Southwest Hikes

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a woman backpacker hiking on the southwest's arizona trail with women led brands on her backpack.

Best Women-Led Outdoor Brands to Support: Women-Led Wednesday 2026

Celebrate Women-Led Wednesday 2026 with our favorite women-founded and women-led outdoor brands. From ultralight backpacking gear to technical apparel, discover innovative companies worth supporting all year long.

REI Co-op Holiday Sale 2026 promotional graphic with bold white lettering, orange background, and decorative stars.

REI Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Deals, Dates & Member Coupons

Hiker wearing the Squak Mountain Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie on a cold-weather trail, showing the fleece in real backcountry conditions.

Save on Squak Mountain’s Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie (2026)

backpacker reaching for Farm to Summit dehydrated backpacking meal displayed on a rock surface, featuring compostable packaging and locally sourced ingredients.

Save 20% on Farm to Summit Backpacking Meals: A Delicious Gift for Outdoor Adventurers

Garage Grown Gear 2026 Gift Guide feature image showing a hiker in a pink sun hoodie holding a Good To-Go backpacking meal against a rocky desert background.

Best Garage Grown Gear Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers 2026

KUIU Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale graphic featuring KUIU hunting gear.

KUIU Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Dates, Deals & What to Know

Two outdoor adventurers sitting on a rocky mountain summit beneath the words “2026 REI Holiday Gift Guide,” with rugged peaks in the background.

Best REI Gifts: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers

Gear

a woman backpacker hiking on the southwest's arizona trail with women led brands on her backpack.

Best Women-Led Outdoor Brands to Support: Women-Led Wednesday 2026

Celebrate Women-Led Wednesday 2026 with our favorite women-founded and women-led outdoor brands. From ultralight backpacking gear to technical apparel, discover innovative companies worth supporting all year long.

Garage Grown Gear 2026 Gift Guide feature image showing a hiker in a pink sun hoodie holding a Good To-Go backpacking meal against a rocky desert background.

Best Garage Grown Gear Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers 2026

Two outdoor adventurers sitting on a rocky mountain summit beneath the words “2026 REI Holiday Gift Guide,” with rugged peaks in the background.

Best REI Gifts: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 ultralight fastpacking backpack with water bottles and trail snacks on a rocky Sonoran Desert hiking trail surrounded by saguaros.

Gear Review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28

Two hikers wearing sun hoodies, sunglasses, and backpacks on a sunny Sonoran Desert trail, with text reading Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers 2026 Gift Guide.

Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

Garmin fēnix 9 Pro inReach GPS smartwatch worn during a hike in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, displaying distance, pace, elapsed time, and heart rate against a desert trail backdrop.

Gear Review: fēnix 9 Pro inReach by Garmin

Hiker wearing a pale yellow hoodie and backpack, sitting on a sandstone ledge with arms outstretched beneath a towering red rock overhang.

Best Wool Hoodies for Hiking & Adventure in 2026

Gear News

REI Co-op Holiday Sale 2026 promotional graphic with bold white lettering, orange background, and decorative stars.

REI Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Deals, Dates & Member Coupons

The REI Holiday Sale 2026 runs November 13–23 with thousands of outdoor gear deals, including 25% off Smartwool, KEEN and Oboz, up to $250 off Garmin, and exclusive REI member coupons.

Hiker wearing the Squak Mountain Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie on a cold-weather trail, showing the fleece in real backcountry conditions.

Save on Squak Mountain’s Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie (2026)

backpacker reaching for Farm to Summit dehydrated backpacking meal displayed on a rock surface, featuring compostable packaging and locally sourced ingredients.

Save 20% on Farm to Summit Backpacking Meals: A Delicious Gift for Outdoor Adventurers

KUIU Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale graphic featuring KUIU hunting gear.

KUIU Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Dates, Deals & What to Know

Hiker using KUIU camouflage gear and backpacking gear in the mountains during KUIU’s 2025 Biggest Sale of the Year, offering up to 50% off and free shipping over $149.

KUIU’s Biggest Sale of the Year: Up to 50% Off + Free Shipping

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Black Friday Sale 2026 featuring ultralight backpacking gear.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Black Friday Sale 2026: Deals, Dates & Cyber Monday

Ombraz armless sunglasses featured for the 2026 Built With Purpose sale, running October 6–8.

Ombraz Built With Purpose Sale 2026: Save Up to $35 on Select Sunglasses

Expert Advice

hiking in extreme heat requires some expert advice. if you plan to hike in the desert or with saguaro advice is key 2026

How to Hike in Extreme Heat: Advice From An Expert

Stay safe while hiking in extreme heat with advice from an expert! If you can't resist the call of the desert in summertime, be sure to check out these tips! Refreshed for 2026!

a family with many kids going for a hike on a nice wild hiking trail and all the children look very happy.

How to Get Kids Excited for Hiking: Fun Tips and Trail Games

Best electrolytes for hiking in heat, including Skratch Labs, LMNT, Liquid I.V., Nuun, and Ultima tested in desert conditions 2026

Best Electrolytes for Hiking in the Heat: A 2026 Guide

an ultralight backpacker heads up a steep section of slick rock, happy to hae minimal gear and a lightweight setup!

What Is Ultralight Backpacking? A 2026 Beginner’s Guide to Lightweight Adventures

Ultralight solo backpacking tent set up on an alpine ridge at sunset, showing a lightweight pyramid-style shelter designed for solo backpacking

How to Choose the Best Ultralight Tent for Solo Backpacking (2026 Guide)

Female hiker wearing Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights while climbing over rocky terrain with a large backpack in misty mountain conditions.

The Complete Guide to Fjällräven Trekking Tights (2026): What’s the Difference Between All the Abisko Tights?

Person lying inside a camping tent reading a book while wearing a knit beanie, with a forest visible through the tent opening.

Best Books for Outdoorsy People: Top Adventure Reads for 2025

Stewardship

More

How to Responsibly Hike and Backpack With a Dog: A Guide for Good Trail Manners

PACT One Kit: The Ultimate Leave No Trace Bathroom System for Hikers

Why I Always Pack a Kula Cloth: Gear with a Big Leave No Trace Impact

Protecting Cryptobiotic Soil: A Hiker’s Guide to Preserving the Southwest’s Hidden Life

Inspiring the Next Generation of Hiking Stewards

Bikes

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Gear Review: 600ADX by Priority Bicycles

Gear Review: Bassett Base Layers by Wild Rye

Gear Review: Vacuum Insulated Cycling Bottle by tiibo

Wild Rye: Fun, Trail-Tested Clothing for Women Who Ride, Hike, and Adventure Hard

Explore Further with Bakcou: eBikes Built for the Wildest Trails and Off-Grid Adventures

Trail Reports

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Trail Report: Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop in Canyonlands National Park

Trail Report: Cactus Wren Trail To Signal Hill In Saguaro National Park

Trail Report: Crystal Forest Trail In Petrified Forest National Park

Trail Report: Reservoir Hill Trail System

Trail Report: Treasure Falls Trail