Inner Basin Trailhead — Attraction in Four Corners States

This is one of the best hikes in Arizona- and everyone knows it, so it'll be popular and busy on summer weekends and especially during the fall aspen season.

Uses are tightly restricted (bikes, dogs, camping, etc.), so read the rules carefully and follow them.

Parking at the trailhead is free, but use of the campground is not free.

The forest service will close the gate up the mountain in the winter when it's snowing, and reopen the gate in April or May.

Two miles in, two miles back. The middle stretch through the aspens is steep but the path is level and footing is sure. The beginning and ending portions are gentle. Elevation is a factor for lowlanders; it's 10,000 feet; altitude sickness can occur. Monitor yourself for symptoms.

In the summer, midday thunderstorms are frequent. Come prepared.

With my children, I've had good luck on this trail with kids eight and up. Kids younger than that have all made it, but sometimes with struggles. I wouldn't bring a child under six on this hike,...

Went last weekend, already yellow. Loved it but definitely challenging as there is no car access to get to trail, I was able to beat the crowds by going really early, saw the sunrise on the way to the trail about 3 miles then got to the beautiful enchanted forest with yellow trees in this season. I loved it and folded was 1 day trip on my way back saw a lot more people going up. Where it would be crowded, I think it was worth it for beautiful scenery and pics but it’s challenging for non experienced hikers, took my little sister (youth) and liked it but bc of the challenging way up wouldn’t...

Great fall hike. Okay, the drive was pretty scary but everyone was very respectful and waited for oncoming traffic. It wasn't as busy as I thought which is great. I didn't think the hike was that hard, but it is on an incline. Once you get to the inner basin which I like to call the "aspen wonderland" you truly feel like you're on a different hike. Nothing but beautiful golden leaves that were all over. The trees still had leaves when I went two weeks ago. Took my pup. Had a great time. Nothing like the...