2025 Trails Plan
The 2025 Trails Plan is Now Available!
Arizona State Parks and Trails has completed its 2025 Trails Plan that will help inform decisions about funding and priorities over the next five years. The plan provides a common, data-informed foundation for trail management across agencies and jurisdictions and monitors the pulse of trail-related conversations on emerging issues. View the plan on our agency Publications page.
Arizona's diverse and beautiful scenery, temperate climate, and unique attractions make it an outdoor recreation hub. More than 4.3 million Arizonans used trails in 2020, and many consider the proximity of trails when they are deciding where to live. Maintained trails enrich our communities, make outdoor recreation more accessible, and protect our landscape and wildlife habitat.
What steps were completed?
The public comment period for the draft of the 2025 Trails Plan closed on April 10, 2025. Thank you for your feedback! The 2025 Trails Plan provides a blueprint for future actions and priorities regarding trails, grant funding distribution, and how land managers can work together.
The final version of the 2025 Trails Plan was approved in public meetings prior to its release by:
- the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG),
- the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT),
- the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC) and
- the Arizona State Parks Board (ASPB)
This approved Plan will inform the grant criteria for the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the state Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund and Heritage Fund.
Thanks to generous partners like the Arizona Office of Tourism, Pin Drop Travel Trailers, County Line Riders, and the Southern Arizona Hiking Club, public survey participants had the opportunity to enter for a chance to win Arizona experiences and prizes, including staycations in scenic Pinetop-Lakeside and Flagstaff, a two-night camping trip in a comfortable micro-camper, Arizona State Parks annual passes and gift cards, and more. Winners of the drawing were notified by Arizona State Parks and Trails in July 2025.
What is the Trails Plan?
The Trails Plan guides the acquisition, development, management, and resource allocation for both motorized and non-motorized trails throughout Arizona across land managers and recreation providers. It helps determine the distribution of grant funding from the federal non-motorized and motorized Recreational Trails Program and the state's Off-Highway Vehicle and Heritage Trail funds. Arizona State Parks and Trails is required to update this plan every five years.
The plan's development is overseen by a working group of trail managers from all jurisdictions, non-profit organizations associated with non-motorized or motorized trail use, as well as conservation groups, user groups from across Arizona, members of the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG), the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT), and other outdoor recreation and trail advocates. To ensure a comprehensive and informed plan, the trail managers and stakeholders incorporate data from various sources, including user feedback, trail usage statistics, and their communities.
One of the most significant impacts of the 2025 Trails Plan is its ability to guide the distribution of federal and state grant funds, allowing for the acquisition of land for trails; construction of trails; and installation of signs, kiosks, restrooms, parking, and other amenities to support trail use in communities. This, in turn, has a positive impact on communities, promoting outdoor recreation, economic growth, and tourism. The 2025 Trails Plan is an essential guide and roadmap for the development and enhancement of Arizona's trail system, ensuring that individuals and communities can enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation and the natural environment. Thank you for playing an important role in the future of Arizona's trails by taking our public or land manager surveys!
2020 Trails Plan Accomplishments
Use the interactive map below to browse the accomplishments that have happened since our last trails plan in 2020. Click on the map icons for more detailed information about each accomplishment.
Thank You!
A special thank you to our 2025 Trails Plan Working Group Member organizations! Click HERE to see a current list of active members.
Contact
For more info about Trails Plan, please contact Dawn Collins at trailsplan@azstateparks.gov.
