For most trips into Aravaipa Canyon, we recommend a wide-brimmed hat, a lightweight button-down hiking or fishing shirt, sunglasses, lightweight hiking pants or shorts, and footwear that drains well.
The basic idea is simple: dress for sun & heat, repeated creek crossings, brush, and changing temperatures—not for staying perfectly dry.
Our basic Aravaipa clothing system
Having done over 60 trips into the canyon in all seasons and conditions, this is what we wear on most trips:
- Wide-brimmed hat, ideally with a ventilated crown
- Lightweight button-down hiking or fishing shirt
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight hiking pants or shorts
- Closed-toe, non-waterproof hiking shoes or trail runners, as described in our Aravaipa footwear guide
Key idea: It’s about airflow and ventilation
Aravaipa can get hot. For warm-weather trips, we prioritize clothing that gives us ways to dump heat.
That means loose-fitting fabrics, ventilation, and clothing that can be adjusted as conditions change.
This is one reason we prefer a lightweight button-down hiking or fishing shirt over a sun hoodie.
With a button-down, you can:
- Roll up the sleeves
- Open the collar
- Wear the collar up to protect your neck (no need for a bandana!)
- Unbutton the front for more airflow
- Button everything back up when you want more sun or brush protection
A sun hoodie works, but it gives you fewer options.
Wide-brimmed hat
We prefer a wide-brimmed hat to a baseball cap or hood.
It shades the face, ears, and neck while leaving plenty of airflow around your head.
Even better: get one with a ventilated crown.
Aravaipa has lots of shade, but there are also plenty of exposed sections where the Arizona sun is intense.
Pants or shorts?
Either works.
We usually choose lightweight hiking pants or shorts depending on the temperature.
Pants give you better protection from sun, brush, and scratches–remember that Aravaipa doesn’t really have an established trail, so bushwhacking is part of the day. Shorts are cooler.
Whichever you choose, lightweight and quick-drying is more important than anything else.
We would avoid jeans or other heavy cotton clothing.
Expect to get wet
You will be walking through Aravaipa Creek repeatedly.
Your shoes will get wet. Your lower legs will get wet. Occasionally more of you will get wet.
Don’t build your clothing system around trying to prevent that.
Wear things that are comfortable when damp and dry reasonably quickly.
For footwear specifically, see our Shoes & Footwear for Aravaipa Canyon guide.
What about cold weather?
Winter is different.
The creek is cold, and parts of the canyon can stay shaded for much of the day.
We still use the same basic clothing system, but add insulation based on the forecast: typically a fleece or light insulated jacket, plus a warm hat and gloves when needed.
For cold creek crossings, we also recommend neoprene socks.
The short version
For most Aravaipa trips:
Wide-brimmed hat + lightweight button-down shirt + sunglasses + lightweight pants or shorts + non-waterproof hiking shoes.
Prioritize airflow, ventilation, sun protection, and quick-drying materials.
Keep it simple.
