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There are a couple of great resources that helped put these "to do" pages together.
Items with stars are places we have actually been - many more than once! We didn't rate them because we loved them all! We are so fortunate that our country keeps our national treasures as non-commercial as possible and as pristine as it can!
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| Things To Do:: National Parks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The National Park Services has done a tremendous job in Arizona preserving all the natural beauty and history. The various ruins make remarkable visits. The Following are brief descriptions of the attractions that are part of the National Park Service. Please visit this map of the National Parks, Monuments, Forests, Sites and Areas in Arizona to see where these parks are in relation to the city you are visiting.
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National Parks: The Grand Canyon - located near Williams. AZ 64 north takes you to the South The Grand Canyon is a site that shouldn't be missed. As one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, its beauty is unsurpassed. The park includes 277 miles of the winding Colorado River. There is a free shuttle service to get to the West Rim during the peak season (between Memorial Day and Labor Day). In the off season, visitors may drive to this site. There are many activities once in the park. If you are adventurous, you can hike down into the canyon for either an overnight trip or a day trip. If you prefer, you can join a mule team to make your way to the bottom or ride the rapids down the river. Once at the bottom of the canyon, explore and find the many waterfalls and other beautiful features. The park includes campgrounds and lodges, including Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. Please make reservations to assure yourself a place to stay, even in the off season. For more information: 928.638.7888 Petrified Forest National Park - Located just 25 miles east of Holbrook on I-40. As another must see in Arizona, this park contains the largest find of 160 million-year-old forest of petrified wood in the world. The same area also boasts the Painted Desert which displays a beautiful array of color against a desert backdrop. There is a 28 mile road which winds through the park. Keep in mind that it is illegal to take ANY petrified wood, fossil, relic or plant material. Be sure to visit the Rainbow Forest Museum at the south entrance to the park. For more information: 928.524.6228 Saguaro National Park - (pronounced: suh-wahr-oh) Boasts both an East and West Park. You will find the East park entrance just 16 miles east of Tucson by taking I-10 to Broadway or Speedway east to Freeman Rd. Turn right on Old Spanish Trail, then left to the park entrance. The West Park is accessible by taking I-10 to Speedway west (will turn into Gates Pass Rd.). When you come to Kinney Rd, turn right to the park entrance. These parks present over 83,000 acres of the most unusual and visually identifiable giant saguaro cactus. Visiting the park in May and June will give you a spectacular view of the forest in bloom. There are visitor centers in both parks featuring slide shows, museum exhibits, gardens and of course a gift shop. There are also hiking trails, back country camping and scenic drives at both locations. For more information: 520.733.5153 (East) or 520.733.5158 (West) National Park Services: Saguaro National Park National Monuments: Canyon de Chelly National Monument - located in the heart of the Navajo reservation, this 26-mile canyon of beauty can be found just east of Chinle from AZ 191 in north central Arizona. You will find an amazing sandstone canyon with walls that soar a thousand feet from the canyon floor, Indian ruins dating from 350-1300 A.D., and Navajo families summering with their grazing sheep within the canyon. The canyon may be toured by auto, hiking and horseback riding. There are areas of ancient pictographs, interpretive exhibits and talks as well as opportunities for picnicking and photography. If you would like to explore areas other than the White House Ruins Trail, you'll need a Navajo guide. You may also ride through the bottom of the canyon in a four-wheel drive vehicle if accompanied by a guide. For more information: 928.674.5500 Casa Grande Ruins National Monument - is found South of Phoenix just 1 mile north of Coolidge off AZ 87. These ruins are what remains of a four-story building and apartment house For more information: 520.723.3172 Chiricahua National Monument - can be found 36 miles southeast of Wilcox off AZ 181. Volcanic activity formed the rock formation you will find here millions of years ago, much different than the sandstone you see at Canyon de Chelly. The Chiricahua Mountains rise from the desert to create a biologically diverse area where the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts meet. The Rocky Mountains and Mexico's northern Sierra Modres join here as well. There is a visitor's center along with campgrounds and hiking trails. As you are hiking and/or bird watching (a great place to do so) you will find this area to be exquisite. On occasion, visitors have spotted Javelina, coatamundi, skunks, white-tailed deer, bears and mountain lions, as they make their homes here. Hummingbirds, orioles, tanager, restarts, warblers and grosbeaks can be spotted frequently if you keep your eyes to the trees and shrubs. A visit to Faraway Ranch will give you a taste of pioneer life - furnished with historic artifacts. For more information: 520.824.3560 xt 302 Montezuma's Castle National Monument - is North of Phoenix, just 5 miles An additional part of this Monument is located 7 miles to the north also off of I-17. Visiting Montezuma's Castle National Monument gives you free admission to Montezuma's Well National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument if you visit on the same day. They are in close proximity of each other. For more information: 928.567.3322 Navajo National Monument - Can be found 9 miles north of Black Mesa Junction on AZ 564 right on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona. This monument displays some of the best remains of Anazai ruins on the Colorado Plateau. Betatakin and Keet Seel are open when the weather permits, but Inscription House is closed because of its fragile condition. These cliff dwellings have been dated from seven centuries ago. Even though it is open year round, snowfall is about 60 inches in the winter. The Monument only issues 20 permits for the Keet Seel (17 miles) hike and 25 permits for the more difficult (strenuous) Betatakin (5 miles)hike each day. You can also view Betatakin from an overlook with an easy 1 mile walk. For more information: 928.672.2700 Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - can be found just 22 miles south of Why and is named for the cactus found here that looks like the pipes from a pipe organ. This area is a perfect example of the Sonoran desert. Keep your eyes open because there are six kinds of rattlesnakes living here. Visitors also report seeing Gila monsters and scorpions in this desert landscape. There is a 21 mile Ajo Mountain Drive and a 53 mile Puerto Blanco Drive that take you across the harsh but amazing desert. The roads are well maintained. On the Puerto Blanco Drive you will reach Quitobaquito which lends itself well to bird watching. If you visit on the third Saturday in March, the Tohono O'Odham Celebration will help you to understand some of Arizona's diverse Native American culture with traditional arts and crafts - basket making, pottery, desert farming, dancing and story telling. For More Information: 520.387.6849 xt. 0 Pipe Spring National Monument is a desert oasis located in the Arizona Strip 14 miles southwest of Fredonia off AZ 389. There are four springs located nearby which drew the Pueblo and Paiute Indians here for centuries. Later, the Mormons built a fort on this site. This fort is well -preserved along with the many other structures that were built in the early 1870's. Because of the springs, there are many birds who are lured to the area, making summer a great time to visit. For More Information: 928.643.7105 Sunset Crater National Monument is located just 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff just off US 89. Sunset Crater is a cinder cone that rises 1,000 feet above the surface and was formed before 1100 AD. This volcano is the most recent example of an active volcano within the Colorado Plateau. Unfortunately, hiking and climbing are prohibited because of the fragile cones of this volcano. There are other cinder cones in the area that are accessible. It can be very windy here and the area is known for its rapidly changing temperature changes. Lava Flow Trail is a self guided loop only a third of a mile long. Lenox Crater Trail provides access to cinder cones. Please be careful, as the lava is very sharp, brittle and unstable. For More Information: 928.526.0502 Tonto National Monument is 28 miles northwest of Globe just off AZ 88 at the For More Information: 928.467.2241 Tuzigoot National Monument is west of I-17. Take Exit 287 west on AZ 260 to Cottonwood. Take Main Street north towards Clarkdale Tuzigoot is an interesting For More Information: 928.634.5564 Walnut Canyon National Monument is East of Flagstaff off I-40, at Exit 204 go These ruins were also of the Sinagua Indians. and you can really see the masonry skills of these people on this walk. This picture shows the handprints of the Sinagua's when they crafted their homes. This area is both serene and beautiful and you are able to get close to the ruins from 800 years ago on this walk. For More Information: 928.526.3367 Wupatki National Monument - just 12 miles north of Flagstaff off US 89. Turn For More Information: 928.679.2365 National Historic Sites Fort Bowie National Historic Site - 12 miles south of Bowie on I-10 includes adobe buildings constructed in 1862 to secure the Apache Pass. This fort was the military base that operated against Geronimo and the Apaches. This site can be reached from a rugged 1.5 hiking trail For more information: 520.847.2500 Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site - 1 mile west of Ganado. When John Lorenzo Hubbell began trading with the Navajo Indians in 1876 at this site, he gained the respect of the Indians and often acted in their behalf. The trading post was operated by the Hubbell family until the National Park Service purchased it in 1967. Today, the post serves Native American residents as well as tourists. There is a wonderful display of crafts and you will often hear the Navajo language in use. For more information: 928.755.3475 National Forests: Apache Sitgreaves National Forest - A two million acre forest in For more information: 928.333.4301 Coconino National Forest - is located near Flagstaff and offers 1.8 million For more information: 928.527.3600 Coronado National Forest - is scattered throughout southern Arizona. More than 1.7 million acres covering Southern Arizona and New Mexico. Including both hot, arid desert and cool pine elevation within less than an hour of each other. Rolling grasslands and conifer forests in elevations ranging from 2,400 to 10,500 feet. There are twelve mountain ranges which are sometimes referred to as "sky islands" because of the way they rise from the desert floor. For more information: 520.388.8300 Kaibab National Forest - is in North/Central Arizona and borders both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon. The Kaibab Forest covers more than 1.6 million acres with elevations ranging from 5,000 to 10,418 feet at Kendrick Peak. With outstanding views and scenery, Elk, mule deer, antelope, turkey, coyote are commonly seen amongst the unusual geologic formations. Occasionally mountain lions, black bear and bobcats are seen. For more information: 928.635.8208 Prescott National Forest - is best described as nearly 1.25 million acres of For more information: 928.443.8001 Tonto National Forest - is one of the largest forests in America. Covering nearly The Apache Trail Scenic Byway is included in this forest featuring rich history and scenery. Parts of the Verde River have been designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Most areas are open to camping and there are many developed campgrounds along the way. For more information: 602.225.5200 National Memorials: Coronado National Memorial - Is near the Mexican border just west of AZ 92. Recognizing Francisco Vasquez Coronado's first major European expedition into the American Southwest, this memorial lies on the U.S.-Mexico border within sight of the San Pedro River Valley. There is a small museum featuring both authentic and replica 16th Century arms and armor as well as amazing views of the area. For more information: 520.366.5515 National Recreation Areas: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - is the area surrounding Lake Powell. Glen Canyon was flooded to form the second largest man-made lake in the country. Part of the Colorado River system, Lake Powell supports houseboats, sailboats and other motorboats. The recreation area covers hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to Orange Cliffs of southern Utah. Summers are very hot there because of very little shade. You will find exhibits at the visitor centers featuring the construction of the dam, history of the area during the Ice Age, and the dinosaurs who once lived in the area. Native Americans, pioneers, geology and slot canyons are also discussed. For more information: 928.608.6200 Lake Mead National Recreation Area - is the area surrounding both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in the country. Four desert ecosystems meet here: the Mohave, Great Basin and the Sonoran Desert. Bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, kit foxes, bobcats, ringtail cats, desert tortoise and peregrine falcon can be found here. This area is a great place for all water sports, hiking and camping. For more information: 702.293.8906 National Historic Parks: Tuacacori National Historic Parks - was originally a mission founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1697 and is found 3 miles south of Tubac. The mission was later administered by the Franciscans. Spanish culture was introduced to southern Arizona's indigenous people here. Today you will see a massive adobe ruin built in the early 1800's. Dioramas, santos and objects related to the Kino missions in the area are also on display. During the winter months, you can join a guided tour. You will also enjoy local and Mexican artisans demonstrating traditional crafts. The first weekend in December features the Fiesta at Tumacacori. In April and October, a traditional High Mass is held. you will need advance reservations for the Masses. For more information: 520.398.2341 |
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Resources: "Day Outings From Phoenix on a Tank Of Gas" - Authors - Kay and Tom Sanger "Sedona's Top 10 Hikes" - Author - Dennis Andres (AKA Mr. Sedona) "Day Hikes, Trail and Rides in and around Phoenix" - Authors Roger and Ethel Freeman Arizona Highway's - "The Insiders Arizona Guidebook" |
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canyons and desert scrub have a beauty all their own.
Rim. AZ 67, 45 miles south of Jacob Lake will take you to the North Rim. The South Rim is accessible throughout the winter most years. There may be an occasion or two where the roads are inaccessible, but not often - however, the temperatures can be very cold so bundle up in the winter months! The North Rim is generally inaccessible throughout the winter months as the temperatures are cooler and has more precipitation.
that was built by the Hohokam Indian farmers 600 years ago. This remaining structure is one of the largest prehistoric finds ever built in North America. The Casa Grande Ruins also represent the nations first archaeological preserve. Very apparent evidence of their irrigation canals and village make for wonderful photo opportunities.
end of the Apache Trail.. These cliff dwellings are very well preserved and were occupied by the Salado Indians during the 13th and 14th century and overlook Roosevelt Lake. Roosevelt Lake wasn't there for the Salado people as Roosevelt Lake is a man made lake within the Salt River system. These ruins are located within a wonderful example of the Sonoran Desert landscape. Springtime brings a spectacular display of flora.
example of an ancient village built by the Sinagua Indians. The pueblo has 110 rooms, including second and third story structures and sits up on a hill overlooking the surrounding area and Verde River and Tavasci Marsh. The earliest rooms are believed to have been built around 1000 AD. The Sinaua people were farmers and traders. They left the Verde Valley around 1400 AD, and no one is quite sure why or where they went next. When visiting, be sure to take the trail to the Tavasci Marsh to enjoy the quiet habitat for birds and wildlife. Remember, you can visit Montezuma's Well and Montezuma's Castle all on the same visitor pass if you visit on the same day. 
7.5 miles east, then 3 miles south. These ruins are built into the canyon's limestone walls so far from the canyon floor that you wonder how they farmed and raised their children. Visitors approach from the top of the canyon, and the park has built a pathway to part of the ruins called the Island Trail, but be aware, there are many steps to climb. 
right at Sunset Crater Volcano/Wupatki National Monument. The visitor center is 14 miles from here. Ancient Indian farmers lived in this area around the San Francisco Peaks. Both the Sinagua and Anasazi were in this region until 1200 A.D. There are about 2000 archaeological sites scattered within the monument. You can take the drive through the monument then walk a short way to the sites.
Central/Eastern Arizona that encompasses mountain country along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains. There are 24 lakes and reservoirs and more than 450 miles of rivers and streams. The main supply route for U.S. Army forts in New Mexico and Arizona, the General Crook Trail, runs through the forest. If you are looking for backcountry adventure, this forest includes Mount Baldy, Escudilla, and Bear Wallow Wildernesses as well as the Blue Range Primitive Area. 
acres for hiking, backpacking, trail riding for both horses and bikes, camping, picnic grounds, boating and fishing. Winter months bring snowshoeing, cross-country and alpine skiing. The most interesting part of the Coconino National Forest is the distinct environments. From volcanic highlands with their high country mountain forests and meadows to the plateau country with wide open spaces featuring many lakes. From the Mogollon Rim with its lush forest and long steep cliffs to the desert canyon country with deep wilderness gorges. No discussion of the Coconino National Forest is complete without the mention of the unique red rock country near Sedona. Elevations in this area reach as high as 12,643 feet at the top of the San Francisco Peaks. 
relief from the heat of the desert below. Including year-round camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, scenic drives, mountain climbing, hiking and horseback riding, this ponderosa forest is a beautiful site to behold. 
three million acres of rugged, scenic landscapes this forest takes you from cactus-studded desert to pine forested mountains. Elevations here range from 1,300 to 8,000 feet. There are six man-made reservoirs on the Salt and Verde Rivers as well as the rivers that flow into them offering boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, rafting and tubing. White water rafting is found along the upper stretches of the Salt River. | Jay Otlewski, REALTOR® |
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