The table on the following pages provides information from both historical data and comprehensive on-the-ground reports from AZT users. Note that natural water sources in Arizona can rapidly change; water caches may be empty; and as temperatures continue their apparent rise, water will be among the resources most profoundly affected. Trail users should always verify water sources with local authorities, such as U.S. Forest Service ranger stations, the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management offices, or Arizona Trail Association stewards. Water quality varies greatly by location, and you should always treat the water you find to reduce your risk of waterborne diseases.
Always remember that you are responsible for your own safety and hydration on the AZT, but review this chart and also check aztrail.org for regular updates.
Passage miles: Indicates points along the AZT at which water is likely—though not always certain—to be found using mileage within each individual passage, measured from south to north.
S–N miles: Indicates points at which water may be found using cumulative trail miles from the Mexico–U.S. border (mile 0.0) to the Arizona–Utah border (mile 800.0).
Location: Indicates points at which water may be found. For example, the directional notation “16 m NW” indicates that a water source is 16 miles off-trail to the northwest of the S–N mileage point.
Type: Describes the source of the water or its container. Always be prepared to find a given source empty of water or unavailable.
All natural water sources along the AZT should be purified before use.