When we moved to Arizona, we had no idea at the infinite amount of nature areas there would be to visit.. Boasting 31 state parks, 6 national forests, 3 national parks, and 4 national monuments, choosing where to go for wonderful nature is both a treat and challenge.
If you’re currently in the planning stages of your Arizona trip and find yourself wondering where to go for the best natural scenery, it’s very likely that you’re currently feeling pretty overwhelmed with the process.
Simply put, you could easily spend an entire year exploring the Grand Canyon State and still not get to see everything. If you don’t have that much time to spare, I’ve put together a list of the 7 top natural destinations in Arizona you should definitely focus on!
7 Amazing Nature Destinations in Arizona
Tonto National Bridge State Park
Believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, Tonto National Bridge State Park is a true geological wonder where you’ll feel as though you were transported into a fairytale-like setting due to its beauty.
While visiting, you’ll get the chance to stand on top of the bridge to absorb the beauty of Pine Creek as well as explore travertine rocks inside a tunnel. You can also choose from four different hiking trails that will take you down into the canyon! A great family activity for sure.
Horseshoe Bend
Located in the heart of Glen Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is on the Colorado River and looks just like the shape of a horseshoe.
Visiting Horseshoe Bend’s main viewpoint (which you’ll probably recognize from Instagram) is pretty easy and requires a short 1-mile hike from the city of Page. As a plus, Horseshoe Bend is a quick stop if you’re already planning on visiting the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley. It’s a great side trip either going or coming.
Lake Powell
As one of the most famous landmarks in Glen Canyon, Lake Powell is a tranquil section of the Colorado River.
Its blue waters snake around a red rock canyon, which makes the scenery here feels like you are no longer in Arizona. While getting to soak in the beauty of the scenery is reason enough to visit, there are plenty of activities to help you get close and personal with the landscape, including hiking, wildlife spotting, tubing, paddle boarding, water skiing, etc.
Petrified Forest National Park
Bold and bright colors aren’t the staples of nature, but a visit to Petrified Forest National Park will prove just how wrong that statement is!
Million years back, heavy floods brought logs into the area which were later buried and crystalized by volcanic activity in the region. Today, re-exposed logs create a multicolored landscape of sparkly crystallized logs guaranteed to make you feel as though you’re walking in a completely different galaxy.
Havasu Falls
Thanks to its remarkable beauty, Havasu Falls is quite likely one of the most famous natural destinations in Arizona. Great things take effort, they say, so do keep in mind that, in order to get to them, you’ll need to brave a pretty challenging hike and plan ahead of time in order to be able to snag a permit to enter the area, which can be an adventure in itself!
While the trek is definitely challenging due to its elevation gain and extreme heat in the summer, the trail itself is part of the Havasu Falls adventure, with three other waterfalls marking milestones, some of which you can actually swim in!
The reservation is currently closed to visitors due to Covid.
Hoover Dam
A man-made dam may not sound like a place that should be listed inside a natural destinations post, but its unraveled beauty is guaranteed to change your mind!
Built inside the alluring Black Canyon and just over the Colorado River, standing atop the dam provides the most incredible views of the canyon and rivers. Moreover, you’ll also get the chance to enjoy activities in nearby Lake Mead and spot tons of desert bighorn sheep at Hemenway Park!
Be sure to take a tour of the dam to learn all about it. My kids still talk about this destination.
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
Tucked away inside Navajo land, Canyon De Chelly National Monument is a striking canyon that provides a perfect opportunity to explore some of Arizona’s lesser-known natural attractions as well as learn more about the Navajo people, who continue to inhabit the area.
The main thing at Canyon de Chelly is Spider Rock, a monumental sand spire that looms over the landscape at 755 feet high. A visit will also give you the chance to explore nature while getting a dose of history, as many of the best trails feature ruins and rock art from the Anazaki and Puebloan people.
Have you ever visited any of these nature destinations in Arizona?
