Skip to content

Best Canyon Hikes in Arizona

The directory currently contains 65 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Arizona. Their average mapped distance is 14.0 km and average recorded ascent is 554 m (1,818 ft); the longest route in the set is 162 km.

This subset represents 11% of the 593 quality-checked routes in Arizona. Its average distance is 14.0 km, compared with 16.8 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 554 m (1,818 ft), versus 403 m (1,322 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

These routes carry a canyon or gorge tag. Flood risk, access infrastructure and technical terrain require a current local source. Within this set, 2 routes (3%) are rated easy, 18 (28%) are rated hard or expert, and 2 (3%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

4.8 km

See Canyon Trail #184

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

137 m

Parker Canyon Lakeshore Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

1 recorded loop

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Expert

Black Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
153 km
/ 94.9 mi
Elevation gain
2,892 m
Typical duration
40 hr
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Long-distance path
Moderate

Joe's Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
497 m
Typical duration
1 hr 49 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Grand Canyon, Arizona View from Moran Point at the south rim, looking north, with Juniperus osteosperma tree at left.
Moderate

New Hance Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.4 km
/ 5.8 mi
Elevation gain
261 m
Typical duration
2 hr 21 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Parker Canyon Lake is located southwest of Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Moderate

Parker Canyon Lakeshore Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.7 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
137 m
Typical duration
1 hr 49 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

See Canyon Trail #184

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.8 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
585 m
Typical duration
1 hr 53 min
  • Lake
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Hard

Upper Lookout Canyon Trail #120

Arizona · United States

Distance
18.1 km
/ 11.2 mi
Elevation gain
138 m
Typical duration
4 hr 4 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Hard

Gibson Canyon Trail #308

Arizona · United States

Distance
14.1 km
/ 8.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,908 m
Typical duration
5 hr 47 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Moderate

Middle Lookout Canyon Trail #121

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
52 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Hard

Pine Canyon Trail #26

Arizona · United States

Distance
16.9 km
/ 10.5 mi
Elevation gain
852 m
Typical duration
4 hr 51 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Moderate

Miller Canyon Trail #106

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.0 km
/ 3.1 mi
Elevation gain
862 m
Typical duration
2 hr 20 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Loy Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Loy Canyon #5

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
603 m
Typical duration
2 hr 32 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Huachuca Mountains, Coronado National Forest.
Moderate

Ida Canyon Trail #110

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
695 m
Typical duration
2 hr 13 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Moderate

Oversite Canyon Trail #112

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.3 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
708 m
Typical duration
1 hr 58 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Hard

Bear Canyon Trail #299

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.2 km
/ 5.1 mi
Elevation gain
1,286 m
Typical duration
3 hr 38 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Hard

Gardner Canyon Trail #67

Arizona · United States

Distance
10.0 km
/ 6.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,297 m
Typical duration
4 hr 2 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Long Canyon #122

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Superstition Wilderness.
Moderate

Boulder Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.7 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
475 m
Typical duration
3 hr 9 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Boynton Canyon #47

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
302 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Snowmelt from a series winter storms in late January 2017 followed by rain and warm weather in February had dry creekbeds running and many of Arizona's reservoirs filled and overflowing. Dry Beaver Creek in Woods Canyon was no exception. Wo
Moderate

Woods Canyon #93

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.4 km
/ 5.2 mi
Elevation gain
228 m
Typical duration
2 hr 5 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Moderate

South Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.1 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
395 m
Typical duration
2 hr 29 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Fay Canyon is a favorite hike for many who prefer a shorter hike with minimal elevation gain or who enjoy the grandeur of red sandstone walls towering overhead. Some people visit Fay Canyon to see the natural arch located just under a half
Moderate

Fay Canyon #53

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Canyon of Fools #174F

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Hard

Walker Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
24.4 km
/ 15.1 mi
Elevation gain
536 m
Typical duration
6 hr 10 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Cylindropuntia fulgida . King Canyon Trail, Tucson Mountains, Saguaro National Park West, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Moderate

King Canyon / Gould Mine Loop

Arizona · United States

Distance
11.9 km
/ 7.4 mi
Elevation gain
627 m
Typical duration
3 hr 26 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

DFLT Seitts

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Desert
Secret Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

HS Canyon #50

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
231 m
Typical duration
1 hr 26 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Secret Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona - Yavapai County
Moderate

Secret Canyon #121

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.1 km
/ 5.0 mi
Elevation gain
275 m
Typical duration
2 hr 6 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Red Rock Canyon road
Moderate

Wilson Canyon #49

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
41 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Canyon and gorge
(1 in a multiple picture set) Most of the pictures in this set were scanned from slides. This scene is typical of the scenery around Sedona. All day the sights are amazing, but at sunrise and sunset, they will take your breath away.
Moderate

Carroll Canyon #207

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
57 m
Typical duration
40 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Moderate

Sunnyside Canyon Trail #117

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.3 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
885 m
Typical duration
2 hr 51 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Hard

Lutz Canyon Trail #104

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.0 km
/ 3.1 mi
Elevation gain
908 m
Typical duration
2 hr 24 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

Bear Canyon Trail #125

Arizona · United States

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
511 m
Typical duration
1 hr 27 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Moderate

Scotia Canyon Trail #127

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.5 km
/ 5.9 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
2 hr 6 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
A view down Rucker Canyon after the Horseshoe two fire.
Hard

Price Canyon Trail #224

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.7 km
/ 5.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,069 m
Typical duration
3 hr 25 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Along the Bull Pasture Trail.
Moderate

Estes Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
195 m
Typical duration
50 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Saw this male lizard on a real quick walk down a path at the Santa Catalina Mountains off of the Pima Canyon Road trailhead.
Moderate

Beverly Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
55 m
Typical duration
39 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Hard

Dutch Henry Canyon Trail #297

Arizona · United States

Distance
9.1 km
/ 5.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,393 m
Typical duration
3 hr 59 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
A view down Rucker Canyon after the Horseshoe two fire.
Moderate

Baker Canyon Trail #225

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.3 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
674 m
Typical duration
1 hr 55 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Grand Canyon Arizona USA - Planet Labs satellite image. The red, sediment-filled Colorado River contrasts with blue-green Havasu Creek in the heart of Grand Canyon National Park. The Colorado River is almost always red in spring and summer,
Moderate

Havasu Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.5 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
484 m
Typical duration
1 hr 52 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Moderate

Lower Lookout Canyon Trail #122

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
129 m
Typical duration
38 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Hard

John's Canyon Trail #313

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.4 km
/ 5.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,025 m
Typical duration
3 hr 17 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Moderate

North Canyon Trail

Arizona · United States

Distance
12.6 km
/ 7.9 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
2 hr 42 min
  • Mountain
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

Vista Canyon Park Walking Path

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
14 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

Casner Canyon #11

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
34 m
Typical duration
55 min
  • Canyon and gorge

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Black Canyon National Recreation TrailArizona162 km2,443 m41 hrExpertApril to October
Black Canyon TrailArizona153 km2,892 m40 hrExpertApril to October
Joe's Canyon TrailArizona5.2 km497 m1 hr 49 minModerateJune to October
New Hance TrailArizona9.4 km261 m2 hr 21 minModerateJune to October
Parker Canyon Lakeshore TrailArizona7.7 km137 m1 hr 49 minModerateJune to October
See Canyon Trail #184Arizona4.8 km585 m1 hr 53 minModerateJuly to September
Upper Lookout Canyon Trail #120Arizona18.1 km138 m4 hr 4 minHardJuly to September
Gibson Canyon Trail #308Arizona14.1 km1,908 m5 hr 47 minHardJuly to September
Middle Lookout Canyon Trail #121Arizona4.1 km6 m52 minModerateJuly to September
Pine Canyon Trail #26Arizona16.9 km852 m4 hr 51 minHardJune to October

Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, Black Canyon Trail, Joe's Canyon Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

Related guides

Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.

People also search for