Heading to Arizona? Looking for inspiration on what to see and do? Love the idea of travelling to the Grand Canyon State, but don’t know where to go beyond the Big Ditch? Today’s post is a round-up of 12 travel adventures in Arizona, USA. What are you waiting for? If you’re Arizona bound, let’s get going!
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Table of Contents
Visiting Arizona’s National Monuments in Spring
The Grand Canyon may be a drawing card for many, but there are so many more protected areas worth seeing if you are heading to Arizona. Spring is also a great time to visit – fewer visitors than summer, wildflowers are blooming, and temperatures are not too hot and not too cold! Join us as we go through the list of Arizona’s National Monuments and choose our top three “must-see” picks.
Actively Exploring Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
The Sonoran Desert shines in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the U.S/Mexico border. Its rugged beauty, human history and options for outdoor adventures make it unforgettable. Join us as we persuade friends to come along for a couple of days of camping and exploration in southern Arizona.
Things to Do in Tucson, Arizona
Whether you into outdoor adventures such as biking and hiking, enjoy exploring magical museums and historic sites, or prefer literary and vintage shopping sojourns – there’s something for you to do in Tucson today! Join us to discover some of the unique activities that put this Arizona city near the top of our “need-to-visit” list.
Free Camping in Arizona: Saddle Mountain
Boondocking – aka camping for free – at Arizona’s Saddle Mountain west of Phoenix is worth a second glance. This area has huge opportunity for outdoor adventure. Prehistoric sites – from petroglyphs to pictographs to ruins – abound. Come along and we’ll show you some of the sites!
Sedona and Sinagua
I used to think Sedona, Arizona was all t-shirt shops, crystal power and pink jeep tours. And then we headed off the thoroughfare and down a long, dirt road. Suddenly, I found myself connecting to the energy of the past as we ventured into the land of Sinagua. Check out this post to see why the Sedona area has so much more to offer than I ever expected.
Hiking Arizona’s Wasson Peak
Care to climb… er, hike!… up the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains. Arizona’s Wasson Peak provides 360-degree views that travel from Picacho Peak to Mount Lemmon to Mount Wrightson and right around to Kitt Peak. Join us for extra glimpses into the prehistoric and historic past of this area as we tiptoe through the cactus gardens and head on up to the summit.
Heading to Arizona? Check out the Empire Ranch
Wander with us as we check out southern Arizona’s Empire Ranch. We’ll poke around historic ranch buildings, take a couple of short walks and talk about the random camping opportunities in Las Ciengas National Conservation Area. Trust me, it’s a site worth the visit!
Picacho Peak & Petroglyphs
Love outdoor adventure? Enjoying learning more about the past? Then you’re going to love this post. Join us for a trip to the peak and a peek into the past as we hike/bike near the Picacho Mountains, Arizona.
Exploring Chiricahua National Monument
Hiking, history – and a ton of crazy rock formations! What’s not to love about Chiricahua National Monument? Join us as we set up camp in southeastern Arizona and head out for a little monumental adventure!
The Civilian Conservation Corps at Arizona’s Colossal Cave
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a lasting legacy across the United States in its nine years of existence. Colossal Cave, outside of Tucson, is one example of the CCC’s work in Arizona. As early as 900 A.D., the Hohokam used the cave as a temporary shelter. The cave remained a secret to settlers in the area until 1879. A rancher stumbled across the cave and began leading tours into the “Arizona Catacombs.” Work done by the CCC made the tourist attraction more accessible. Join us as dig deep into the past on this unique tour.
(Photo: Megan Kopp)
Flying with Your Mountain Bike to Arizona
Live too far away to make a long-weekend or week-long trip to the Grand Canyon State and love cycling? Consider flying your bike with you! While it can seem daunting at first, this post breaks down a trip to Arizona with tips and tricks for flying with your mountain bike. As an extra bonus, it includes a sample itinerary. Starting in Phoenix, the trip looks at camping, road tripping and easy cycling adventures as you wander down through Tucson to Patagonia Lake State Park and back.
Exploring Arizona’s National Historic Landmarks
There are over 2,600 National Historic Landmarks across the United States. Arizona has 46 of those. Join us for an overview of the Grand Canyon State’s National Historic Landmarks. This post also spotlights Tucson’s Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a dozen ways to explore the Grand Canyon State of Arizona without dipping a single toe in the “Big Ditch” – which of course is a must if you haven’t done it yet ;).
P.S. Bonus explorations – check out Kingman, AZ for museums and more outdoor adventures or Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge for something a little more off the beaten path or Steam Pump Ranch in the Oro Valley just north of Tucson for a little more history. And don’t overlook the convenience of the Maricopa County Regional Parks – like Usery Mountain – near Metro Phoenix!
Are you heading to Arizona? Don’t miss this bonus post – Southern Arizona RV Travel! Which adventure(s) will you check out? Already there and checked off a few of these? Let me know which one was your favorite and why in the comments!
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Love this information
Thx Jewel! Be sure to let us know when you get a chance to use!
Very informative post! I visit relatives in AZ every year and I’m always on the lookout for new things to do, so this is very useful info!
I hope it comes in handy on your next trip Michele!
Thank you for the additional suggestions for fun adventures at the Grand Canyon!