Wet Beaver Loop. The Wet Beaver Wilderness Area provides an amazing 22 miles round trip. It is advisable to not bring children along as this hike is extremely difficult and takes more than a day to complete. Be prepared to get wet as a fair portion of this hike requires walking through water. This hike takes you in a large loop to end up where you started from. You will encounter camps and waterfalls along the way and the stunning Waldroup canyon.

Picacho Peak. This hiking trail is fairly close to the Casa Grande and once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Sonora desert. The trail offers two options: the shorter seven mile round trip or the nine-odd mile trip if you return using the alternate trail from the peak. This is a fairly steep hike with numerous switchbacks.

It is advisable to wear gloves on this hike and you may need to use steel cables to aid your climb at times. You must be in good physical condition to undertake this hike as some Class 3 climbing will be necessary.

Kendrick Mountain. This is a moderately easy trail, involving a 9.2 miles round trip. You will be able to look at a cabin and encounter some spectacular views of Mount Humphreys, Red Mountain, Sycamore Canyon, and also the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Towards the end of this trail, there are a series of short switchbacks which will also provide some amazing views.

Paria Canyon. This hike starts in Utah, but right near the border, and immediately moves into Arizona. The road to the trailhead is frequently washed out, and so you need to keep a sharp eye on the weather to avoid flash floods. And, because the trail ends far away from the car, it's nice to take advantage of a shuttle for the ride back, especially since this a multi-day trip. Additionally, as you will be going through wilderness area, you will need to obtain a permit from the BLM.

If you go on this hike right after it rains, you will find that you will have to pick around a bit, as the trail becomes muddy and prone to quicksand. Once you actually get into the canyon, there is no trail. You have to follow the river. A narrow slot canyon with spectacular formation is what you walk through. If rain is in the forecast for any of the days that you plan to be hiking, you should not attempt, as there is no way to escape flash floods once in the Narrows.

Nonetheless, the views and formations along this hike are amazing and worth the trip. In addition, you will find fantastic features like a cave "room" in one of the walls, Wrather Canyon, Wrather Arch, Judd Hollow, and other canyons and routes, as well as springs.