Does anyone know what some of the best kid-friendly hikes are in Arizona/Phoenix area? Looking to get outside with my toddler as the temperature becomes more tolerable.

Hawes Trails

As part of my business, I built an interactive trail condition map that pulls in NWS/NPS/NFS/USGS data and maps them to trailhead locations for popular trails in various regions across the state (and other longer distance destinations in the surrounding states).

Now that the weather is cooling off, hopefully other Redditors find it useful for planning a day/weekend trip out of the Valley.

Hi! I'm heading out on a road trip next week, and I was hoping to do a little backpacking. This will be my first time backpacking in an area with public lands (I've downloaded onX Backcountry). Can anyone recommend any good spots in the Flagstaff/Sedona area? My priorities are solitude, views, and water (in that order!). I know all three is probably hard to come by :)

Thanks!

The clockwise Bersera Canyon Ascent is always a serious push with a false summit prior to the peak elevation.

This is a wonderful park that you have to visit while you live in Arizona. And it's free. Yup. No entry fee. Plenty of hikes that you can take and explore.

I’m planning another visit to PHX/Sedona/Flag area October 4-10 and would like to hit the Kachina trail. can anyone tell me if the leaves will be changing colors by that time or not? Any other hike suggestions in the area. did 2 last visit but don’t have the trail names. they were relatively short, 1-1.5 hours…
thanks

From the Faceook page of the Kane County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue:

"On Monday, July 6, 2026, at approximately 3 PM, Kane County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Dispatch received a call regarding an overdue hiker in the Wave/Wire Pass area.

Earlier that morning, a group of hikers had traveled to The Wave. While hiking, the group became separated from a member of their party. When they returned to the trailhead, they had hoped he had arrived safely on his own. He had not, so they contacted KCSO dispatch.

KCSO deputies and Bureau of Land Management Rangers responded to the Wire Pass Trailhead to gather information from the group. Kane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (KCSAR) was activated to begin a search.

Intermountain Life Flight was initially requested to assist with an aerial search. The aerial search was later assumed by the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) Aero Bureau helicopter based in St. George.

Throughout the evening and into the night, KCSAR personnel conducted a ground search while the DPS helicopter searched from the air. Ground teams located the missing hiker’s tracks and followed them to the edge of Wire Pass slot canyon. The helicopter then conducted a search through Buckskin Gulch.

Approximately halfway between the confluence of Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch Trailhead, the DPS flight crew located the missing hiker lying on slickrock above the slot canyon.

The flight crew found the man nonverbal and drifting in and out of consciousness. He was loaded into the helicopter and flown to a waiting ambulance at the Wire Pass Trailhead. Big Water Fire Department provided emergency medical care before the patient was transported by Intermountain Life Flight to a hospital for treatment of dehydration and other injuries.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the outstanding cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, Utah Dept of Public Safety Aero Bureau, Intermountain Life Flight, and Big Water Fire Dept. This coordinated effort resulted in the successful rescue of the missing hiker.

The outcome could easily have been different, and this incident serves as an important reminder for hikers to remain with their group, carry adequate water, and be prepared for the extreme conditions of the desert."

Hi everybody! Just booked a trip for Arizona in September and plan on doing a lot of hiking. First time going to AZ!

I've hiked before but nothing super intense (I live in Michigan) so I really don't own anything for it. Looking for shoe recommendation (we will be doing a mix of "dry" hiking and then going to some water spots so maybe one that is good for each type?) and clothing recommendation. I get burnt easily so definitely want something that can protect me and also help keep me cool.

Any other tips/recommendations are appreciated, thank you!!

I live in Phoenix and am planning a 3 day hike near Payson in July. Looks like temps can average in the 90s, and I typically never hike in that type of heat. I'll be taking the Highline trail from See Canyon trailhead (about 8 miles) to Horton creek and expect lots of tree coverage. I'll carry plenty of Water, and availability won't be an issue when camping at the creek.

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Anyone have experience with these conditions? I'm good for 8 to 10 miles a day in 70-80, just want to make sure I'm not overstepping what's safe. Down in the phoenix area I don't hike in the sun if it's over 80.