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Photography By: LeakedGlass Productions

Models: Casey and Ryan

Text By: Deon Brown

Photographed on location at Sycamore Creek Trail ionarizona

Arizona! Where do you start? Where do you go? Where do you finish? Can you ever finish? So much to see and do. There’s something for everyone. Relax near a creek, boat in one of the lakes, tube down a river. Arizona has sun-dappled forests, old mining towns gone bust and rediscovered, hidden hot mineral water springs, buttes, mesas, ravines, and a canyon that’s pretty grand, if we say so ourselves.

We picked out a few places across the state for you to visit. Maybe for a day trip, maybe longer. Some you’ve heard of, but there might be a surprise or two. We’ve even picked out some modern dude ranches for gay men, and an LGBTQ ranch near Kitt Peak Observatory. We’ve also added a brief guide for LGBTQ and inclusive outdoor groups with Facebook pages about Arizona’s great outdoors for you to check out. Find yourself … because you fit in. It’s Arizona!

Remember, wherever you go, leave no trace. Please clean up after yourself.

Sycamore Creek Trail

Discover this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Rio Verde, about 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 37 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime in the Tonto National Forest. Take the Beeline Highway (SR87) past Ft. McDowell & Fountain Hills. Search AllTrails.com for maps and more.

Aspen Corner Loop & Trail

Alpine meadows and Aspen trees define this beautiful out and back 7 mile hike along the 800-mile Arizona Trail, a section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The altitude is 8800 feet, but most of the trail is relatively flat. The trail junctions are well marked and continue through aspen, meadows, and pine trees. After about 3.5 miles you reach a trail junction with the Bismark Lake Trail. The Arizona Trail continues to the north until you reach Utah.

The trail is about 11 miles from downtown Flagstaff. Take US-180/Fort Valley Road for about 7 miles. Turn right on Snowbowl Road and go 5½ miles to the signed parking area for Aspen Corner.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Just one hour from Phoenix on 372 stunning acres of scenic upland Sonoran Desert with nearly five miles of trails, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden with desert plants from the USA and all over the world — 4,025 plant species and 20,000 specimens.

Good dogs are welcome! Summer hours: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $19

Verde Hot Springs

About three hours from Phoenix, the Verde Hot Springs is 30 miles southeast of Camp Verde. It’s the perfect spot to relax after hiking. The dirt road leading to the trail can be rough, you may require a high clearance vehicle. Cross the river to reach the hot springs. “Nudity Not Prohibited” and you don’t need a permit. Leashed dogs are welcome. Directions vary, so do your homework and determine your route before you go.

Search HotSpringers.net for more information or search VisitArizona.com for “hot springs.” You’ll be surprised how many there are.

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Copper Cactus Ranch Men’s Retreat

Owners Bobby Cook and partner, Rich Homan, have put everything into this desert dude ranch for an allmale experience, clothing optional, bed & breakfast retreat catering to gay, bi, and straight men, 21 years and older. Stay overnight in the Ranch House room, bunking with with other greenhorns and city slickers, or take advantage of camping spots. Day and evening passes are available with membership purchase. A variety of activities, parties, and events are their specialty.

The CCR is located about an hour east of Phoenix, hidden in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains.

Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays, and the month of August.

Phone: 520-231-5034 • 4516 N. Elephant Butte Rd., Queen Valley, AZ • CopperCactusRanch.com

Happy Endings Ranch & Retreat

Wanna getaway? Just up the around Wickenberg is a 100 acre property, just eight miles from Lake Pleasant. It’s a great place for hiking, biking, rockhounding, gold panning, and communing with Nature au naturel, if you like. Dry camping available with access to water, laundry, and electricity for a minimal fee of $15 per day. If you’d like to rough it they’ve got camping equipment for $10 per night. You can always put in some “sweat equity” in exchange for payment, too. The fab Scott Stowe is your host.

For the fastest response, e-mail ScottSicepic@gmail.com Visit HappyEndingsRanchAndRetreat.com

Sabino Canyon

Traveling south to the Old Pueblo? This is one of the premier natural areas in southern Arizona, located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Check out refreshing water hiking to Seven Falls between rock cliffs. You can bicycle into the canyon, too. Times are limited to after 5 p.m. The recreation area has over 30 miles of trails. You can tour in an open-air Crawler or Shuttle. Along the 1-hour round trip route you get off at one of the nine shuttle stops. Times, pricing, and tickets are available online. Information available at the Visitor Center.

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson • Search the database of the U.S. Forest Service by state at FS.USDA.gov for more information and lots of ideas.

J & J Ranch AZ

Check out this new secluded ranch catering to LGBTQ campers. They currently offer tent camping, RV Boondocking, and very soon, Glamping Cabins. Over 18.5 acres and surrounded by over 750 acres of state and BLM lands perfect for biking and hiking. Southwest of Tucson near Three Points, they share the same stunning skies as Kitt Peak, sitting at 3900 feet altitude. Fun fact: they support the Southwest Animal Rescue. Check them out at Facebook.com/JandJranchaz

Phone: 224-522-1107 • 19219 Montezuma Mine Road, Tucson, AZ JJRanchAZ.com

Find ‘em on Facebook

Cactus 4 Wheelers

Explore the Grand Canyon state with this group of off road enthusiasts from all walks of life: Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Closeted, Questioning, or otherwise—everyone’s welcome. Find them on Facebook and be part of the adventure.

Arizona Gay Camping

This is a Facebook Group for gay men in Arizona who enjoy, or are interested in, camping. Plan trips, discuss favorite campsites, gear, and other related topics. Feel free to setup events in the Calendar, if you wish to open them up to the group. Introduce yourself with a pic, location and interests.

AZ Hiking Group #hikerAZ

Serious and amateur hikers alike are welcome! Check out this for this inclusive group on Facebook for a tremendous variety of planned events, places to hike, the degree of

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