Home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Arizona boasts a geologically diverse landscape. The state has been shaped by rivers, volcanoes, and meteors, among other natural land-changers, and the result is stunning scenery from north to south. The state holds 22 national parks that saw more than 10.2 million visitors in 2011, according to the National Parks Service, but the landforms outside the parks are worth a visit as well.
The Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world, is so important to Arizona that the state is nicknamed “The Grand Canyon State.” The canyon, formed over millions of years by the turbulent waters of the Colorado River, is one mile deep; you can explore it by hiking, mule-riding or river rafting. Even if you’re not adventurous enough to trek within the canyon, you can take in the beautiful views from both the North and South Rims. The latter is easiest to get to, so it’s more popular with tourists. The North Rim, though only 400 feet to 18 miles away as the bird flies, depending on your point at the canyon, can only be reached by driving 220 miles around the canyon or by hiking into the canyon. During the winter, snow makes car trips to the North Rim impossible. One trail, the South Kaibab, crosses the Colorado River on a foot bridge 70 feet above the water. The journey is 21 miles rim to rim with a vertical descent. The region surrounding the Grand Canyon is sparsely populated; however, eight properties offer lodging inside the national park. Outside the park, visitors typically book hotels in the towns of Williams or Tusayan as well as in the city of Flagstaff.
San Francisco Peaks
Reaching a height of 12,633 feet, the San Francisco Peaks tower over the northern Arizona city of Flagstaff. Of the six summits, the tallest is Humphrey’s Peak, the highest in the state; the collective peaks are considered sacred by many native tribes, including the Navajos, Hopi, Zuni, Havasupai and Yavapai-Apache. The peaks, which are actually dormant volcanoes, are named after St. Francis of Assisi; the area was formed more than six million years ago by the eruptions of more than 600 volcanoes. They beckon outdoor enthusiasts who come for hiking, skiing and camping throughout the year. The San Francisco Peaks rose between 500,000 to one million years ago, according to Arizona Leisure Vacation Guide, and have not erupted since. During the summer months, 30 hiking trails are operated by Arizona Snowbowl (arizonasnowbowl.com), suitable for every visitor, from novice to intrepid explorer. If you’re just starting out, try Deer Hill Trail, a 10-mile round trip hike that’s mostly flat with scenic views of nearby Sunset Crater. Experienced hikers can hike Humphrey's Trail, a rocky nine-mile trek that leads you on a steep climb to the highest point in the state. During the winter months, Snowbowl offers skiing and snowboarding trails. A lodge and cabins are at the base of the mountains, but the surrounding town of Flagstaff contains a variety of hotels and restaurants for visitors staying overnight.
The trickiest part about the Mogollon Rim is pronouncing its name. Named after a Spanish colonial governor, the eastern Arizona landform is pronounced “MUG-ee-own.” The rim, characterized by cliffs that are thousands of feet high in some places, extends almost 200 miles, or two-thirds of the state. It marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. Communities situated around the Mogollon Rim include Payson, Pine, Strawberry and Christopher Creek. The average elevation across the rim is approximately 7,000 feet, so the weather is cooler than the deserts of Phoenix, making for a good weekend getaway as it's less than 100 miles from the heart of the state capital. To get to the Mogollon Rim, head east out of Phoenix and take Route 87 north; it will lead you straight into Payson. From there, both Strawberry and Pine are at less than 20 miles to the northwest, while Christopher Creek is another hour east. Hiking trails on the Mogollon Rim include the Barbershop Trail, the Bell Trail along Wet Beaver Creek, and the Houston Brothers Trail. The Mogollon Rim Visitors Center (rimcountrychamber.com), located in Payson, offers information about scenic drives and other sightseeing ventures.
Colorado River and Surrounding Lakes
Arizona isn't known for its water features, but more than 500 miles of the Colorado River are located either in Arizona or on its border. The river is known for forming the Grand Canyon, but the river's dams also have spawned large rivers, such as Lake Powell on the state's northern border. After the Colorado winds its way to the west, it begins to form borders between states; first with Nevada, creating Lake Mead by way of the Hoover Dam. Next, it flows south, where the Parker Dam creates Lake Havasu on the California/Arizona border. Visitors often come to the lake and Lake Havasu City to see the London Bridge, which was purchased and transported to the town in the mid-1960s. Lake Havasu is a tourist destination, particularly during spring break and the summer months. You can kayak or canoe down the Colorado River on your own water vessel or by renting one from a local company such as Western Arizona Canoe and Kayak Outfitters (azwacko.com). For a fee, the company will rent equipment, as well as a map and shuttle to the starting point. If you’d rather relax, visit London Bridge Beach, which offers a sandy beach and view of the London Bridge and mountains. After leaving Lake Havasu, the river heads south of the border into Mexico where it dries up.
To see where space met Earth in an explosive impact, visit Meteor Crater in Northern Arizona, off I-40 near Winslow. Approximately 50,000 years ago, a piece of asteroid traveling 26,000 miles per hour collided with Earth, leaving a crater approximately one mile across and 550 feet deep. The crater was discovered by Grove Gilbert at the end of the 19th century, and eventual studies provided theories that the meteor was approximately 150 feet in diameter and weighed 300,000 tons. The visitor center (meteorcrater.com), which requires a fee for admission, includes outdoor observation trails, a movie theater, an interactive discover center, a memorial park and gift shop. It also showcases the largest surviving fragment of the colliding asteroid, which weighs three-fourths of a ton. Because Meteor Crater is less than 35 miles from Flagstaff, it makes a good day trip when visiting Northern Arizona. It's also located between Flagstaff and the city of Winslow, the historic city that features a Wild West atmosphere.
- Arizona Leisure Vacation Guide: San Francisco Peaks
- AZCentral.com: Mogollon Rim Guide
- Go-Arizona: Colorado River, Arizona Travel Guide
- Frommers.com: Lake Havasu
- Meteor Crater
- The American Southwest: Meteor Crater
- National Park Service: Grand Canyon
- Arizona Snowbowl
- Town of Payson
- Go Lake Havasu: Activities -- The Iconic London Bridge
- Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images