Arizona’s natural settings are among the most famous in the world. The state has a diverse and spectacular set of outdoor environments, from otherworldly red canyons and deserts to thick forests and deep blue lakes. Exploring all of Arizona’s gorgeous outdoor destinations is nearly impossible with so much to see. We help narrow it down by providing a quick look at seven of the top must-see outdoor destinations in Arizona.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most recognizable natural wonders in the U.S. This vast park includes more than 278 miles of the Colorado River and is home to the world-famous Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a massive canyon of red rock that stretches over 250 miles. Viewing this magnificent landscape is an incredible experience that every nature lover should do at least once.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is another one of Arizona’s famous canyons. Walking along this desert landscape, you’ll find strange, twisting red rock formations that create one of Arizona’s most unique natural wonders. It is a stunningly beautiful environment frequented by hikers and photographers who want to capture the peculiar Mars-like beauty of the destination. Because the canyon is on Navajo land, only licensed tours can bring visitors to this spot.
Saguaro National Park
Arizona’s arid desert landscapes are a popular characteristic of its appeal, and the cactus has become a common symbol for the state. There is no better place to view Arizona’s incredible cacti than Saguaro National Park, near Tucson. This park is home to forests full of the country’s largest species of cacti: the massive saguaro. The park also has blooming wildflowers and interesting native desert wildlife, including roadrunners, Gila monsters, and horned lizards.
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park houses one of the world’s largest and most colorful collections of petrified wood. This unique park is frozen in time, where visitors can see fossils hundreds of millions of years old, as well as remnants from the Pueblo civilization that first settled in the area. The park also has trails with scenic overlooks, rocky cliffs, and rolling hills.
Lake Havasu
Getting on the water isn’t the first thing people think of while in Arizona, but Lake Havasu offers plenty of waterfront fun for visitors. This large lake is a hub for outdoor recreation (as well as a popular spring break destination), where visitors enjoy boating, fishing, water skiing, and many other kinds of on-the-water fun. Lake Havasu State Park has trails that overlook the water, as well as picnic areas and beaches along its shores.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses more than 1.25 million acres. This huge area is centered around the waters of Lake Powell, which is a popular destination for boaters, anglers, and swimmers. On land, you can stroll along the area’s renowned, picturesque canyons, or hike and bike along the red-rock bluffs of this park.
Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park is a scenic desert park outside Sedona, encompassing more than 286 acres with well-kept trails that lead to scenic vantage points. This large nature preserve has incredible scenery throughout, consisting of large red rock hills, a creek, and meadows full of native plant life such as manzanita and juniper. Also, the park is abundant in native wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats, and deer.
