizona?  

Arizona is such an intensely scenic state that we’d almost argue that EVERY hike is a scenic hike; however, there are some trails in Arizona that do tend to make the “most beautiful” lists on every website time after time. The incredible Bright Angel Trail, for example, is a very long, very hard hike that leads hikers down into the Grand Canyon and then back out again. It’s recommended only for expert-level hikers and is not a trip you can do in a single day. The scenery, however, is beyond worth it, and Bright Angel Trail is one of those trails you add to your bucket list and work your way up to. While at the Grand Canyon, apply for a permit to do the 10-mile one-way hike to Havasu Falls, which is ridiculously beautiful and one of the world’s most-photographed waterfalls despite the difficulty level of access. Other incredible hikes include West Fork Trail, in Sedona, and countless trails in southern Arizona at places like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Saguaro National Park are also super scenic. Get out and explore; Arizona is a paradise for the outdoors enthusiast.  

Related Articles

Explore Arizona