The only national park in the U.S. to contain a portion of the famous and historic Route 66 is Petrified Forest National Park. (more…)

The state of Arizona has three national parks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Canyon National Park

Photo of Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National Park is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World and is a must see if visiting Arizona. It is the second most visited national park. Most visitors go to the North or East Rims of the canyon, but do be sure to visit the West Rim.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a unique glass-bottomed cantilever structure that spans 70 feet (21.34 meters) over the Grand Canyon’s western rim and sits 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) above the Colorado River, with nothing but glass and an amazing view below your feet. Completed in March 2007, the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West has quickly become one of the best day trip destinations in the Grand Canyon.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park photoThe Petrified Forest National Park is an amazing region of ancient forests that have been petrified and turned into colorful rocks. But, this is not the only attraction.

Sites throughout the park tell of human history in the area for more than 2,000 years. We don’t know the entire story, but there were separate occupations, a cultural transition from wandering families to settled agricultural villages, pueblos, and trading ties with neighboring villages. This story of early people, told by potshards, rubble, and pictures painted on the rocks, called petroglyphs, fades around 1400 AD.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park photoSaguaro National Park is a great place to see the huge saguaro cacti.

Saguaro National Park’s two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. A hike at Saguaro National Park can be a stroll on a short interpretive nature trail or a day-long wilderness trek. The Hugh Norris Trail is the longest and best hike in the park, to the top of Wasson Peak.

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Grand Canyon National Park

Although first afforded Federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument, the Grand Canyon did not achieve National Park status until 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. Today Grand Canyon National Park receives close to five million visitors each year.

Petrified Forest National Park

The only national park in the U.S. to contain a portion of the famous and historic Route 66 is Petrified Forest National Park.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is named after the giant saguaro cactus forest, unique to the Sonoran desert. It is the only national forest in the US made up entirely of giant cactus plants. But, for me, the real highlight is the ancient petroglyphs at Signal Hill.