Aravaipa Canyon Trail is a fantastic 12-mile choose-your-own-adventure through a desert oasis, where sheer canyon walls rise above the slow-moving creek, shaded by cottonwoods and sycamores bordered by hills thick with saguaros. With no defined path, you'll crisscross the creek countless times, sometimes following used trails, other times simply wading through the water as the canyon walls rise higher and the canyon feels increasingly remote. Entry is capped at 50 hikers per day under a permit system, helping preserve the wilderness and ensure you're more likely to spot wildlife than fellow humans. You can find more information and reserve your permit here: recreation.gov/permits/251864