Northern Arizona Area Guide

Nature Parks of Northern Arizona

 Between Phoenix and Flagstaff lies Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Red Rocks State Park, and Coconino National Forest. Located near Payson sits Tonto National Bridge State Park which is home to what is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Just north of Tonto is Coconino National Forest. Coconino offers a vast number of activities including hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It is also home to the highest natural peak in the state of Arizona, Humphreys Peak. West of this beautiful natural forest is Sedona which is known for the beautiful Red Rocks State Park. This iconic state park is a nature preserve and environmental education center with the most breathtaking of views.  

A little farther north of Flagstaff is the Grand Canyon National Park, Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon Nation Park, and Antelope Canyon. Each of these locations provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience and views. Widely considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon has two parts that are popular for tourists to visit, the South Rim and the North Rim. Close to the North Rim is the Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon National Park. This is the most recognizable part of Glen Canyon National Park due to the sharp bend of the Colorado River. Not too far from this amazing landmark is Antelope Canyon. You can tour this canyon to step inside this natural sculpture for some amazing views and Instagram pictures.  

Popular Northern Arizona Attractions

Across the state, there are a couple of staples of attractions that draw a lot of people into Northern Arizona. One of those is the Historic US Route 66. Route 66 spans the state and goes through Flagstaff and Williams, Arizona. Along the route, you can find a bunch of historical sites and beautiful sights.  

Getting down into the center of Northern Arizona is Flagstaff. Flagstaff has a beautiful, historic downtown that provides the perfect combination of modern eats and a laidback atmosphere. It is also a great place to go for an apres-ski after spending the day in the mountains at the Arizona Snowbowl. The Snowbowl is open all year round to visitors with and without snow. However, before you go, be sure to find out if they are open because they do close due to inclement weather for the safety of the public.  

A short drive west of Flagstaff is Willams, Arizona. Williams is home to a popular drive-thru wildlife park, Bearizona, and the Grand Canyon Railway. Bearizona is around 160 acres in the Ponderosa Pine Forest where you can view a variety of North American animals in their natural habitats. This is a great way to get close to some of these animals while staying safe in your vehicle. A little further into town you can find the start of the Grand Canyon Railway. This is a great way to see the countryside of Arizona on your way to see the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is a great way to spend the day and see a ton of beautiful sights.