Plan a Trip to Sedona, Arizona This Summer

Located in the heart of Arizona, Sedona is a magnificently beautiful desert town. This vibrant arts community is ripe with sightseeing adventures that are perfect for a summer getaway.

1. Red Rock State Park

Just like its name implies, this park is full of beautiful red rocks, which are part of a 286-acre natural preserve. Tourists can hike these rocks and check out the vibrant wildflowers, panoramic vistas and unique birds. Hikes are available both during the day and at night.

2. Slide Rock State Park

This park used to be an orchard and now has the fast-flowing channel, Oak Creek, running through it. The creek is perfect for both wading and swimming, as well as for other water activities. Oak Creek is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day while taking in breathtaking views all around you.

3. Cathedral Rock

The famous landmark is located inside the Coconino National Forest in Yavapai County. At an elevation of 4,921 feet, this rock is perfect for brave hikers who love scenic views. Cathedral rock has been photographed frequently for its majestic beauty.

4. Stargazing

Since Sedona has almost no light pollution, it is ideal for stargazing. The desert valley is free from dense and towering trees, making the stars more visible in the night sky. In fact, stargazing was named the “Best Thing to Do in Sedona.” Astronomers lead stargazers on tours through this breathtaking valley.

5. Off-Road Jeep Tours

For rugged, fast-paced tours, choose an off-road Jeep tour. From this vantage point, you’ll be able to see canyons, trails, scenic rims, mines and a ghost town. A Jeep’s open structure can make you feel connected to the landscape while being able to traverse it quickly.

6. Arts

Check out Sedona’s strong arts scene and pick up a piece of handcrafted jewelry or wall art from an independent artist.

7. Spas

Sedona has many spas available to tourists who want to relax and get pampered. Since Sedona is such a peaceful place in and of itself, it’s the perfect getaway for a spa retreat.

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Most Haunted Places In Arizona

With a history that begins more than half a century ago when the first European settlers arrived, it is no wonder that Arizona is among the most haunted places in America. From creepy old hotels to a spooky theater and a now defunct prison, ghost hunters can find plenty of spooky places to explore. Here is a short list of the most haunted places in Arizona.

Jerome, Arizona

Known as the Wickedest City in the West, Jerome is home to what many consider to be one of the most haunted spots in the state. The Jerome Grand Hotel is housed in a former state hospital that opened in 1927 to treat mentally ill patients and local copper miners who suffered hideous injuries while plying their trade. The hospital closed in 1950 but reopened in the late 1990s as a hotel. Many visitors have reported poltergeist-like activity involved appliances coming unplugged and electronic equipment malfunctioning or mysteriously moved to difference locations. Add to that cries of distress and phantom nurses roaming the halls and you may find this a difficult place to get a good night’s sleep.

Tombstone, Arizona

The Birdcage Theater in Tombstone is a former brothel, gambling parlor and saloon that now serves as a tourist attraction. Plenty of people have reported seeing the ghosts of dancers, gamblers and cowboys, which is understandable considering more than a dozen gunfights took place on the property before it closed in 1889. Many former employees claim to have seen and heard spooky things and some visitors claim the ghosts have even followed them home.

Yuma Territorial Prison

Old prisons are prime spots for paranormal activity and the Yuma Territorial Prison is no exception. The two most haunted locations on the grounds are said to be the visitors’ museum and an especially creepy spot known as the Dark Cell where prisoners were often confined for days on end. Many visitors who have crossed the threshold to take a closer look report feeling anxious and some have even reported feeling a pinch or two. The spook within the Dark Cell is attracted to the color red and small children. Meanwhile, in the museum, employees claim to hear a woman singing in the early morning hours. The museum is also home to a poltergeist that plays with money and is particularly fond of dimes.

Go if you dare, but if you find yourself in any of these creepy landmarks, do not be surprised if you run into an otherworldly visitor or two.

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Whitewater Rafting In Arizona

Although there are several ways to experience the Grand Canyon, one of the wonders of the world, seeing it from a raft on the Colorado River is an unforgettable whitewater rafting in Arizona experience. Trip lengths can vary, and the weather conditions also vary during the year, making it important to do some research.

Trips lasting between three and 13 days are offered by several local operators, although many of these begin from Page, AZ or from the floor of the canyon, after a memorable hike down. Lake Mead or Diamond Creek are the popular ending points for the longer whitewater rafting trips, and many trips include the added excitement of a helicopter ride out of the canyon. You can choose a trip where oars are used to propel the boat, or a motorized boat trip.

Weather conditions in and around the Grand Canyon should also be taken into account, and temperatures of around 110F during July are not uncommon. Whitewater rafting trips in Arizona’s Grand Canyon typically take place during May to October, but be prepared for changes in the weather and the canyon’s dry and hot climate. Regardless of when you go rafting, a trip on the Colorado can be the trip of a lifetime and the unique chance to see the fantastic colors of the canyon up close.

A lesser known option for whitewater rafting in Arizona is the Salt River, located just over two hours drive from Phoenix. There are actually more rapids on the Salt River, according to experienced rafting guide James Wilkes, who has been guiding rafters here for over 16 years. Wilkes also points out the advantages of the river being more accessible, and that rafting trips on the Salt River commence during late morning, eliminating an early start.

Trips vary in length from a half day to five days and include a delicious lunch, as well as the opportunity to experience over a dozen class 3 rapids. The best time of year to experience the power and beauty of the Salt River is during march or April.

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Best Equestrian Campgrounds In Arizona

Some of the best equestrian campgrounds in Arizona include Groom Creek, Strayhorse and Little Elden Springs. With many square miles of desert and mountain terrain, horseback riding is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the state. Campgrounds catering to horseback riders are located in several different counties and are therefore a relatively easy driving distance from various cities throughout the state. Some horse camps are primarily for equestrian who already own their own horses, and some others offer riding lessons or rentals as well. Campgrounds mostly have individual sites to rent, though a few have large group campsites as well.

Strayhorse Campground

Located in the White Mountains of central Arizona, the Strayhorse Campground has two major horse trails going east to west. The campground also has a corral available for horses and easy access for vehicles towing large horse trailers. Strayhorse is located at a higher mountain elevation and provides some cooler summer temperatures away from the desert heat. Campsites include space for trailers as well as trucks or RVs for overnight equestrian getaways.

Groom Creek Campground

Groom Creek is a horse campground located near the town of Prescott, and the US Forest Service recently had the facility renovated to accommodate larger numbers of campers and their horses. Reservations in advance are required for spaces at this equestrian campground. This campground’s location offers plenty of shade from the nearby pine forest, making it a welcome escape from the much hotter desert during the summer.

Little Elden Springs Campground

The Little Elden Springs campground is only a short distance outside Flagstaff, in northern Arizona. It’s designated only for horse owners, and it has 15 campsites big enough to fit horse trailers as well as larger pickup trucks. Each campsite has all the needed accommodations for horses, including corrals and water stations. Little Elden Springs has trail access to the Mount Elden trail system, which is made up of over 30 miles of trails. A favorite among horseback riders is the Deer Hill Trail, which offers great views of the nearby San Francisco mountains. Campers are also advised to make reservations in advance at Little Elden Springs, since the campsites fill up quickly during the spring and summer months.

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Tips For Growing Vegetables In Arizona

Growing vegetables yourself does not just help you save money with groceries but it also ensures that you have access to fresh and good quality food. If you want to successfuly grow vegetables in your garden in Arizona then you need to educate yourself about the ABCs of cultivating vegetables. The four factors that play a primary role in this process are soil, timing, water and of course sunlight. If you reside in Arizona then the best time to plant seeds would be from November to March. For smaller gardens, squash, cucumbers, watermelons, etc will not be a good choice. Instead, you can opt for vegetables that don’t take up so much space, like carrots, onions, peppers, herbs, tomatoes, radishes, green beans, sugar snap peas and so on.

To grow vegetables in Arizona it is would best to use the raised garden system. This way, you will be able to enjoy more control over the soil and the growing conditions. Growing vegetables is just like tending a garden, you need to maintain it well. For instance, if you grew herbs like parsley and they are growing too fast for your needs, thereby overpowering the other plants in the garden then you should pull some out of the soil. If you are a beginner then you should opt for seeds that come with quick gestation times. In other words, vegetables that would produce in two months’ time are the easiest to grow.

If you want to grow vegetables in Arizona successfully then it is advisable to select the vegetables that are easy to grow like zucchini, red onion, basil, radishes, green beans, tomatoes, etc. It is also advisable to start with baby steps, this way you won’t be overwhelmed by the task of growing vegetables. The afternoon sun in Arizona tends to be very hot, therefore make sure that your plants are under a shade so that they are not exposed to the sun all the time. Also, you can plant trees to offer a filtered shade to the vegetables.

You also need to prepare the soil well because it is the base and it strongly affects the quality of vegetables produced. Also, getting a standard spade, shovel and other basic gardening tools would also help.

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The Beautiful Caves Of Arizona

 

Arizona is home to the most pristine caves in North America.  Extraordinary effort is required to maintain the pristine nature of the caverns and viewing them is an exciting, unique experience.

Kartchner Caverns is a living cave. Visitors will find delicate streams glistening inside the caverns. The cavern is still growing, with stalactites and stalagmites still forming within the caverns. The cavern itself is brilliantly colored and is home to the longest Soda Straw Stalactite formation in the world. It is considered one of the top 10 most beautiful caves in the world, and welcomes visitors to its delicate systems throughout the year. Along with the caverns the park also has a campground, museum, hiking trails, and more amenities.

The Grand Canyon Caverns are the largest dry caverns in the United States. An elevator is required to travel the approximately 300 feet down to the caverns. These caverns do not support a delicate ecosystem like the Kartchner Caverns, but still offer beauty with gorgeous rock formations. The Grand Canyon Caverns are close to any amenities that may be needed, and located just off Route 66. Guests have the opportunity to spend the night in the Cavern Suite, hotel suite complete with all amenities, located inside the cavern. They are just two and a half hours from Phoenix or Las Vegas, and only about an hour and a half from Laughlin, Lake Havasu, or Williams.

Colossal Cave is located in Colossal Cave Mountain Park, and may just be the world’s largest dry cavern. The caves have stopped growing since their original source of water has dried over several million years, which is what makes it now a “dry” cave. The Hohokam Indians lived in the valley below the caves, and used the caves for shelter and as a religious shrine. The caves were discovered by Solomon Lick in 1879, who was also the first tour guide for the Colossal Caves. During the 1890’s bank robbers often used the cases to hide out from the local sheriff. There are plenty of rumors about cash from bank robbers stored within the cave. To this date, no stash of cash has been located in the Colossal Cave.

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Sites To See When Traveling To Arizona

The state of Arizona has dozens of natural attractions that both local and foreign tourists will find breathtaking. These attractions are like no other in the world. The following are the top 4 Arizona sights to see.

The Grand Canyon

Snaking through the Grand Canyon is the Colorado River, which carved this magnificent landscape. The Grand Canyon is one of the biggest attractions in North America. In the afternoon sun, the walls of the canyon emit different types of colors. You will notice hues of red, orange and yellow among others. To get the most spectacular view and take great photos, you way want to consider taking a helicopter ride over the canyon or hiking down the canyon.

 

Glen Canyon

The area around Glen Canyon is home to one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, Lake Powell. Glen Canyon is a beautiful site with desert landscape, blue water and dramatic stonewalls. Construction of the Glen Canyon dam was completed in 1964, and that led to the formation of Lake Powell. Tourists can use the town of Page as their base for exploration activities. Visitors can walk through the narrow canyon for the best experience.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley stretches across the Navajo Tribal Park, which falls between Arizona and Utah. The valley has breathtaking sand dunes, dramatic buttes and jugged rock formations that give the area an impressive Wild West landscape. The area is great for photography tours, but visitors can also take guided tours or drive themselves across the valley.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is an architectural masterpiece and an engineering marvel. Completed in the year 1935, the dam crosses Colorado River and links the states of Arizona and Nevada. Rising 726 feet high, the dam is 110 miles long. Hoover Dam has the capacity to hold two year’s flow of Colorado River.

Other Arizona sights to see include: Sedona, Jerome, Havasu Falls, Canyon de Chelly, Bisbee, Lake Mead, Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tumacacori National Historic Park and Antelope Canyon.

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Tips For Staying Safe While Camping Or Hiking In The Desert

The sandy wilderness can be a fun place to be, especially for the wanderlust camper. There is a lot to marvel about like the constantly traveling dunes, the site of gem oasis or a caravan of camels longing for their end destination. However, we cannot also forget that behind this beautiful scenic view lies a danger we need to protect ourselves from.

There is a lot to consider when camping out in the desert than just packing a backpack and going. You should be equipped with a few desert hiking safety tips that will ensure your survive whatever situation that may come away. If you are a first time desert camper, here are a few things you need to consider while out there:

Water and Food: Water and food should always be first on the list—but water should be prioritized because the scorch environment of the desert can drain your body to dehydration. Thus carry an extra gallon of water safely with you and ensure you have enough food to last the camping period.

Clothes: You also have to consider the kind of clothes to wear out there. Because the heat will be intense, dressing lightly is advised; dress in bright colors that reflected sunrays away as opposed to dull colors. Sunglasses and a hat are ideal when the sun becomes unbearably hot. A heavy jacket should be considered too because the deserts nights can get quite chilly.

Where to Camp: While out in the desert, beware of the poisonous creatures that lurk in the sandy terrains. Avoid areas that may attract snakes or scorpions like deserted rock, logs, holes or thick bushes. Watch where you sit, where you walk and where you touch at all times. Carry a first aid kit with you in case someone is bitten by a poisonous animal and needs quick medical aid.

Lastly, before setting out to the sandy terrains, always inform someone of where you are going and who you are going with. For extra safety, always hike with friends because this increases your survival chances when something goes wrong.

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