From Visit Arizona:
April is an amazing time to visit Arizona. Sunny skies and great weather throughout the state highlight panoramas of stunning color and surprisingly diverse landscapes from lush high deserts to whitewater rivers to snow-crusted mountain peaks and gigantic stands of ponderosa pine. It’s easy to combine outdoor exploration and urban culture — from Jeep tours of Sedona and the Grand Canyon to horseback treks in Monument Valley.
Such photogenic endeavors can be seamlessly augmented by a stay at a world-class resort, golf on challenging courses with spectacular views, museum visits and memorable local meals in the cosmopolitan centers of Greater Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson.
SPRINGTIME SENSATION: ARIZONA'S STATE PARKS' SUPER BLOOMS
In some parts of the world, April showers may precipitate May flowers, but in Arizona, wildflower season erupts into its vivid shades in February and March.
Besides early and often, the best way to catch those blankets of blooms is at one of the many scenic state parks. Remember: Show your respect for the natural landscape and preserve these wildflowers for others to enjoy by always staying on designated trails.
Located between
Phoenix and
Tucson,
Picacho Peak State Park may be known for its distinctive mountain of the same name, but it’s also a hotspot for wildflowers in the spring. Carpets of golden brittlebush unfurl along trails, while keen-eyed hikers might also spy lupine, cactus flowers and, when temperatures are still a little cooler, pockets of California poppies.
THE BEST SIDE-ADVENTURES TO ARIZONA’S ICONIC SIGHTS
Arizona is a bucket list state for many world travelers, and it’s easy to see why. Between Grand Canyon National Park, the energy vortexes of Sedona, and the movie-magic towers of Monument Valley, there is truly a lot to see. But which lesser-visited places are hiding in plain sight? Find our suggestions for the perfect complements to your classic Arizona itinerary below.
We get it, Grand Canyon National Park is the crowning jewel on your itinerary. This visually stunning natural feature is a joy to behold from the air, the visitor’s center, or the water itself. But don’t let your rush to get to the big ditch blind you from the sights along the way! Located five miles west of Tuba City along Highway 160, there’s one pull-off you don’t want to miss:
Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks. Several Dilophosaurus skeletons were once extracted from the area, but today, visitors can enjoy viewing a series of fossilized footprints dating back 200 million years. Look for a handmade sign directing you towards the dinosaur tracks, and peruse the Navajo silversmith vendor stands on the side of the road. We recommend taking a tour of the fossils with a Navajo guide (you’ll likely be offered a tour upon arrival). This is not a formal park or monument, so tips are greatly appreciated.
3 DAY TRIPS FOR SPRING TRAINING FANS
From late February through March, nearly 2 million baseball fans converge on metro Phoenix to watch their favorite pro teams during Cactus League Spring Training. If you're one of them, don't let the fun stop with peanuts, hot dogs and home runs. Take a day away from the park to embark on an Arizona road trip.
Starting from Mesa (home of the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics), this trip takes you through the town of Superior, Arizona, where you can walk among the spring wildflowers in a 400-acre garden dedicated to plants from desert nations.
Heading east on U.S. Route 60, your first stop is
Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Lined pathways wind through blooming plants, cacti and trees set amidst the serene mountains of the Sonoran Desert. It's a perfect complement to the action of the stadium.
Once in
Globe, grab a bite at
Nurd Berger, a local favorite that's won well-deserved praise for their shakes and "Next-Level Bergers." Browse the antique shops along Broad Street or request a tour of the allegedly haunted
Old Gila County Jail and Courthouse.
Check Out:
I just got my Arizona Travel Guide in the mail and after going through a few pages I came to this add for Discover Navajo. It made me smile. It reads: "Near Tuba City, AZ- right off Highway 264 - past mile marker 337.25 - just east of the dirt road - If you pass the windmill you've gone too far ..." I think that Terri and I will follow those directions one day.
In 1971, shortly after the opening of Bedrock City, South Dakota, Woody Speckels decided to expand the family’s Flintstone enterprise. Inspired by the success of the park in South Dakota, Woody came across a lonely, arid stretch of land for sale in the southwest, which seemed like an ideal location for a second tourist attraction. And in June 1972, Speckels and his son, Francis, opened Bedrock City, Arizona.
After months of sweltering heat, autumn grants respite to the beautiful landscape of red rock formations and to the turquoise water of the
Colorado River. While other states might close their attractions in the fall, that is when
Arizona's tourist season peaks. The changing leaves of Prescott National Forest and the ever-lasting red Grand Canyon or the emerald-green water inside the Emerald Cave make Arizona an unforgettable fall destination.
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