THE GREAT STATE OF ARIZONA
(aah, but it's a dry heat)
Arizona has so much to offer. There are many things to do and see. I will list here the many places to visit if you like to travel and see the great outdoors. Arizona is very rich in the Native American
culture. There are fabulous ruins of these beautiful people throughout
the state where you can learn about their culture and buy their
wonderful works of art such as pottery, sand paintings, jewelry and
so forth. If you're the outdoor type we have many wonderful places
to go boating, fishing and camping. You can go to our desert lakes
or go up high in the mountains and the pine trees and see the real
beauty of God's handiwork. (My personal favorite)
Enjoy and have a great day!!!
Are you ready? Ok, let's hit the road!
Want to know what's going on in Arizona right now?
Where to go and what to do?
A wonderful magazine with beautiful pictures and lots of information about Arizona.
Here is a wonderful link to National Parks all over the US.
Here are some fun places to visit in Arizona.
ALAMO LAKE
Located 38 miles north of Wenden. This is a desert lake which features a 500 acre fishing and watersport area. It sits on a 4900 acre park which provides facilities for camping and RV's. There have been some really big large and small mouth bass caught at this lake.
APACHE TRAIL
This begins at Apache Junction, which is 34 miles east of Phoenix. This is the world famous trail that winds through rugged mountain scenery to Globe. Some portions of this trail are very narrow. Along with the scenery, you will enjoy seeing high dams and several lakes where you can go boating and fishing.
ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM
Located in the Tucson Mountains 16 miles west of Tucson. It features exhibits of desert flora and fauna and some interesting animals and critters. They also have nature trails you can enjoy. This has always been a popular place to see, especially for our out of state visitors.
CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located in northeastern Arizona, this is one of the most beautiful places I have visited. It is rugged canyon country and contains many old Indian ruins. They do offer tours where they take you to the canyon bottom. Or if you prefer, you can drive the scenic route at the top of the canyon and still see the ruins from a distance. The ruins of the Indian villages were built between A.D. 350 and 1300. You will see villages in canyon walls, at the base of the sheer red cliffs and in caves. You will also see modern Navajo farms and homes. You can camp, picnic, take a hiking tour, and visit the museum.
CASA GRANDE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located on Highway 87, halfway between Phoenix and Tucson at the town of Coolidge. The four story ruins were constructed by Indians who farmed the Gila Valley 600 years ago. They offer picnicking, a self-guided trail, guided tours, a visitor center and museum. This is a day use area only.
CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 36 miles southeast of Wilcox off route 186. Chiricahua Mountains rise steeply from the desert floor offering many varied rock formations that were created millions of years ago by volcano activity. They offer picnicking, campgrouds, a senic drive, self-guided trails, hiking, and a visitor center.
COLOSSIAL CAVE
Located 28 miles southeast of Tucson in the town of Vail. One of the state's limsestone wonders. You will take a tour through this cave system and see stalactites and stalagmites and other different formations.
FORT HUACHUCA
This was an important territorial outpost. Now it's a strategic communications base for the U.S. Army. Museum is open to the public.
FORT VERDE HISTORIC PARK
Located in Camp Verde. This century old military base played a key role in subduing the Apaches in the 1870's. Museum.
GLEN CANYON DAM
This is located northwest of Page. This is a gravity structure on the Colorado River. The 700 foot high dam holds back 210 miles of water in Lake Powell.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PARK
Located in northwestern Arizona. This is the world's greatest natural wonder. It averages 9 miles in width throughout it's 217 mile length and and has an incredible mile-deep chasm. This giant gourge was cut by the Colorado River. They offer mule rides, bus tours, train ride to the canyon, scenic flights, a trip down into the canyon bottom if you like to hike, (this is very strenuos), scenic rim drive and nature trails. They do have overnight accomedations, restaurants and gift shops. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time as they have quite a long waiting list for the various activities offered.
HAVASUPAI INDIAN RESERVATION
This offers very beautiful scenery and waterfalls in a remote section of the Grand Canyon. It is the home of the Havasupai Indian Tribes.
HOPI VILLAGES
Walpi, Oraibi, Hotevilla, Shonopovi, etc. Oraibi is believed to be the oldest, continuously inhabited village in North America, dating back to 1200AD.
HOOVER DAM
Located 72 miles northwest of Kingman. It is the largest of all federal reclamation projects and one of the greatest feats of engineering. The 727-foot structure is the highest concrete dam in the U.S. Tours are available.
JEROME
This is an historic copper mining town that is very picturesquerly located on a steep mountainside. The museum offers archeological, mining, and historical displays. There are many giftshops and places to eat.
KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY
Features various telescopes including the famed McMath Solar Telescope. Tours are available.
LAKE HAVASU STATE PARK
A unnique, 13,000-acre recreational spot on the Colorado River that offers boating, fishing and swimming.
LONDON BRIDGE
This is the famed bridge that was transplanted to Lake Havasu City on the Colorado River.
LYMAN LAKE RECREATIONAL AREA
Over 160 acres of lake and camp grounds near St. Johns.
METEOR CRATER
Located east of Winslow. One of Arizon's greatest geological wonders.
MISSION SAN AXVIER DEL BAC
Located 9 miles north of Tucson. One of the most beautiful missions in the Southwest. Established in 1700.
MONTEZUMA CASTLE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located near Camp Verde off of Interstate 17. This is a very unique Indian ruin built into the mountain wall.
MONTEZUMA WELL
Located near Camp Verde. This is a cup-shaped lake 75 feet below the surrounding terrain. It is 1,750 feet in diameter and fed by natural springs.
MONUMENT VALLEY
This is located on the Arizona-Utah border, 160 miles north and east of Flagstaff. This offers incredibly beautiful eroded buttes and peaks. You can drive through it yourself or take one of the tours they offer. The tour is recomended because you see things that you might miss going by yourself.
NAVAJO BRIDGE
This is located 7 miles below the historic Lees Ferry. The bridge floor is 467 feet above the water level of the Colorado River.
NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 20 miles from Kayenta on Highway 160. This consists of two cliff dwellings. Keel Seel, which has 157 rooms and Betatakin, which has 135 rooms. They were occupied during the late 13th century by Pueblo peoples. These are two of the best preserved and elaborate cliff dwellings in the Southwest. They offer guided tours into the canyon and prehistoric sites during late spring through early fall, a self-guiding overlook trail, camping, picnicking, Navajo arts and crafts shop, visitor center, museum, and exhibits.
OAK CREEK CANYON
Located south of Flagstaff on 89A. This is a favorite spot for anglers and waders. It has such beautiful scenery and is especially colorful in the fall. This is also the home of the Slide Rock State Park, great fun for kids and adults alike. Lodging and restaurants in the area.
OLD TUCSON
Located 13 miles southwest of Tucson in Tucson Mountain Park. This was a western movie set used in some of the old TV westerns. They offer many gift shops and resaurants, gunfights and stagecoach rides, a fun day for the whole family.
ORGANPIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located south of Ajo and bordering on Mexico. This picturesque circle drive provides a beautiful view of the pristine desert and Organ Pipe cacti.
PAINTED DESERT
Located near the Petrified Forest, it provides beautiful multicolored ribbons of sand in gorgeous hues. It can be seen from Interstate 40. Excellent vistas at Petrified Forest.
PAINTED ROCK STATE HISTORICAL MONUMENT
Located about 25 miles from Gila Bend. This park offers an outstanding collection of Indian writings and rock paintings.
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK
This is in northeastern Arizona and sits along side of Interstate 40, 28 miles east of Holbrook. Here you will see petrified remains of prehistoric trees. There are about five areas to drive through presenting it's own special features. They have a museum and gift shop that are quite nice. Plan to spend the whole day here. There is alot to see.
PICACHO PEAK STATE PARK
This is a desert mountain park in the scenic natural area between Phoenix and Tucson. Its 3,400 acres offer hiking and camping. The only battle of the Civil War on Arizona soil was fought here.
PIONEER ARIZONA MUSEUM
Located 12 miles north of Phoenix off Interstate 17. This offers a living history of Arizona in the 1880's. It has many houses typical of the style of their time. You can tour through some of these. They have a restaurant and gift shop.
PIPE SPRING NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 15 miles southwest of Fredonia. This contains an historical fort, homes, worksheds, bunkhouses and corrals built by the Morman pioneers in the fashion of 19th century ranches. They offer a tour and provide for picnicking.
RAINBOW BRIDGE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 190 miles north of Flagstaff in Utah. Best viewed from Lake Powell. Tours are available at Wahweap Marina.
SALT RIVER CANYON
On U.S. 60 north of Globe, this is a spectacular gorge with scenic approaches and lookout points.
SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS
Located near Flagstaff. This is the home of the Hopi Kachinas and the Snowl Bowl Ski Resort. Provides rentals and skilift.
SOUTHWESTERN ARBORETUM
Located between Florence Junction and Superior. Acres of beautiful desert plants from Arizona and around the world. Offers scenic walking trails and picnic area.
SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT
From the town of Flagstaff, take U.S. 89 north about 16 miles to the monument entrance. This is a 1,000 foot volcanic cinder cone which was formed about A.D. 1064-1065 with lava flows and related igneous features. At this volcanic crater you'll find a self-guiding nature trail, visitor center and campground.
TERRITORIAL PRISON
This prison housed desperados for 33 years during the territorial days. The prison in Yuma is now a state park.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT DAM
One of the first federal reclamation projects, located 79 miles from Phoenix, on the Apache Trail. The 273-foot dam forms a lake 25 miles in length.
TONTO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located in Roosevelt, this has some well preserved cliff dwellings which were occupied by the Solado Indians who farmed the Salt River Valley during the 13th and 14th centuries. They offer exhibits and self-guiding trails, a visitor center, picnicking and there is camping in nearby Tonto National Forest.
TUMACACORI NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Located 45 miles south of Tucson. Has ruins of the 19th century Spanish colonial mission community. It offers a museum, self-guiding trails, weekend crafts, picknicking and a visitor center. This is a day use area only.
TUZIGOOT NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 48 miles southwest of Flagstaff off of U.S. 89A. Contains excavated ruins of a large Indian pueblo that existed in the Verde Valley between 1000 and 1400 A.D. It has Indian exhibits and a visitor center. This is a day use area only.
WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 12 miles east of Flagstaff. These cliff dwellings were built by Pueblo Indains about 800 years ago. The dwellings are in shallow caves beneath limestone ledges. You do have to climb steep sets of steps to access the cliff dwellings. There is a visitor center, self-guiding trails and a picnic area. This is a day use area only.
WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located 30 miles north of Flagstaff. Contains ruins of masonary pueblo's built between A.D. 100 and 1225 by the Anasazi and Sinagua Indian farmers. It offers picnicking, self-guided trails, and a visitor center.
