National Forest Foundation | Highline Trail Restoration Initiative

Highline Trail Restoration Initiative

Views for miles, water for communities, trails for all.

Photo by James "Q" Martin

The Highline Trail stretches over 60 scenic miles, offering breathtaking views of open vistas, brushy hills of manzanita, and stands of ponderosa pine just below the dramatic Mogollon Rim which defines the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Over the years, the trail has faced challenges from erosion and fire. Its picturesque route along the Mogollon Rim crosses numerous canyons and drainages, often on steep slopes, leading to erosion, ruts, and safety issues for visitors, as well as significant impacts on the watershed. Major reroutes were needed to create a more sustainable trail.

The NFF and the Tonto National Forest came together alongside other community partners to launch the Highline Trail Restoration Initiative in 2020. Through this collaboration, partners worked to assess and implement the proposed trail maintenance, rerouting, and rehabilitation along the entire 60-plus miles of trail. The NFF is working with the Forest and partners to secure ongoing funding, generate excitement, and encourage more people to explore and enjoy this amazing trail.

Background

The Highline Trail has a long history in Rim Country and has recorded use dating back to the 1800s.

No longer needed to run cattle and wagons, the trail was repurposed into a recreation destination and designated as the Highline National Recreation Trail in 1978, also sharing over 20 miles with the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

A National Recreation Trail designation is an honor given to existing trails that connect people to local resources and improve their quality of life. The Highline Trail is now an iconic destination spot, cool in Arizona’s hot summers, and a busy recreation area year-round.

Restoration in Action

The Highline Trail Restoration Initiative increases user safety, reduces deferred maintenance and long-term maintenance requirements, slows and prevents erosion downstream, and improves watershed health and water quality in the Salt River system. The Initiative provides a single-lane, non-motorized trail that can accommodate moderate to heavy use for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.

To date, we have completed Phases 1 and 2 of the project, with over half of the reroutes and maintenance completed the final Phase 3 nearly complete for the initial restoration effort of the entire Highline Trail Restoration Initiative.

That said, we are still working to raise funds for Phase 3 to complete the 60 miles of continuous singletrack and to ensure funding is available for ongoing maintenance needed to keep the trail in shape for future generations.

Donate to support the Highline Trail Restoration Initiative here!

Be sure to check out these suggested routes along the Highline Trail next time you visit!

Highline Hold'em Mountain Bike Poker Run

The Highline Hold'em is a 9-mile mountain bike poker ride starting at the 260 Trailhead outside of Payson, AZ. Riders are shuttled from the Landmark Restaurant in Christopher Creek up to the trailhead, where they ride the iconic Highline Trail to the See Canyon Trailhead and then back to the Landmark.

Along the way, riders will receive playing cards to create a poker hand. Once back at the Landmark, the top poker hands will have their choice of prizes.

Join us for the 5th annual Highline Hold'em on October 18th, 2025, and enjoy the finished trail!

Photo by the NFF

Appreciating the Power of Partnerships!

The Highline Trail Restoration Initiative is made possible through a committed and diverse partner network. From funding for trail maintenance, to volunteer events and education, celebrating the power of partnerships on our public lands illustrates how priority work is accomplished in real time!

Funding Partners

  • Catena Foundation
  • Arizona State Parks & Trails
  • Bronco Wild Fund
  • Wild Arizona
  • City of Phoenix
  • REI
  • Pink Jeep Adventure Tours
  • Arizona Trail Association
  • Wren House Brewing
  • Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
  • Athletic Brewing
  • onX
  • Aravaipa Running

Local Partners

  • Rim Country MTBA
  • MHA Foundation
  • Rim Runners
  • American Family Insurance
  • Sunshine Restoration
  • Payson Tire Pros
  • Payson Premier Dental
  • Old Main Storage
  • Mogollon Sporting Association
  • Landmark at the Creek
  • KRIM Radio
  • Hermosa Tours
  • Desert Financial
  • Axis Culture Group
  • Garvin’s RV and Adventures
  • Birdwell Tire Services
  • Absolute Bikes

Contact

Shannon Smith, Tonto Stewardship Coordinator, at [email protected]