Anyone Who Absolutely Loves Forest Bathing Knows About These 5 Arizona Hidden Gems

Who would hate the enriching experience of being in nature, and simply connecting with it through our five senses? The Japanese practice something called “forest bathing” or “shinrin-yoku.” The word Shinrin in means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” By taking in the sounds of the forest and animal, breathing in the fresh and cool air, and getting some sun, you’ll be able to bridge the gap between you and the natural world. It really is the next level activity you need to try once in a while. And where else can you do it than in the Arizona forest?

If you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in the Arizona forest, you should come and visit these gems:

1. For a Rejuvenating Arizona Forest Bathing Experience: White Spar Campground at Prescott National Forest

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You know what they say. Prescott National Forest is where the desert meets the pine. It is the reason why locals and tourists alike come here to camp, picnic, fish, or hike! If you want to have the best Arizona forest experience and fully rejuvenate, then you need to start by staying in White Spar Campground. It is the closest site to town, and it possesses a rustic feel of a typical national forest campground. You will surely appreciate the privacy here, and the ponderosa pine woods with several loops. Not to mention, the mild weather is something you’d immediately get comfortable with!

Some sites can accommodate large RVs or some cars on the love drivers. However, there are also exceptions such as areas on the northern loop (sites 33 through 42 and 49 through 53), which only have wide pull-outs along the road. These areas are much more suitable for ordinary tent campers. If you want to work a quick sweat, you can also access the trail to Goldwater Lakes. There are also many opportunities for outdoor activities and try the several loop trails in the area.

White Spar Campground is located at 5,641 feet in elevation. It is just a short drive of 2.7 miles south of downtown Prescott and east of Hwy 89.

What’s near this area? You won’t just be surrounded by a beautiful Arizona forest full of ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak, and some shrubs and grasses. The campground is also near famous spots such as Granite Basin Lake, Lynx Lake Recreation Area and Thumb Butte among many others.

2. See Brilliant Colors During Fall: Lockett Meadow

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Lockett Meadow is known for its beautiful yellow hues that turn up during autumn – the gorgeous landscape only promising cooler days and colder nights ahead. If you want the best forest bathing experience, you should come here and try it for yourself. The trick is simple. Just follow the yellow leaf road!

Many visitors prefer to camp out here, justifying that they need to really immerse themselves in nature when visiting one of the best places in Flagstaff. If you cherish a real mountain experience with the vibe, wilderness trails, and all that, you won’t get disappointed! You will also be delighted by the visit of some natural residents such as the porcupines or elks. Some say that even a black bear strolls right through groups of picnickers without as much as a glance at their food. Now that’s one bear that can’t be bothered!

Expect the ride to the campground to be a little bumpy. In fact, only accessible with AWD or 4WD. If you are coming in a small car, you shouldn’t waste your time anymore. Even if you are using your 4WD, you should drive slow while appreciating the beautiful views. You won’t get lost looking for the campground because there are clear markings all around. Just pay attention to these that will guide you all the way in.

Just a tip – come early if your trip is during the weekend because it will be hard to find a parking spot or a campsite. There are many camp areas around, but there are even more visitors who want to come here to relax and unwind.

If you are game for an adventure, you should take the short trail that leads further into the mountains. Your view will mostly be framed by the tall aspens, pines, as various types of wildflowers. The Humphrey’s Peak also looms in the background, making it truly picturesque! You should also get a head start on hiking if you want to avoid the congestion of visitors.

3. The 800-Mile Trail Full of Scenic Sights: Arizona Trail

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What a visual delight! Did you know that the Arizona Trail is so long that it covers the entire state and even the borders near it? Yes, that’s right. This one is an 800-mile trail that spans the entire Arizona state is called the Arizona National Scenic Trail. It also extends to the Mexico border on the south and Utah on the north. If you are curious about the “beginning” of this super long trail, it’s all thanks to a teacher named Dale Shewalter. He developed a cross-state trail plan in 1985 and advocated for the Arizona Trail. While it took him many years to see his idea come to fruition (24 years to be exact), it’s still totally worth it. Arizona Trail was fully declared as a National Scenic Trail in 2009.

If we do the calculation, it is estimated that you will be able to finish the entire trail for around 6-8 weeks. But that still depends on your speed. Individuals who want a longer time forest bathing may have many breaks from time to time. There are 43 passages from North to South and each trail is achievable within a day (more or less). You just need to choose what trail to take if you have particular scenic sights in mind. Some of the places you will see include Huachuca Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Mogollon Rim.

You need to condition yourself physically and mentally before coming here because the experience may be too intense. However, you will be amazed by the hikers who can just breeze through hundreds of miles! The record time for completing this 800-mile trail is 15 days or 13 hours and 10 minutes to be exact. Jeff Garmire was a beast as his hiking averaged 51 miles a day.

Don’t worry, though! Your Arizona forest experience at this trail doesn’t concern beating the fastest hiking time.

4. For Those Who Seek Solitude and Adventure: Sterling Pass Trail

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Combine a challenging hike and a beautiful Arizona forest bathing experience by going to Sterling Pass Trail. This trail is named for a local settler and leads over  a high saddle from Oak Creek Canyon into the scenic Sterling Canyon of the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness.

The climb is steep right from the trailhead, but you can always stop from time to time to admire the mixed conifer forest dominated by huge ponderosa pines. The dwarf canyon maples are also plentiful, and are beautiful additions to the already gorgeous setting. No matter what the season, you can come here to get your dose of Arizona forest bathing.

You also have the option to ascend the steep slope and continue the climb above the mosaic of tree limbs that form the forest ceiling. You’ll be sandwiched by the huge monoliths of sandstone towers, especially when you slide between them at the top of the pass and begin the descent into Sterling Canyon. Don’t forget to go all the way to the overlook to enjoy the best view!

5. Aside From The Arizona Forest, You’ll Be In Awe of the Stunning Vistas: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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Seriously, need we say more?

This is a huge national forest that covers over two million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona. It is actually named after Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, a government topographical engineer. The captain was the first to conduct a scientific expedition across Arizona in the early 1850s.

Arizonans frequent the Mogollon Rim and eight cold-water lakes. The former is famous for its beautiful vistas of the low lands to the south. It extends two hundred miles from Flagstaff into western New Mexico. In addition, there are over 1,000 miles of trails across a variety of terrain. You can choose a trail fit for your level. If you want to give your forest bathing experience a twist, you should incorporate other recreation activities such as horseback riding or mountain biking.

Do you have other recommendations for the best Arizona forest bathing experience?

Tell us all about it! In the meantime, you should check out other places you can visit in Arizona? See Hundreds of Gorgeous Cactus Flowers in Arizona By Visiting These Places and Take a Trip to These 12 Hidden Waterfalls in Arizona to Discover Breathtaking Scenery