Fort McDowell, Arizona

No one really knows why the people from the Sonoran Desert built this mud skyscraper. Some scientists believe it was built as a astronomical observatory. What ever the reason, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a engineering marvel that was built in the 1300's. People have been so puzzled...

The grounds of this location are absolutely incredible – food is amazing, and the hot springs are magical.  Each hot spring boasts its own naturally occurring hybrid mix of minerals, which vary from place to place depending on the geology of the area. For the storied history of this location and ...

Spanning 9,951 acres of backcountry a few miles northwest of Lake Pleasant and about 25  miles north of Phoenix, Hells Canyon Wilderness area offers a quick way to escape into an untamed swath of desert that’s more paradise than purgatory.I have to say, this entire trail is 36.3 miles (and is tec...

You will park off I-17 at Forest Road 9006, which is approximately 1 mile from Sunset Point Rest Area. To find Forest Road 9006, you will spot an old ranching structure and a tall windmill. Park at the gate and get ready to explore the Richinbar Mine! The forest road will continue and bend s...

Zig Zag Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Canyon City, Arizona.

Government Springs Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Mayer, Arizona.

Castle Creek Road to Cleator is a point-to-point trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Black Canyon City, Arizona.

Badger Spring Wash is a dry stream bed most of the year. This trail starts from the Badger Spring Trailhead just off Route 17 north from Phoenix. The trail follows the stream bed, sometimes in or along side for 1.5 miles. At about one mile, you reach the spring and a good amount of water which is...

So to fully enjoy the theme of this hike, make sure to try and go right after a rain. But also know that since this is a pretty easy hike, you will won't be the only one there. This is also a great hike/ waterfall to do with someone that is new to desert hiking, since it is relatively easy and th...

This is one of the less traveled trails in White Tank Mountain Regional Park.  If you're looking for a solid day hike in the west valley, try this one.  It isn't a loop, but it ultimately connects with some of the other long trails so if you're up for a long hike, you have options.  This starts f...

This is a great place to begin your hike in the White Tank Mountains.  From the Ramada Way area, the trail begins to lead steadily into a small canyon.  As you get further up, the trail will begin get more steep.  After a short time it leads up to the first saddle and wraps around a ridge and bec...

There is a fee to enter this area $7 per adult as of 2025 (see AZStateParks.com for updates). There are 4 trails with many viewpoints from the parking lot, all of which are out and back. We followed the recommendation of the ranger working at the visitor's center and took the Gowan Trail down to ...

The pools at the Verde Hot springs are the remnants from an old resort built in the 1920's.  The resort was a once thriving tourist attraction and also rumored to be one of Al Capone's hideouts.  In the 1960's a fire destroyed the resort only leaving behind the foundation and the thermal pools al...

Verde Rim Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Camp Verde, Arizona.