North American Orienteering Championships 2026
Dec. 27, 2026 - Jan. 2, 2027
Preliminary Schedule
Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
Sun Dec 27 | Model event for forest terrain | Texas Canyon |
Mon Dec 28 | Middle | Texas Canyon |
Tue Dec 29 | Long | Texas Canyon |
Wed Dec 30 | Relay | Texas Canyon |
Th Dec 31 | Rest day | |
Fri Jan 1 | Sprint | Old Bisbee |
Sat Jan 2 | Knockout Sprint | Tucson |
Registration and Fees
Stay Tuned!
Embargoed Areas
In accordance with IOF Competition Rules, the following embargoes apply for all competitors, team officials, and any other persons who may influence the results. Any breach of the embargo rules may result in disqualification. See the NAOC 2026 Emargoed Areas Google Map for a detailed view of embargoed areas.
Texas Canyon
The following areas are strictly embargoed:
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Amerind Foundation/Texas Canyon Nature Preserve property north of the Museum
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Triangle T Ranch beyond guest quarters
The embargo is lifted after the completion of the Relay competition on December 30th, 2026.
Old Bisbee
The following rules apply to the area of Bisbee known as Old Bisbee.
Until 26 December 2026:
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Entry to Old Bisbee is forbidden for all affected persons.
26 December 2026 – 1 January 2027:
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Competitors may enter Old Bisbee only as ordinary visitors, for purposes such as accommodation, dining, and shopping.
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No orienteering activity is permitted, including but not limited to training, testing route choices, using orienteering maps, systematic terrain inspection, or any action intended to gain knowledge relevant to the competition.
The embargo is lifted after the completion of the Sprint competition on January 1st, 2027, following the expiration of the protest period.
Tucson and the University of Arizona
The following areas are under string embargo until after the Knockout Sprint:
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The main campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, bounded by Speedway Blvd, Campbell Ave., Park Ave., and 6th St.
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Downtown Tucson, bounded by I-10 to the west, 17th St. to the south, 4th Ave and the railroad tracks to the east, and 6th St. to the North. Exception: Competitors may arrive to Tucson by bus or train and proceed to the their accommodations outside of the embargoed area by public transit or personal vehicle.
See the NAOC 2026 Embargoed Areas Google Map for a detailed view of embargoed areas.
The embargoes apply only to those wishing to compete in the competitive/medal classes for NAOC 2026. Local orienteers who wish to participate in a recreational class at NAOC may do so even if they enter the embargoed areas.
Logistics
All events take place in southern Arizona, within a 100 minute drive of Tucson International Airport. Venues include Dragoon, Bisbee, and Tucson.
Airports
The closest major airport is Tucson International Airport (TUS). You may find more direct options and cheaper flights to Phoenix International Airport (PHX). PHX is 100 miles north of Tucson.
Event Center
The Event Center is Triangle T Guest Ranch in Dragoon, AZ. There are limited indoor accommodations at the ranch, plus ample RV and tent camping options. Competitors staying at Triangle T will be within walking distance to the start of the Middle, Long, and Relay competitions. The Sprint venue is a 70 minute drive south of Triangle T, and the Knockout Sprint venues are a 70 minute drive to the west. To reserve a casita, RV spot, or tent camping, please contact Triangle T directly.
Other Accommodations
There are several small cities and towns in southern Arizona with hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, RV sites, and camping. Dispersed (free) camping is also available at many National Forest locations, such as in the Dragoon Mountains. There is also camping available at Kartchner Caverns State Park.​​
Terrain and Maps
Texas Canyon (Middle, Long, Relay)
New ISOM 2017 map by Jon Campbell.
Texas Canyon is a beautiful valley strewn with large granite boulders located in Dragoon, AZ. The elevation, 4500-5000 ft (1370 - 1525m), and modest annual rainfall provide the right conditions for an environment with very little cactus, plenty of grass, and scattered mesquite and oak trees.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Full mapper's notes for the March 2025 event held in the model terrain.
Previous Texas Canyon map and event on Livelox.
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Old Bisbee
New ISSprOM 2019 map by Jon Campbell.
Old Bisbee is a historic mining town, and was once the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco. Today it is a quirky arts community with a high concentration of historic architecture. Built into canyon walls, the town features narrow streets, steep hills, and many staircases, as featured in the annual Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb running race. Bisbee sits at an elevation of about 5,500 ft (1,680 m), so temperatures on New Years Day may be quite cool. Snow is possible.​​​​​
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There are no previous orienteering maps of Old Bisbee.
University of Arizona
New ISSprOM 2019 map by Jon Campbell.
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The University of Arizona is a typical American college campus. The terrain is almost completely flat.
Event run on a previous version of the map on Livelox.
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Weather
Although southern Arizona has sunny weather year-round, it does cool down substantially in the winter. While the city of Tucson sits at about 2500 ft (830m), the majority of the venues are at higher elevations (4500 - 5500 ft / 1370-1690m) and often see overnight lows below freezing.
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In late December, the temperature in Dragoon and Bisbee typically range from an overnight/morning low of just above freezing to an afternoon high of 55°F/13°C. Though winter storms with snow are possible, generally the skies are blue and sunny, and the afternoon sun will make it feel warmer than it is.
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In early January, the temperature in Tucson typically ranges from 43°F/6°C to 63°F/17°C and is rarely below 34°F/1°C or above 74°F/23°C.
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The main things to be aware of are that it gets cold as soon as the sun disappears behind the horizon, and there is always a chance of rain or snow, even in the desert. Despite this, the dry air and afternoon sun can be deceivingly draining.
Courses and Classes
This event is open to all orienteers in all of the standard Orienteering USA age classes, from M/F-10 to M/F95+.
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​The Sprint, Middle, and Long are individual competitions​ and will have all age classes available, as well as recreational options.
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The Sprint Relay will have Men's and Women's National Teams competition (Senior and Junior) as well as an open/club competition.
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The Knockout Sprint will have an official Men's Elite and Women's Elite category as well as an open/recreational category.​​
This event also serves as the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) North American Orienteering Championships (NAOC), North American Junior Orienteering Championships (NAJOC), and North American Youth Orienteering Championships (NAYOC). Expand below for the nitty-gritty on eligibility and age classes. Competitors representing member Federations of the IOF, defined by the International Olympic Committee as belonging to the North American continent, can compete in the NAOC, NAJOC, and NAYOC. Competitors from Federations of the IOF outside of the North American continent can compete but will not be eligible for NAOC, NAJOC, and NAYOC titles or prizes. (See IOF Rules for details.) ​ The classes for NAOC are W21 Elite and M21 Elite. There is no age limit. ​ The classes for NAJOC are: W20: for female competitors who are no more than 20 years old on 31st December of the year of the competition.* M20: for competitors who are no more than 20 years old on 31st December of the year of the competition.* The classes for NAYOC are:  W16: for female competitors who are no more than 16 years old on 31st December of the year of the competition.* W18: for female competitors who are no more than 18 years old on 31st December of the year of the competition.* M16: for competitors who are no more than 16 years old on 31st December of the year of the competition.* M18: for competitors who are no more than 18 years old on 31st December of the year of the competition.* ​ * We have requested a rules waiver from the IOF that would allow competitors in any individual or relay events in 2027 (currently only the Sprint) to compete in their 2026 age category, rather than switching midway through the competition week.
Key Personnel
Event Director | Cristina Luis |
IOF Senior Event Advisor | Andrew Cornett |
Registrar and Timing | Valerie Meyer |
Forest Course Setting/Vetting Team | Jeff Coker, Alan Craig, Pete Wentzel, Sandy Fillebrown |
Sprint Course Setting/Vetting Team | Billie Braimah and Boris Granovskiy |
Knockout Sprint Course Setter | Boris Granovskiy and Cristina Luis |