The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a complete 790-mile non-motorized trail traversing the entire state of Arizona. The trail starts at Mexico at the south end of the state and ending at Utah on the north end of the state. It links deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, communities and people. The trail is open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers (except where prohibited).
Payson, Arizona is designated as a gateway community located at mile 388.2 of the Arizona Trail. Hikers can begin a journey on the Arizona Trail or make it a spot along the way to stop and explore. Hikers starting at points of the trail to the north or to the south can mail themselves re-supply packages to be picked up in Payson as well as obtain other services.
Trail users need to be responsible for their own preparedness. In some cases, route finding skills and the ability to cope with unexpected situations such as weather, natural hazards, venemous creatures, and lack of water are essential.
Arizona Trail "LEAVE NO TRACE" ethics:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impact
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others