For more information on the Arizona Trail visit our AZT Resource page. »
The process of getting to either of the Arizona Trail trailheads isn’t terrible, but you do need to do some planning. Lucky for you there’s many transportation services to get you there and back. Traveling can be stressful enough or full of potential pitfalls if you don’t know what you’re doing. I put this Transportation Guide – Arizona Trail together to make it even easier.
To help you navigate your way I put this Arizona Trail Transportation Guide together, covering everything from which airports are closest, how to get from the airport to the trailhead and back, parking options, and the best way to get your bike to the starting line and home again. This Arizona Trail Transportation Guide covers:
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The two most common airports to fly into would be Salt Lake City (SLC) for a start in the North and Tucson (TUS) for a start in the South. I personally few from SLC to TUS when I did my AZT thru-bike and both airports were extremely easy to access and navigate. Both airports are not overly large so you don’t have to drag/carry you bike far.
If by chance you happen to fly one way to either the start or home from the finish as I did, keep in mind that depending on which airline you choose, your bike could cost more to fly than you. Choose wisely!
SLC is an international airport so you have a few options when it comes to airlines. United and Southwest will have the most flight options. The full list includes:
If you choose to fly into SLC your transportation to the northern terminus will look something like this.
Option 1 – Schedule to have a friend pick you up and drive 366 miles (about 6 hours) one way to the Stateline Campground.
Option 2 – Jump on Greyhound and get off in St. George. Then have one services listed below to take you to Stateline Campground. (See notes about taking the bus below).
It is possible you could find transportation to the trail through Craigslist.com or from one of the many Facebook pages for Utah mountain bikers.
Tucson International Airport is your closest airport to the southern terminus. It’s list of airlines is smaller but getting there shouldn’t be a problem. Like the north, getting to the trailhead is the harder part of your approach.
From TUS you can get on the Tucson’s public bus, Suntran.com
(520) 792-9222 and access various parts of the city but no further. Using a shuttle service or a friend is your only option to get to the trailhead. Check on Facebook or on the Forum at Bikepacking.net about carpooling with other racers.
Surprisingly the Arizona Trail has many shuttle options to to and from the trail. Due to the remoteness of the southern terminus and northern there are no public transportation options available. Below is a list of shuttle services that offer transportation to and from the Arizona Trail. All on the list should be able to accommodate mountain bikes, be sure to ask when you call. Shuttle space can be limited during peak season.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Home Grown Mountain Bike Tours – Offers shuttle service between Tucson to the International Border for $55 and $110 to start and back from Picket Post. You can reach them by phone or by email at tara@homegrownmtb.com. 520-237-0129
Southwest Trekking – Offers shuttle service from Mexico to the Gila River. 520-296-9661
Ken’s Shuttle Service – Offers shuttle service for up to 4 hikers to trailhead(s) between Passages 1-13. On- or off-highway travel is available. Call or e-mail kensshuttleservice@gmail.com for pricing information and scheduling. 520-604-6939
Sun & Spokes Bicycle Shop 520-458-0685
CENTRAL ARIZONA
M & B Sedan – Offers shuttle service to and from trailheads on the Arizona Trail between Oracle and Pine/Strawberry. 877-627-3326
Home Grown Mountain Bike Tours – Offers shuttle service between Phoenix to the International Border. You can reach them by phone or by email at tara@homegrownmtb.com. 520-237-0129
Payson Airport Shuttle – Offers shuttle service from both the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport, servicing Payson, Pine, Strawberry and all points in between, including trailheads. 928-363-0754
NOUTHERN ARIZONA
Circle Tours – Offers shuttle services to various northern Arizona/southern Utah trailheads. Contact Kyle Walker at 888-854-7862.
Paria Outpost – Run by Susan and Stephen Dodson, has a shuttle service. Contact them at 928-691-1047
Destination Services – Offers shuttle services with their 9-passenger van for hikers and mountain bikers. 928-645-2789
The Arizona Trail Association has a larger list on their website if you cannot find a ride to/from the trail with those companies listed here.
Greyhoud SLC to St. George $38
Bike box – Max size 62″ (157cm) combined length+width+height and 50 lbs or less.
Getting yourself to the start is one thing, but getting your bike there is another issue all together. You only have two options. #1 carry your bike on the plane. #2 Ship it.
Most airlines charge between $50 and $150. But also require your bike box have a combined size (length plus width plus height) of 62 inches or charges may apply. Like with planning your resupply and water resources, it pays to do your research when flying. You can find all kinds of “hacks” around paying for traveling with your bike if you search online. They range from disguising your bike, saying it’s a trade show item, to paying for a first class upgrade resulting in it being free. There are too many airlines for me to research them all but don’t hesitate to do the work yourself.
When it comes to shipping you have some flexibility. Typically you have three options:
Whether you’re flying or just shipping your bike be sure to remove your Co2 cartridges.
Also don’t bother fully taping up your box as TSA will most definitely go through it with you before they accept it.
As a Triple Crown thru-hiker 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 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 AZTR. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your race/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.
$20.00 + tax, Purchase here.
$20.00 + tax, Purchase here.
$20.00 + tax, Purchase here.
$20.00 + tax, Purchase here.
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.
$10.00 + tax, Purchase here.
$10.00 + tax, Purchase here.
AZTR 300 NOBO Elevation Gain Chart:
$10.00 + tax, Purchase here.
AZTR 1000 NOBO Elevation Gain Chart:
$10.00 + tax, Purchase here.
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Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the AZTR.
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