Southwest Hikes

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a banner featuring a backpackers using thermarest gear by cascade designs now on sale for 2026 labor day

Save Big: Cascade Designs 2026 Labor Day Sale Featuring Deals On Thermarest, MSR & More!

Looking to save big on all the companies you know and love from Cascade Designs? This great sale features great deals on MSR, Therm-A-Rest, PackTowl, Platypus and SealLine gear! Gear up for adventure!

Hiker wearing a hiking jacket on a rocky mountain summit above the clouds, featured in the Best Hiking Jackets of 2026 guide.

Best Hiking Jackets of 2026: Trail-Tested Jackets for Every Season and Adventure

Backpacker in ultralight KUIU gear hiking rugged backcountry terrain during the KUIU Labor Day Sale 2026 with up to 50% off hunting apparel and packs.

KUIU Labor Day Sale 2026: Save Up to 50% on Outdoor Gear

Labor Day Sale for REI Co-op updated for 2026

SALE: REI Labor Day Sale 2026

Woman wearing KUIU Chugach TR Rain Jacket and Pants under a large tree in Costa Rica’s jungle with a camera and umbrella.

Gear Review: Chugach TR Rain Jacket and Pants By KUIU

Two hikers climbing a green and rocky alpine slope in a remote backcountry setting.

Luxury Backpacking Items That Are Worth the Weight

Hiker walking among giant saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert, representing the best trail runners and hiking shoes for desert hiking and backpacking in 2026.

Best Trail Runners and Hiking Shoes for Backpacking in the Desert (2026 Guide)

Gear

Hiker wearing a hiking jacket on a rocky mountain summit above the clouds, featured in the Best Hiking Jackets of 2026 guide.

Best Hiking Jackets of 2026: Trail-Tested Jackets for Every Season and Adventure

Finding the right hiking jacket can make the difference between a miserable day on the trail and an unforgettable adventure. After years of hiking everything from Arizona deserts to alpine snowstorms, these are the best hiking jackets of 2026!

Woman wearing KUIU Chugach TR Rain Jacket and Pants under a large tree in Costa Rica’s jungle with a camera and umbrella.

Gear Review: Chugach TR Rain Jacket and Pants By KUIU

Two hikers climbing a green and rocky alpine slope in a remote backcountry setting.

Luxury Backpacking Items That Are Worth the Weight

Hiker walking among giant saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert, representing the best trail runners and hiking shoes for desert hiking and backpacking in 2026.

Best Trail Runners and Hiking Shoes for Backpacking in the Desert (2026 Guide)

hiker wearing great hiking socks in 2026, representing lifetime-warranty hiking socks.

Best Hiking Socks with a Lifetime Warranty in 2026: Trail-Ready and Built to Last

Group of hikers standing on a mountain ridge at sunrise with bright sunlight over an alpine landscape.

Best Hiking Sunglasses of 2026: Trail-Tested Picks for Every Adventure

Ombraz Blue Mirror sunglasses tested during hiking and cycling in the Arizona desert and mountain landscapes.

Gear Review: Ombraz Blue Mirror Sunglasses

Gear News

a banner featuring a backpackers using thermarest gear by cascade designs now on sale for 2026 labor day

Save Big: Cascade Designs 2026 Labor Day Sale Featuring Deals On Thermarest, MSR & More!

Looking to save big on all the companies you know and love from Cascade Designs? This great sale features great deals on MSR, Therm-A-Rest, PackTowl, Platypus and SealLine gear! Gear up for adventure!

Backpacker in ultralight KUIU gear hiking rugged backcountry terrain during the KUIU Labor Day Sale 2026 with up to 50% off hunting apparel and packs.

KUIU Labor Day Sale 2026: Save Up to 50% on Outdoor Gear

Labor Day Sale for REI Co-op updated for 2026

SALE: REI Labor Day Sale 2026

Three people jumping into a mountain lake from a dock while another lounges in a swimsuit, capturing summer joy and outdoor fun—REI 2026 Fourth of July Sale.

Celebrate Summer With Huge Savings at REI’s Fourth of July Sale 2026

Person wearing Wiley X outdoor sunglasses while hiking in rugged desert terrain during morning hours.

Wiley X Sale: Save Up to 50% on Premium Outdoor Eyewear

Cascade Designs 2026 Memorial Day Sale banner promoting 25 percent off sitewide on MSR Therm-a-Rest Platypus SealLine and PackTowl outdoor gear.

Cascade Designs 2026 Memorial Day Sale: Save 25% on MSR, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus & More

REI Anniversary Sale 2026 outdoor gear deals on hiking, camping, and backpacking equipment with discounts up to 25 percent

REI Anniversary Sale 2026: Save Up to 25% on Outdoor Gear

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

More

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

More

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