arizonatravel

Traveling to Arizona this summer? Check out these five don’t-miss outdoor adventures!

1. What Arizona list would be complete without the Grand Canyon? It draws visitors from around the globe, and is one of the natural wonders of the world.

With millions of visitors each year, how can you make your Arizona trip to the Grand Canyon unique? Try visiting the lesser-known, but extremely beautiful north rim. The road to the north rim is only open during warm months. It is a longer drive, and therefore much less visited. You can avoid the crowds and explore the rim of the Grand Canyon at your own pace.

2. Sabino Canyon, outside of Tucson.

Sabino Canyon is a little-known jewel in Arizona. Starting at desert level, where prickly pear cactus have grown to giant proportions, the trail into the canyon slowly winds upward, leading into desert-mountain terrain. It’s lush with various types of greenery and small trails lead off the main trail to a cool, sparkling river. Everything about the canyon is beautiful and unexpected. For those not capable of hiking in and out on foot, a shuttle tour is available along a main trail.

3. Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park.

The Petrified Forest has something to offer for everyone. Giant fossilized trees in an amazing rainbow of colors are the main attraction, but there’s also wildlife, ancient ruins, petroglyphs, dinosaur bones and amazing hiking trails. The Painted Desert features colorful badlands, like something out of a science fiction movie. The colors are especially vibrant at sunrise and sunset.

4. Alpine in the White Mountains

Northeastern Arizona has an incredible secret - it is home to a pristine mountain habitat, complete with towering pines, sparkling streams and clear lakes. Wildlife is abundant and the population is sparse. Because it is much farther from the populous areas of the state than other mountain getaways, there are no crowds and plenty of space for the hikers and campers who do visit the area.

5. Kartchner Caverns

In southern Arizona near Tucson, Kartchner Caverns are living caves, meaning that the stalactites and stalagmites are still growing. It has been well protected and preserved. The beautiful colors of the formations within the caves is just one of the reasons it is known as one of the great natural wonders of the western United States.