Aravaipa Canyon Trail

This was beautiful! Most of the time spent walking in the creek and the water was a bit chilly. I would recommend this trail as an overnight so u can enjoy the scenery longer. We ran into a group of javelina and deer. No real elevation changes but walking in water, river rocks and sand adds some difficulty .

Wear water shoes.

This was a surprisingly great day hike for such a remote area. Drove up from Tucson, hiked about three miles in and back from West trailhead, and was back home before dark. Perfect conditions for a Halloween adventure...water temp was just right, no bugs, no chance of storms. Colors hadn’t started to turn yet, but it was still unbelievably gorgeous. Wading through the ankle-to-knee-deep water wasn’t challenging, but pushing through the current will definitely slow you down, and a set of poles or a good hiking stick are a must. We wore our Keen hiking sandals for the water, but that was a big mistake...should have paid closer attention to the reviews here...the gravelly pebbles digging into our feet were a real problem. Next time I’ll just cope with wet socks and wear my boots. There were a few short sections where we had to choose between wading through rough water or bushwhacking on the bank, but for the most part the choice between an easy footpath or shallow wading was pretty clear. Bathroom at the trailhead has lost its walls, so if you’re shy be sure to use the one at the ranger station down the toad from the trailhead. Can’t wait to do this hike again next year!

Spent 2 nights and 3 days, a great adventure but you must prepare. Wear running type shoes, not sandals or boots as you will be in the water 1/3 of the time. Trekking poles are an absolute essential. Water filtration system is a must as well and you can reduce your pack weight as water is always available. The views are special, the hiking strenuous but enjoyable. Do not take children under 12, too many hazards. A hiker we came upon was hustling back out the canyon due to his partner being bit by a rattlesnake. It was a good 3 hours to get some help, then a helicopter airlift out for the wounded. Hang all food at night or anytime away from your camp. Temps were warm during the day with a good amount of shade. Nights were pleasant with very few bugs. Enjoy!

Walk thru is awesome, return road on the east side is gravel and dusty. Next time will hike and return to the west end because east end road that poor

In and out of creek. Beautiful! Saw 2 Does and their fawns, 4 coitimundis, 1 bighorn ram with Big horns.

Entered via East side and it was a beautiful area to see. Wading in the water was pleasant and fun. Hiking with great folks made it enjoyable and I will have great memories of this hike.

Overnighted 5 miles in from West Entrance. Wore water-hikers because you are walking through water most of the time. Saw lots of wildlife...javelina, turkey and deer! 2 Huge rattle snakes!! It was September weather was not bad. Lots of shade and a few places to dip in the river. Going in the east entrance the next time!

This trail goes up a beautiful canyon. Well worth the trip.

Went in 3 miles from West TH and turned back. Got a little thick at that point and we were exhausted. Boots were extremely heavy from water, next time I’ll wear water shoes with strong soles. Amazing views, almost entirely shaded, we saw deer and heron. No pesky bugs once you’re at the river. There were a few pools we came across that were 3-4 feet deep, perfect to dip and cool off. My dog would love this place. Will be back. Don’t recommend bringing a low car. The dirt road was flooded at parts in July.

Stream flowing nicely. Saw deer, heron, Cooper hawks, and many other birds and lots of insects ( no biting ones)... just butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles and dragonflies. Great hike and temperature nice with the overcast sky-- kept an eye on it though in case of heavy rain and potential for flooding.

Beautiful hike through the sycamore shaded canyon walking through a strong running creek. Surreal to be in the lush green and water walled canyons while the desert sun bears down and towering Saguaros rim the canyon tops. Birds everywhere, small fish in the creek, a deer, and three other hiked groups over the course of 6 hours. Hikers we passed saw big horn sheep. I saw wild turkey at the East entrance as well. The terrain is relatively flat, lot of sun exposure but plenty of shaded spots too. You are hiking through calf deep water most of the time or on sand or loose rocks. It is more tiring than expected but beautiful and worth it. Definitely be cautious during monsoon season as flash floods could easily kill you in the high walled center of the canyon. There is no cell reception so download the maps before you get there and plan on not being able to communicate until after. The history of the Aravaipa Apache and region is worth learning as well. It is site if the April 30, 1870 massacre in which Tucson founders Sam Hughes (who also at 40 “married a 13 year old orphaned Mexican girl), the first mayor of tucson and a handful of other Anglo’s along with Mexican American ranchers and Tohono O’Odham members massacred 126 women and children at night while they men were away. They then sold 26 kids into Mexican slavery. President Grant ordered an investigation and threatened to declare martial law. 100 ppl were indicted but the rigged jury found them all not guilty in 19 minutes despite everyone generally admitting to it. The US Military had just signed a peace treaty with the Aravaipa Apaches and given them back the land they were killed on. The military buried 126 mutilated bodies in trenches along the upper rim of the canyon. The incident is worth remembering when walking the beautiful hallowed ground.

Our hike was two nights and we went from one end to the other. About 27 miles total.

Beautiful canyon hike through shin deep water.

Beautiful area that’s perfect for an overnight backpacking trip. Loved spending so much time walking through and lounging in the creek.

Spectacular, popular, hidden gem of an oasis that deserves protection. Not many trails where you can hike on the river with breathtaking canyons and trees. Easy day hike with plenty of shade, but expect to get very wet, cold while fighting a downstream current. Good gear like water shoes and trekking poles will make this much easier.

Beautiful experience! Definitely prep with good footwear (little rocks got in my chacos and I would recommend better water shoes). So many places to explore, perfect for a day hike or backpacking adventure. Getting warmer mid May but water cools you down, you'll be walking in and out of it constantly. Will be returning often!

Went for the Max time 2 nights 3 days. It was absolutely beautiful. So worth the drive, when getting there just take the dirt road till it ends. We felt like we passed it but it is a long way on the dirt road. Went in early March, it was 70-80 during the day and 40s at night. The water was cold but not too bad, we brought wet suit socks to keep our feet warm. I would definitely recommend going to horse camp Canyon it is breathtaking if you climb up the waterfall. Although we heard a deer very very close, we didn't see one. Also saw many big horn sheep tracks and evidence they were around, also heard a herd of then at night above us in the canyon. Bats came out to feast at dusk both nights, it was awesome to watch and hear them click. I would recommend this to anyone. Definitely give yourself a day to explore.