10 of the raddest outdoor adventures in Arizona
Chiricahua National Monument
Covering nearly 12,000 acres, this is where Native American warrior Geronimo and other Apaches hid and planned attacks against the invading U.S. Army. Today, the national monument is notable for hiking trails and birdwat...more
Staying on a dude ranch
Staying on a dude ranch in Arizona provides both (family-friendly) outdoor adventure and the amenities usually found in all-inclusive resorts. Ranches typically offer guided horse tours of the surrounding land and, depen...more
Hot-air ballooning over Sonoran Desert
Hot-air balloon tours operate across the state, but the opportunity to see southern Arizona’s Sonoran Desert from the sky make those in the Phoenix and Tucson areas especially appealing. Start early in the morning to tak...more
Floating the Salt River
Floating the Salt is a Phoenix-area tradition. Don’t expect rapids or ancient ruins, just happy weekenders tossing back beers, chatting up strangers, and having a great time.
Off-roading in Sedona
It’s easy to imagine Zeus and the other Greek Gods bickering over whether to settle on Mt. Olympus or in Sedona’s sandstone red rocks. During the evening, the massive outcroppings turn a shade of red so intense and worth...more
Whitewater rafting
No disrespect to the rim views of the Grand Canyon, but the only way to truly experience this wonder of the natural world is to float through it. For the last 6 million years, the Colorado River has been at work eroding ...more
Mountain biking
The northern Arizona town of Prescott has gone the extra mile to make itself a premiere destination for mountain bikers. The town has 250 miles of trails that range from the biker’s equivalent of bunny slopes to the pain...more
Verde Hot Springs
Once upon a time, the springs were part of a hotel carved into a mountain overlooking the Verde River. In the ‘60s, the hotel burned to the ground, leaving behind plenty of lore and two pools that sit in the old foundati...more
Havasu Canyon trail
One of the most incredible outdoor adventures in the States—whether you decide to hike, ride a horse, or take a helicopter to the falls—the strenuous 8-mile trip between Hualapai Hilltop and the water forces you to earn ...more
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