For families in Arizona looking to get a taste of the great outdoors without getting a side of confusion on how to pitch a tent, Arizona State Parks and Trails has got your back with their award-winning Family Campout Program, as 12news.com reports. Aimed at helping families learn the ropes—from starting a fire for cooking to archery and mountain biking—registration for this breath of fresh air opens Feb. 1, coming in at $90 for a family of four, plus $5 for each additional member.
But Arizona isn't just for the campfire crowd, oh no; runners and hikers, listen up because coppercourier.com has rustled up a list of 15 groups across the state that cater from seasoned marathoners to folks just looking to get those steps in. Whether you're zipping through weekly runs with Aravaipa Group Runs or pounding pavement with the Arizona Road Racers—who've been setting the pace for over 50 years, by the way—there's a slot for you to slip on your running shoes and hit the ground running or walking for that matter, if that's more your speed, and let's not forget the kiddos because they join in too, for either free or $5 a pop if their guardians are not members.
For those who prefer their outdoor adventures at a more measured stride, Arizona's hiking clubs are off the beaten path and ready to welcome you with open trails, as the Southern Arizona Hiking Club keeps the tempo with a year-round calendar. Then there's Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, flipping Tempe's collegiate vibe into a stomping ground for avid hikers with near-daily excursions that wander beyond the city limits at $30 a pop for an individual annual membership or $40 if you want to bring the family along.
But say you're the type who likes to enjoy the scenic vistas from a distance, maybe getting your hands dirty for a cause; the Wild Arizona volunteers are out there, building trails and planting native flora since the Carter era, and America Walks is pounding the proverbial pavement advocating for safe and accessible walkways all across Arizona, so, you can lace up with purpose knowing you might leave more than just footprints behind. No matter your interest or fitness level, there's an outdoor niche waiting in Arizona.
