An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, Arizona offers many places to explore that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you love to hike, hit the water, relax, challenge yourself, learn something new, explore history in person, Arizona has it all. Aptly named Valley of the Sun, Arizona is, in fact, the sunniest state in the U.S., ranking well ahead of Hawaii, Florida and California in both sunshine percentage and number of sunny days.
How many states can say they have one of the Seven Wonders of the World in their backyard? Named for this national treasure, Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon. Its massive and diverse landscape provides stunning views that can't be found anywhere else in the world. The national park offers picturesque vistas, hiking, wildlife, hidden gems like Havasu Falls, white-water rafting and so much more.
Horseshoe Bend, in Page, Arizona, is a horseshoe-shaped natural erosion formed by the Colorado River. Many visitors flock to photograph this natural wonder and its surrounding landscape.
A water sports paradise, Lake Powell is crosses the state of Arizona and Utah and offers views of incredible rock formations like Rainbow Bridge.
Discovered in 1974 and kept a closely guarded secret for 14 years, Kartchner Caverns is an otherworldly site to behold. Classified as a living cave it is the world’s longest stalactite formation and Arizona’s tallest natural column formation. Find it in Benson, Arizona, not far from Tucson.
Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course is the state’s only tree-top self-guided obstacle course. Featuring numerous ziplines and over 80 sky-high obstacles, you can challenge yourself to complete all five courses ranging from 15-60 feet high in the towering pines trees.
Deep in the Grand Canyon on Havasupai tribal lands is a hidden oasis known as Havasu Falls. Rising 100 feet, the striking blue water and its fall formation is ever-changing, thanks to the water’s distinct minerals in the water.
A popular destination for hiking enthusiasts in the Southwest, Antelope Canyon is a stunning spot on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona.
Near the Four Corners and on the Arizona-Utah border, the 13-square miles of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park have defined what many of us picture as the American West.
For more than 20 years, Tempe Town Lake under the Mill Avenue Bridge has offered water enthusiasts multiple activities. From rowing-team practice, to sailing, paddle boarding and a great walking path, the lake is a big draw for Tempe residents and visitors.
Eastern Arizona is home to the world's most powerful telescope. Part of the University of Arizona, the observatory is open to the public for tours. Advance registration is required for the months of mid-May through October (weather permitting).
Just a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, you’ll find the iconic "red rocks" of Sedona. Sedona is known for its beauty, cultural arts, wonderful hiking and many resorts. Along with its resort atmosphere, Sedona is claimed to have spiritual and healing properties that attract many yoga and meditation gurus. Popular attractions are Devil’s Bridge and the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Home to the Instagram-famous “The Wave,” Vermilion Cliffs National Monument contains rock formations only seen in the southwest.
Arizona has the highest percentage of Native American residents and is home to 22 federally recognized Indian tribes, providing strong relationships for ASU Law’s acclaimed Indian Legal Program. Come be enriched by the cultural, spiritual and historical gifts of these proud people and their ancestors. All across the state are opportunities for you to explore museums and ancient dwellings.
Trails beckon for hikers, runners and bikers alike as Phoenix offers more than 40,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves. You can challenge yourself and take in the scenery at Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, Piestewa Peak or the Superstition Mountains, home to the fabled Lost Dutchman gold mine where visitors have searched for gold since 1892.
Just outside of Tucson, the Biosphere 2 was a social and science experiment formed in 1991. Created as a model of Earth to further prove that habitation on other planets was possible, the two-year experiment commenced. Featuring five of Earth’s eco systems – the ocean, wetlands, tropical rainforest, Savanna grassland and fog desert – all are enclosed under glass domes. Now a University of Arizona research center, the site is open for tours.