Arizona Guide

General Information

Parks

Rating	Park	Link (site)	Notes
	Apache Trail	American Southwest AZ Central Byways	Center by Phoenix. This historic road covers some of the most rugged terrain in Arizona. The land surrounding the road rises steeply to the north to form the Four Peaks Wilderness Area and to the south to form the Superstition Wilderness Area. Steep-sided canyons, rock outcroppings and magnificent geologic formations are all along the road. Water played a major role in creating the beauty of the area, and it also provides numerous opportunities for recreation. Fish Creek Canyon is perhaps the most awe-inspiring section. The road hangs on the side of this high-walled canyon and winds its way along tremendous precipices that sink sheer for hundreds of feet below.
	Aztec Ruins National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	Northeast by Shiprock, NM. About 60 miles from Four Corners. Large restored kiva.
	Canyon De Chelly National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	Northeast by Chinle. At the base of sheer red cliffs and in canyon wall caves are ruins of Indian villages built between AD 350 and 1300. Canyon de Chelly National Monument offers visitors the chance to learn about Southwestern Indian history from the earliest basketmakers to the Navajo Indians who live and farm here. Must hire guide/vehicle.
	Casa Grande Ruins National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	South by Coolidge. It contains an imposing 4-storey building dating from the late Hohokam period, probably 14th century and contemporary with other preserved ruins in Arizona such as the Tonto and Montezuma Castle Monuments. It is situated in the flat plain of central Arizona in between the Gila and Santa Cruz rivers, close to Coolidge and about 15 miles from the town of Casa Grande. The structure was once part of a collection of settlements scattered along the Gila River and linked by a network of irrigation canals. Allow 1 hour.
	Copper Creek Ghost Town	American Southwest	South by Tucson. Has quite a few scattered ruined buildings and old mine structures spread out over steep, cacti-covered hills.
	Grand Canyon National Park	American Park Network American Southwest National Park Service	North by Flagstaff. One of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world, the Grand Canyon is unmatched in the incomparable vistas from the rim. Visit as many lookout as you can to fully appreciate the Grand Canyon. Also, see the canyon at sunrise or sunset (ask a ranger for their favorite site). Allow 1 to 4 days.
	Homolovi Ruins State Park	State of Arizona	Winslow. Ruins from the 14th century take center stage at this unique State Park with 300+ archaeological sites, including three main sets of Anasazi Indian ruins. The Hopi Tribe considers this sacred site to be part of their ancestral homeland, and believe the broken pottery and stones belong to the land. The ruins are an archeological work in progress being explored by archeologists and anthropologists each summer. The public is invited to work on the digs, or explore the museum.
	House Rock Wildlife Area	Public Lands	North by DeMotte. This 60,000 acre wildlife area is one of only 2 sites in Arizona where one may see state-managed bison herds. House Rock Valley, along the eastern edge of the Kaibab Plateau, has good views into the Marble Canyon portion of Grand Canyon National Park. The wildlife area, consisting of pinyon-juniper and desert scrub, also borders the Saddle Mountain Wilderness to the south and west. You may see mule deer and pronghorn, desert cottontail, black-tail jackrabbit, cliff chipmunk, white-tailed antelope squirrel, coyote, gray fox, spotted skunk, loggerhead shrike, Say’s phoebe, horned lark, sage and black-throated sparrows, various birds of prey, and maybe even California condors flying over from the Vermilion Cliffs.
	Lake Mead National Recreation Area	American Southwest	Northwest by Las Vegas. Mainly boating, fishing, and hiking.
	Lees Ferry	American Southwest	North by Page. Remarkable scenery; start of Grand Canyon.
	Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site	Towns USA	Northeast by St. George. Has over 500 individual rock-art designs or elements on the cliffs and boulders at the base of a 500 foot mesa. The different designs are associated with the cultures of the Great Basin, Western Anasazi and Lower Colorado River.
	Montezuma Castle National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	North by Flagstaff. 5-story structure built into a recess of a cliff. Makes a nice stop along the freeway. Allow 1-2 hours.
	Navajo National Monument	National Park Service	Northeast by Kayenta. Contains 3 elaborate and well preserved Anasazi cliff dwellings. Need tickets; strenuous.
	Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument	American Southwest	South by Tucson. Cactus, desert. Borders Mexico.
	Petrified Forest National Park	American Southwest National Park Service	East by Holbrook. Remains of petrified trees and prehistoric rock art can be seen, as well as unique sites such as the 100 room Puerco Pueblo. It is located in the Painted Desert. Allow 6 hours to 2 days.
	Pipe Spring National Monument	American Southwest	Northwest by Colorado City. Features American Indian, early explorer and Mormon pioneer history. Allow an hour.
	Raymond Ranch Wildlife Area	Public Lands	Center by Sedona. Bison herd.
	Red Rock State Park	State of Arizona	Center by Sedona. Oak Creek meanders through this scenic park, creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife. 5 miles of trails.
	Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness	GORP	Center by Sedona. Magnificent wilderness of red rock formations, cliff dwellings, Petroglyphs and century-old homesteads.
	Riordan Mansion State Historic Park	State of Arizona Desert USA	This five-acre park, which borders Northern Arizona University, showcases the remarkable home of Timothy and Michael Riordan, lumber baron brothers who married sisters, Caroline and Elizabeth Metz.
	Saddle Mountain Wilderness	GORP Public Lands	North by DeMotte. Gorgeous Colorado Plateau wilderness bordering Grand Canyon National Park. Prime mule deer habitat in grassy meadows and oak scrubland. Most of the vegetation is pinon-juniper forest, with mixed conifers toward the higher elevations. Three permanent water springs and a gathering place for the local inhabitants, including pronghorn antelope, grouse, small mammals, and a buffalo herd.
	Saguaro National Monument	National Park Service	South by Tucson. A section of desert featuring the Saguaro Cactus and wildlife.
	Sedona	American Southwest	Center. Great scenery; 2nd most-visited area in AZ. Nice red rock formations. Avoid on weekends because the town is extremely busy.
	Slide Rock State Park	State of Arizona	Center by Sedona. Example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. Pretty canyon, nature hikes.
	Strawberry Crater Wilderness Area	GORP	A gentle rolling pinion- juniper, cinder terrain, about 5,500 to 6,000 feet in elevation. The wilderness is dominated at the southern tip by low cinder cones and cut at the northwestern corner by the rugged lava flow of Strawberry Crater.
	Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	North by Flagstaff. Colorful cinder cones formed by extinct volcanoes, and large expanses of lava and ash. Close to Grand Canyon. Allow 1-3 hours.
	Sycamore Canyon	American Southwest	North by Flagstaff. Great scenery; hard to access.
	Tonto National Monument	American Southwest	Center by Phoenix. 2 Indian ruins. One can be visited; 19 rooms. Sagauro and cholla cacti.
	Tonto Natural Bridge State Park	State of Arizona	Believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by a forest of pine trees.
	Tuzigoot National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	North by Flagstaff. Indian ruins, not very photogenic. They have planted a large variety of flowering plants in the parking lot. Allow 2-4 hours.
	Vermilion Cliffs National Monument	BLM GORP	North by Page. Contains Paria Plateau, the dazzling Vermilion Cliffs, and the Paria River Canyon. The Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens. The 3,000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark overall appearance.
	Walnut Canyon National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	North by Flagstaff. Single story structures, cliff dwellings, were occupied from about 1100 to 1250. One of the better ones. Allow 2-5 hours.
	Wupatki National Monument	American Southwest National Park Service	North by Flagstaff. Many ruins. The pueblos are red and were made from the local Moenkopi sandstone, One of the better ones. Next to Sunset Crater Volcano. If the sky is really clean, you will get some nice views of the Painted Dessert. Allow 2-5 hours.

Slot Canyons

Rating	Park	Link (site)	Notes
	Antelope Canyon	American Southwest Black Rabbit	North by Page. The most photographed slot canyon in the world! Book in advance. Expensive.
	Butterfly Canyon	American Southwest	North by Page. One of the more difficult to explore; the journey is quite strenuous; route-finding and rock-climbing skills are necessary.
	East Fork of Kaibito Creek	American Southwest	North by Page. Short but very beautiful stretch of narrows.
	Starting Water Wash	American Southwest	North by Page. A very spectacular slot canyon.
	Upper Kaibito Creek	American Southwest	North by Page. Dark very narrow.
	Water Holes Canyon	American Southwest	North by Page. Beautiful slot canyon that cuts through the red Navajo sandstone rocks.
	West Fork of Oak Creek	American Southwest	Center by Sedona. Nice walk (up to 6 miles round trip); not very narrow.

Books

Rating	Book
	Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2--Arizona by Laurent Martres. This is a great book for anyone planning a trip to Arizona. It's not just for photographers; he covers what to see better than any guide book I've found. We visited and enjoyed many place that weren't mentioned in other guide books.

Maps:

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