Guided Walks, Hikes & Tours in Arizona’s
State and National Parks
This summer, experience and explore Arizona’s natural, historical and geological wonders by taking a guided walk or hike in a national, state, or county park.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park:
37615 U.S. Hwy 60, Superior, Arizona 85273. Tel: (520) 689-2811
Edible & Medicinal Plants Tour - Aug. 26: 9:30 am. Take a one-hour walk up the Curandero Trail to learn about edible and medicinal plants of the Sonoran Desert. Dress for a hot day. This trail has a few moderately steep sections and is not accessible by wheelchair.
Plants-of-the-Bible Guided Tour - Aug. 18, Sept. 15: 9:30 am. Learn about botany, history and scripture on a walk alongside Bible scholar and Arizona State Parks volunteer David Oberpriller. This easy two-hour guided tour proceeds slowly along paths that are accessible to wheelchairs and walkers.
Butterfly Walk - Aug. 25, Sept. 22:  9:30am. Bring your binoculars for the most dazzling close-up looks at colorful species such as Queen, Painted Lady and Pipevine Swallowtail during this guided outing with Education Coordinator Chris Kline or park volunteer naturalists. Meet at the Visitor Center at 9:30am.
Dragonfly Walk – Sept. 1: 9:30am, The Queen Creek Riparian corridor and Ayer Lake are great places to view Red Rock Skimmers, Blue-eyed Darners and various other species of these predatory aerial acrobat insects. Parents and kids can learn to identify dragonfly species during a one-hour walk, which begins at the Visitor Center lobby. Bring binoculars, wear sunscreen and carry water.
Learn Your Lizards Guided Walk – Aug. 11, Sept. 8: 8:30am and 9/2 at 9:30am. This unique guided tour shows participants how to identify common lizard species such as Western whiptail, Side-blotched and Greater Earless. Kids enjoy this family-friendly walk on the second Saturday each month. Meet at the Visitor Center; bring binoculars, dress anticipating a hot morning, and make sure to carry a water bottle.

Oracle State Park:
3820 Wildlife Dr., Oracle, Arizona 85623. Tel: (520) 896-2425
Weekend Interpretive Trail Walks: For the drop-in public at 8:30am, Saturdays and Sundays, at the Ranch House. Themes include bird identification, plants, geology and general nature. Walks vary each week and last 1-2 hours depending on the interest of the group. Free with park entrance fee. Call for monthly schedule.

Red Rock State Park:
4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, Arizona 86336. Tel: (928) 282-6907
Moonlight Hikes – Aug. 27 & 28: An unforgettable experience, this hike includes a naturalist-led interpretive program on the park's beautiful trails. Enjoy the sunset and moonrise from an overlook and return by the light of the moon. Hike leaves promptly from the Visitor Center. Wear suitable clothing (prepare for cool nights) and bring water and a flashlight. 6:30pm.
Sunset Hike – August: Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat. during August. Come and join volunteers for a Sunset Hike along the Park's beautiful trails. The hikes start from the Visitor Center at 6pm.
Guided Nature Walk: Daily at 10am. Naturalist-led hike lasting 1-1/2 to 2 hours, which will introduce you to the riparian ecosystem of Oak Creek. Plants, wildlife, geology, history and other features of the park are discussed.
Guided Bird Walk – August: Wed. & Sat. at 7am. Naturalist-led hike for beginners as well as the advanced bird enthusiasts. Bring binoculars.

Saguaro National Park:
Twilight Hike - Aug. 17, 31: 5:30pm – 8pm. These hikes are 2 to 2 1/2 hours in length. They are scheduled to begin approximately one hour before sunset. The terrain is sandy, with some uneven rock outcroppings. Some of these can be skirted, but some must be climbed. We will return to the parking area in the fading light after sunset, on an alternate trail or along a rocky old mining road. As space is limited, advance registration is requiredRed Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro West), 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ. Tel: (520) 733-5158
Night Walk – Aug. 17, 31: This easy, 2-hour walk provides opportunities for experiencing the desert at night. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a flashlight. Space is limited, so call for reservations. Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center (Saguaro East), 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ. Tel: (520) 733-5153

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area:
400 Lake Patagonia Rd., Patagonia, AZ 85624. Tel: (520) 287-2791
Moonlight Hike – Aug. 28: Experience the wonderful view of the Sonoita Creek riparian ribbon with the colors of an Arizona sunset and a glowing moon serving as the backdrop. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and a flashlight and perhaps a walking stick. Trail is moderately difficult with a 400 ft. elevation gain. Sponsored by the Friends of Sonoita Creek. Call ahead for meeting time.
Nature Hike: Saturdays and Sundays – call for details.
Bird Walk: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays - call for details.

Tumacacori National Historic Park:
1891 East Frontage Road, Tumacácori, Arizona  85640. Tel: (520) 398-2341

‘In the Footprints of the Past Self-guided Tour: A numbered trail guide, is available in the visitor center.

Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon National Monuments – Flagstaff:

Walks & Hikes sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. Flagstaff, Arizona. Info & Reservations: (928) 527-8240

Nature Walk – Aug. 11, 25, Sept. 1, 2: Dairy Springs Campground amphitheater, 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Join Heidi Strickfaden for an easy one mile walk along the Dairy Springs Loop Trail. Learn about the flora and fauna of the area.
Kendrick Mountain Hike – Aug. 11: Parking lot at Hwy 180 & Snowbowl Road, 6:30 am. Carpool or meet at the Kendrick Trailhead at 7:15 am. Join USFS interpretive ranger Jane Jackson in this moderately difficult hike beginning at 7,700’ elevation, hiking to 10,418’ through the pine and spruce forest with superb views of the San Francisco Peaks and the Colorado Plateau. From the lookout tower you’ll see how the mountain has begun its return from the devastating 2000 Pumpkin Fire. 4 miles each way. Hiking boots, water, and snacks.
Griffiths Springs Hike – Aug. 15: Griffiths Springs trailhead/parking, two miles south of Fort Tuthill on Hwy 89A. 9:00 am to noon. Join Steve and Lois Hirst for a visit to one of Arizona’s rare riparian habitats to learn about water resources, forestry, and the effects of grazing and urbanization in the high desert environment of northern Arizona. Participants can extend the two-mile forest loop into Griffiths Canyon for a total of four miles. Difficulty: easy. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and snacks or lunch.
Old Caves Pueblo Hike - Aug. 19: Old Caves Pueblo trailhead, Silver Saddle Road, 8:00 – 10:30 am. Join an interpretive ranger for a walk to the top of Old Caves Pueblo, the last inhabited site of the Sinagua culture in our area. Difficulty: moderate. 600 ft. elevation change. Tel: 526-1157 ext 273.
Arizona Trail Loop – Aug. 22: Snowbowl parking lot 9, below Hart Prairie ski lodge, 9:00 – 11:00 am. Join Steve and Lois Hirst for a 2.5-mile walk on a newly constructed connection to the final piece of the 750-mile Arizona Trail where it skirts the San Francisco Peaks. Beautiful vistas of the distant Grand Canyon, The San Francisco Volcanic Field, and open meadows of the west flank of the Peaks. Learn about volcanism, trees, wildflowers and changing habitat of northern Arizona. Difficulty: moderate at 9,000-foot elevation. Bring water and comfortable walking shoes.

Learn the Tree Walk – Aug. 24: Snowbowl. Meet at the north end of the Agassiz Lodge parking lot, 9:00 – 11:00 am. Join USFS interpretive ranger Jane Jackson for a walk along the edge of Hart Prairie ski run and identify trees, flowers, and birds, and then ride Agassiz Lift up to 11,500 ft. altitude and learn about northern Arizona volcanoes. Reduced lift ticket prices. 

Bismarck Lake Hike – Aug. 29: 9:00 am to noon. Meet at the FR 418B turnoff. Drive 22 miles north on Hwy 180 to the second FR 151 junction and turn right. At 1.6 miles, bear right & continue on FR 151. After 0.8 mile, stop at FR 418B and park. Join Steve and Lois Hirst for a beautiful hike on a little-used trail through deep forest and mountain meadows to Bismarck Lake in the Hochderffer Hills. Learn about the C. Hart Merriam expedition and a WW II plane crash.

Lava Tubes Exploring & Snowbowl Skyride – Aug. 31: 9:00 am – noon or later. Meet at the parking lot at the intersection of Hwy 180 and Snowbowl Road to carpool. Join USFS interpretive ranger Heidi Strickfaden for this extraordinary walk into the lava tubes of Hart Prairie shield volcano. Ankle boots & flashlight per person. Difficulty: moderate. After the tubes, head to the Snowbowl and up Agassiz ski lift at a reduced price. Reservations required. Group limit: 20.
Slate Mountain Hike – Sept. 5: Meet at the Slate Mountain Trail parking lot. Turn onto Slate Mtn. Rd just past MP 242, north west of town on Hwy 180, go 2.5 miles to trailhead, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Climb a rhyolite lava dome on an abandoned fire tower road with Steve and Lois Hirst (and learn what rhyolite is). Learn about the San Francisco Volcanic Field and what activates it. Great views and late season flowers. See the top and western side of Red Mountain cinder cone just to the northwest. Difficulty: moderate. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and sun block. Bring water, snacks, or lunch. Program.

Red Mountain Hike – Sept. 8: Red Mountain trailhead, MP 147, about 25 miles NW of Flagstaff on Hwy 180. 9:00 am to noon. Join Steve and Lois Hirst for this fascinating walk into the heart of a volcano. Learn about volcanism, ecology, and ancient and modern peoples. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Difficulty: moderate.

Navajo Springs Hike & Picnic – Sept. 15: Navajo Springs trailhead, across the road from the Mormon Lake Lodge Reservation Office, 9:00 – 11:30 am. Join NPS interpretive ranger John Westerlund for this 2.5-mile (roundtrip) walk to an old sheep watering area. Learn about Mormon Lake natural and human history, logging, ranching, Navajo Springs, and wildlife. Then, enjoy a picnic compliments of Mormon Lake Lodge. Reservations required. Group limit: 25. Telephone (928) 354-2227 ext 13.

Walnut Canyon Overlook Hike – Sept. 15: 9:00 am to noon. Arizona Trailhead parking lot. I-40 east from Flagstaff to Walnut Canyon NM turnoff. Follow Walnut Canyon entrance road to FR 303 (before the monument entrance) and turn right. Parking area is about two miles down the dirt road. Join Steve and Lois Hirst for an informative 4-mile walk to Walnut Canyon overlook along the Arizona Horse Bypass Trail. Crosses a deep Walnut Canyon tributary to yield a variety of plants and wildflowers. Hear about Walnut Canyon’s long and continuing significance for life around the Peaks. Difficulty: moderate.

Veit Springs Hike – Sept. 28: Meet at the Snowbowl parking lot at the intersection of HWY 180 and Snowbowl Road 7 miles north of Flagstaff. 9:00 – 11:30 am. Join interpretive rangers Steve and Lois Hirst for a short walk through shaded forest to a spring high on the south slope of the San Francisco Peaks. Native grasses and wildflowers proliferate. Hear about stage robbers, missing gold, and the presence of ancient spirits. Difficulty: easy.