Arizona has always attracted nature-lovers, with its spectacular landscapes and contrasts. You can find everything from deserts to forests, from sunshine to snow. Here are 10 photos that bring Arizona’s beauty to life.
The Grand Canyon
It’s no surprise that the Grand Canyon is a perennial favorite destination for travelers. The canyon was carved by the Colorado River starting 5 million to 6 million years ago. It is over a mile deep and 277 miles long.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon was created by erosion that occurred from flash floods. It’s a popular place for tourists to visit. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful; it’s also flat and there’s no climbing involved to see it.
Horse Shoe Bend
Horse Shoe Bend is located near Page, Arizona. This meander gets its name because of its horse shoe shape. Its walls are made of many different minerals, including garnet and platinum.
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert stretches across Arizona into California. It is roughly 100,000 square miles in area, and is North America’s hottest desert.
Havasu Falls
The Havasu Falls can be found at the Grand Canyon. They have a greenish-blue color due to the water’s above-normal concentration of calcium carbonate.
Tumacacori National Historic Park
The Tumacacori National Historic Park is located about 30 minutes south of Tucson and protects the ruins of the Calabazas, Tumacacori and Guevavi 17th century missions.
Blue Mesa
The Blue Mesa earns its name from its blue banding. But you can also see other colors – including brown, white, green, and lavender. These deposits are more than 220 million years old. Despite being somewhat difficult to hike to, many visitors try to conquer the trail here to see its beauty.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is located near the Arizona and Utah border. Its red sand and large, sandstone buttes make it a popular destination.
Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
The Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge was a crucial part of the Hoover Dam Bypass project. Opened in 2010, the bridge was named after a football player who died while in the army.
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is located near Tucson, Arizona. The landscape contains a variety of flora and fauna, including the large saguaro cactus.