Go beyond the Grand Canyon. There’s so much more to discover in this dynamic desert state.
From its historic Wild Wild Western towns and tribal lands to its unique flora and fauna, Arizona is a mystery to unfold.
There’s a special kind of magic emanating from the pastel sunsets and saguaro forests. So, fill your water bottles, pull on your hiking boots, and head west to fall under the spell of Arizona.
Slide Rock State Park
In the desert heat of Arizona, you’ve gotta find a suitable oasis. Look no further than Slide Rock State Park. Aptly named, this park features an 80-foot-long sandstone slide for all ages. Algae-slick rock shoots adventurers into the babbling waters of Oak Creek. After a few laps down the chute, enjoy an ambling drift along the river in an inner tube. Or, hop out of the swimming-designated waters and grab your fishing pole.
Just upstream, brown and rainbow trout swim aplenty. Feeling waterlogged? Air-dry on one of the short, breezy trails which wind through the property. Slide Rock Park’s lush landscape draws whitetail deer, black bears, over 140 different species of birds, and Javelina (a little boar only found in a handful of US states).
Afterward, enjoy an immersive lesson in agricultural history. Tour the historic cabins, farm implements, and apple orchard established by the land’s early homesteader, Frank Pendley. If you’re just dying to pick some of those historic apples, plan a trip around the Slide Rock Apple Festival! The September event is pure family fun: music, plein aire painters, canyon tours, food vendors, and of course, apple picking.
Catchin’ Kartchner Caverns
Get a little mystical with stars, bats, and caverns at the Kartchner Caverns State Park. Book a tour of the caves to explore the marvelous underground spaces, from the Big Room to the Throne Room. You’ll have about two hours to admire delicate, one-of-a-kind calcite formations thousands of years in the making. And the fuzzy critters who call the caves home: bats!
Only the park’s skies rival the Kartchner Cavern darkness. The International Dark-Sky Association has dubbed the Kartchner Caverns State Park as an exceptional place to view the cosmos due to low light pollution. Take an astrologer-guided tour and stay overnight to make sure you get the full experience. No need to pack a tent. The camping cabins are a stress-free way to connect with the land in comfort. These cozy, air-conditioned two-room lodgings look on to the scenic Whetstone Mountains. The park also offers trails for beginners and more experienced hikers. Your day-to-night excursion: planned.
Marvel at Montezuma Castle
The cliffside edifice of Montezuma Castle is a true testament to human ingenuity. From around 1050-1400 CE, the Sinagua People of Verde Valley adapted to the arid desert conditions to build, trade, farm, and thrive in their hand-sculpted limestone pueblos. Consisting of 20 rooms, the Montezuma Castle likely housed multiple families. Perhaps the entire village!
Due to the lack of written language, this majestic place is still shrouded in mystery. What traditions did these indigenous people practice? What did daily life look like? Why did they abandon this beautiful place, and where did they go? The ongoing search for clues is sure to stimulate the imagination of any history, archeology, and nature lover.
Don’t forget to check out the other majestic component of this national monument: The Montezuma Well. This sacred, natural sinkhole located 11 miles from the Castle features walkable trails and a picnic area shaded by sycamore trees. This lush refuge is brimming with creatures that cannot be found outside of the Montezuma Well, from springsnails to water scorpions.
As a visitor of this National Park, you will be able to admire the pueblos from a short, .33 mile trail loop. Take note that you will not be able to enter the rooms as this precious, 900-year-old architectural landmark must be preserved. Ranger-guided tours are available to ensure you walk away with extensive knowledge of this monument and its former inhabitants.
