Arizona National Scenic Trail – Tonto National Forest, AZ – Volunteer Vacation 2024

Explore Arizona’s largest national forest and provide critical support to trails in Tonto National Forest! The Tonto National Forest landscapes include Sonoran Desert cacti and flat lands that lead into the highlands of the Mogollon Rim, with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 7,900 feet. Volunteers on this project will experience Tonto National Forest’s thru-hiker season and provide support to outdoor enthusiasts with this project. 

Volunteers will provide critical maintenance on a remote section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail that has been impacted by fires in the last decade. The trail work will include tread repair, rock work, brushing, and general trail maintenance. Volunteers will hike from their campsite to the project site. The project will take place within 2 miles of basecamp, with up to 4 miles of hiking each day. Elevation change will vary depending on the project location. The hike to the basecamp will begin from a remote ranch with limited access. 4wd vehicles will shuttle participants to the trailhead. From there, it is approximately 6.5 miles to base camp, with 2,700′ elevation gain. The trail is rocky and rough, but easy to navigate. Terrain is mostly open with oak and scrub vegetation.

During this trip, Tonto National Forest’s average high temperature is 87°, and average low temperature is 57°.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē, and Hohokam peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, their deep and sacred connection to these lands, and those who continue to steward these lands today. We offer this land acknowledgement as the first of many steps to stand as an ally and amplify Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to join us through continued efforts to support Indigenous communities and learn more about the history of the lands on which we live, work and recreate.

Click here for a PDF of trip details.