Arizona

Explore two remarkably preserved American Indian cliff dwellings that date back to the 13th century. Set within a shelter bluff on the side of steep cliffs, the Upper and Lower Cliff Dwellings are well protected, and have great views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. If you get to the park early...

There are a number of ways to access Tuweep – and all access moves from the north to the south as you make your way toward the campsites. The most reliable road is Country Road #109 (a dirt road), which begins about eight miles west of Fredonia, Arizona. It’s also known as the Sunshine Route. On...

The area directly below Lee's Ferry campground is known as the Paria Riffle and Beach. The Paria is a small river that feeds into the Colorado River just north of the campground. Just park at the campground parking lot next to the river and walk a short distance to the sandy beach area where you ...

Red Knolls Amphitheater is a natural resource managed by the BLM just off of highway 70. The mesa is filled with slot canyons, caves and holes that are great for exploring and photography.  Some trails can be steep and crumbling so use common sense when climbing this wild scenic area. Never climb...

Spanning 9,951 acres of backcountry a few miles northwest of Lake Pleasant and about 25  miles north of Phoenix, Hells Canyon Wilderness area offers a quick way to escape into an untamed swath of desert that’s more paradise than purgatory.I have to say, this entire trail is 36.3 miles (and is tec...

The Cactus Forest scenic drive is one of two scenic drives in Saguaro National Park (the other is in the West district location).  The drive in Saguaro National Park East is a paved eight-mile one way loop that runs through the heart of an extensive saguaro forest.  If you’re lucky enough to visi...

5.6 Sport climb, up an 80 foot face, 9 bolts to the top.  This was the first outdoor climb for myself. It opened the doors to getting out of the gym and becoming a part of the local climbing community. I highly recommend it, as it is not too difficult, and can be done with a group of people.  The...

Spend a couple of hours to discover the incredible legacy of an ancient people at Tuzigoot National Monument.  Start at the Visitor Center, then take a self-guided, half mile loop trail that will lead around and through an incredible 110 room pueblo. The large building was home to the Sinagua peo...

When the golden fall color is at its peak is when this trail (and Locket Meadow camping) is the most popular.  I recommend getting there as early as possible, because parking goes FAST.  And note that the drive up to the trailhead is a bit sketchy as well… Beginning at Lockett Meadow, the start o...

Hike the trail starting from the visitor center and take your time walking along the rim. Be sure to admire the canyon below and the ancient dwellings in the canyon walls. During the right season, there are also beautiful wildflowers along the way. This trail is partially paved and easy to walk.

The Desert View loop trail begins in the Twin Peaks Campground's group camping area. Hike it in either direction, but be sure to get to the top before the sun goes down.The trail is a gentle climb through a diverse cactus forest. Birds abound, and keep an eye out for the occasional lizard, snake ...

See Canyon Trail #184 is a 7.6 mile trail in the Tonto National Forest that features a creek and spring.  This trail is most popular during the fall when the leaves begin to change color and fall along the creek. The trail runs from the parking lot up to FS 300 above the rim.  The trail starts of...

A popular trail in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Signal Hill is a highlight of the park with a small summit to a boulder field with many petroglyphs and views for several miles.  The petroglyphs date to the 13th and 14th centuries and were created by the Hohokam people.  ...

Twin Peaks is the primary campground at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, minutes from the Mexican border in southern Arizona.This campground has it all: it's affordable, it's in the middle of a beautiful and remote desert, and it's surrounded by hiking.Twin Peaks is first come first served. I...

The Tucson Mountains are home to Saguaro National Park and the Tucson Mountain Park, the latter of which is a massive 20,000 acre park that is home to huge forests of giant saguaro cacti, a wide diversity of desert wildlife, and several long-abandoned farms and ranches like the Bowen Homestead, c...

…Who doesn’t enjoy a little slot canyon fun, especially when it’s just off the highway. This (spooky) canyon is a fascinating slot canyon, consisting of conglomerate rock in the Lake Mead area in Arizona, not far southeast from the Hoover Dam. Most people don’t know even know this slot is here, s...