Arizona | New Mexico | Utah | Colorado

When I started writing this series, I thought it would be a pretty breezy assignment. But I’ve been really racking my brain to pick only ONE hike per state, especially in the states where I’ve done a ton of hiking. Out of this bunch of 4, Arizona is surely the one holding me up. While I hope to do a lot more exploring in each of these states, the recommendations below come from personal experiences I’ve had over the past decades. Let’s get into it!

Arizona

Arizona contains multitudes. It’s got high elevation ponderosa pine forests around Flagstaff and Prescott. It contains the fifth largest city in the US (Phoenix). There are “sky islands,” or mountains that rise so dramatically and singularly above the surrounding landscape that they contain unique flora and fauna different from what’s below. While there’s not a ton of water in Arizona today, it contains two of the largest canyons in the United States, the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. At the border with Mexico, there are truly spectacular habitats containing rare and endemic organisms, including the unusual organ pipe cactus. Each of its four corners contains part of a completely different desert. If there’s something you’re looking for in an outing, you’re likely guaranteed to find it in Arizona.

Picacho Peak: Before selecting this hike, I read through the first “top 20 hikes in Arizona” lists to make sure it wasn’t on there. To my surprise, it was not. This is likely due to the fact that the most popular hikes are: in and around the Grand Canyon, near Sedona or around the Phoenix area. This super unique hike, located right between Phoenix and Tucson, somehow slipped through the influencers’ grasp. The trek up Picacho Peak is not for the faint of heart, but it is one you’ll always remember. The main trail to the summit is short, but steep. In just 1.6 miles, you climb 1800 vertical feet! Parts of the trail are so steep there are cables and hand rails. Read the blog for tips on preparing for this super fun adventure!

New Mexico

Ah, the Land of Enchantment. In New Mexico, you’ll find Native American culture past, present and future. There are hot springs and caves. Mountains and deserts. Wind, and lots of it. Fine art and wacky desert-inspired creations. Incredible food, to boot! There’s also plenty of hiking to be done in New Mexico. Here, you’ll find several state parks, 19 NPS sites, a chunk of the Continental Divide Trail and a number of multi-use trails. Nearly half of the state’s land is public. With so many spectacular mountain ranges, forests, cultural sites and remote wildernesses to choose from, it’s hard to plan just one trip to this magical state.

Carlsbad Caverns: Let me start by saying I’m generally not that into caves. But Carlsbad Caverns changed me. It is such a vast, beautiful and mysterious space, you might have a spiritual awakening down there. When I think of New Mexico, I think of the time I spent at Carlsbad. And there is truly something for everyone there. You can take the elevator down to the “Big Room” and walk in a giant, cathedral-like space with lights and walkways and a gift shop at the end. You can sign up for an adventurous guided ranger tour where they loan you a helmet and knee pads and make you squeeze through a practice tunnel to make sure you won’t freak out in the secret passageways they’re about to lead you to. Or, you can visit on a summer evening to see clouds of bats erupting from the mouth of the cave. Everyone should visit this park at least once!

Utah

Utah is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Its otherworldly orange rock formations, dramatic snow capped mountain ranges and seemingly endless array of parks and trails can provide you with entertainment for a lifetime. Besides hiking, you can ski, mountain bike, rock climb, go canyoneering, flyfish and much more. Utah has the “Mighty 5” National Parks, plus 44 state parks and 5 national forests. I have only taken a few trips to Utah, and each one was so different from the one before. Personally, I find the off-trail hiking in the vast deserts and canyons my favorites. But, I generally don’t write detailed descriptions of those. Instead, here’s a known hike you can take as far as you’d like in one of Utah’s stunning and remote canyons.

Lower Muley Twist: If a 15-mile hike in scorching desert sun isn’t for you, the drive to the trailhead is an equally worthy adventure. Access this route via the Burr Trail, an incredible feat of engineering that lets today’s travelers cross steep mountains by means of tight switchbacks. You’ll see mountains and landscapes that are an artist’s dream. Before attempting this drive (or hike) be sure to stop by the ranger station to ask about up-to-date conditions and to get a weather forecast. Hiking the canyon puts you in an otherworldly place where you can feel quite a bit of solitude despite being in a National Park. You won’t find the crowds here like you will at the pie shop.

Colorado

Colorado is a popular place to go hiking, especially for people who love mountains. There are 58 peaks on the list and you can view them all at 14ers.com. If you like challenging highpoints and lots of people on the trail, this is the list for you! There is a somewhat quieter list of 13ers and, for most people, everything else NOT on the list is just as wonderful to explore. The Rocky Mountains cut right down the state from north to south. On the west side, you’ll find a mixture of forests, canyons, secondary mountains ranges and mesas. To the east, Colorado is flat as a pancake and is primarily ranch land with a few grassland preserves. Even the big cities have set aside urban parkland and hiking trails that would rival state and national parks in other places. No matter where you end up in Colorado, you’re sure to find an interesting place to explore. I have only done a handful of hikes in Colorado, so it was somewhat easy to choose a hike from this state of endless possibilities.

Garden of the Gods: (trip report from 2012) Even if you’re never been to Colorado, you’ve probably heard of this place. Does that make it a strange choice for me here? Perhaps. But hear me out. Garden of the Gods offers something for everybody. There are paved, accessible trails and lots of places to pull over and hop out of the car for a quick photo. In addition, you’ll find over 20 miles of interconnected trails where you can find quiet places away from the crowds. And there are crowds. This place is extremely popular for good reason. My best advice is to arrive early in order to get a parking space and have a bit of piece and quiet. You’re also likely to see wildlife in the morning (we saw bighorns crossing the road!). While admiring the gorgeous red rock towers, you’ll also get excellent views of the Rocky Mountains beyond. It’s a place at a great crossroads between north and south, east and west, urban and wilderness. Check out all this place has to offer on their website to help plan your visit.

I would love to go back to each of these states to expand my knowledge and experience in this rich and diverse part of the country, especially Colorado. But, there’s never enough time to visit all the places on my wish-list! I’m curious to hear what your favorite places are in each of these states. Feel free to share in the comments, or send me a message with recommendations!