The state of Arizona has many opportunities for visitors to get out into nature and experience some of the best scenery in the world. Arizona is famous for its hiking trails, and it is well-known for its unique landscapes. It also provides a great opportunity for people who do not want to hike in the snow or extreme cold to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Visitors can enjoy Arizona’s scenic beauty while doing any number of outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, bird watching/photography, horseback riding, swimming/canoeing/kayaking, and much more.
Here’s 7 must see places to Hike and Backpack in Arizona
1) The Mogollon Rim is a massive escarpment which towers above central Arizona’s high country. This region is home to some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in Arizona. The rim itself runs along the border of several national forests, making for some excellent backpacking opportunities.
2) Slide Rock State Park is a stunning state park just east of Tucson. It is the southernmost state park in the U.S., and it offers some excellent hiking through red rock canyons. The scenery here is stunning, and there are many steep cliffs to climb over. The park has several water slides for visitors to enjoy.
3) The Superstition Wilderness is aptly named because of the many superstitions and myths which surround the area. These tales are widespread, and they mostly all have their basis in Arizona’s rich history. The Superstition Wilderness is a rugged territory to the east of Phoenix characterized by steep cliffs and canyons. There are many hiking trails, as well as many marked off-trail routes which lead to various ruins, mines, and other points of interest.
4) The Petrified Forest is located in northern Arizona, near the borders of New Mexico and Utah. This area is not only famous for its petrified trees; it is also home to a number of rock formations such as Devils Tower and others. The forest itself consists of more than just petrified trees; there are many other interesting formations such as plateaus, canyons, and hills.
5) Red Rocks Park in Sedona is an amazing example of red sandstone formations, which rise up out of the desert floor in all different shapes and sizes. There are many trails at Red Rocks offering access to various sections of this park. One can hike for several miles along the base of the rocks, up ravines, and to the tops of sandstone temples.
6) Sedona is famous for its hiking trails in Oak Creek Canyon. People come from all around to take in this area’s natural beauty: fresh air, pine trees, desert wildlife, and amazing red rock formations. The town of Sedona is reasonably small with some nice hotels and restaurants.
7) The Havasupai Reservation is a small Native American reservation located within the Grand Canyon. People come here to camp under the stars and hike among some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Arizona. Additionally, the reservation provides access to some of the most remote campsites in Arizona.
Best Lakes To Explore In Arizona
1) Lake Mead, located in the Mojave Desert, provides the majority of water supply for Phoenix and Las Vegas. It is a sprawling lake reaching a maximum depth of over 400 feet. This lake lies at 12,000 feet above sea level and is only around 200 miles from Mexico and close to the Hoover Dam. Lake Mead sees an average of around 16 inches of rain per year while receiving less than 400 inches of snowfall (extreme, but not unheard-of for this part of Arizona). The reservoir is divided into four sections by islands which are connected by bridges. Each site has its own unique colors.
2) Lake Havasu takes on a golden sunset glow while St Mark’s takes on a blue hue in the afternoon light. The lake has a maximum depth of around 300 feet and is located in the foothills of the Superstitions. It was created by a dam which was built to provide electric power to the San Marcos mines. Lake Havasu is very popular with boaters, and has many award-winning launches and docks. St Mark’s is a popular destination for scuba divers, but not as much so for boaters.
3) Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in the United States. It extends for over 130 miles. The lake lies at almost 2,000 feet above sea level and is situated in one of the most desolate regions of the American Southwest. It also offers the most fabulous sunset views in Arizona. Lake Powell has multiple boat launches and docks along its shoreline, as well as a number of marinas.
4) Agua Caliente is located in the Sonoran Desert within Saguaro National Park. The lake itself is rather shallow at about 300 feet in depth, and it has a maximum width of only 100 feet while covering an area of over 9 square miles (the smallest lake in AZ). It was created by a dam which was built to control water levels within Saguaro National Park.
5) Sunnyslope Lake is a natural reservoir which lies east of Payson along State Route 87 (aka Payson-Buckeye Road). Sunnnyslope Lake was created when a dam was constructed across the East Verde River. The location of this lake is very scenic as it sits at an elevation of just over 6000 feet.
6) Florence Lake is a man-made reservoir located near Florence in the eastern part of the state. It was formed by the construction of a large earth and rock dam that extends across Salt River. This lake has a shoreline almost 30 total miles in length.
7) Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers visitors 41 campsites, two boat ramps, five picnic areas, and three trail heads from which to enjoy the surrounding canyon country. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is situated on the shore of Lake Pleasant which makes it a great place to relax and enjoy fishing and boating. The park also offers an interpretive trail that is suitable for wheelchair bound visitors.
Best Places To Stay For The Night In Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, AZ, is located in the mountains. The elevation of Sedona is between 5800 and 7000 feet above sea level. Also there are two airports in the area, Cottonwood Airport and Flagstaff Airport. Lake Powell and San Diego California are further away than San Francisco California (430 miles).
Type of accommodation in Sedona, Arizona
At the moment there are around 10 hotels in Sedona – Arizona for a population of about 4500 people.
There are also 6 Bed and Breakfasts and 25 small hotels / motels in the area.
There are 4 hostels in Sedona: Arizona Outback Adventures, The Red Rock Hostel, Hiker Hostel Reservations – Hike Inn Private room, HI – Hostelling International.
The cheapest hotel is $36 for a double room. It is the Green Valley Lodge Sedona located in Red Rock State Park. The highest hotel price is $225 per night for a double room. This price is for Four Seasons Residence Club Lake Powell Resort & Spa at Lake Powell Resort & Spa.
Best Campsites In Arizona
1)The Ponderosa Campground is located in Flagstaff Arizona. It is located a few minutes from the highway I-17. The campground is situated on the Fort Tuthill County Park which has a playground and tennis courts. The quietness of the park makes it ideal for those who are looking for a peaceful getaway.
2)The Dogwood Campground is also situated in Flagstaff Arizona. This campground offers Showers, Hot Water, Laundry, Firewood, and Walkway to Sites. The campground offers RV hookups, as well as tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Also there are two playgrounds and horseshoe pits in the campground area. The campground is located in the forested hills of Flagstaff and has scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
3) The Pinewood Campground- located in Mount Lemmon, Arizona. It is located just off the highway I-19 and only a few miles away from Tucson, Arizona. The amenities of this campground include Hot Showers, Laundry, Firewood, Walkway to Sites, Shady Sites and a Game Room. The campground also offers RV Hookups and Tent Sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Also there are two playgrounds and horseshoe pits in this area. There are also hiking trails nearby along with scenic views.
4) Lake Marion Campground- This is a large spacious area with two bathhouses, electricity and water. The campground is located near Fallen Leaf Lake. Lake Marion offers swimming, fishing, canoeing and horseshoes. There are also some great hiking trails nearby.
5) Mann Gulch Campground- This is another large campground with many sites available for camping along the river. There are also great swimming areas nearby in this area. There are two bathhouses in the campground as well as a large store/storehouse and fully stocked restrooms/showers. There are also RV hookups and full service hookups in this area.
6) The Green Valley Campground- This campground offers many different amenities including electricity, water, and sewer hookups. This area is great for fishing as well as swimming. The store is fully stocked with supplies along with a small store/storehouse that offers camping supplies, ice, and firewood. There are two bathhouses in the campground as well as a laundry room and fire rings at most of the individual sites. There are also RV hookups and tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings.
Unique Places To Eat in Arizona
Food is an important part of the Arizona culture. The vast and diverse nature of the Arizona landscape has led to its unique cuisine. Preserving meats, fruits, vegetables, and staples is a way of life for many residents all over Arizona.
Tucson has certain ingredients that make up their own specialty dishes such as their green chile while other cities like Phoenix have various ethnic dishes that are theirs alone. Many people outside of the state are familiar with certain dishes because they have become so popular and some signs can be found for them in restaurants near or far to help cater to travelers looking for a taste of home.
Depending on where you are in Arizona the food can vary. Phoenix takes pride in having authentic Mexican food restaurants, while Scottsdale offers many types of Italian and Mediterranean food. Mesa is known for their Chinese and Vietnamese dishes.
American fare can be found all over the state, but there are also a number of great places to get local Arizona favorites like BBQ, burritos, and Navajo cuisine along with others dishes that only they can make.
Here Are Some Of Our Favorites:
1)The Pete’s Place Steak & Seafood is located in Chino Valley Arizona where they serve up delicious steaks that will melt in your mouth. The place is known for their great burgers and other delicious dishes. The restaurant is also a popular spot for watching sports events or just hanging out with friends or family.
2) The Old Pueblo Cafe in St. Johns, Arizona is a local restaurant where you will find locals as well as visitors eating their delicious home cooked meals. The menu has some typical Native American style dishes such as Navajo fry bread, fry bread tacos, tatoo soup, turkey burger, and more besides their delicious steaks and seafood dishes that are also very popular.
3) The Golden Spur Steakhouse is located in Tempe Arizona and is known for their delicious steaks and seafood. They also have some great Italian dishes on the menu as well as other favorites.
4) The Pita Jungle is a Mediterranean restaurant where you will find some of the best Mediterranean foods that you can possibly imagine. The menu has a variety of delicious sandwiches, salads, and pastas along with great desert delights like baklava.
5) Cafe Poca Cosa is a fine dining Mexican restaurant that offers both high end food as well as a more casual experience if you prefer. You will find delicious seafood, as well as a number of other amazing dishes.
6) The Q Restaurant is a family favorite located in Sedona, Arizona where you will find mouth watering slow roasted BBQ dishes along with some delicious southwestern favorites like fried green tomatoes.
7) The Blue Adobe is also located in Sedona and is known for their delicious Mexican food. You will find such popular dishes as their Blue Adobe chicken and Gila monster burrito that are both mouth watering favorites among locals and visitors alike.
8) The Old West is located in Wickenburg, Arizona where you will find some of the best BBQ dishes that you will find anywhere. The smokey ribs and beef brisket are absolutely mouth watering. There are also a variety of other great choices on the menu for everyone.
9) Simon’s Restaurant is an amazing place to eat just outside of Flagstaff Arizona. There are dishes on the menu here that you can’t get anywhere else, like the barbeque breakfast burrito which will fill you up for hours after you have eaten it.
10) The Cowboy Steakhouse is an amazing place to eat not far from Williams, Arizona. You will find some of the best steaks that you have ever had anywhere in the world. This restaurant has a wide variety of steak dishes such as their ribs, burgers, and pasta along with other amazing dishes like their delicious fish bowl.
Super Cool Landmarks In Arizona
Sedona, Arizona offers visitors a number of attractions that help make it one of the most dreamy and unusual locations in the country. One attraction located here is called Vortex Caverns which was formed by volcanic activity over millions of years ago.
The caverns and their formations are quite mysterious and are believed to have healing powers for people who visit them. There is also the Airport Mesa located close to Sedona which is a popular place for visitors to hike on and explore.
Other attractions that you can visit in the area are:
1) The Cathedral Rock State Natural Area is located in Sedona, Arizona where you will find amazing hiking trails that take you up along side these impressive rock formations. There are various viewpoints along the trail where you can sit down and take in the beauty all around you. This area has been used as a filming location for many movies including TV shows as well.
2) The Sedona Red Rocks is located near Sedona, Arizona where you can hike up to the peak and enjoy incredible views of the surrounding landscape. There are various trails near the area that you can take which will lead you to different viewpoints with amazing views.
3) The Tempe Buttes are located in Tempe, Arizona where you will find a collection of strange rock formations. The buttes were formed by the wind and rain which have made the area quite beautiful.
4) The Grand Canyon Caverns is located in Grand Canyon National Park where you will find a number of different caverns that visitors can tour. There are over 50 miles worth of caverns that you can tour and enjoy when you visit here.
5) The Painted Desert is also located within Grand Canyon National Park where you will find a desert ecosystem which is quite unique. This area has been home to people for many years and there are even ancient ruins within this area as well as petroglyphs.
6) The Petrified Forest National Park is located in the area of the Navajo Nation as well as the Kaibab Indian Reservation. This park features a number of different areas where you can enjoy the landscape and also some ruins that have been uncovered recently.
7) The Sunset Crater is located in Flagstaff Arizona and has an incredible view of the surrounding area. There are various hiking trails nearby that will lead you to spectacular views of this craters.
8) The Coconino National Forest is also known as the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest which is part of Arizona’s national forest system. This area is home to many different hiking trails that you can enjoy which will lead you to some of the most beautiful views imaginable.
9) The Tonto National Forest which is located in Arizona offers visitors a number of recreational activities during their visit. You can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, swimming and much more when you visit this area.
10) The Fort Verde State Historic Park is located in Camp Verde Arizona where you can take a walking tour through the historic buildings and learn about the history of early Arizona life.
Arizona is a state that offers visitors so much to do and see. From the incredible landscapes to the rich history, visitors will not run out of things to do. You can spend your time in the desert or hike the mountains. One thing is for sure, Arizona will provide you with many memories that you can take home with you and cherish forever after your visit.