Arizona’s
NATURAL WONDERS In addition to the Sonoran Desert, Arizona is home to a bounty of other natural wonders, many of which you can explore on an easy day trip from Scottsdale.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (above) At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and one mile deep, the Grand Canyon is overwhelming in its size and beauty. Explore the South Rim and marvel at the Canyon’s breathtaking combination of geologic color and erosional formations. 474 miles/7:30 hrs. RT nps.gov/grca
SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK Nestled in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona, this park is home to one of the most famous swimming holes and natural water slides in the Southwest. 132 miles/4:48 hrs. RT azstateparks.com
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK A sprawling collection of colorful petrified wood – remnants of the Triassic Period – can be found throughout the park. You can explore the park on a self-guided drive, ranger-led tours, hiking trails and through displays at the visitors center. 400 miles / 6:15 hrs. RT nps.gov/pefo
KARTCHNER CAVERNS SEDONA Sedona’s red-rock landscape is a stunning backdrop for Jeep tours, hiking and vortex tours. In town, enjoy award-winning resorts and spas, unique boutiques, fine dining and a renowned arts and cultural scene. 228 miles/4:30 hrs. RT visitsedona.com
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One of the world’s only “living” caves open to the public, Kartchner Caverns just outside Tucson offers daily tours into a breathtaking world of underground formations like the massive Kubla Khan, the largest column formation in Arizona. 342 miles / 5:10 hrs. RT, azstateparks.com/kartchner
MONUMENT VALLEY TRIBAL PARK Part of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is renowned for its sandstone buttes and formations made famous in Western movies. There is a self-guided 17-mile loop drive, as well as guided hiking, Jeep and horseback tours. 648 miles/10:30 hrs. RT navajonationparks.org
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK The Sonoran Desert stretching across the southern half of Arizona is home to the largest, most iconic cactus in the country. The lean giants are celebrated in two segments of Saguaro National Park that offer scenic drives and hiking trails. 111 miles/4:10 hrs. RT nps.gov/sagu RT = round trip
