50 Mesmerizing Attractions in the Southwest
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11. Pa’Rus trail at Zion National Park
Zion National Park is one of the West’s most underrated national parks. With towering rock formations, lush plant life, and the serene Virgin river flowing through the park, the name Zion (which translates into a “place of peace” in Hebrew) really rings true. The Pa’Rus trail is the easiest trail within the park. Fortunately, it’s also one of the most scenic as it follows the course of the river and is lined by colorful rock formations on both sides.
The 3 mile long distance makes it a perfect choice for an easy bike ride or nature walk, and thus, suitable for all visitors no matter your fitness ability. Avid cyclists can choose to go further via connecting to the Zion canyon scenic drive and riding along the road (definitely recommended for the incredibly scenic views!).
Location: Just a few miles outside of Springdale, Utah
Fee: $35 per vehicle for a 7 day pass or $20 per person
12. Aspen Nature Loop
The beautiful high altitude Aspen Nature Loop at Arizona Snowbowl is one of the most spectacular hikes in gorgeous Flagstaff. Like Inner Basin, this one is also mesmerizing during the fall season as golden groves of aspens line much of the trail. Surprisingly, this trail remains isolated for much of the year despite the immense beauty.
The lack of crowds, big mountain views, and gorgeous drive up Snowbowl Rd are more reasons to specifically seek out this gorgeous trail. This adventure starts out around 8000 ft and follows a quaint quiet loop of just over 1.5 miles with a modest elevation gain of just 275 ft. Any nature lover/hiker staying in Flagstaff definitely needs to check out this beauty!
Location: Arizona Snowbowl – 7 miles outside of Flagstaff
More info on the Aspen Nature Loop
13. Grand Canyon South Rim
A trip to the Grand Canyon should be on every nature lover, photographer, and hiker’s travel bucket list. It’s hard to pass up on one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders, especially when there are numerous other national monuments, parks, and wonders within close vicinity which you can combine for one amazing trip. Quite surprisingly, the Grand Canyon is not one of the Seven World Wonders! Nevertheless, it’s still a worthy addition to any bucket list.
There are 2 entrances to the Grand Canyon, with the North Rim being the more peaceful and scenic section, and the South Rim being the more easily accessible and offering more amenities than the North Rim. If you can score a room at the historic El Tovar Lodge (which often sells out months in advance), this is the way to go as it is conveniently located right on the rim.
Taking a stroll along the 14 mile paved Rim trail, a rustic hiking adventure along the South Kalibab trail into the heart of the canyon, lunch at the El Tovar, and enjoying the vistas from Mather and Yavapai Point are the must-do’s on any South Rim trip. Adventure seekers must plan for a hike along the South Kalibab. The 1.5 mile hike to Skeleton Point is extremely difficult due to the steepness & high altitude. However, the views are simply out-of-this-world. The opportunity to take in the canyon scenery minus the crowds is truly an opportunity not to be missed.
Location: Northern Arizona
Fee: $35 per vehicle for a 7 day pass or $20 per person/cyclist
More info on the Grand Canyon South Rim
14. Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park, located in the quiet suburb of Oro Valley about 20 minutes north of Tucson, is one of the area’s hidden gems. Hands down, Catalina is one of the best places to hike in Southern Arizona due to the beautiful mountain scenery, abundance of cacti plants, and secluded trails. It’s rare to see more than a handful of people on any trail here so you can take all the time you want exploring the various desert plants without feeling like there are mounds of people on your back.
Towering vistas of the Santa Catalina mountains surround you on every trail. If you wish to enjoy the Sonoran Desert in a peaceful & beautiful setting, Catalina is an ideal choice. From an easy 2 mile nature stroll, to an all day adventure to Romero Pools, there’s a trail to suit every skill level. And compared to Saguaro National Park, entry is a bargain at just $7 per vehicle.
Location: Oro Valley, Arizona
Fee: $7 per vehicle or $3 per person/cyclist
More info on Catalina State Park
15. Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua, known as “the wonderland of rocks,” is a hidden gem in southeastern Arizona. Due to the isolated nature, the park remains very uncrowded. The various hoodoos and weird rock formations really give this park a unique look, even for Arizona where you can find all sorts of interesting rock formations throughout the state. The park is also known for its’ large number of balancing rocks. Basically, there are big boulders which sit upon other large rocks. An 8 mile paved drive and over 17 miles of hiking trails give you plenty to do to justify a day trip from Tucson or anywhere else in the state.
Location: Wilcox, Arizona
There is no fee!
