See the complete online registry for details of over 1,000 designated National Recreation Trails

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Featured National Recreation Trails

Arivaca Cienega Trail — Located on the eastern edge of Arivaca, this wheelchair accessible, backcountry trail extends over a mile in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. Cienegas, Spanish for "a hundred waters," are spring fed marshes particularly rare in the deserts of Arizona, attracting a variety of birds and other wildlife. In addition to its scenic features, this trail allows visitors the opportunity to observe a wealth of unusual subtropical species, including tropical kingbirds, green kingfishers, and the yellow-billed cuckoo (designated 2005).

Arivaca Creek Trail — Located in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, this backcountry trail is a naturalist's paradise, meandering one mile through lush vegetation and giant cottonwoods. The trail allows visitors the opportunity to observe owls, coatimundi, and over 320 species of birds in their natural habitat. Given the opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation, it is easy to see why this scenic trail is a valued local treasure (designated 2005).

Aspen Spring Trail — Located in Hualapai Mountain Park, this 10-mile backcountry trail system takes visitors through a variety of natural settings, beginning in a wet canyon at 6,200 feet and ending on mountain peaks rising to 8,250 feet. The trail was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps and passes though a number of vegetative "life zones" including riparian, chaparral, pine/oak, mixed conifer and fir/aspen habitats. In addition to amazing views of both the desert and mountain ranges, this trail provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding (designated 2004).

Betty's Kitchen Interpretive Trail — This natural surfaced 1/2 mile foot trail threading through the desert riparian environment of the Lower Colorado River offers visitors a unique taste of the area's natural resources and settlement history. It focuses upon mammals, migratory birds, and flora specific to the riverbank environment. The trail overlooks Laguna Dam near Yuma,, the first dam built on the Colorado River.

Central Arizona Project — The Central Arizona Project (CAP) Trail is a 32-mile shared-use trail (currently under construction) is part of a larger vision to create a recreational trail stretching the entire 336 miles of the Central Arizona Project canal. The trail serves a broad population and represents a key link to major trails in Pima County and the Tucson metro area. Residents enjoy close-to-home outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The CAP project is one of several cross-state trails planned for various regions of America (designated 2003).

Painted Desert Trail — This backcountry trail extends over a mile through Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. The unique name comes from the pink, orange, and brown mounds of ash flow created by volcanoes thousands of years ago. Home to unique desert plants and animals, the trail is a naturalist's paradise. Visitors enjoy the opportunity to observe beavertail cactus, desert bighorn sheep, and lizards amidst unusual rock formations. Given the opportunities for natural history interpretation and wildlife observation, it is easy to see why this scenic trail is a valued local treasure (designated 2005).

Palm Canyon Trail — Located in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, this 0.5-mile backcountry trail provides the opportunity to explore an area of rugged beauty and perhaps the only place in the state where native California Fan Palms can be found (designated 2007).

Prescott Peavine Trail — Prescott, Arizona's first multi-use, non-motorized trail is for all ages. This scenic rail-trail has already been recognized as part of the Arizona State Trails System and Prescott's Mile-High Trail System. The trail acts as a year-round transportation route, allowing visitors to enjoy the area's natural beauty while participating in a number of outdoor recreation activities. When completed, this 12-mile trail along a historic railroad route will serve as a link to other trail systems in nearby Chino Valley and Prescott Valley.

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