Desert, forest, crystal-clear water…Arizona has it all. If your hiking bucket list is looking a little short, West Clear Creek Wilderness features a little bit of everything the Grand Canyon State has to offer. It’s a long and tough hike, but the views more than make up for the difficulty.

West Clear Creek Wilderness, spanning over 15,000 acres, is formed by the convergence of Willow Creek and Clover Creek in the Mogollon Rim.

AllTrails/Nicholas Harris Visitors flock to the enchanting wooded landscape to swim, camp, hike, fish, backpack, and hunt.

Year-round, a variety of flora and fauna keep your eyes flitting every which way to take in all the sights.

AllTrails/Meghan Coogan Breathtaking wildflowers, lush greenery, and plenty more animals and plants render boredom impossible.

Embark on West Clear Creek Trail for an 8.8-mile, moderately difficult hike with just the right amount of both rugged canyon landscape and pools of cold, invigorating water.

AllTrails/Chrystal Tyson There are four creek crossings, so bring a change of shoes!

If you follow the trail as marked, prepare to eventually navigate down a steep, narrow ledge to access the creek.

AllTrails/Chrystal Tyson For inexperienced hikers, those with knee issues, and children, turning back before the descent is likely the best option (don’t worry – the views are breathtaking whether you finish or not!)

Inner tubes are also great assets, as a brief section of creek is impassable on foot.

AllTrails/Kristal Tadano Just blow it up, place your backpack in your lap, and paddle to the other side.

Spreading the hike out over two days is advised due to the length.

AllTrails/Chrystal Tyson You’ll find several campsites along the way, and they are virtually impossible to miss because of how many others have used them.

Between the red rocks, crystal-clear swimming holes, and vegetation flourishing everywhere you look, West Clear Creek Wilderness is a bucket list-worthy destination.

AllTrails/Chrystal Tyson High-clearance vehicles are recommended to access the trailhead; however, smaller cars have reported success with slow and careful driving.

Remember, hiking is at your own risk — especially when you venture off the trail into unmarked territory. Also, the road is closed about a mile from the trailhead, so you’ll have to park farther away and hike in. Visit the AllTrails page to learn more.

AllTrails/Nicholas Harris

Visitors flock to the enchanting wooded landscape to swim, camp, hike, fish, backpack, and hunt.

AllTrails/Meghan Coogan

Breathtaking wildflowers, lush greenery, and plenty more animals and plants render boredom impossible.

AllTrails/Chrystal Tyson

There are four creek crossings, so bring a change of shoes!

For inexperienced hikers, those with knee issues, and children, turning back before the descent is likely the best option (don’t worry – the views are breathtaking whether you finish or not!)

AllTrails/Kristal Tadano

Just blow it up, place your backpack in your lap, and paddle to the other side.

You’ll find several campsites along the way, and they are virtually impossible to miss because of how many others have used them.

High-clearance vehicles are recommended to access the trailhead; however, smaller cars have reported success with slow and careful driving.

Have you ever visited West Clear Creek Wilderness? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience. Check out our previous article for another bucket list-worthy creekside hike: A Creekside Trail In Tonto National Forest Will Lead You To A Waterfall Paradise In Arizona.

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Address: W Clear Creek Trail, Marana, AZ 85658, USA