Arizona is the 48th state of the United States of America. For many centuries, this part of the North American continent was inhabited by the Indian tribes. Currently, the state has a relatively low population density and semi-desert climate with warm winters and hot summers.
At first glance, it would seem that this is an unremarkable destination, but if you rent a car in Phoenix and go on a road trip to explore it more deeply, you will understand that Arizona is an ideal place for traveling and active recreation. It concentrates a huge number of various attractions: these are famous monuments of history, culture and architecture, engineering masterpieces as well as unique natural objects.
Unfortunately, many tourists from other countries don’t know what is best to visit in Arizona. In case you are one of them, we recommend that you go to the following places…
The Painted Desert
Most of Arizona consists of deserts. However, the desert of this state is not the usual desert with the scorching sun and endless sand dunes. Besides the fact that the Painted Desert doesn’t have large reserves of sand, its relief consists of small hills and mountains painted in different colors.
The terrain is really colorful – it looks like a mixture of red, white, green and ocher. All this colorful countryside stretches from the Grand Canyon to the National Park of Northern Arizona along one of the small tributaries of the Colorado River.
The Painted Desert has won the hearts of tourists and locals for its incredibly beautiful sunsets. When the sun begins to set behind the horizon, then its rays are reflected from the red and golden peaks of mountains and desert hills, thereby creating an imitation that the relief is burning.
In addition to its natural beauty, the Painted Desert can boast of a convenient tourist infrastructure. A small town in the style of the Wild West was built there especially for tourists and a thematic Indian settlement was erected.
Lake Powell
At the end of the 50s of the 20th century, the construction of dams in the Wild West began in America. It was decided to choose such a place for the construction of another dam that would be located along the course of the Colorado River. After the construction of the dam, which took about eight years, on one side of it a canyon emerged from under the water, and on the other – a huge reservoir appeared.
As already stated above, Lake Powell was formed by man, just as the Glen Canyon and the Rainbow Bridge were formed. All these majestic and attractive tourist sights are located in close proximity to each other, which facilitates visits to these places. At Lake Powell, every person will find something to enjoy.
Here you can relax on the beach, admire nature, take a ride on water skis, water scooter or try yachting, go fishing, diving, and wander around the picturesque surroundings.
Papago Park
Papago Park is another incredibly beautiful natural landmark in Arizona. This park is located near the Sonoran Desert, about within 10-15 minutes’ drive from Phoenix. During a severe drought, the reserve becomes the only source of water for the plants closest to it, since it’s a kind of oasis in the desert.
Many tourists are attracted by the extraordinary beauty of the park. What can you do while visiting Papago Park? As a rule, Americans living nearby visit the park for walks and sports. There are well-equipped walking paths for pedestrians and cyclists. If during the walk you will be exhausted by the scorching sun, then you can hide from it in the nearest gazebo.
Don’t forget that the Sonoran Desert is located not far from the park – during the decline of the heat it can be easily visited by anyone.
Havasu Falls
The state of Arizona is almost completely covered with the desert and its main attractions are the beautiful canyons, the meteorite crater and the aircraft graveyard. However, on the territory of the almost completely dry Grand Canyon, there is a turquoise Havasu Falls, which amazes all the tourists with its incredible and even unnatural beauty. This object can be seen on many tourist vouchers to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, but, unfortunately, not all travelers can see it.
The main obstacle for tourists on the way to Havasu Falls is its inaccessibility. The fact that the road leading to it is in poor condition and part of the way you will have to go on foot.