5 of the Best Trails in The Southwest

From cliff dwellings to bubbling riverside hot springs, Prickly Pears to snow-capped peaks—springtime in the Southwest is a time for exploring. After you suit up with Active Junky-recommended desert gear, hit one of our five favorite trails in the Southwest.

1. Grand Gulch Primitive Area, Utah

Even the best maps can’t point out the countless cliff-top Anasazi cave dwelling ruins and petroglyphs that riddle the Grand Gulch. That said, bring one to help you stay on the plush, Aspen and Cottonwood-peppered canyon floor and away from countless sidetracks. If you’re flash-flood savvy and capable of carrying a lot of water, enter the Gulch: a lesser-known haven for everyone from day hike anthropologists to multi-week soul searchers.  Follow the ranger’s rules and keep this hidden gem open for a long time to come.

Length: Up to 52 miles, not including sidetracks.

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous, but isolated.

2. Peekaboo Trail, Needles District, Canyonlands, Utah

You’ll be hard pressed to find a trail that’s not gorgeous in Canyonlands or its nearby cousin Arches National Park, but Peekaboo is on the top of every Utah hiker’s long list of favorite treks. An out-and-back ending with ancient artwork, trail builders have supplemented the otherwise sketchy route with ladders for safety and convenience.  The trail is tucked into narrow canyons at one moment and then —peekaboo! — opens up to spectacular views of natural stone arches and Canyonlands’ one of a kind Needles District at the next. 

Length: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Strenuous

3. Amasa Back/Captain Ahab, Moab, Utah

Hiking this deservedly famous area won’t necessarily get you away from the crowds, but it’s ideal for first-timers looking to get a taste of the desert’s intensity.  Amasa Back’s a jeep trail, Captain Ahab’s a mountain bike trail and everything else (that’s not crypto) is a slickrock playground for trekkers looking to catch a breathtaking glimpse of the snowcapped La Sals over a canyon-speckled Mars-scape.

Length: Approx. 5 miles (Not including side trips).

Difficulty: Moderate

 4. Middle Fork Trail, Gila Wilderness Area, New Mexico

With cliff dwellings, rushing river and natural hot springs galore, the Middle Fork Trail is a popular route for hikers and fishermen alike to explore the heart of this piney wilderness.  Water accessibility makes seasoned southwest trekkers appreciate this area. While many other hikes have you packing weighty gallons at a time, the Fork will turn your feet into prunes as the trail crosses the crisp waters of the scenic Gila River time and time again.

Length: Up to 40 miles, with shorter options for day hikers and fair-weather fishermen.

Difficulty: Mild/Moderate

5. The Arizona Trail

The “AT” of the Southwest?  It’s still up for debate.  Finished in 2011, this monster spans all the way from Utah to the border of Mexico.  A trail this long can’t help but have it all: civilization and desolation, rattlesnakes and scorpions, cacti at your feet and mountains in the distance.  Water ranges from plentiful to iffy-at-best.  Thru hikes are for none but the toughest of the tough, while other sections cater to hopeful novices. Get on it before the secret’s out!

Length: 800+ miles

Difficulty: Varying, depending on passage.