Arizona National Parks Map

 

How many national parks are in Arizona?

It includes 3 national parks Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro. The celebrated national monuments such as Chiricahua and Casa Grande Ruins are located in Arizona. Around 13-million tourists visit these national parks every year.

List of National Parks in Arizona

National Parks in Arizona

1. Grand Canyon National Park

   Grand Canyon National Park, is one of the most celebrated national parks in the United States. It is spread across 277 miles (446 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. The Grand Canyon is one mile (1.6 km) deep and up to 18 miles (29 km) wide. Visitors will get an unmatched experience to witness the geologic history of the land having layered bands of colourful rock along the Colorado River. Check out this Grand Canyon National Park Map for all the things you want to know about Grand Canyon National Park.

   Grand Canyon is the biggest canyon in the US and also one of the largest in the entire world. Its awe-inspiring size and more than millions of years of history make it a must-visit place in the world. This natural splendour has stunning multilayered colourful rocks showcasing different geologic eras. You can also enjoy the historic trails such as Kaibab, Hermit, and Bright Angel.

   Grand Canyon National Park has vibrant wildlife, home to thousands of species including bighorn sheep, little brown bats, and California condors. The nearest cities to this National Park are Phoenix, Flagstaff (Arizona), and Las Vegas (Nevada).

2. Petrified Forest National Park

   If millions of years of history intrigue you, this is the place for you to travel. Reach out to Petrified Forest National Park to witness and touch 225-million-years old fossilized trees. Check out this Petrified Forest National Park Map for all the things you want to know about the national park.

   This is the perfect place for exploration and discovery. It not only offers you all the wonders known for a century but also many new adventures and discoveries. Rediscover Petrified Forest with backcountry hikes like Red Basin and new exhibits.

   The ancient tree trunks and logs have turned into solid, sparkling quartz in a rainbow of colours. Whether it is the red-brown colour of jasper, purple of the amethyst or yellow of citrine, the sight in Petrified Forest National Park is awesome.

   If you want to find yourself alone in the spectacular landscape, take a longer hike at Jasper Forest Trail. Don’t forget to enjoy the paved hiking trail loops around the blue-white rock at Blue Mesa’s pastel-hued badlands.

   The nearest city to this National Park is Holbrook Phoenix (Arizona). Albuquerque (New Mexico) and Phoenix (Arizona) are the nearest cities having major airports.

3. Saguaro National Park

   This place is the home of the tallest and oldest saguaro cacti (the universal symbol of the American West) in the United States. The majestic saguaro can be 50-60 feet high and live for 250 years. Have you ever seen these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset? If not, you are really missing some of the splendours of the world. Check out this Saguaro National Park Map for all the things you want to know about the national park.

   There are two segments of Saguaro National Park, situated on both sides of the nearest town Tucson. The densest saguaro stands can be found in the Tucson Mountain District, where you can also have sweeping views from the Valley View Overlook Trail. On the eastern side, the Rincon Mountain District is located. It features dramatic mountain silhouettes along with the popular Cactus Forest Loop Drive.

    

   Late spring to early summer is the best time to visit Saguaro National Park. The enormous waxy white flowers, which are also the Arizona state symbol, bloom during this time.

   Saguaro National Park is a hiker’s paradise all year round. To enjoy the most vivid wildflower displays, try hiking the Hope Camp and Ridgeview Trails.

Top 3 National Monuments, Memorials, and Historic Sites/Trails in Arizona

1. Canyon de Chelly National Monument

   This is one of the most sacred places in the world. There are around 90 individual campsites in the campground. Canyon de Chelly, a labyrinth of three narrow canyons, was first settled around 2,500 B.C.E. by the Ancestral Puebloans. The indigenous peoples have been sheltered in this place for around 5,000-years. Over 800 ancient archaeological sites are between Monument Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, and Canyon del Muerto. These sites are very sacred to the Navajo and other tribes.

   The Canyon de Chelly National Monument was established back in 1931 for protecting vulnerable archaeological sites and artefacts. This monument, situated completely within the Navajo tribal homeland is administered by the National Park Service (NPS). Mummy Cave ruins, Antelope House, and Spider Rock are must-see places for you on these drives. Don’t forget to enjoy the White House Trail to the spectacular White House ruins.

   Holbrook (Arizona) and Gallup (New Mexico) are the nearest cities to the Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

2. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

   Monument Valley truly signifies the landscape that you associate with the Wild West of the USA. This monument is also located in the Navajo tribal land and is administered completely by the Navajo Nation. The tribal families live in this area for centuries. The sunrise and sunset times are mesmerizing. If you are a photography buff, you can get some of the most vivid photos of your life here. You can self-drive a jeep. To learn the tribal cultural context of the window rocks, sandstone arches, and most importantly the Ancestral Puebloan cliff paintings, you can get help from a tribal guide. Flagstaff (Arizona) is the nearest city to the monument and is a 4-hour drive away to the south.

3. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

   The towering cinder cones of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is located just half an hour north of Flagstaff (AZ). These are the remnants of an active volcano, which erupted a thousand years back. You can enjoy the excitement of climbing a volcano or that of Hawaii at this National Monument site. You can enjoy hiking the trail from Lava’s Edge Trail to the Lava Flow Trail. You can walk a one-mile trail up to 7,250-feet Lenox Crater to get great views of Sunset Crater as well as the surrounding Bonito lava flow.

Other Popular National Monuments, Memorials, and Historic Sites in Arizona

1. Casa Grande Ruins (Coolidge, AZ)
2. Chiricahua (Willcox, AZ)
3. Fort Bowie (Willcox, AZ)
4. Grand Canyon-Parashant (Northern Arizona, AZ)
5. Hubbell Trading Post (Ganado, AZ)
6. Juan Bautista de Anza (Nogales, AZ to San Francisco, CA, AZ,CA))
7. Montezuma Castle (Camp Verde, AZ)
8. Navajo (Black Mesa, AZ)
9. Old Spanish (AZ,CA,CO,NV,NM,UT)
10. Organ Pipe Cactus (Ajo, AZ)
11. Pipe Spring (Fredonia, AZ)
12. Tonto (Roosevelt, AZ)
13. Tumacacori (Tumacácori, AZ)
14. Tuzigoot (Clarkdale, AZ)
15. Walnut Canyon (Flagstaff, AZ)
16. Wupatki (Flagstaff, AZ)

Top National Recreation Areas

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

It is spread over an area of more than 1.25 million acres, offering you unparalleled water-based & backcountry recreation opportunities. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area stretches from Lees Ferry in AZ to Orange Cliffs of southern Utah. Enjoy a wide panorama of human history, geologic wonders, and mesmerizing scenic beauty.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

It is the first and largest national recreation area in the United States. Tourists can visit Lake Mead around the year to enjoy the striking landscapes of the brilliant blue waters. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of two large lakes (Lake Mead and Lake Mohave), valleys, canyons, and mountains. They are spread across a total area of around 1.5 million acres. You can either find solitude in the nine wilderness areas of the park or see the Hoover Dam from the waters of the two lakes.