Arizona Trail Association

What Arizona Trail Association does

The Arizona Trail Association (ATA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, that protects, maintains, enhances, promotes, and sustains the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail stretching from the Mexico border to Utah across 43 passages of desert, mountain, canyon, and forest terrain. The ATA operates with an 18-person staff supported by an extensive volunteer ecosystem that covers all 43 passages through the Trail Steward segment adoption program and the Trail Angels support network. Its technology platform centers on a custom GIS-based interactive trail map (built in ArcGIS by GIS Director Aaron Seifert) integrated with the FarOut mobile navigation app, Avenza Maps, Google Earth (KMZ), Salesforce-based volunteer and member portals, and a Google Sheets-maintained Trail Angel Database.

The ATA's product surface spans digital and physical resources: the FarOut app at $24.99 (offline-capable), a 126-map topographic set at $45, member-only databooks, a free Day Hiker's Guide, and a Trail Completion Award program for finishers. Programs include youth initiatives (Seeds of Stewardship, Gear Girls, Junior Explorers, Jovenes Guardabosques, Gateway Community Camps), the VETS program for military veterans (with the new Operation Freedom March initiative), Trail Skills Institute training, and branded merchandise (AZT Sun Hoodies, pollinator-themed Neck Gaiters). Recent capital investment includes a third 1,500-gallon remote rainwater collector installed in December 2025.

The ATA's business model is a hybrid of recurring membership revenue ($5/month or $35/year), tax-deductible individual and organizational donations (including a dedicated Arizona Trail Fund seeded at $500,000 in 2006), one-time product sales (maps, app, merchandise, printed Day Hiker's Guide at $35), and grants/funding tied to its nonprofit status. Distribution occurs primarily through the ATA website, the FarOut app stores, gateway community partners along the trail, and 25+ federal, state, county, private, conservation, and user-group partnerships.

Name

Arizona Trail Association

Legal name

Arizona Trail Association

Website

https://aztrail.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Arizona Trail Association is a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Utah, supporting hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians through volunteer Trail Stewards, the FarOut mobile app, mapping resources, youth and veteran programs, and a member- and donation-funded operating model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation and Trail Stewardship Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts) (THAAAGAE), Equipment Rental & Outfitter Services (Camping Gear, Boats, Bikes, Mobility Aids) (THAAAGAG), Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

Keywords

• Trail stewardship
• Outdoor recreation
• Conservation nonprofit
• Volunteer trail maintenance
• National scenic trail

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson, AZ

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: Individual membership providing access to premium digital content, physical goodies, and discounts to partner businesses. Membership starts at $5/month or $35/year with minimum 1-year commitment.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting trail maintenance and construction. Donations can be directed to specific programs (Seeds of Stewardship, Gear Girls, VETS). The ATA is a 501(c)(3) organization.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including AZT Sun Hoodies and neck gaiters designed by local artists, plus specialty items through the online store.
4. Map and Publication Sales: Sale of topographic map sets (126 maps) as printed sets for $45 or digital downloads. Members receive free digital versions. The Day Hikers Guide is available as a free digital download for members or $35 printed.
5. Mobile App Revenue: FarOut mobile app download fee of $24.99 for comprehensive trail navigation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Arizona Trail Association stewards and promotes the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail through volunteer Trail Steward coverage of all 43 passages, navigation resources (FarOut app, interactive GIS map, 126-map topo set, databooks), youth and veteran engagement programs, and merchandise. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded primarily by individual memberships ($5/month or $35/year), tax-deductible donations, map and merchandise sales, and the FarOut app download fee.

Product overview

The Arizona Trail Association offers the Arizona National Scenic Trail as its core product—an 800-mile non-motorized trail from Mexico to Utah. Digital products include the FarOut mobile app for navigation and the Trail Angel Database for trail support services. Print and digital cartographic products include topo maps (126 maps, $45 printed or free for members) and databooks. The association operates youth programs (Seeds of Stewardship, Gear Girls, Junior Explorers, Jovenes Guardabosques, Gateway Community Camps), the VETS Program for military veterans, and Trail Skills Institute for volunteer training. Merchandise includes branded items like sun hoodies and neck gaiters. Membership ($5/month or $35/year) provides access to member-only resources including digital maps, databooks, and discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Program
• FarOut Mobile App
• Topographic Map Set
• Day Hiker's Guide
• ATA Branded Merchandise
• Arizona State Land Recreation Permit

Quantifiable outcome

• Wildlife and Recreation Study conducted 2017-2023
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coronado National MemorialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management partner managing portions of the Arizona Trail, particularly Passage 1 near the Mexico border. Collaborates on trail maintenance and closures.
• Coronado National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor federal land management partner managing significant portions of the trail across multiple passages. Coordinates trail stewardship and maintenance activities.
• Saguaro National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Park Service partner managing Passage 9 (Rincon Mountains). Coordinates permits and trail access within the park.
• Grand Canyon National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages Passages 37-39 through the Grand Canyon. Coordinates permits, closures, and trail access for the iconic canyon crossing.
• Tonto National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management partner managing Central passages including Superstition Wilderness, Four Peaks, and Mazatzal Divide areas.
• Coconino National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management partner managing passages around Flagstaff, including the San Francisco Peaks and Anderson Mesa areas.
• Kaibab National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management partner managing northern passages including Kaibab Plateau sections and the Buckskin Mountain terminus at Utah.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management partner managing portions of the trail including Gila River Canyons passage and the terminus at Buckskin Mountain.
• Arizona State Parks (Oracle State Park)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner managing Passage 13 through Oracle State Park, coordinating trail access and stewardship.
• Arizona State Land DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages Arizona State Trust Lands, with a 15-foot right-of-way obtained for the trail to cross approximately 91 miles of state trust land.
• Pima County Conservation Lands & ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partner managing trail passages through Pima County including Las Cienegas and Las Colinas areas.
• Pinal County Open Space and Trails DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partner managing trail passages through Pinal County including portions of the Tortilla Mountains.
• Arizona State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that collaborated with the ATA from 2017-2023 on a comprehensive wildlife and recreation study using 59 camera traps throughout the state.
• Arizona Conservation CorpscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConservation corps that conducts trail maintenance and construction projects, often funded through the Arizona Trail Fund.
• Arizona Wildlife FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner that co-sponsored the Fiscal Impact of Transferring Federal Lands to Arizona report.
• The Nature ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner that co-sponsored the Fiscal Impact of Transferring Federal Lands to Arizona report.
• Babbitt RanchescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate ranch partner managing trail passage through Babbitt Ranch property on the Coconino Plateau.
• Tucson Off Road Cyclists and Activists (TORCA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal mountain biking organization that partners with ATA for trail maintenance events and advocates for mountain biker access.
• Southern Arizona Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional mountain biking organization that collaborates on trail stewardship for mountain bike-accessible passages.
• Southern Arizona Hiking ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHiking organization with members who serve as Trail Stewards and participate in trail maintenance activities.
• FlagstaffBiking.orgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlagstaff-based cycling organization that maintains trail segments and advocates for mountain biking on the AZT.
• Tucson Saddle ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquestrian organization that partners with ATA for trail maintenance and supports horseback riding on the trail.
• Arizona Conservation CorpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquestrian organization partnering on trail stewardship and maintenance activities.
• El Grupo Youth CyclingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth cycling organization with members serving as Trail Stewards for Passage 2 near Parker Canyon Lake.
• FarOut (formerly Atlas Guides/Guthook)coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform provider for the AZT mobile app that provides GPS navigation, water sources, trail conditions, and community comments.
• Bikepacking Roots, IMBA, PeopleForBikescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations that advocated for the BOLT Act and work on long-distance bike trail development including the Arizona Trail.
• Borderlands Restoration NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestoration organization that serves as a land agency partner for wildlife corridor passages.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Crest Trail Association: The PCTA stewards the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and operates with a similar model of volunteer Trail Stewards, membership programs, donations, and digital navigation products. Most directly comparable as another National Scenic Trail stewardship nonprofit.
• Florida Trail Association: Volunteer-driven nonprofit managing the 1,500-mile Florida Trail with comparable chapter-based stewardship, membership model, and map/guide product offerings—closely parallel to ATA's operating approach.
• Ice Age Trail Alliance: The IATA builds and maintains the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin using a similar volunteer-segment-adoption model, membership programs, and federal partnership structure—directly comparable in scale and operations.
• Continental Divide Trail Coalition: The CDTC stewards the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail using a parallel nonprofit framework of volunteers, partnerships with USFS, and digital navigation resources—making it a close functional peer to ATA.
• Pacific Northwest Trail Association: PNTA stewards the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail with an analogous nonprofit structure: volunteer maintenance, donor-supported budget, digital trail resources, and federal land management coordination.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: The ATC manages the 2,194-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail through a comparable nonprofit model relying on membership, donations, volunteer trail maintainers, and partnerships with federal land agencies. Same National Scenic Trail category with overlapping operating model.
• Friends of the Mountain State Trail (NC): Volunteer nonprofit stewarding the Mountains-to-Sea Trail across North Carolina with a comparable membership/donation model, volunteer trail maintenance, and digital resources—functionally parallel to ATA though at smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Trust: National nonprofit focused on land acquisition and conservation for parks and trails, addressing protected-area visitor services adjacent to ATA's mission but operating across many sites rather than a single trail.
• American Hiking Society: National nonprofit advocating for trails and outdoor recreation broadly across the U.S., including National Trails Day and advocacy work that complements ATA's stewardship mission at a wider portfolio scale.

Others

• The Nature Conservancy (Arizona Chapter): Major conservation nonprofit partnering with ATA on federal lands advocacy and joint reports. Adjacent rather than competitive; comparable only in conservation framing, not in trail-specific operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJGWzrwreXYf9odi_kyN7ag
• Facebookfacebook.com/Arizona.Trail.Association
• Instagraminstagram.com/aztassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arizona-trail-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arizona Trail Association