In today’s digital world, sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is spend time outside sans any screens. Located just outside of Flagstaff in Bellemont, just off Interstate 40, the Barefoot Trail encourages visitors to do just that. The Barefoot Trail, which has been open since 2024, claims to be the first of its kind in the United States. True to its name, visitors remove their shoes and walk on a maintained outdoor trail to fully experience the paved trail underneath their bare feet. Barefoot Trail Foundation Founder Leah Williams dreamed up this concept when her children completed a similar trail in the Netherlands, where they were living. She also had fond childhood memories of playing outdoors barefoot. About 15 years later, that idea became a reality.
“I just absolutely fell in love with the concept of the experience. I loved the joy, the happiness that everyone there was experiencing, and it was all ages. To see grandma and grandpa there with the grandkids and multi-generational groups. I thought, ‘Wow. What a really unique, great experience to have together,’” says Leah. “It is important for us to be out in nature, touching, thriving, moving, connecting our bodies with nature.” Last year, about 23,000 people walked along the Barefoot Trail during its five-month-long season. The trail is roughly one mile long and has about 35 different adventure stations, like a natural log balance beam, and reflexology segments. This is the park’s third season. Over time, Leah has added things like yoga classes and education packets, available for purchase. Live bands also play. Although some are (understandably) hesitate to walk on the trail barefoot, the trail is sanded and manicured every morning for two hours. Guests can keep their shoes on, but they’re encouraged to at least try it. They’re given backpacks to carry their shoes.
Leah is hoping the idea will grow. The Barefoot Trail Foundation is a nonprofit, and the money raised from the trail goes toward helping other communities build their own barefoot parks. Another barefoot park is currently underway in Lawrence, Kansas. She wants others to make memories. “When people look back on their childhood, they always have five or 10 different major experiences that they had. I would like the park to be one of them, if I can make that difference in our community,” says Williams. “Being in nature is good for everyone.” – Teresa K. Traverse
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