Hiking in Arizona's Playground
The Best of Hiking in Arizona's Scenic Sonoran Desert
From fall through spring, hikers at all levels enjoy hiking the vast network of scenic hiking trails in the Lake Havasu City area.
Top 5 Lake Havasu City Area Hikes
"The biggest mistake that visitors to Lake Havasu City make is packing swimming trunks and fishing poles but leaving the hiking boots at home."
~Roger Naylor, travel writer for The Arizona Republic, avid Arizona hiker and member of the
Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame
Lake Havasu City's hiking trails feature a wide range of terrain, natural diversity and scenic beauty. Whether your hikes are easy, extreme or somewhere in between, trails range from short, paved paths to steep, rocky slopes.
Along the way, enjoy inspiring lakeside scenery, windswept desert views and sweeping vistas from atop a red rock mountain. Explore unique features such as mysterious rock formations and abandoned mining areas.
Along with the beautiful scenery, the diversity of wildlife in the area is why so many hikers head to our trails. Keep a lookout for bighorn sheep, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, bobcat and a myriad species of birds.
Want more details on the best hiking trails in around Lake Havasu City? The resources on this page will help you make the most of hiking in Arizona's Playground.
Arizona hiking safety and conservation tips
Backpacking and hiking in Arizona's deserts can be one of the most captivating experiences imaginable. But as with any outdoor activity, proper preparation is necessary to fully appreciate the journey into nature. Here are a few safety and conservation precautions to keep in mind to better experience hiking in Arizona's desert landscapes:
- Take plenty of water
- Wear a hat and use sunscreen
- Wear sturdy, thick-soled shoes
- Never head out alone and always let a responsible person know where you're going and when you plan to be back.
- Dispose of waste properly: if no trash receptacles are available, carry out all trash from what you have brought in.
For a complete hiking checklist designed for hiking in Arizona's desert climate, click here.
Trail Name | Distance (Round Trip) | Hiking Time | Time to Trailhead* | Vehicle Required | Aesthetic Rating** | |||
Walks
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Island Trail | 3.6 miles | 1.5 hours | 2 minutes | No | ||||
Mohave Sunset Trail | 4 miles | 2 hours | 0 minutes | No | ||||
Shoreline Trail | 2 miles | 1 hours | minutes | No | ||||
Easy Hikes
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Chemehuevi Wash Trail | 4 miles | 2 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Mockingbird Wash Trail | 4 miles | 2 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Easy Hikes with Hills
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Pittsburg Mines Trail | 4 miles | 3 hours | 20 minutes | Car | ||||
Water Tank Trail | 6.2 miles | 3 hours | 20 minutes | Car | ||||
Moderate Hikes with Climbing
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Arch Rock Loop Trail | 4.5 miles | 3 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Crack in the Mountain Trail | 5 miles | 3 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Keyhole Landing Trail | 7.2 miles | 4 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Mallard Cove/Teal Point Trail | 5.3 miles | 3 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Pilot Rock Trail | 7 miles | 4 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
SARA Mountain Park Loop Trail | 5 miles | 3 hours | 15 minutes | Car | ||||
Standard Wash Trail | 9.6 miles | 4.5 hours | 20 minutes | Car | ||||
Three Dunes Trail | 6.5 miles | 3.5 hours | 25 minutes | Car | ||||
Difficult Hikes with Long Slopes or Scrambling
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Crossman Peak Trail | 6 miles | 5 hours | 60 minutes | 4-wheel | ||||
Cupcake Mountain Trail | 4.5 miles | 5.5 hours | 90 minutes | 4-wheel | ||||
Dead Burro Canyon Trail | 7.3 miles | 4.5 hours | 20 minutes | Car | ||||
Iron Door Mine Trail | 5 miles | 4 hours | 50 minutes | 4-wheel | ||||
Lizard Peek Trail (Picnic Table Mountain Trail) | 4 miles | 3 hours | 15 minutes | Car |