Whoa! 14 must-see natural wonders, tourist spots to see in Arizona
Sedona, Arizona is a whimsical and eclectic town in northern Arizona. It also provides one of the most picturesque landscapes with its famous red rocks. The rocks get its color from the iron oxide. Sedona has several trails that take you through the red rocks, vortexes, and patches of green. There are also commercialized jeep tours that can take you along some of the trails. Looking for an easy hike? Bell Rock is one to try.Sedona Chamber
In the early 1900s, Slide Rock State Park was a 43-acre apple farm in northern Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon. The park was eventually purchased by Arizona State Parks and opened to the public in 1987. The most popular attraction at Slide Rock is the natural water slide along Oak Creek. The Slide Rock Route is 0.3 miles.Arizona State Parks
"Hole-in-the-rock" is a rock formation within Phoenix's Papago Park. The trail is 1/10 of a mile with an elevation gain of 200 feet. It is considered to be an easy hike that provides some nice views of the Phoenix metro. The address is 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix AZ 85008.Instagram/@TeressaJacksonArt
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most picturesque and awe-inspiring natural rock formations in Arizona, if not the world. Its canyon spans 277 river miles, is a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide. Thousands of people venture to this tourist destination each year. The South Rim is open all year while the North Rim closes during the winter. Pictured above is Mather Point. Visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm for more information.Flickr/Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona's sunrises and sunsets are show-stopping numbers. The best is that they can be seen from generally anywhere in the state. Thanks to Jay Gold for sharing his view of a recent sunset in Tempe, Arizona.Jay Gold
Fossil Creek is one of two Wild and Scenic Rivers in Arizona. It spans 14 miles from Fossil Springs to the Verde River. It's a hot tourist attraction locally for its majestic trails and waterfalls. More than 20,000 gallons of 70-degree water flow each hour, according to the National Park Service. The trail is four miles each way and changes in grade. Between April and October, you have to reserve a permit to visit the area. Visit www.recreation.gov for more information.National Park Service
The Kartchner Caverns were reportedly discovered by two explorers in 1974, but was kept secret amongst a small group of people for years. It was acquired by Arizona State Parks in 1988, preserved, and two trails are now open to the public for guided tours. At its highest point, the caves are 43 feet above the entrance. At its lowest point, the cave is 76 feet below the entrance. Visit https://azstateparks.com for more information.Arizona State Parks
Petrified Forest National Park was created by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. It spans more than 218,000 acres of which 50,000 is designated as Wilderness, according to the National Park. More than 10,000 years of human history is preserved including ruins and writings. The multitude of colors in the wood comes from Pure quartz, manganese oxides, and iron oxides. Pictured above is a spot known as ice cream rocks. Visit https://www.nps.gov/pefo/ for more information.Petrified Forest/Flikr
Horseshoe Bend is part of Glen Canyon Natural Recreation Area in northern Arizona. The "bend" is a literal 270-degree bend in the Colorado River. The trail is 1.5 miles which includes walking up and down a sandy hill. From the top of the cliff, the river is 1000 feet beneath you. There are no guardrails so please be careful, watch your children and pets. Visit horseshoebend.com for more information.Josh Frigerio
Saguaro National Park can be found just outside Tucson in Southern Arizona. It features thousands of acres of land and Saguaro cacti. There are various scenic drives that immerse yourself in the Sonoran landscape.Instagram
While the Lowell Observatory isn't a natural Earthly wonder, it does give us a spectacular glimpse at the natural wonders of Space. It was founded in 1984 and has four telescopes, including the original 24-inch Alvan Clark Telescope. The staff there monitor the Kuiper Belt, search for planets orbiting stars, and research star formation. Lowell is located at 1400 W. Mars Hill Road in Flagstaff, Arizona. Ken Sanger, Lowell Observatory
According to Arizona State Parks, the Tonto Natural Bridge may be the largest travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands at 183 feet high and 150 feet at its widest point. It is 400 feet long. Visitors can walk on top of the bridge or through the tunnel at the bottom. It is located in Payson, Arizona. Visit https://azstateparks.com/tonto/ for more information.Arizona State Parks