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DISTANCE
804 Miles (1293.9km)
For more information on the Arizona Trail visit our AZT Resource page. »
Have you ever wondered about exploring the Arizona Trail by bike?
I rode it as part of the Bikepacking Triple Crown. The experience was amazing. But it also took a lot of planning. If you’re like me and have a passion for the sometimes extreme, then read on.
I put this page together for people like us, explores and adventurers. I realized there was a need for an Arizona Trail Guide, for bikepackers. The page is broken down into simple sections so you can easily get a feel for the trail. This page is part of a larger all inclusive guide, so you can focus on riding your bike instead of searching the internet for hours on end.
Where does one start? This page is a great start but if you want to know more, checkout the “AZT Resources” button below. But be ready for what comes next. You just might find yourself on a plane bound for Arizona.
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Stats
DIFFICULTY (1-10)
8
Elevation Gain
70,107 Feet (21,368.6 m)
HIGHEST POINT
9,007 Feet (2745m)
TIME REQUIRED
6—21 Days
% SINGLETRACK
65%
% UNPAVED
90%
Time of Year
April to November
Event Date
3rd Thursday of October 20, 2022
7 am – 300 @Mexican Border / Monument 103
7 am – 800 @Mexican Border / Monument 103
Closest Towns to Start/Finish
Tucson, AZ and Kanab, UT
Records
800
Kurt Refsnider (2016) 6:06:06
Elizabeth Sampey (2019) 9:11:44
300
Kurt Refsnider (2014) 1:21:07
Kaitlyn Boyle (2018) 2:02:57
Overview
The Arizona Trail is an 800 mile multi use recreational trail that extends from the Mexican border to the Utah border. Completed in 2011 the trail connects some of Arizona’s most beautiful and yet rugged features. Users get to experience historical and cultural sites, the Sonoran Desert to the boreal forests surrounded Flagstaff, the Gila River, Mogollon Rim, San Fransisco Peaks, Superstition Mountains, Grand Canyon, the Kaibab Plateau, canyons, valleys, peaks and more.
Thru-bikers take a slightly different route than their fellow thru-hikers to avoid the many Wilderness areas along the route. The result is bikers travel 804 miles to complete their thru-bike. Using dirt roads, trails, and some pavement thru-bikers circumnavigate Wilderness areas. Thru-biking the AZT is not an easy task. I can’t stress enough how important doing your homework before you go is. The more you know the better your chances of getting to Utah. Trust me I know by experience!
The best times to ride/tour the AZT is during the Spring and Fall. Summer is far too hot and in Winter the higher peaks and ridges are covered in snow. If you choose to ride/tour in the Fall, do not think because it’s Fall the temperatures won’t be hot. I started on Oct. 7, 2017 and during my first four days the temperature was over 95 degrees.
Like any big adventure, the AZT is not something to take lightly. Do your homework, know the route, know your options, and use your head when out there. Help could be hours or days away!
Route
AZT800
AZT300
Elevation profiles provided by John Schilling. Support John’s effort by purchasing prints, sticks and mugs of these profiles.
ARIZONA TRAIL 300/800
***NOTE MAJOR CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE AZT300/800***
Please go to the official website, and review all the current changes and upcoming possible ones. In a nut shell:
- The event has move from April to an October start date.
- There are more than a few major route changes to the course, which will be presented at a later date.
- More Singletrack
- New rules
AZT300/800
The AZT300/800 are not organized or sanctioned event in any way. They are seen as big group ride that follows a set route, at a set time, a short list of rules and that’s it. Those who take part should understand this and obey the gentleman’s agreement to “race” fairly and follow the rules. There are also no checkpoints, organizers, or aid stations of any kind. You are responsible for yourself, period.
The Arizona Trail (AZT800) starts on the US/Mexico border , while the 300 starts about 14 miles north of the border at the Parker Canyon Lake, usually about one hour later. Both routes follow the same path to PickettPost, the finish the the 300, where the 800 continues to Utah.
Suggested Start Date:
October 20, 2022
300 miles / 800 miles
800 Start: 7 am – Mexican Border / Monument 103
300 Start: 7 am – Mexican Border / Monument 103
Rider limit:
60 people, combined, in both events (Registered HERE)
*Subject to change, See AZTrail for exact info.
RULES
Bikepack racing is usually not organized, is without entry fees or prizes, but there are a set of rules all bikepacking races follow. The rules are put into place to create a level playing field for all those who participate.
*Note these rules are the general rules for bikepack racing and each event may have their own specific rules and they also change from time to time. With that said it’s important you read and understand the official rules which can be found at the link below.
1. One must complete the entire route under their own power.
2. Outside support is not allowed.
3. No caching of food/supplies ahead of time.
4. No use of motorized transportation or hitch-hiking, EXCEPT for travel to hospital/medical care.
The following are allowed, but not encouraged. Please use sparingly.
5. Unplanned assistance from other racers is ACCEPTABLE.
6. Trail magic OK – but please, no begging or fishing (hinting).
7. Mailing resupplies ahead to Post Offices is ACCEPTABLE.
For full rules visit AZTrail.
No entry fee, no prizes, absolutely no support
PERMITS & SPECIAL NOTES
There are two (2) permits needed to ride the AZT800. The 300 does NOT require a license. You need a permit if you plan on sleeping within the Grand Canyon and one to crosses a State Land Trust. The Land trust permit is $15 and can be found here.
You can get your camping permit from the Backcountry Ranger Station at the South Rim Village. Permits are $18. You’ll be getting a walk up permit. Ask if you can stay in the Stock Camp at Phantom Ranch. It’s convent and close to the trail. More information can be found here.
It’s very important to note that it’s illegal for one’s bike wheels to touch the ground inside the Grand Canyon (below the rim). You must carry your bike from the South Rim to the North Rim. The use of the Grand Canyon by riders is by special permission from the Park Service and can be taken away. This is a must, please follow the rules.
SPOT TRACKING
Riders are encouraged to carry a Spot tracker, though they are not mandatory. Due to the remoteness and sheer difficulty of the trail I personal believe you’d be crazy not to. Riders can sign up at Trackleaders.com one month before the event if they choose to.
SPOT HIRE
You can rent a Gen3 Spot from Trackleaders.com around one month before the start of the event. Check Trackleaders or Bikepacking.net forums for information at that time.
SUPPORT THE ATA
The Arizona Trail Association has no ties to the event but they did build the trail and maintain it. It’s through their good graces you have this amazing trail to ride. Please consider joining the ATA. Membership is only $35 and as a member you get additional access to trail conditions, water reports and more on the ATA website.
As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Thanks for your support!
Arizona Trail Planning Aids
As a Triple Crown thru-hiker I have become used to quality planning tools for my trips. During my Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have the same quality planning tools available. The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources, like this Arizona Trail Planning Aids, are our answer to this.
After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Arizona Trail Planning Aids are done. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the AZT300/800. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your ride of the Arizona Trail. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Arizona Trail Resources.
Data Sheets and Town Lists
AZT300 NOBO
New for 2023
- Better visuals for important data.
- Cleaned up notes and added more information for key resupplies.
- Made back end changes for faster updates.
Data Sheet includes:
- Key POI
- Elevation / Pop of POI
- Mileage numbers
- Distance to next
- Elevation +/-
- Avg. Grade between POI
- Max & Min. elevation between POI
- Pavement sections
- Water sources
- Bike shops
- Resupply options
- Important notes
- Elevation profile
- Finish Target Times
$25.00 + tax, Purchase here.
New for 2023
- Better visuals for important data.
- Cleaned up notes and added more information for key resupplies.
- Made back end changes for faster updates.
Town List includes:
- More key notes
- Phone numbers added for key locations
- Water sources
- Bike shops
- Elevation profile added
- Finish Target Times added
Example of Data Sheet
Example of Town List
AZT800 NOBO
Data Sheet includes:
- Key POI
- Elevation / Pop of POI
- Mileage numbers
- Distance to next
- Elevation +/-
- Avg. Grade between POI
- Max & Min. elevation between POI
- Pavement sections
- Water sources
- Bike shops
- Resupply options
- Important notes
- Elevation profile
- Finish Target Times
$25.00 + tax, Purchase here.
Town List includes:
- More key notes
- Phone numbers added for key locations
- Water sources
- Bike shops
- Elevation profile added
- Finish Target Times added
Example of Data Sheet
Example of Town List
DATA SHEET and TOWN LIST DIFFERENCES
The Data Sheet has the most info. It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, max grade, pavement sections, references Passage #’s, bike shops, resupply options, water sources, and has key notes between two POI. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on.
The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Example: A to B, A to C, A to D. The next section would be B to C, B to D, B to E, and so on. The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops, water sources, and key notes.
The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI.
Mileage Charts
The Mileage Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
AZT300 Mileage Chart:
Quickly find the distance between any two points along the route, SOBO or NOBO.
- Shows Bike Shops
- Works for both directions.
- Quickly find the distance between any two points along the route.
The Elevation Gain Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
AZT800 Mileage Chart:
Quickly find the distance between any two points along the route, SOBO or NOBO.
- Shows Bike Shops
- Works for both directions.
- Quickly find the distance between any two points along the route.
Elevation Gain Charts
The Mileage Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
AZT300 NOBO Elevation Gain Chart:
Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.
- Easy to read format.
- Formatted for printing.
- Data created in Garmin Basecamp for more accurate information.
The Elevation Gain Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
AZT800 NOBO Elevation Gain Chart:
Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.
- Easy to read format.
- Formatted for printing.
- Data created in Garmin Basecamp for more accurate information.
AZT BUNDLES – 300 & 800
AZT NOBO SMALL BUNDLE
Includes the following:
- Data Sheet
- Town List
AZT NOBO BIG BUNDLE:
Includes the following:
- Data Sheet
- Town List
- Mileage Chart
- Elevation Gain Chart
AZ 1000
AZ1000
The AZ1000 route was a temporary route used in place of the AZT800 during multiple fire closures. As the AZT800 route is now official reopened for travel, the AZ1000 is no longer needed. I will leave the planning aids for it on The Project’s store for purchase for those looking to ride the route.
IMPORTANT –
The AZ1000 planning aids will not receive any updates going forward. As the route isn’t changing the only data that will possibly go out of date are resupply options and water sources. If you purchase these know the data might be wrong.
MUST KNOW
DANGERS & PITFALLS
- Heat
- Poisonous animals
- Plants
- Lack of water
- Strenuous terrain
- Exposure
- South of Payson my water would be as warm as bath water mere hours after getting it. (Fill bottles with ice whenever you can)
- If you’re using the Guthook app, their track isn’t the same as the official track.
- Because Guthook has a different mtb track and ATA lists water and town information for the hiking route only, both the Water Report and town info doesn’t match what a rider will encounter.
- All points of reference on the Guthook and ATA site will have DIFFERENT mileages than the official GPX route.
PHOTOS OF THE ARIZONA TRAIL
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
MAPS / BOOKS / APPS
More Helpful AZT Resources
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