Arizona’s National Parks and Monuments
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Arizona’s National Parks and Monuments
Arizona is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse national parks in the country. From the breathtaking Grand Canyon to the stunning Saguaro National Park, there is no shortage of natural wonders to explore.
Spend a few weeks traveling Arizona and visiting them all, or pick one at a time! Either way, you’ll be impressed with the wonderful preservation of these areas, and you’ll learn about Arizona’s history along the way!
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is perhaps the most well-known national park in Arizona, and for good reason. The park is home to one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders, with deep canyons and towering cliffs that stretch as far as the eye can see. Visitors can hike the park’s many trails, take a scenic drive along the rim, or even go white-water rafting down the Colorado River.
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park. is located in northeastern Arizona and is known for its vibrant colors and unique rock formations. The park is home to one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, as well as ancient petroglyphs and fossils.
Saguaro National Park
Located just outside of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is home to thousands of towering saguaro cacti, as well as a variety of other desert plants and wildlife. Visitors can hike the park’s many trails, take a scenic drive through the park, or even camp under the stars.
Tumacacori Historical National Park
At the intersection of history at nature sits Tumacacori Historical National Park, a beautiful expanse in Santa Cruz county marking where European missionaries and indigenous peoples met and occasionally traded and mixed. There are trails, monuments to the mission, and beautiful sites to explore for a full and informative day.
Arizona’s National Monuments
Arizona is also home to a diverse collection of natural, cultural, and historical landmarks that have been designated as National Monuments by the United States government. Scattered throughout Arizona’s gorgeous landscapes, they mark important moments and places that give the state its unique culture.
Agua Fria National Monument
Located in central Arizona, this monument protects the remains of Native American settlements, petroglyphs, and historic sites from the 19th century.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Located in northeastern Arizona, this monument features rugged canyons and towering cliffs that were once home to the Ancestral Puebloan people.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Located in south-central Arizona, this monument protects the ruins of a four-story adobe structure built by the Hohokam people around 1350 AD.
Chiricahua National Monument
Located in southeastern Arizona, this monument features a unique landscape of rock formations, including towering spires and balanced rocks.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
Located in northwestern Arizona, this monument encompasses a vast wilderness area surrounding the Grand Canyon.
Ironwood Forest National Monument
Located in southern Arizona, this monument protects a pristine desert landscape that is home to numerous species of plants and animals. This monument is unique in being managed by the Bureau of Land Management, rather than the Park Service.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Located in central Arizona, this monument preserves the remains of cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago.
Located in northern Arizona, this monument features ancient cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloan people, found in dwellings not occupied since 1300 AD.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Located in southern Arizona, this monument protects a diverse desert landscape that is home to numerous species of cacti and wildlife.
Pipe Spring National Monument
Located in northern Arizona, this monument preserves the history of the Kaibab Paiute people and the early settlers who lived in the area.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Located in northern Arizona, this monument features a volcanic landscape that was formed by the eruption of a looming volcano over 900 years ago.
Tonto National Monument
Located in central Arizona, this monument preserves the ruins of cliff dwellings built by the Salado people over 700 years ago.
Tuzigoot National Monument
Located in central Arizona, this monument preserves the ruins of a pueblo built by the Sinagua people around 1000 AD.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Located in northern Arizona, this monument protects the ruins of cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago. Visitors can hike down into the canyon to explore the ruins and learn about the history of the people who once lived there.
Wupatki National Monument
Located in northern Arizona, this monument preserves the ruins of multiple pueblos built by the Ancestral Puebloan people over 800 years ago. Visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the ancient culture and way of life of these early inhabitants of the region.
These National Monuments in Arizona offer visitors a glimpse into the rich history and natural wonders of the state, and they are managed by the National Park Service to ensure their preservation for future generations. Check out the links and websites for each site’s rules, entrance fees (if applicable), and hours of service, and while you’re there, learn about the deep history of each! NPS is a wonderful resource for information, and for the preservation of these great Arizona treasures. Have fun and learn!
