The AZ Hikeaholics

White Mountains Weekend Itinerary: Greer, Arizona

The AZ Hikeaholics — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 17:00:49 GMT

The White Mountains are one of our favorite places to escape during the summer in Arizona. Located in eastern Arizona, this part of the state feels completely different from the desert most people picture when they think of Arizona. The area is filled with lush forests, mountain meadows, rivers, and lakes, with summer temperatures often much cooler than…

Beat the Heat This Summer: 2 Hidden Gems | July 2026 Newsletter

The AZ Hikeaholics — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:03:17 GMT

Welcome, Hikeaholics!

Hi! Welcome to our July newsletter, and thank you for taking time out of your day to read through our newsletter! We are still adding to our snail mail list, and this month we have an exclusive giveaway, just for our newsletter subscribers.

Point Sublime is Appropriately Named

SUBLIME, according to Dictionary.com means: impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc..

We started June with a trip that took us nearly a year to complete, not because of the distance, but because of the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Last year, we had plans to camp at Point Sublime in early August, but the July fire closed off our access, and our permits were refunded. However, in March 2026, we secured a permit to camp at the Point Sublime Campground on June 6th. It was worth the wait.

The viewpoint offers a fantastic panoramic view of the Grand Canyon from a perspective that not many see. Check out our free article on Substack and blog post with details of our trip and many more photos.

Girls Trip to Flagstaff

Every year, my best friends from Ohio and I try to plan a girls trip since we no longer live in the same state. This was our second official girls trip together. The first was to Lake Huron in Michigan, and we’ve skipped a few years when one of us in the group had a wedding or bachelorette party to celebrate.

This year they flew out to Arizona, and I couldn’t wait to show them some of my favorite places.

Since we couldn’t check into our Airbnb until later in the day, we started the trip in Sedona. My friends aren’t big hikers like Owen and I are, so I wanted to choose a trail that was approachable but still showed why Sedona is so special. We hiked an easy loop with incredible views of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte before spending some time exploring Uptown Sedona. Of course, I had to take them to Hideaway House for lunch. If you visit, definitely sit on the patio!

On our drive to Flagstaff, we stopped to cool off in Oak Creek before continuing up the scenic switchbacks of Highway 89A. At the top, we were happy to find the Native American Artisan Market at the Oak Creek Vista overlook!

For our time in Flagstaff, I wanted to show them a little bit of everything. We did an easy hike with views of Humphreys Peak, drove up to Arizona Snowbowl, stopped at Aspen Corner, explored historic downtown Flagstaff, and visited Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments. It was the perfect mix of outdoor adventures, scenic drives, and time to relax together. We also had a cake made from a local Flagstaff bakery to celebrate all of our birthdays!

One of my favorite decisions was booking an Airbnb within walking distance of downtown. It made it so easy to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, and local stores without having to worry about parking. If you’re planning a similar trip, I’d definitely recommend staying within walking distance of downtown. This is the Airbnb we stayed at for this trip. (The only downside to this Airbnb was the bar across the street, which could get a little noisy at night.)

If you’re looking for more details, including the hikes, restaurants, and stops we made along the way, you can check out the details here. If you want to plan a similar trip, check out our Flagstaff blog with more details on some of our favorite places in the area.

*Currently, the 89A is closed due to the pocket fire

Off-Roader’s Exclusive

Last month, we ventured out to Saguaro Lake to go paddleboarding, but instead of launching from the marina or the Butcher Jones day use area, we drove to Saguaro Lake Cove 2 via Tonto National Forest roads.

We found the route in onX Offroad, where it’s nicknamed “The Roller Coaster,” and we quickly understood why. At the top of one hill, the trail drops into a steep descent that requires good throttle control. If your vehicle has a low speed off road cruise control feature, this is a great place to use it. We used it on our Jeep Wrangler.

We started our trip later in the afternoon, and by the time we were ready to leave, we weren’t sure we wanted to climb the steep hill in low light. Fortunately, we found a bypass. Forest Road 1811 travels through the wash to the west and allows you to avoid the Roller Coaster obstacle.

The bypass is very sandy, has frequent blind corners, and is only wide enough for one vehicle. Drive slowly, keep your lights on, and consider giving a quick tap of your horn before entering blind turns to help alert oncoming drivers. Overall, the roads here require high clearance, strong tires, 4WD + 4 Low range, and careful control through some obstacles.

Driving in this area requires a Tonto National Forest OHV permit. We ended up purchasing the annual pass since we know we’ll be back.

We used onX Offroad to find this route. If you’d like to try it yourself, you can use code AZHIKE20 for 20% off an onX subscription.

This is Arizona?!

We went back and forth on our plans for July 4th weekend. Earlier this year, we had campsites booked in Lassen Volcanic National Park, but after a few unexpected trips and the cost of flights increasing, we decided to save that adventure for another time.

Instead, we headed to a remote corner of Arizona’s White Mountains that had been on our bucket list for years. It’s a bit too far for a typical weekend, so having Friday off made it the perfect opportunity.

We spent the weekend camping at what might be our favorite campground in Arizona, enjoying a peaceful hike, taking a scenic drive, and simply slowing down. It was the perfect reminder that Arizona has so much more to offer than deserts and cacti. Did you see our Bighorn Sheep reel?

We’ve decided to keep the exact campground and itinerary exclusive to our paid subscribers. If you’d like all the details, including where we stayed and everything we did over the weekend, you can upgrade below.

Paid subscribers also get access to our Death Valley guide, coordinates to some of our favorite dispersed campsites, and our subscriber chat where you can ask questions or let us know what you’d like us to cover next.

Gear Recommendations

MODL Infinity Tool 2.0 Modular Straps

Last summer we were given a couple MODL Infinity Tool Modular Straps as “swag bag” gifts from our friends at Scout Motors at Outside Fest in Denver. We immediately recognized them as genuinely useful and made sure we didn’t lose them. Since that trip we’ve ordered more and use them to keep “loose” pieces of gear together and as creative solutions to sometimes interesting challenges. For example, while camping last weekend we didn’t have any low branches to hang our trash from. However, there was a nail barely sticking out of the tree bark. It was the perfect size to put our MODL modular strap over the head of the nail and loop the other end through our ransack holding our trash bag. The modular straps come in 2 different lengths; they’re linkable, have 70 lbs pull strength, and are flexible, yet grippy.

MODL recently reached out to us offering us some straps, but we let them know we were already big fans and that we’d love to actually GIVE AWAY some modular straps to our newsletter subscribers. They sent over the MODL Infinity Toolkit Mini valued at $138 and we’re very happy to be able to send this to the lucky winner. If you’re interested in winning, all you need to do is email us at hello@theazhikeaholics.com using the subject line July Newsletter Giveaway and let us know in the body of the email that you’d like to be entered into the giveaway. No purchase is necessary, but your email must be on our subscribers list.

Leave No Trace Monthly Tip

How To Report Illegal Campfires

During fire restrictions, an illegal campfire can quickly become a devastating wildfire. If you see a campfire that shouldn’t be burning, don’t assume someone else has reported it.

If it’s safe to do so, note the location and report it to the appropriate land management agency (National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, BLM, or state park) or call the local ranger district. If the fire poses an immediate threat to people or property, call 911.

Reporting an illegal campfire isn’t about getting someone in trouble. It’s about helping protect our public lands, wildlife, and nearby communities. Over the Independence Day weekend we saw National Forest Fire and Law Enforcement officials actively patrolling during the Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

Know Fire Restrictions Before You Go

As of this newsletter, Coconino, Tonto, and Kaibab National Forest (North Kaibab Ranger District) are under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning campfires are prohibited, even in developed campgrounds. Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, where campfires are only allowed in designated developed recreation sites.

Before every trip, check the current fire restrictions for the area you’re visiting. Conditions can change quickly, and restrictions often differ between forests.

The Wallow Fire, Arizona’s largest wildfire caused by two campers who left their campfire unattended. Photo by Jayson Coil.

June Highlights

June was full of highs and lows. We kicked off the month with an unforgettable trip to Point Sublime on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, followed by Lauren's girls trip to Flagstaff. Toward the end of the month, we traveled to Minnesota to be with Owen's family on his Dad’s side after the passing of his grandma. While we wish the circumstances had been different, we were grateful to spend time with family and celebrate her life. During our brief trip to Minnesota, Lauren also got to visit the Mall of America for the first time.

Mail Time

We want to add another exclusive offering to our newsletter subscribers! After thinking of some ideas we decided that it would be fun to mail something from our trip to a handful of subscribers after each trip. Depending on what we get might influence how many we send out, but we’ll make sure the love is spread evenly. It might be a postcard, some stickers, or something fun we find on our travels. If you’d like to be on our snail mail list, please send your name and address to our email at hello@theazhikeaholics.com

Lauren & Owen

Wait...This Is Arizona?

The AZ Hikeaholics — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:55:05 GMT

When most people think of Arizona, they picture towering saguaros, red rocks, and endless desert. But Arizona is so much more than that. We're constantly surprised by how diverse this state is. This remote corner of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest had been on our list for years, but it's a long drive from Phoenix, making it tough to visit over a s…

The Grand Canyon's Most Devastating Fire Couldn't Stop Us This Year

The AZ Hikeaholics — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:57:56 GMT

SUBLIME, according to Dictionary.com means: impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc..

And when you get to Point Sublime at the Grand Canyon North Rim the definition moves from written text to reality. The 270 degree panoramic view is awe inspiring. In front of you is a geological timeline on full display through striking rock layers, butte, temples, sub canyons, rock falls and more. Across the canyon we could see Humphrey’s Peak, Kendrick Peak, and Bill Williams Mountain.

But to get here, we first need to rewind all the way back to the summer of 2025. Earlier in the summer that year we obtained a Grand Canyon Backcountry permit to camp at Point Sublime in August 2025. Permits can be reserved in advance through recreation.gov. However, our plans to camp that year were canceled in late July because of the Dragon-Bravo fire wreaking havoc on the Kaibab Plateau.

The Dragon Bravo Fire was ignited by lightning on July 4, 2025; it fire ultimately burned more than 145,000 acres across the Kaibab Plateau, Grand Canyon National Park, and surrounding Kaibab National Forest. Unfortunately, the fire destroyed over 100 structures on the North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, and forced the closure of the North Rim for the remainder of the 2025 season. As the fire continued to grow, our August Point Sublime permit was canceled and it became unclear when, or if, the North Rim would reopen to visitors.

In mid-March 2026 we obtained permits for early June 2025, still unsure of the status of the Grand Canyon North Rim and unsure about Point Sublime, but we felt encouraged that permits were available. Then in late March 2025 the park service announced that the North Rim would open up again on May 15, 2026, we were going as long as our permits weren’t canceled again.

Finally, June 5th was here and we were ready to start our journey to Point Sublime. We had a permit to camp one night, Saturday June 6th, but we wanted to get up to Kaibab National Forest on the Kaibab Plateau the night before because it would make the drive the next day shorter, and because we love the plateau. By the time we arrived at the Jacob Lake Inn at the intersection of 89A and highway 67 the sun was just about to set. Our plan was to fill up our gas tank and head deeper into the forest for a shorter Saturday drive.

However, when we got to the gas pump there were signs on all of them saying “out of order, no gas.” We had a brief moment of panic because we weren’t sure if we should keep going with our regular plan; if we should drive into the forest, closer to the park, and then past our Point Sublime turn off and back to get gas in the park, adding at least another 34 miles to our trip; or do we camp near by and see if the pumps are fixed in the morning. After asking management at the Inn, we felt confident the pumps would be fixed in the morning and that we’d go with the later plan.

With that plan in mind we started looking at onX Offroad for roads nearby in the forest that allowed dispersed camping. We found an area that looked good, not too far away, so we made our way a little southeast of the Inn. The spot we found ended up being fantastic, we were tucked into the trees but still had some open space. And best of all, we didn’t see a single person.

Saturday morning we made coffee and a Mountain House breakfast before heading back to the gas station at Jacob Lake; the pumps were working! We filled up our tank and used the bathroom and started our final drive to Point Sublime. The only route open to Point Sublime was the northern route through Kaibab National Forest. We drove about 24 miles from the Inn to our forest road turn off. Once off the road we aired down our tires, went into 4WD, and continued on to Point Sublime.

As we moved through the forest we passed some of the best aspen groves we’ve seen in the state, taking note of places to visit in the fall. The temps throughout the forest were perfect! In the wind the green aspen leaves were waving, creating a green shimmer so pretty it was easily distracting. At this point none of the roads have traveled through the Dragon-Bravo fire burn scar. The roads slowly got more narrow and slightly more challenging as we got closer to the National Park Boundary.

We continued past the park boundary sign with a new warning about falling rocks and debris ahead, a heads up that we were going to enter the Dragon-Bravo fire burn scar soon. Through the national park the road got quite narrow, often flanked by towering ponderosa, firs, spruces, and aspens. There were often blind turns, short hills, and stretches of sand and silt. Much of the drive was slow driving over rocky roads, some ruts, and in some spots a lot of tree roots and branches. We enjoyed this drive so much! Sometimes it’s a blessing when the road slows you down and forces you to soak in the scenery.

Throughout the drive we were constantly thinking about oncoming traffic; if someone is coming the other direction where would we pull off? Would one of us have to reverse for a bit and where to? Hopefully they’re not going too fast and can break fast enough. For most of the drive we drove with our windows down because of the great weather, but also so we could keep our ears out for road traffic. Surprisingly, we didn’t see another vehicle the entire time.

Eventually, we came to the intersection of the south entrance onto the Point Sublime road with about 6 miles to go. From what we read on onX Offroad, this route was much more challenging with deeper ruts and obstacles. However, the Park Service has this route closed entirely so it wasn’t even an option for us this year. We aren’t sure why the route is closed, but we think it’s due to erosion. From what we could briefly see, the road had a deep rut behind the road closed signs.

As we continued on, our excitement continued to increase. On a map we were close! However, the road was slow going with uneven terrain as we started to navigate through burn scar and seemingly untouched forest with some very tall ponderosa pines. Only when we were a few miles out did we see other people, but they were on bikes. It looked like they had bike packed and camped at the overlook. And after that, we didn’t see another person for over 24 hours.

With less than a mile to go the road leaves the tall ponderosa forest enters a pinion and juniper forest. The trees and shrubs here aren’t as tall, but there are still old growth trees that have great height to them. The sky “peninsula” that is Point Sublime was not touched by the Dragon-Bravo fire. From the tiny campground, the viewpoint was only 0.3 miles away.

The Point Sublime viewpoint is a day-use only spot and a permit is not required to visit. However, a permit is required for the campground and due to the small size, and limited window of availability, dates tend to fill up fast. Last but not least, we had fairly strong cell phone service on Verizon and were able to use data to use the internet and send pictures and video. Our weather app was indicating we were pulling information from Williams, all the way across the canyon.

Check out more details about our trip here.

Subscribe now

The Road We Spent 5 Years Dreaming About

The AZ Hikeaholics — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:15:25 GMT

Shafter Switchbacks ~ if you look closely you can see our two vehicles

Five years ago, we visited Canyonlands National Park for the first time and found ourselves standing at Shafer Viewpoint staring down at the famous Shafer switchbacks. Looking down at the road winding its way through the canyon, our immediate thought was, “How do we get down there?”

At the time, we were driving a Subaru Forester with a 2 inch lift. We were still fairly new to off-roading, so before attempting anything, we stopped by the visitor center to talk with a ranger. We had already purchased a permit, not realizing that permits were only required for the White Rim Road portion of the route, and wanted to make sure we understood what we were getting ourselves into.

The ranger highly recommended having a vehicle with four wheel drive. Since our Subaru didn’t have it, we decided not to take the risk. It was disappointing, but we told ourselves we would come back someday and drive the entire road.

Over the next five years, that promise never really left our minds.

Then in October 2025, we traveled to Moab for Lauren’s work retreat. While visiting Grand View Point in the Island in the Sky district, we found ourselves looking out across the canyon once again. In the distance, we could actually spot one of the vault toilets along White Rim Road. Somehow, seeing that tiny reminder of the road below reignited the conversation we’d been having for years. By the time we got home, we had made up our minds. We were finally going to do it.

In March 2022, we purchased a Jeep Wrangler, removing one of the biggest barriers to tackling White Rim Road. Then in 2024, we purchased a Toyota Tacoma with intention of building out an overloading vehicle for trips like this and more. First, we added a rooftop tent (which ended up being the perfect setup for this trip). Over time we added more accessories that we felt were necessary like a roof rack for recovery board storage, a steel bumper with a winch, and an auxiliary battery that charges off the truck and solar to use with our camper lights, electric cooler, and other accessories we want.

The remaining challenge was finding the time. Every year we have way more on our “to explore/visit” list than PTO available. We intentionally set aside four days of PTO in 2026 for this trip and finally made it happen.

Looking back, we’re especially glad we had the rooftop tent. Setting up and packing camp each day took just a few minutes, which made it easy to enjoy our evenings and get an early start each morning. Given the rocky, hard-packed ground throughout much of the route, we’re not sure we would have enjoyed setting up and breaking down a ground tent every day.

When permits opened for the following spring, we logged on and secured campsites for April 2026. After five years of talking about White Rim Road, we finally had a trip on the calendar.

If you’re not familiar with White Rim Road, it’s a 100 mile backcountry route that winds through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. There are no gas stations, restaurants, or services once you leave the pavement. The National Park Service requires vehicles to have high clearance and four wheel drive, and anyone driving or camping along the route must obtain the appropriate permits in advance.

Now that we’ve completed the trip, we actually think our old Subaru Forester probably would have been capable of handling the Shafer switchbacks. That said, we completely understand the ranger’s recommendation. Their job is to make sure visitors understand the risks and are prepared for changing road conditions.

The switchbacks themselves, as iconic as they are, weren’t nearly as intimidating as we had imagined while standing at the viewpoint five years earlier.

One thing that did surprise us was how few people we saw. That may have been because we started on a Monday and finished on a Thursday, but for much of the trip it felt like we had the canyon almost entirely to ourselves. We specifically looked to get permits for mid week because 1) we figured it would give us the best chance of getting the campsites we wanted 2) we hoped the roads and Moab would have less traffic.

In fact, we saw more motorcycles than anything else. Most motorcycles complete White Rim Road in a single day, while we spent four days slowly making our way around the loop.

When most people think of Canyonlands National Park, they probably don’t picture having so much solitude, but that was one of the things we loved most about White Rim Road. At Gooseberry B, we had neighbors across the road, but they didn’t arrive until just before dark. We arrived at Gooseberry around 1:00pm and had the rest of the day to relax. All three of our vehicles have shade awnings so we positioned our cars purposely so we would be able to hangout under them.

It was incredibly windy during the day at Gooseberry. Lauren was relaxing in a camp chair and set her favorite Ray-Ban sunglasses on the table when a strong gust came through and knocked everything over. She didn’t realize the sunglasses had fallen to the ground and accidentally stepped on them.

Thankfully, they’re still wearable and only ended up with a few scratches. Considering everything that could have gone wrong on a four day, 100 mile backcountry trip, a slightly damaged pair of sunglasses was a pretty good outcome.

That night we made grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner with sourdough bread crusted with parmesan cheese. Inside we used pepperjack cheese, aged white cheddar cheese, and gouda cheese with sliced jalapenos. This is one of our favorite camping meals! In the morning we had blueberry pancakes with sausage.

We were quite surprised to have a tad bit of cell phone service from Verizon at this campsite! It wasn’t always consistently strong, but decent to send messages and use the internet at times.

Our second night was at Candlestick, a single-site campground with a short walk that overlooks the Green River. Since there is only one campsite, we had the entire area to ourselves. We spent the evening watching the sunset above the river and enjoyed the sounds of the birds chirping.

This night our friends Jesse and Sandy from Arizona Camper Can warmed up tamales from a local Phoenix-Mexican bakery, and they were the BEST tamales we’ve ever had. They topped them queso and cilantro with a side of beans.

Then for breakfast they made soy chorizo and egg breakfast burritos topped with avocado, homemade salsa, and cilantro which were also incredible. We think these two are going to become a staple of our camping meals. We’re always looking for new easy meals and these two are perfect.

Our final night was at Hardscrabble Bottom B. The nearest campsite was about half a mile down the road, and no one ever arrived. Being closer to the water, we could hear insects buzzing in the distance as darkness settled over the canyon. On this night our friends cooked chicken fajitas. Agan, a phenomenal meal!

It’s hard to choose a favorite campsite because each one offered something different. Candlestick had incredible views above the Green River, while Hardscrabble was probably the most peaceful.

After dreaming about this trip for five years, White Rim Road somehow managed to live up to the hype. The scenery was incredible, but what stood out most was the opportunity to slow down, spend four days immersed in Canyonlands, and experience a side of the park that most visitors never get to see.

Thinking about tackling White Rim Road yourself? We've shared our full itinerary, campsite details, and planning process to help you start planning your own adventure.

Subscribe now

You Did What in a Weekend? | June 2026 Newsletter

The AZ Hikeaholics — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:20:36 GMT

Stuck Between A Rock & A Hard Place

What’s our plan for the future?

Hi! Welcome to our June newsletter and our first newsletter exclusively through Substack.

Moving to Substack wasn’t a random decision. Over the last few years we’ve found ourselves thinking more about what we want The AZ Hikeaholics to be and how we want to connect with all of you. While Instagram will continue to be a big part of what we do, it often feels like a rollercoaster. Sometimes our content reaches the people who want to see it, and other times it feels like it disappears into the void.

At the end of the day, our goal has always been simple: inspire people to get outside, share helpful information, and encourage stewardship of the places we all love. We wanted a platform where we could have a more direct connection with our community, and Substack felt like the right fit.

At the same time, Mailchimp was becoming an expense that no longer made sense for us. We were spending more than $50 each month to send a single newsletter, while Substack allows us to continue sharing our monthly updates at no cost. Those savings will help us invest more back into things like giveaways and other fun opportunities. Stay tuned!

We’re excited to see where this new chapter takes us, and we’re grateful you’re here for the ride. Now, let’s get into this past month’s adventures!

P.S. At the bottom you’ll see some information on something fun we’re starting!

Toroweap Overlook

Earlier in the month we returned to the Toroweap Overlook in Grand Canyon National Park, almost 5 years to the date. This iconic overlook is home to one of the most famous views of the Grand Canyon with 3,000 foot vertical drop down to the Colorado River. However, the major caveat is that it’s very hard to get to. The overlook is 60 miles from the highway and the road is all dirt. There is quite a bit of washboarded road and the final three miles require a high clearance 4WD vehicle. It takes about 2.5 hours on dirt to get there. Lastly, a day permit is required to visit or a backcountry permit is required to camp at the Tuweep campground.

For this visit we challenged ourselves to do this trip in a weekend without any PTO. It was a lot of driving, but definitely doable. We left Friday afternoon after work and stayed the night at Jacob Lake Inn. Then on Saturday we went to campground and overlook, returning home Sunday evening.

We used OnX Offroad while planning our Toroweap trip. We normally share our 20% off code, but OnX surprised us with a Memorial Day sale that's even better. Right now memberships are 50% off through Sunday June 7th! Use code MEMDAY50.

Jacob Lake Inn

After years of stopping at Jacob Lake Inn to get gas, fill up on snacks, or use the bathroom, we finally stayed the night at Jacob Lake Inn. We had a hotel room for the night before we went to Toroweap. The Inn is family owned and has been the Gateway to the Grand Canyon North Rim for over 100 years. There are multiple types of stays at the Inn, including pet friendly options. In addition to their extremely famous cookie counter, there is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With the North Rim Lodge burned down, Jacob Lake Inn is one of the few options for roof above your head at the north rim.

Teton Valley - Idaho

Two years ago we went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton to celebrate Lauren’s birthday. On that trip we camped in both parks out of an Arizona Camper Van rental. We didn’t think we’d be back so soon, but our good friend’s family has been vacationing in Driggs, ID for decades and recently built a home in the area. She invited us to stay with her for Lauren’s birthday this past May and so we can spend time in absolutely gorgeous Idaho Teton Valley with an epic view of the range. If you ever find yourself in Driggs we recommend Teton Thai and Citizen 33 Brewery for dinner.

Using three days of PTO for the trip, we left Phoenix on a Friday, drove to Salt Lake City where we spent the night. The next morning we picked up our friend from the airport and drove to Driggs, ID. We spent a cold spring day in Yellowstone National Park and two full days in Grand Teton National Park. In Grand Teton we went to some of the viewpoints, hiked along String and Leigh lakes, floated the Snake River, and found a short 4WD dirt road to scratch our off-roading itch.

On our way home we stayed the night in Escalante, UT. It was slightly out of the way, but worth it. We finally hiked the to Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and ended up taking Cottonwood Canyon Road back to the 89 on our way home thanks to the recommendation of one of our followers.

Gear Recommendations

Hest

The most comfortable mattress and foam pad on the market that is designed for outdoor use. We’ve been using Hest products for years now. Originally, we started with the Sleep Systems, which are arguably the most comfortable camping sleep mattress available. Honestly, we miss using them!! The roof top tent mattress will never compare and we’ll forever know there is a more comfortable ground mattress out there. Hest has continued to innovate and grow their product offerings with camp pillows, travel pillows, comforters, cooling sheets, dog beds, seat pads, and now a camp chair. We use our Hest pillows and comforter regularly, and we just started using the Hest Foamy Camp Chair.

Hest gifted us the chair to help make some content for them, and originally we were a little skeptical, thinking they might be reaching here. BUT (pun intended) when we sat in the chairs, we were forever changed. A milestone moment in our lives unlocked. The chair is so comfortable it may have ruined all other camp charis for us. Sometimes it’s hard to get up because it takes mental effort to want to leave the chair. The chair is expensive, and a little bukly, but surpasses in comfort. If you’re debating between this chair and Yeti’s, it’s a no brainer, go Hest.

For 10% off use code AZHIKE10 at Hest.com.

Hest Foamy Camp Chair

Leave No Trace Monthly Tip

Be a Little More Patient This Summer

Several popular national parks have changed or eliminated reservation systems this year, while many parks continue to face staffing challenges. That means visitors may encounter longer entrance lines, busier trails, full parking lots, and fewer staff available to answer questions or help manage crowds.

If you’re visiting a national park this summer, remember that a little patience and preparation can go a long way.

Arrive early and have a backup plan in case parking areas are full.
Stay on designated trails, even when crowded.
Pack out all trash and leave restrooms and campsites cleaner than you found them.
Follow closures and posted regulations.
Be patient and respectful with park staff and volunteers who are working hard to care for these places.

As visitors, we can help reduce the strain on parks by planning ahead, practicing Leave No Trace, and showing a little extra kindness to the people who help keep these incredible places open and accessible.

May Highlights

May was another busy month for us! We wrapped up our White Rim Road adventure at the end of April and carried that momentum right into May. If you're planning your own visit, you can find our full itinerary and guide here.

We started the month with a weekend road trip to the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park.

The following weekend, we headed out on a weeklong road trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It involved a lot of driving, but we were so happy to be back in this area.

We ended the month with a much needed weekend at home. We used the time to catch up on content, relax, enjoy dinner in downtown Phoenix, and spent Sunday paddle boarding on Saguaro Lake.

We put together a fun recap here if you want to check it out! We are thinking about making it a monthly thing :)

Mail Time

Lauren & Owen

Our Favorite Unmarked Camping Spots

The AZ Hikeaholics — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:37:33 GMT

Over the past few years, we’ve spent a lot of time exploring and looking for campsites that feel a little more remote. Not necessarily hidden, but places that require a bit more effort to find. They aren’t marked campgrounds, and some of them take a little planning to access. That’s part of what makes them special. With that also comes responsibility. We’re sharing these locations to help you explore them the right way!

Greetings from one of the Grand Canyon’s most recognizable and hardest to reach viewpoints

The AZ Hikeaholics — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:30:46 GMT

It’s hard to imagine Grand Canyon National Park without any people, but that is exactly how we spent sunset and sunrise at one of the most iconic viewpoints of the park. Toroweap, a Paiute term meaning "dry or barren valley” is one of the most beautiful overlooks. You’ll often see a photo of this viewpoint hanging in a hotel room, maybe the lobby, or online. Most people think it’s the South Rim, but it’s actually one of the most remote parts of the park located on the North Rim.

It’s easy to see why this overlook is hung in hotel rooms, but getting there is no easy feat. Not only is the closest city Fredonia, AZ or Kanab, UT, but you have to drive 60 miles on an unimproved, washboarded, dirt road to get here. The last few miles require high clearance and 4-wheel drive. A few years ago when we visited we actually saw someone bottom out and ruin the underside of their car.

We broke up the long drive from Phoenix by staying at Jacob Lake Inn before heading to Toroweap. We look forward to sharing more!

We Finally Did It! 5 Years in the Making | May 2026 Newsletter

The AZ Hikeaholics — Fri, 08 May 2026 17:02:10 GMT

White Rim Road: Canyonlands National Park

A trip we’ve been dreaming of for 5 years

In April, we finally checked off a remote backcountry road we’ve been dreaming about for five years, and it was everything we imagined and more. Back in April 2021, we visited Canyonlands National Park for the first time and stood at Shafer Viewpoint, staring down at the switchbacks leading into the canyon. We even bought a day use permit, not realizing you only need one for White Rim Road, and went to the visitor center to ask a ranger about it. At the time, we were driving a Subaru Forester with a 2 inch lift, and the ranger strongly recommended 4WD, so we decided not to attempt it. We were still pretty new to off roading and the last thing we wanted was to get stuck.

That moment stuck with us and sparked our goal to come back one day with a more capable setup to drive the full White Rim Road while camping along the way. Fast forward to October 2025, we were back in the park for Lauren’s work retreat and from Grand Viewpoint we spotted a tiny vault toilet way out in the distance along the road and immediately said, we need to do this. So when permits opened in November, we logged on right away and secured campsites for three nights in April. It still feels surreal that we finally drove the road. This was truly a bucket list trip for us.

We’ve started sharing pieces of the trip and have a lot more coming soon. In the meantime, check out what we’ve shared so far:

Please let us know if you have any questions :)

Scary Camping Experience

We recently had one of the scariest camping experiences we’ve ever had recently. A car pulled into our remote campsite in the middle of the night with no headlights on and they were wearing night vision goggles. You can read the full story here.

Some Summer Ideas

It’s hard to believe it’s almost summer. For us desert dwellers summer comes early. We are not looking forward to summer temps in the desert and truthfully we are a little nervous for fire season. But we are looking forward to some high country trips to escape the heat. Below are some weekend trip ideas to help you escape the heat.

Gear Recommendations

onX Offroad Maps

This month we’re recommending something that isn’t a physical piece of gear, but an important service that can be used across different devices and for different purposes. We’ve been using onX Offroad for years now, and the map application only gets better. There are two tiers to the paid version, and we highly recommend subscribing to at least the Premium version. With this version users get Feature Trails, Unlimited Saved Maps, Government Lands, 3D Maps, and more.

We always download areas for offline use with onX Offraod and the quality is great. Additionally, we love the tracking feature to see how far we’ve traveled, our average speed, and how long it has taken us. In the photo above you can see us tracking our progress on White Rim Road using the 3D Satellite Hybrid view with the topographical elevation filter turned on. Also when we don’t have any cell phone service and are using a downloaded version of the map.

Last but not least, the two biggest use cases we have for onX Offroad are for finding public lands where dispersed camping is allowed, and to find off-road trails to do in our vehicles. We love that the roads have ratings with insights into what to expect and reviews from users.

Oh and we use onX Backcountry for mountain biking, skiing, and sometimes hiking.

To start using onX Maps and receive 20% Off, use code: azhike20 here.

Leave No Trace Monthly Tip

Don’t Bust the Crust!

One of the easiest ways to damage the desert is by stepping off trail. That dark, crunchy soil you see across the Southwest is called cryptobiotic soil crust. It helps hold the desert together by preventing erosion, absorbing water, and supporting plant life in an environment where resources are already limited.

We saw it all over Canyonlands last week, even growing along cliffs above the Green River. It’s amazing something so small plays such a huge role in keeping the desert alive. Unfortunately, it can take decades to recover from a single footprint. Much of the cryptobiotic soil crust throughout the southwestern United States is hundreds to thousands of years old, originating from cyanobacteria that has been on earth for over a billion years.

When hiking or camping in the desert, stay on established trails and durable surfaces whenever possible. These ecosystems are far more fragile than they appear.

Help Prevent Wildfires

As we head into summer we also wanted to share some reminders on how to prevent wildfires this season:

Put your campfire ALL the way out. Leave No Trace recommends making “campfire soup” by drowning the fire with water, stirring the ashes, and repeating until it is cool to the touch.
Check local fire restrictions before your trip. Conditions can change quickly throughout the summer.
Avoid parking or driving over dry grass. Hot exhaust pipes can spark fires.
Skip campfires completely on windy or extremely dry days.
Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes.
Make sure trailer chains are not dragging on the road and creating sparks.
Properly dispose of cigarettes and never throw them out a vehicle window.

April Highlights

April was such a busy month for us! It’s hard to believe it’s already May, aka Lauren’s birthday month. We have a lot of exciting things planned this month started with a fun trip this weekend. We can’t wait to share more!

In April we started the month camping in Ironwood National Forest. This National Monument is such a hidden gem in southern Arizona. Unfortunately, the monument is facing attacks and a new federal bill introduced could open the monument up to mining and development. You can read more about it here.

Next, we cleaned up our adopted highway. This is the first time we decided to not host a group clean up, but we plan to host one in the fall once it cools down again. With just the two of us we were still able to pick up 55 lbs of trash in 4 bags along with an insane amount of alcohol bottles. We just cleaned this area up in December! Curious to know how many alcohol bottle we found? Check out how many we picked up here.

Then we flew to the Bahamas for Owen’s grandma’s funeral. It as a bittersweet trip but it was really special to see where Owen’s mom grew up and where Owen spent so much of his childhood visiting. Lastly, we ended the month in Canyonlands where spent 3 nights, 4 days exploring White Rim Road. It was such an incredible experience.

Lauren & Owen

How we prepared for White Rim Road

3 nights in Canyonlands National Park and we barely saw anyone

The AZ Hikeaholics — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:49:55 GMT

Greetings from one of the most remote roads in Canyonlands National Park! We just spent 3 nights, 4 days exploring White Rim Road. This trip has been 5 years in the making and we are so happy to finally check it off our bucket list. It feels very surreal!

We are still working through all of our content, but if you’re interested in how we planned for this trip we have a great article on it along with more details on the trip below.

White Rim Road Stories

White Rim Road Video

We Made a Huge Mistake while Backpacking in Channel Islands National Park

The AZ Hikeaholics — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:29:06 GMT

In July of 2021, we backpacked on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park. It was my first backpacking trip and only Owen’s second.

To get there, we drove six hours from Phoenix, Arizona to Ventura, California, boarded a ferry, and were dropped off on the island with everything we needed on our backs. There is no water along most routes on Santa Cruz Island, so we had to carry all of it with us. It was an adventurous way to start backpacking to say the least!

Our original plan was to get dropped off at Prisoners Harbor, hike to Del Norte Campground for one night, and then get picked up back at Prisoners Harbor.

We really wanted to kayak while we were on the island, especially because of the sea caves, so prior to our trip we booked a guided tour thinking it also left from Prisoners Harbor.

It did not.

The tour was on the complete opposite side of the island from our campsite.

By the time we caught the mistake we were already in California and it was too late to cancel. Our only option was to hike across the island the next morning or lose the money we spent on the kayaking tour and we really wanted to do it. So we scrambled to adjust what we could and were able to move our tour to 12:30 pm instead of 9:30 am. It gave us a little more time, but it still meant a long day ahead.

From our drop off point at Prisoner’s Harbor, it was about 3.5 miles to Del Norte Campground with over 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Luckily, we made it to camp around 1:00 pm, which gave us the rest of the day to rest before the big hike the next morning.

That night at Del Norte, we watched the sun set over the ocean and took in how quiet the island really is.

The next morning we were up early, packing in the dark and trying to eat before starting what we knew would be a long day. We hit the trail just before 7:00 am, giving ourselves a little under six hours to make it across the island in time for our kayaking tour.

The hike out of Del Norte picked up where the trail left off the day before, but this time everything looked completely different. We were hiking through dense fog with maybe 20 feet of visibility, just enough to see the trail in front of us but not much else. We knew the ocean was somewhere nearby, but we could not see it at all.

The trail rolled up and down through the coastal hills, with constant elevation gain that never really let up. Our packs were a little lighter, which helped, but it still felt like one of those hikes where you just have to keep moving.

After a few miles, we rejoined the road and started climbing again. And then, almost all at once, we broke through the cloud layer.

Suddenly we were above it all, looking out over a blanket of clouds with the ocean stretching out beyond it. It was one of those views that makes you stop for a second, even when you know you do not really have time to.

Around the halfway point, the trail dipped before climbing steeply up the spine of a ridge. We dropped our packs for a quick break, thinking we had found a decent spot only to realize a few steps later there was a picnic table just down the trail.

After a short break, we headed into what was probably the hardest part of the hike.

The trail turned rocky pretty quickly, and every step started to matter. We were watching our footing, using our hands to steady ourselves, and trying to stay balanced with our packs pulling us slightly off center. There were steep drop-offs along parts of the ridge, which made it just a little more nerve-wracking. At times, the trail was hard to follow, and it felt like we were more scrambling than hiking.

As tough as it was, the views behind us kept getting better the higher we climbed. Eventually, we made it up to the saddle, where everything started to open up.

From there, the trail shifted again. We continued toward Scorpion Anchorage, now heading downhill on a completely different kind of terrain. It was rockier, more exposed, and there were far fewer trees. But with the open views in front of us, it finally started to feel like we were getting close.

We made it to Scorpion Anchorage just after 11:00 am.

After everything that morning, it felt so good to sit in the shade, eat something warm, and just stop moving for a bit. We checked in, got changed, and before long, we were heading out onto the water for our kayaking tour.

Kayaking was such a fun experience! We were a little nervous at first since we are not experienced kayakers, having only paddled on small lakes with minimal wake. We knew the ocean would be very different, and it was, but it turned out to be less difficult than we expected.

Island Adventure Company is the only tour operator on the island. They offer guided trips because kayaking around the island’s coastline can be dangerous without local knowledge. Our guide, Jeremy, was fantastic. We booked the Discovery Tour, which is the shorter 3 hour option. Out of that time, we spent a little over an hour on the ocean, and that was plenty for us.

Before getting on the water, Jeremy reviewed safety rules and shared helpful tips. We then followed him along the coastline to explore a series of sea caves. They were both spectacular and a little nerve racking. Inside the caves, the current and wave action can be stronger as the water crashes against the walls. Jeremy never pressured us to do anything beyond our comfort level and kept the experience both safe and enjoyable. His knowledge, humor, and encouragement made the trip even better.

We visited in July when the water is generally calmer but not at its warmest. The ocean off the California coast is typically warmest in August and September after heating up all summer. It was worth every penny and the long hike to make it in time!

We are happy everything worked out, but it was definitely a learning experience for us. We can’t say we are perfect planners, but we are definitely more thorough now. We would love to visit again one day and do a longer backpacking trip. Interested in visiting Channel Islands? Check out our more detailed guide with link to book your trip here.

Below are links to our backpacking gear:

Torchlight sleeping bag

Women’s 55 L backpacking pack

Men’s 55 L backpacking pack

Tent light

Greetings from the Bahamas

The AZ Hikeaholics — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:02:57 GMT

Flying into Nassau

Hello from the Bahamas!

We flew here for Owen’s grandma’s funeral. It’s sad to visit under these circumstances, but it has been really special to see where Owen’s mom grew up and where Owen spent so much of his childhood. His grandma was 92 years old and lived an incredible life. She will be deeply missed.

One of the first stops we made was to get the famous patties I have heard so much about. You cannot get these in the States. The most popular are the beef-filled ones, but we also tried chicken. Both were so good!

I also brought along my new pocket-sized camera (Sony RX100 VII) for this trip. I have been looking for something easy to travel with, especially when we do not want to bring our larger Canon R5. This one fits right into my fanny pack but still takes really good quality photos. I am loving it so far.

Owen, his parents, his brother, and I stayed at an Airbnb near his grandparents’ house. The ocean was just a walk across the street.

We drove to Paradise Island so Owen could show me where he spent time as a child. A lot has changed since then, but it was great for me to see, and nostalgic for him.

From Paradise Island we drove back to Nassau where we walked Bay Street and had a delcious Bahama Mama.

That afternoon we enjoyed some ocean time in the water by our Airbnb. We managed to unintentionally time it with a very low tide, but the water felt so nice and it was crystal clear.

Beach across from our airbnb

The Night We Thought We Were Going to Die While Camping

The AZ Hikeaholics — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:44:04 GMT

It’s about 10:30pm and the sun has been down for nearly 4 hours. Ironwood Forest National Monument is dark, the moon is just above the horizon after only being up for about 45 minutes. There are no campers near us in our offshoot from the main road. We are in our rooftop tent with our dog, Finnick. He’s a 12 pound Chihuahua-Basenji Terrier mix. We’re just about to turn off the light in our tent. The gear outside had been packed up besides a few pieces.

From our campsite we could hear the road, but we didn’t have a clear line of sight. When cars drove by during daylight, we could make out features and colors to help us guess the make and model. Just as we put our heads on our pillow we hear the sound of a vehicle coming up the road closer to our position. Naturally, we’re curious. So we open the window on Lauren’s side of the tent facing the main road, and we look out to see if we could spot the vehicle.

In our heads we’re thinking; What are they driving? Are they looking for a campsite? Please don’t come too close to us, we’re enjoying the peace and privacy. The sound of the vehicle gets louder, it must be close to us on the main road. We hadn’t seen a single vehicle after dark, so this is our first night time arrival. I’m looking out the window and don’t see headlights but I see red taillights. Interesting, maybe the trees blocked the headlights? Maybe it’s an older vehicle and the lights aren’t that bright through the trees. Definitely weird, but okay, I’m ready to sleep. I stop looking and shortly after Lauren says “I think they drove past us.”

It’s quiet for a second and we’re listening. We hear the roar of the vehicle engine and the crunch of dirt as it drives, but this time down the off-shooting road we’re camping off of. I say to Lauren, “I think it’s getting closer to us.” Oh man, we almost had the whole spot to ourselves and other nearby sites without neighbors. In Forrest Gump terms, random camping neighbors are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.

Now the vehicle is getting even closer. I pop my head outside my side window with my flashlight in hand. The vehicle turns into our campsite and now it’s facing us head on because we’re backed into our spot. But this vehicle has no headlights on. Panic starts to set in. I tell Lauren that they don’t have headlights on and she can sense the major concern in my voice. She says “what?” with so much disbelief in her voice. I repeat they don’t have headlights on, but with more shaking in my voice. I have no idea what’s going on. I shine my flashlight on them and circles over their eyes immediately reflect light like a mirrored surface. I see two sets of eyes. A driver and passenger, both have a male like figure, but it’s hard to make out. Me, “They’re wearing night vision goggles.” voice trembling. Lauren’s shock and disbelief continues to grow with my shaking.

This area between Tucson and Phoenix is far enough away from the main highway with it’s own road system that it’s a possible smuggling route. In fact, there are signs from the government letting visitors know that the area is patrolled. Immediately after seeing this vehicle drive up with no headlights on and the occupants wearing night vision goggles, I think we’re in the middle of a smuggling operation and they have the wrong location. The vehicle, which looks like an old 90s Bronco is just sitting there. Lights are still off. My flashlight bothers them and I see them adjusting their night vision goggles. How do I let them know they have the wrong spot without getting murdered. Have we seen too much and now they have to kidnap or murder us? Are they trying to rob us of our gear and our truck?

What feels like hours passing, they’re still sitting there. I have a flashlight in one hand and a Benchmade Bugout knife in my other hand. Then the Bronco starts to move, but towards us, not away. We’re about to die. They know we have nothing to stop them. Now they’re right next to us on Lauren’s side of the tent. I yell out the tent with my flashlight on them, “Can I help you?” hoping to deescalate the situation. I can see them a little better. They’re definitely not older than us. Probably somewhere in their twenties. Meanwhile, Lauren dials 911 but her call doesn’t even ring because we have no cell signal.

The driver opens his door and gets out, but he stays near his door. Again I ask, “Can I help you?”. This time he says something back asking if we’re someone. It was hard to make out a name. My flashlight is still shining on them. It’s a bright LED light but not extremely bright. I respond to him, “we are not them, you’re at the wrong site.” I’m still hoping that dialogue could at least save our lives. He responds, “Are you fucking with me?” that I could easily understand. I respond “no, you’re at the wrong site” again hoping they just drive off and leave us alone. This time the driver responds,

“oh my god, I’m so sorry! We thought you were our friends. These are the coordinates they sent us and they have a truck that looks like yours. We were trying to pull a prank on them and drove up with our headlights off the last mile while wearing night vision goggles. I’m really sorry”

I’m in disbelief. Is this real? His voice sounded genuine and he’s really apologetic. But also, is this just a cover up and they plan to come back later when we’re deeper in our sleep and more disoriented. I respond to him letting him know there are campsites a quarter mile back up the road and maybe they missed them there. He apologized one more time before reversing, this time with his headlights on.

After doing a three point turn the 2 guys with night vision goggles on in an old Ford Bronco were on there way out of our camping area. We had no idea if they were planning to return. We sat there in silence for a second so our heart rates could come down. And we broke the silence with “what the fuck was that?”

That night we barely slept or didn’t sleep at all. It was extremely quiet but every noise had our attention. If the wind moved a tree, we were awake. If a small plane flew over, we were awake. If it was too quiet, our minds would start racing with thoughts. Was the Bronco coming back? Did they really have friends in the area? Are they coming back with friends?

The next morning we processed a little more what happened the night before. We were exhausted because we didn’t sleep. But we packed up and decided we were going to camp at a different spot or go home. Before we left we drove down the road and found the Bronco parked next to a Toyota Tacoma that was the same color as ours with a bed topper. Not the exact same set up, but fairly similar. And after seeing that, we felt a little better and that they really did make a mistake with the wrong campsite. But in all honesty, they’re lucky it didn’t escalate with any weapons.

Lessons Learned

This experience really exposed us. We felt extremely unprepared. In full transparency, we didn’t think this would ever happen to us. And if this situation were real with bad intentions, we didn’t have much to defend ourselves or a way to call for help. The next day we immediately started to talk about what we will do differently in the future.

From now on, we will carry our bear spray IN the tent until we get a firearm. We will also bring a brighter flashlight and remote start our vehicle so our ditch lights come on too.

We will make sure the front seats are open in case we need to quickly get in the car and drive off. And lastly, we will carry our Garmin inReach Mini IN the tent for SOS, and will have a better understanding of how to use Apple’s SOS features when there is no cell service.

This Arizona National Monument Could Lose Its Protections

The AZ Hikeaholics — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:08:52 GMT

Ironwood Forest National Monument

Most people have probably never heard of Ironwood Forest National Monument. Located in southern Arizona, just northwest of Tucson, this monument could easily be considered a hidden gem. While there are no facilities within the monument, it offers opportunities for hiking, dispersed camping, stargazing, and off roading.

Designated as a national monument in 2000, it protects over 129,000 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape. This area preserves ancient ironwood trees, diverse wildlife, and thousands of years of cultural history.

There are currently 343 recorded archaeological and historical sites within the monument, but survey data suggests there could be as many as 3,000. These sites tell the story of people who have lived in and traveled through this landscape for generations, including the Hohokam and Tohono O’odham.

The ironwood tree itself is one of the most important species in the Sonoran Desert. Some live for hundreds of years, acting as a “nurse plant” that provides shade, shelter, and stability for surrounding vegetation and wildlife. Entire ecosystems depend on these trees to survive in such a harsh environment.

Beyond its ecological and cultural importance, Ironwood Forest National Monument also supports the local economy. The monument brings in an estimated $4.43 million annually, with visitors passing through Marana and western Pima County, supporting local restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and small businesses.

But this monument is in danger of losing it’s protection

A new bill introduced by Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar would remove Ironwood Forest’s national monument status. It would also prevent future presidents from protecting the area again under the Antiquities Act without approval from Congress.

Notably, Ironwood Forest National Monument is NOT located within Gosar’s congressional district.

If passed, this would open the land up to mining and development.

Landscapes like this are fragile. Once they are altered, they cannot simply be restored. Removing protections could lead to permanent changes that impact wildlife, damage cultural sites, and disrupt the desert ecosystem that has existed here for centuries.

There is already a mine near the monument

The Silver Bell open-pit mine sits just outside the monument and is visible from within it. Covering approximately 19,000 acres, it is larger than Manhattan.

Open-pit mining completely reshapes the land. It removes vegetation, destroys wildlife habitat, and can lead to long-term environmental impacts like water contamination, air pollution, and soil degradation.

Seeing how much one mine has already changed the surrounding area makes it easier to understand what could happen if protections are removed.

Silver Bell Mine seen from within Ironwood Forest National Monument

Silver Bell Mine seen from Silver Bell Mine Loop

Why this matters

We talk a lot about Leave No Trace and doing our part when we visit places like this. But protecting public lands goes beyond what we do on the trail.

It is also about making sure these places stay protected in the first place.

Places like Ironwood Forest National Monument are quiet often overlooked, and incredibly important. Once they are gone or permanently changed, we do not get them back.

What can you do

If you care about places like this, consider reaching out to your Congressional representative and asking them to keep protections in place for national monuments like Ironwood Forest National Monument.

Interested in visiting? Visit our Ironwood Forest National Monument guide.

A Hidden Gem in Southern Arizona

The AZ Hikeaholics — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:39:12 GMT

Greetings from Ironwood Forest National Monument! This was our second time camping here, and it’s just as quiet, remote, and beautiful as we remembered. Places like this remind us how important it is to protect landscapes like this.

Learn more about Ironwood Forest National Monument.

Welcome to Our Newsletter - April 2026

The AZ Hikeaholics — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:21:46 GMT

Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park

We’re starting to share our monthly newsletters here as we transition from Mailchimp to Substack. For now, you’ll see the same content here that we’re sending out via our Mailchimp email, and we’ll officially make the switch in June. This will continue to be the only email you receive from us each month.

If you’re new here, welcome! We’re glad you’re here and excited to have you along.

“Where is this?”

One of the most common questions we get after sharing anything is, “Where is this?” And while we love sharing our adventures and locations, we thought it would be more helpful to show how we actually find these places so you can do it too. Truthfully, the number one way we find dispersed camping spots is by starting with Google Maps. We’ll zoom in on areas we’re interested in and look for public land.

From there, we figure out who manages the land. Is it Bureau of Land Management land or a National Forest? This is important because the rules for dispersed camping can vary depending on who manages the land. Once we know the land management agency, we go directly to the official website to confirm regulations, restrictions, and any current closures. We also use onX Offroad and highly recommend it. It makes it easy to see land boundaries, access roads, and gives us a lot more confidence that we’re camping somewhere legal. Have questions about how we find public land to camp on? Let us know!

Last month, we decided to camp near Roosevelt Lake on the backside of Four Peaks. We camped in two different spots each night. This was our first time camping in this area and driving on these roads, even though we’ve been in this area many times before. We love exploring new places. This state is just so big!

Four Peaks camping details:

Our goal was to camp somewhere quiet and somewhere we hadn’t before. We started looking on Google maps and OnX to see where we could go. We remembered that there was some forest roads near Vineyard Trail that we did a few months ago and we’ve been interested in checking them out ever since. That’s how we ended up camping over here! We zoomed in on Google Maps Satellite and pinned some locations that looked like they would be good spots. After researching we found some sites near the Three Bar Wildlife Area that looked like previously used dispersed campsites.

Future Tripping

What About Memorial Day Weekend?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Last month we shared ideas for the 4th of July weekend, but what about Memorial Day weekend?

This year, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend we already have plans locked in with a friend and we can’t wait. Long weekends are some of our favorite times to travel because they’re the perfect excuse to get out of Arizona and explore somewhere new without having to take time off work.

Last Memorial Day, we visited Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and honestly, we were blown away by how incredible and underrated the park is. It’s one of the least visited national parks, but the views are amazing. The canyon is steep, dramatic, and feels completely different from anywhere else we’ve been.

If you’re looking for a place that feels a little less crowded but still just as impressive, this is such a good option for a long weekend trip.

In 2022 we visited Capitol Reef National Park over the Memorial Day weekend, and in 2024 we did the Summit Challenge in Sierra Vista, AZ.

Next Season: Labor Day Planning

It’s never too early to start thinking about Labor Day! It’s a great time to visit Europe because usually school has started and it’s shoulder season in some places. However, if you’re trying to visit Europe at this time, we suggest booking flights and stays much sooner rather than later. We already have much of our September Europe trip booked. In 2024 we visited Switzerland using Labor Day to save a day of PTO.

State side, the labor day weekend is another great weekend to do a regional road trip or even fly for a quick weekend. Last year we extended our Labor Day trip to Durango, CO and had a blast in the mountains. In 2023 we visited Great Sand Dunes National Park over the Labor Day weekend before taking time off for another trip the following weekend in Colorado that we were able to drive to.

Gear Recommendations

Our NEW Jetboil Flash with a Windscreen

Last month we upgraded to the new Flash Windscreen 1.0L Fast Boil System! Our previous Jetboil was purchased in 2020 and it has experienced a lot. A couple driving factors to the upgrade were the fact that we dropped and dented our old Jetboil making it hard to secure and take out of the stove component, which was increasingly frustrating. Plus, the self igniter never really worked and it was hard to ignite with a lighter in the wind.

We started seriously considering a new Jetboil Flash 1.0 last year when they announced the new version. But it wasn’t a top priority. Then, they more recently introduced the windscreen accessory and we were very interested in upgrading. The wind has been one of our biggest nemesis when using our old Jetboil Flash and we’d often have to get creative to block the wind our hover around it with our hands. There is a version with the windscreen included, or it’s available separately on Amazon.

The new Jetboil Flash is fantastic! The built in igniter works, the measuring cup is larger and easier to read, the cook pot has more fill lines inside beside just the max fill line (something we’ve wanted forever), and it still heats water extremely fast!

Leave No Trace Monthly Tip

Watch Out For Stinknet!

If you’ve been hiking in Arizona recently, you’ve probably seen bright yellow flowers covering entire hillsides. That’s stinknet, an invasive plant that spreads quickly and takes over native desert ecosystems.

Stinknet crowds out native plants, increases fire risk, and changes the landscape in ways that are hard to reverse.

If you see it, avoid walking through it and make sure not to spread seeds. Seeds can easily stick to your shoes, clothes, and dogs, so it’s important to check and clean your gear after your hike.

Stinknet!

March Highlights

We can’t get over how HOT it was in March. It really feels like we completely missed out on that perfect spring weather, which is both disappointing and honestly a little concerning.

We started the month with a desert camping trip, which now feels like the last nice weekend we’ve had. We camped somewhere new and really enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Next, we did a quick weekend trip to Death Valley National Park. It was a lot of driving, but we’re so glad we made it work. We were able to see the rare Lake Manly in Badwater Basin and catch the super bloom, something they haven’t had since 2016. You can find our very detailed itinerary here or a list of things to do in the park here.

We were planning to end the month with a camping trip above the rim, since it’s already getting that hot, but when we got up there we found out that Owen’s grandma had passed away, so we decided to head home. She was 92 years old and lived a great life. She will be deeply missed.

Lauren & Owen