Unless you’re stuck in desert cities like Phoenix, you’ve probably noticed that autumn has definitely arrived. The temperatures are dropping and leaves are transforming into warm hues of yellow, orange, and red. Now is the perfect time to get out of the house to enjoy nature’s beauty, especially before many areas of the state close for winter.
If you want to see how the fall foliage makes Arizona’s beautiful landscapes appear even more stunning, you’ll want to check out these 10 hiking trails.
- Aspen Nature Loop
Coconino National Forest/Flickr We’re starting this list with an easy trail that just about anyone in your family can do. The short trail is a pretty hike throughout the year but once fall arrives, the leaves here begin changing into lovely warm hues. Expect to spend an hour or so on this trail. Trail length: 1.5 mile loop Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
- Baldwin Trail
Margie Savage/Flickr Sedona is a beautiful place that only becomes more alluring as the weather drops in fall. Baldwin Trail is one easy hike that can get busy but offers some gorgeous views. Enjoy passing Oak Creek and seeing great views of the surrounding buttes and mountains. Trail length: 3 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Bill Williams Mountain Trail
Kaibab National Forest/Flickr One of the longer trails on this list, Bill Williams Mountain takes you from the Williams Ranger Station to the top of the mountain. Along the way, you’ll spot some gorgeous fall foliage and a chance to view the town and forest below. Trail length: 7.65 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Haunted Canyon #203
Johnida Dockens/Flickr Now that October is here, you’ll probably want to start getting into the Halloween spirit. While we can’t confirm the canyon featured on this trail is haunted, you will pass an abandoned cabin that certainly looks spooky in this otherwise secluded area. You’ll also spot some lovely fall foliage! Since this hike is long, make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks to refuel. Trail length: 9 miles one way Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Horton Creek Trail #285
Steven Ebright/Flickr This is one pretty trail that give an introduction to the fall colors you’ll spot around the Mogollon Rim. Follow the creek and enjoy the fairly easy trail! Trail length: 7.1 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Kachina Trail
Alan Levine/Flickr The reality is that any trail on the San Francisco Peaks will produce some spectacular fall views, but this is one of the more popular ones. Wrapped around the southern portion of the mountain, this trail showcases a beautiful golden hue during a day hike. Trail length: 5 miles one way Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
- Marshall Gulch Loop
Holiday Villegas/AllTrails When it comes to fall views, many people forget that trails in southern Arizona offer some pretty scenes. This trail near Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is one of those! The trail is a good distance for a morning hike, especially since it’s just an hour’s drive from Tucson. Trail length: 1.3 miles Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
- See Canyon Trail #184
Keshav Rao/AllTrails Another trail on the Mogollon Rim, this one sits near Kohls Ranch and looks picturesque at the height of fall. You’ll pass Christopher Creek and plenty of trees with bright, warm colors! Trail length: 6.9 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Waterline Trail
Coconino National Forest/Flickr This hiking trail sits on the east side of the San Francisco Peaks and, while long, it is absolutely beautiful. The views are worth the trek but if you want to avoid the long hike back, consider having a friend park at Lockett Meadow or Reese Tank. Trail length: 14 miles one way Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
- West Fork of Oak Creek #108
Coconino National Forest/Flickr Would a list of the best fall hikes in Arizona be complete without this popular trail? Running through some of the pretty landscapes you’ll ever set your eyes on, West Fork of Oak Creek offers lovely warm hues all around with the red rock canyon and plenty of fall foliage. This is one you won’t want to miss. Trail length: 3.2 miles one way Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
How many of these trails have you hiked before? Are there any additional trails would you add? We would love to hear your suggestions!
Coconino National Forest/Flickr
We’re starting this list with an easy trail that just about anyone in your family can do. The short trail is a pretty hike throughout the year but once fall arrives, the leaves here begin changing into lovely warm hues. Expect to spend an hour or so on this trail. Trail length: 1.5 mile loop Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
Margie Savage/Flickr
Sedona is a beautiful place that only becomes more alluring as the weather drops in fall. Baldwin Trail is one easy hike that can get busy but offers some gorgeous views. Enjoy passing Oak Creek and seeing great views of the surrounding buttes and mountains. Trail length: 3 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
Kaibab National Forest/Flickr
One of the longer trails on this list, Bill Williams Mountain takes you from the Williams Ranger Station to the top of the mountain. Along the way, you’ll spot some gorgeous fall foliage and a chance to view the town and forest below. Trail length: 7.65 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
Johnida Dockens/Flickr
Now that October is here, you’ll probably want to start getting into the Halloween spirit. While we can’t confirm the canyon featured on this trail is haunted, you will pass an abandoned cabin that certainly looks spooky in this otherwise secluded area. You’ll also spot some lovely fall foliage! Since this hike is long, make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks to refuel. Trail length: 9 miles one way Trail information: Hike Arizona
Steven Ebright/Flickr
This is one pretty trail that give an introduction to the fall colors you’ll spot around the Mogollon Rim. Follow the creek and enjoy the fairly easy trail! Trail length: 7.1 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
Alan Levine/Flickr
The reality is that any trail on the San Francisco Peaks will produce some spectacular fall views, but this is one of the more popular ones. Wrapped around the southern portion of the mountain, this trail showcases a beautiful golden hue during a day hike. Trail length: 5 miles one way Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
Holiday Villegas/AllTrails
When it comes to fall views, many people forget that trails in southern Arizona offer some pretty scenes. This trail near Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is one of those! The trail is a good distance for a morning hike, especially since it’s just an hour’s drive from Tucson. Trail length: 1.3 miles Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
Keshav Rao/AllTrails
Another trail on the Mogollon Rim, this one sits near Kohls Ranch and looks picturesque at the height of fall. You’ll pass Christopher Creek and plenty of trees with bright, warm colors! Trail length: 6.9 miles round trip Trail information: Hike Arizona
This hiking trail sits on the east side of the San Francisco Peaks and, while long, it is absolutely beautiful. The views are worth the trek but if you want to avoid the long hike back, consider having a friend park at Lockett Meadow or Reese Tank. Trail length: 14 miles one way Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
Would a list of the best fall hikes in Arizona be complete without this popular trail? Running through some of the pretty landscapes you’ll ever set your eyes on, West Fork of Oak Creek offers lovely warm hues all around with the red rock canyon and plenty of fall foliage. This is one you won’t want to miss. Trail length: 3.2 miles one way Trail information: U.S. Forest Service
If you want to read about more fun things to do in the fall season, be sure to read 10 Picture Perfect Fall Day Trips To Take In Arizona. We bet you’ll love them!
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