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Free Travel Guide Guide

Opt Outside in Arizona

Siera Whitten

The Arizona Office of Tourism has partnered with some of REI’s outdoor guides from the Arizona Adventure Center to share tips and tricks for exploring Arizona’s great outdoors in a safe and enjoyable way. The video series and resources below include information on preparation and planning, gear, hydration, water recreation, weather, and how to keep our outdoors pristine for years to come by following Leave No Trace Principles.

REI Guides Video Series

Happy Adventuring


Resources in the videos:

The 10 Essentials I All Trails Guides & Maps I The Hiking Project I National Forest Explorer I Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

DID YOU KNOW:

Arizona is home to REI’s only dedicated “Adventure Center,” a gear rental facility in Scottsdale and launch point for guided tours and outdoor classes throughout Arizona. Check out their Gear Rental I Guided Tours I Upcoming Outdoor Classes

APPRECIATE AZ PROGRAM

Arizona has partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and developed a comprehensive resource for sustainable recreation in Arizona.

Spotlight Stories in AZ

4 people on stand up paddle boards in Salt River

Must Do

Arizona's Easiest Trails and Activities for Beginners

Venturing into the great outdoors can seem a bit daunting at first. Here are some beginner-friendly suggestions to get you started and have you...

A man jumps over a small gap between two large rocks as a woman looks on. Below them a small creek flows.

Outdoor Adventures

Wonderful Winter Day Hikes

From Tucson's Sabino Canyon to Thumb Butte in Prescott, explore these six natural areas for a perfect wintertime trek.

A couple with dog hiking the Highline- Pine Trail as part of the 807-mile Arizona Scenic Trail

One of eight Scenic Trails in the U.S.

Arizona National Scenic Trail

One of 11 national scenic trails in the U.S., the 807-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) traverses the state's vast and varied...

Sands spill over rocks within Antelope Canyon's sloping canyon formations

Outdoor Adventures

9 Outdoor Adventures You Can Only Have in Arizona

Adventurers, take note: Whatever you're into, you can get into it in Arizona. The breadth of adventure options available in this Southwestern...

Hiker headed north on the 800 mile Arizona Scenic Trail

Outdoor Adventures

Trekking Arizona: the Arizona National Scenic Trail

From the desert to the mountains, the Arizona Trail touches five distinct biomes over 800 miles.

REI Resource Articles

Landscape image of Boynton Pass Vortex Hiking Trail in Sedona

REI Guides: Expert Advice

Hiking for Beginners

Discover the beauty of nature at whatever pace. Get out there!

Credit: Rick Williams

REI Guides: Expert Advice

Hot Weather Hiking Tips

Have a good time and stay healthy in hot weather.

Woman stands next to a hoodoo in Chiricahua National Monument in Willcox

REI Guides: Expert Advice

Day Hiking Checklist

Determine what you need for an upcoming day hike.

Lightening strike in Mesa, Arizona

REI Guides: Expert Advice

Lightning Safety

How to Stay Safe from Lightning in the Backcountry (According to a Meteorologist)

Credit: An Pham

REI Guides: Expert Advice

Layering for Warmth in Winter

Material Science: The Art of Layering

REI Guides: Expert Advice

Running Safety in the Heat

Hot Out? Here’s How to Run Even on Summer’s Hottest Days

Outdoor Adventures

Opt Outside in Arizona

For people who prefer to experience Arizona's wild places through their shoe soles, their nostrils, their pores, this guide is for you.

Please Remeber to #RecreateResponsibly

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