After a arduous 40-mile trek through the Grand Canyon, I took off my hiking boots to test out America’s first earthmoving park. To my surprise, my battered feet liked it.
Published July 20, 2026 12:38 pm
After a grueling 40-mile trek into the Grand Canyon during a heat wave in June, my legs were completely exhausted. It’s a path as old as time as hikers – no matter how worn out our feet get, our tried-and-true shoes inevitably find a new, fresh patch of skin for the blister. The three of us in our group ended up with more than a dozen blisters on our faces during the four days we spent wandering in, out, and around Havasu Falls.
So, when we were expected to take a walk on the Barefoot Trail near Flagstaff, Arizona, we were initially less than excited. To our surprise – and relief – the cool, pine cone-laden forest floor was exactly what our tootsies needed.
Its founders promote it barefoot path As the first grounding trail in the United States. Grounding, or “earthing”, is considered by some to be a therapeutic practice that involves directly touching bare feet to the ground. Previous research is told Grounding may help with inflammation and autoimmune diseases, and may also help you sleep better.
The plot is simple: Take off your shoes, dip your toes in the mud, and let your feet surrender to the sensations of the surrounding ponderosa pine forest. The one-mile manicured trail is filled with muddy foot baths, rainbow ribbon tunnels, kid-sized ziplines, and a handful of gnomes that, if you count them correctly, will net you a secret prize at the end of your journey.
Well, this is undoubtedly a venture for younger children and school groups—but you’re only as old as you feel, right?
The Barefoot Trail Foundation, which maintains the trail, is a non-profit dedicated to getting families out for exercise and setting themselves on manicured trails.
“We’re starting a barefoot revolution,” park manager Betzy Spiro told me. “We have a bunch of adventure stations, reflexology sections; it’s a way to connect with nature and disconnect from all the chaos of the world.”
For those like me whose feet couldn’t bear the thought of wearing confining shoes for yet another outdoor excursion, the Barefoot Trail was a welcome respite. Wading in the cool water and smelling the fresh Arizona air during a rain storm was exactly what my friends and I needed – a way to relax, unwind, and be present with each other in a low-energy, low-risk environment.
Crews clear the trail every morning, but be aware that you may encounter rocks or pokey pinecones along the way. Walking barefoot, with all its potential aches and pains, requires attention and awareness of the environment around you – and that’s the whole point of the Barefoot Trail.
In addition to sensory stimulation, Barefoot Trail also features monthly live music and food trucks.
Barefoot Trail Travel Tips
The park is located at an altitude of 7,200 feet, so be prepared for various weather conditions. It started out as a bluebird day when we arrived, but storms quickly moved through the area.
Book your tour in advance. Tickets reserved online are $12 for children ages three to 17 and $14 for adults. Same-day walkup tickets are $15 per person. Groups of ten or more can call for a $10 discount per person.
The park is open from May to October. Get up early in the morning, before the sun heats up the exposed sections of the trail. Bring a backpack stocked with water and snacks, and consider bringing a pair of sandals for more strategic parts of the park.
we stayed at Village Camp FlagstaffAn outdoor resort offering luxury RV sites and cabin rentals. This camp is located about a mile down the road from the Barefoot Trail and offers family-friendly amenities like cornhole, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and pickleball courts.
