Trailhead · Huachuca Mountains
Coronado National Memorial / Southern Terminus (Border Monument 102)
MI ≈0 · ≈5,910 ft
The AZT's southern terminus at the US-Mexico border, in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista.
Walk roughly 800 miles from the US-Mexico border to the Utah state line, crossing the Sonoran Desert, five sky-island mountain ranges, the Mogollon Rim, and the Grand Canyon.
“800 miles from the Mexican border to Utah through five sky-island mountain ranges, the Mogollon Rim, and the Grand Canyon, split across 43 numbered passages.”
Plan your Arizona Trail trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get AZT Thru-Hike
AZT Thru-Hike is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
AZT Thru-Hike permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 800mi
AZT Thru-Hike elevation profile
Coronado National Memorial / Southern Terminus (Border Monument 102) to Stateline Campground / Northern Terminus (Utah border)Trailhead
Coronado National Memorial / Southern Terminus (Border Monument 102)
The AZT's southern terminus at the US-Mexico border, in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista.
Mile ≈0 of 800
0 Coronado National Memorial / Southern Terminus (Border Monument 102)800 Stateline Campground / Northern Terminus (Utah border)
- Mile
- ≈0
- Elevation
- ≈5,910 ft
AZT Thru-Hike landmarks
Map of the Arizona Trail Thru-Hike, Coronado National Memorial / Southern Terminus (Border Monument 102) to Utah border / northern terminus
2 of 2 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get an AZT Thru-Hike permit
As of October 2026, AZT Thru-Hike in Arizona Trail, Arizona requires a permit issued via walk-up. AZT Thru-Hike rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The AZT Thru-Hike route covers 800 miles, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Sonoran Desert to Colorado Plateau, AZ
How this permit is issued
Get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone.
Official permit page →Step 1: Check the agency page for the process
This permit is not sold online. Confirm where and when it is issued (and any fee) at aztrail.org before your trip.
Step 2: Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served. Where the agency sets a daily quota, popular trailheads can run out on weekends and holidays.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Popular trailheads fill fast. Know alternate routes or dates.
Learn more:
More on AZT Thru-Hike: Live availability activityArizona Trail Thru-Hike permit itinerary
How much an AZT Thru-Hike permit costs
AZT Thru-Hike permit fee: No fee for the trail itself (self-register/no permit required on USFS, BLM, and most state trust land); Grand Canyon backcountry permit $10 + per-person nightly fee; Saguaro NP thru-hiker permit fee not confirmed in this pass (see gaps).
The AZT Thru-Hike hike
- Distance
- 800 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 6-8 weeks (typical thru-hike pace)
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
800 miles from the Mexican border to Utah through five sky-island mountain ranges, the Mogollon Rim, and the Grand Canyon, split across 43 numbered passages.
About this permit
The Arizona Trail runs roughly 800 miles from the US-Mexico border to the Utah state line, crossing the Sonoran Desert, five sky-island mountain ranges, the Mogollon Rim, and the Grand Canyon. Congress designated it a National Scenic Trail in 2009. It is managed by a partnership of the Arizona Trail Association, the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and Arizona State Trust Land.
The route
From the border at Coronado National Memorial the trail climbs through the sky islands toward Tucson, crosses Saguaro National Park's Rincon Mountain District, runs the Mogollon Rim through central Arizona, crosses the Grand Canyon on the South and North Kaibab corridor trails, and finishes at the Utah state line.
Why it matters
This is a genuine desert-to-plateau traverse: Sonoran Desert heat in the south, a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon crossing in the middle, and shoulder-season snow at the north end, all on one continuous trail.
How hard the AZT Thru-Hike hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike AZT Thru-Hike
Best time to visit
Spring, northbound, avoiding summer desert heat in the south and North Rim snow, or fall, southbound.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: 72% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
🌧️
70°
60°
72%
Wed
☀️
70°
54°
Thu
☀️
77°
52°
Fri
☀️
78°
57°
Sat
☀️
75°
55°
Sun
☀️
78°
58°
Mon
☀️
79°
59°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
AZT Thru-Hike rules, gear and safety
Hazards & considerations
- Extreme heat and water scarcity in the southern desert passages
- Flash floods in canyon sections
- Rattlesnakes
- Snow in shoulder-season at the Grand Canyon North Rim and San Francisco Peaks
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for AZT Thru-Hike.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for AZT Thru-Hike · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
AZT Thru-Hike FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike the Arizona Trail?
No single permit covers the whole trail. Most of the roughly 800 miles cross US Forest Service, BLM, and Arizona State Trust Land with no advance permit required, but two sections need their own permit: the Grand Canyon crossing needs a Grand Canyon backcountry permit, and the Saguaro National Park wilderness section needs a separate Arizona Trail Thru Hiker Overnight Permit.
How long is the Arizona Trail?
About 800 miles, from the US-Mexico border to the Utah state line.
How many passages does the Arizona Trail have?
43 numbered passages (plus one lettered bypass, 11e, around the Pusch Ridge Wilderness), grouped into southern, central, and northern sections.
Do I need a Grand Canyon backcountry permit to hike the Arizona Trail?
Yes. The Arizona Trail crosses the Grand Canyon via the corridor trails (South Kaibab and North Kaibab), and any overnight stay below the rim - including a thru-hiker's crossing - requires a Grand Canyon backcountry permit through Recreation.gov.
Do I need a Saguaro National Park permit for the Arizona Trail?
Yes, if you camp overnight in the park's Rincon Mountain District. The Arizona Trail Thru Hiker Overnight Permit lets thru-hikers and section hikers camp at either the Grass Shack or Manning Campground shared sites during a two-week window, reservable year-round on Recreation.gov with no lottery.
What direction do most people hike the Arizona Trail?
Northbound (from the Mexico border toward Utah) is the most commonly referenced direction, though the trail is hiked both ways.
Who manages the Arizona Trail?
The Arizona Trail Association (ATA) is the nonprofit trail organization, working in partnership with the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the Arizona State Land Department, since Congress designated it a National Scenic Trail in 2009.
Does the Arizona Trail cross Arizona State Trust Land, and do I need a permit for that?
The trail does cross some Arizona State Trust Land parcels. Whether and what recreational permit applies could not be independently confirmed in this research pass; land.az.gov blocked automated access. Verify directly with the Arizona State Land Department before publishing this as fact.
AZT Thru-Hike trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to an AZT Thru-Hike permit
Where to stay near AZT Thru-Hike
- Reef Townsite Group Area campgroundCoronado National Forest
- Rock Bluff Group SiteCoronado National Forest
- Canelo Ranger Office campgroundCoronado National Forest
- All Arizona campgrounds
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