Have you ever wanted to kick off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet? Now you can at The Barefoot Trail, the first grounding park in the U.S. located in Flagstaff, Arizona. This unique park offers visitors the opportunity to experience the health benefits of walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, soil, mud, and sand.
Grounding, also known as earthing, is the practice of walking barefoot on natural surfaces to absorb the earth’s natural energy. This ancient tradition is gaining popularity in the U.S., with millions of people learning about the benefits of grounding through social media platforms like TikTok.
The Barefoot Trail not only provides grounding trails but also offers therapeutic programs such as Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare and Wilderness Therapy. These programs use nature and experiential education to help individuals heal from emotional, developmental, and relational struggles.
The calming effects of nature combined with the grounding experience have been found to have numerous health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, boosting immune function, reducing stress, and improving mood. The Barefoot Trail has six core values that make it a unique destination for visitors of all ages.
One of the core values of The Barefoot Trail is exercise. Physical activity is essential for overall health, and the park provides a natural, forested environment where visitors can unplug, exercise, and have fun. Regular walking is encouraged by the medical community for its cardiovascular benefits.
Another core value is the reflexology path, which stimulates blood flow and enhances the senses by connecting visitors directly with the natural ground. Grounding for 20-30 minutes daily can help restore the body’s natural electrical balance, reduce stress and inflammation, and improve sleep.
Visitors to The Barefoot Trail can also learn about Coconino County’s geological and ecological history, including its volcanoes, rocks, trees, and water. The park provides children with new and challenging outdoor experiences, fostering positive attitudes, behavioral changes, problem-solving skills, and leadership development.
The Barefoot Trail advocates for land conservation by preserving the ecosystem, vegetation, and wildlife. The trail uses natural materials like stones, rock, sand, and mud to maintain the land’s natural state while providing a unique recreational experience.
Founder Leah Williams was inspired to bring the practice of grounding to the U.S. after living and traveling in Europe with her family, where grounding became an integral part of her life. Tickets for The Barefoot Trail are $10 for two hours of trail time, with proceeds going toward the development of additional grounding parks across the country.
By supporting The Barefoot Trail, visitors are not only benefiting from the health benefits of grounding but also helping to spread these benefits to others. Visit thebarefoottrail.org to learn more and purchase tickets for a unique and grounding experience in Flagstaff, Arizona.
