Although your Liv Multifamily community has some excellent amenities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, we all feel the need for a change of scenery now and then. If you have been wanting to explore Arizona's state or national parks, you'll be glad to know that many of them are only a short drive away. Enjoy these state and national parks Liv residents can't miss!
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon National Park, which is administered by the National Park Service in Arizona, is perhaps the most well-known of the parks in the state. There's a reason for this. The Grand Canyon is one of North America's most magnificent natural sights.
To see the canyon in all its glory, head to one of the many viewing areas on the south rim. You'll be able to appreciate the rocky walls, colorful ridges, and incredible depth of this natural wonder.
If you're feeling particularly daring, sign up for a guided tour through the canyon. You can choose to go by foot or on a mule. Just keep in mind that this journey is quite physically demanding, so it may not be appropriate for seniors, those with health conditions, or very young children. And if you are interested in taking a guided tour, start making preparations well ahead of time since there is usually a long waitlist.
Petrified Forest National Park
The Petrified Forest National Park's trees aren't composed of wood any longer, as they have been preserved by minerals absorbed for over 2 million years. Instead, the trunks are composed of quartz and other mineral particles that sparkle and glow in the light.
The glistening trees are just one aspect of the forest's beauty; many of the rock formations in the woods also contain quartz, which reflects light in striking hues of brown, green, and pink. They're really something to see.
While the petrified trees are stunning, they are not the only things to see in this region. If you're a trekker, go on the Jasper Forest Trail, which is well-kept but seldom traveled. You may quickly find yourself alone with the natural wonders surrounding you if you take this route.
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro cacti have become a symbol of desert landscapes. In Saguaro National Park, you'll see these slow-growing cacti all throughout the Sonoran Desert, their natural habitat.
Saguaro National Park is made up of two areas, with the city of Tucson separating them. The beauty of Saguaro National Park as a hiker's paradise can't be overstated. For those who want to see the cacti but don't have the inclination or ability to go hiking in the desert sun, accessible automobile routes allow you to take a picturesque tour around the park's many attractions and cacti. Consider visiting Saguaro National Park in late spring or early summer when the cacti bloom and their enormous white flowers add to their beauty.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
A trip to Canyon de Chelly National Monument may be right up your alley if you're searching for a fun weekend getaway and are interested in ancient civilizations and their ruins. You will be able to view the cliffside homes of the Anasazi, also known as the "Ancient Ones."
For nearly a thousand years, the Anasazi lived and created their culture in this location's stunning crimson rock canyon walls. They then departed, leaving behind their homes and cliff-dwelling existence.
Navajos settled in the canyons neighboring the cliffs later, and they still reside there. If you want to see the Anasazi ruins, you must first visit the visitor center and sign up for a Navajo guide to escort you on horseback or four-wheeler into the monument's remote regions.
For those who enjoy camping, this national park offers free campsites in specific zones. If you want to make a weekend of it and stay at one of these locations, arrive early and plan ahead. These campsites cannot be booked in advance. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the caveat that if they fill up before you register, you will have to spend the night elsewhere.
Chiricahua National Monument
The Chiricahua National Monument is a natural rock wonderland and home to some of the world's most incredible formations. With towering stone features as far as the eye can see, it's easy to understand why the area was named by the Chiricahua Apache tribe, "the land of standing up rocks."
For people who enjoy walking, this journey is equally as enjoyable as it is for those who like to do more sedentary activities. This monument has 17 kilometers of hiking trails and an 8-mile scenic drive through its wonders.
If you're looking to camp at this national park, make sure you have a plan and a reservation. The waitlist for these sites can get pretty long, so it's best to be prepared. While you're here, take some time to visit the visitor center and learn about the Native American peoples who used to live in this area.
The Painted Desert
The Painted Desert is not a national or state park in its own right, but parts of it are located within both the Petrified Forest National Park and the Grand Canyon National Park. The Navajo Nation encompasses the sections of the Painted Desert that lie between those two national parks.
The outer reaches of the Chihuahuan desert, which may be accessed via adjacent national parks, provide stunning scenery and hiking adventures for the more daring.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
The Walnut Canyon National Monument is a short drive from Flagstaff. Here you will learn about the Sinagua people and their ancient homes and lifestyle.
A guided tour of these fascinating ruins will leave you with a new respect for the ancient peoples who inhabited there and a whole new perspective on history.
Wupatki National Monument
If you're looking to walk in the footsteps of history, look no further than Wupatki National Monument. The site is littered with ruins of the Sinagua people, who once roamed the grassy plains instead of cliff dwellings. Hike along ancient trails and explore a 900-year-old pueblo for a first-hand look at Native American culture that has withstood centuries.
Catalina State Park
The famed saguaro cactus and a variety of other desert plants and animals may be seen at the huge Catalina State Park. It is a popular destination for birders who want to see more than 150 species of birds that utilize this park as their home. Unlike many other Arizona parks, this park has horseback riding and cycling trails.
Various Parks in Verde Valley
The Verde Valley is home to many great parks and Jerome State Historic Park is one of them. The park features the Douglas Mansion, now a visitor center and museum that overlooks the valley below with its former working mines. At the Tuzigoot National Monument, you can take a self-guided tour of the 110-room Tuzigoot Pueblo village via a ⅓ mile loop trail. There are also other attractions onsite that you can enjoy. The Slide Rock State Park is a 43-acre apple farm with a creek in Oak Creek Canyon and a rock slide, which serves as the park's namesake.
Make the most of your trip by also including some of the area's other natural attractions in your itinerary, including Fort Verde State Historic Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park or the Verde River Greenway. Just bear in mind that many of these parks are a ten to thirty-minute drive apart from one another.
Lost Dutchman State Park
The Lost Dutchman State Park is a small state park in central Arizona, with just 320 acres. The Lost Dutchman State Park is located on the grounds of a historical goldmine that was once named after it. This state park is suited to experienced and brave hikers or bikers because of its close proximity to neighboring areas with hiking trails.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
If you've had your fill of fun in the sun and want to do something a bit different, consider visiting Kartchner Caverns State Park. The Kartchner Caverns are a great place to visit since they are always cool and shaded.
This cavern, containing magnificent limestone formations some over 50,000 years old, was found in 1974 by spelunking local cavers. You can take a 2.4 mile guided tour through the open parts of the cavern where you will hear about its history and see the stalactites and stalagmites up close as well as the animals that live there.
Many More Parks to Choose From
Here are a few of the many state and national parks in Arizona to visit that aren't too far from your Liv community. Become a Liv resident and you'll never be too far from exciting adventures — contact us at Liv to learn more.
