Arizona 2004
by Karl Samson
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“Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.” —Knight Ridder Newspapers About the Author Karl Samson finds that the sunny winter skies of the Arizona desert are the perfect antidote to the dreary winters of his Pacific Northwest home. Each winter, he flees the rain to explore Arizona’s deserts, mountains, cities, and small towns. It is the state’s unique regional style, Native American cultures, abundance of contemporary art, and, of course, boundless landscapes that keep him fascinated by Arizona. Summers find him researching his other books, including Frommer’s Washington, Frommer’s Oregon, and Frommer’s Seattle & Portland. Published by: Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 Copyright © 2004 Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys- tem or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo- copying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, (317) 572-3447, fax (317) 572-4447, E-Mail: [email protected]. Wiley and the Wiley Publishing logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Frommer’s is a trademark or registered trademark of Arthur Frommer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. ISBN 0-7645-3887-X ISSN 1534-2123 Editor: Paul Prince Production Editor: Suzanna R. Thompson Cartographer: Elizabeth Puhl Photo Editor: Richard Fox Production by Wiley Indianapolis Composition Services Front cover photo: Hiking in Grand Canyon National Park Back cover photo: Kayaking in Emerald Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park For information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 800-762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993 or fax 317-572-4002. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic formats. Manufactured in the United States of America 54321 Contents
List of Maps vi
What’s New in Arizona 1
1 The Best of Arizona 4 1 The Best Places to Commune 11 The Best Places to Discover with Cacti ...... 4 the Old West ...... 12 2 The Best Active Vacations ...... 4 12 The Best Places to See 3 The Best Day Hikes & Indian Ruins ...... 13 Nature Walks ...... 5 13 The Best Luxury Hotels & 4 The Best Scenic Drives ...... 8 Resorts ...... 14 5 The Best Golf Courses ...... 9 14 The Best Family Resorts ...... 15 6 The Best Bird-Watching Spots . .10 15 The Best Hotels for Old Arizona Character ...... 15 7 The Best Offbeat Travel Experiences ...... 11 16 The Best B&Bs ...... 16 8 The Best Family Experiences . . .11 17 The Best Swimming Pools . . . . .17 9 The Best Family Vacations . . . . .11 18 The Best Places to Savor Southwest Flavors ...... 18 10 The Best Museums ...... 12
2 Planning Your Trip to Arizona 19 1 The Regions in Brief ...... 19 9 The 21st-Century Traveler . . . . .33 2 Visitor Information ...... 20 Online Traveler’s Toolbox . . . . .34 Destination: Arizona— 10 Getting There ...... 35 Red Alert Checklist ...... 21 11 Escorted Tours, Package Deals & 3 Money ...... 21 Special-Interest Vacations ...... 38 4 When to Go ...... 22 12 The Active Vacation Planner . . .40 Arizona Calendar of Events . . . .24 Hot Links ...... 42 5 Insurance ...... 27 13 Getting Around ...... 46 6 Health & Safety ...... 28 14 Tips on Accommodations . . . . .48 7 Specialized Travel Resources . . .29 15 Suggested Itineraries ...... 49 8 Planning Your Trip Online . . . . .32 16 Recommended Reading ...... 50 Frommers.com: The Complete Fast Facts: Arizona ...... 52 Travel Resource ...... 33
3 For International Visitors 54 1 Preparing for Your Trip ...... 54 3 Getting Around the U.S...... 61 2 Getting to the U.S...... 60 Fast Facts: For the International Traveler ...... 62 iv CONTENTS
4 Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley of the Sun 67 1 Orientation ...... 68 7 Outdoor Pursuits ...... 129 Neighborhoods in Brief ...... 73 8 Spectator Sports ...... 135 2 Getting Around ...... 74 9 Day Spas ...... 138 Fast Facts: Phoenix ...... 76 10 Shopping ...... 139 3 Where to Stay ...... 77 11 Phoenix After Dark ...... 145 4 Where to Dine ...... 96 12 A Side Trip from Phoenix: Family-Friendly Restaurants . . .109 the Apache Trail ...... 152 5 Seeing the Sights ...... 115 13 En Route to Tucson ...... 154 Frommer’s Favorite 14 En Route to Northern Phoenix Experiences ...... 123 Arizona ...... 156 6 Organized Tours & Excursions ...... 127
5 Central Arizona 157 1 Wickenburg ...... 158 5 Sedona & Oak Creek 2 Prescott ...... 164 Canyon ...... 179 3 Jerome ...... 171 Vortex Power ...... 183 4 The Verde Valley ...... 174 The High Cost of Red-Rock Views ...... 185
6 The Grand Canyon & Northern Arizona 203 1 Flagstaff ...... 203 4 South Rim Alternatives: 2 Williams ...... 215 Havasu Canyon & Grand Canyon West ...... 243 3 The Grand Canyon South Rim ...... 218 5 The Grand Canyon North Rim ...... 247 Fast Facts: The Grand Canyon ...... 223
The Four Corners Region: 7 Land of the Hopi & Navajo 253 1 Winslow ...... 256 5 Canyon de Chelly 2 The Hopi Reservation ...... 258 National Monument ...... 272 A Native American Fred Harvey & His Girls ...... 275 Crafts Primer ...... 264 6 Navajo National Monument . . .277 3 The Petrified Forest & 7 Monument Valley Navajo Painted Desert ...... 266 Tribal Park ...... 278 4 The Window Rock & 8 Lake Powell & Page ...... 281 Ganado Areas ...... 269 CONTENTS v
8 Eastern Arizona’s High Country 290 1 Payson & the Mogollon 3 Greer & Sunrise Park ...... 298 Rim Country ...... 290 4 Springerville & Eagar ...... 302 2 Pinetop-Lakeside ...... 294 5 The Coronado Trail ...... 305 The Rodeo-Chediski Fire . . . . .295
9 Tucson 307 1 Orientation ...... 308 Frommer’s Favorite Neighborhoods in Brief ...... 312 Tucson Experiences ...... 355 2 Getting Around ...... 312 The Shrine That Stopped a Freeway ...... 356 Fast Facts: Tucson ...... 314 Walking Tour: Downtown 3 Where to Stay ...... 315 Historic Districts ...... 358 Family-Friendly Hotels ...... 321 6 Organized Tours ...... 362 4 Where to Dine ...... 329 7 Outdoor Pursuits ...... 362 North-of-the-Border 8 Spectator Sports ...... 367 Margaritaville ...... 334 9 Day Spas ...... 367 Family-Friendly Restaurants . . .342 10 Shopping ...... 368 5 Seeing the Sights ...... 344 11 Tucson After Dark ...... 374
10 Southern Arizona 380 1 Organ Pipe Cactus 5 Sierra Vista & the National Monument ...... 381 San Pedro Valley ...... 395 2 Tubac & Buenos Aires 6 Tombstone ...... 401 National Wildlife Refuge . . . . .382 7 Bisbee ...... 405 Starry, Starry Nights ...... 389 8 Exploring the Rest 3 Nogales ...... 390 of Cochise County ...... 409 4 Patagonia & Sonoita ...... 391
11 Western Arizona 418 1 Kingman ...... 420 4 Lake Havasu & 2 Lake Mead National the London Bridge ...... 431 Recreation Area ...... 423 Canoeing the Colorado ...... 433 Get Your Kicks on Route 66 . . .424 5 Yuma ...... 439 3 Bullhead City & Laughlin, Nevada ...... 428 vi CONTENTS Appendix: Arizona in Depth 444 1 The Natural Environment . . . . .445 2 Arizona Today ...... 447 Arizona: Hollywood 3 History 101 ...... 449 Back Lot ...... 446
Index 455
List of Maps
Arizona 6 Grand Canyon South Rim 225 Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley of The Four Corners Region 255 the Sun 70 Eastern Arizona’s Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley of High Country 291 the Sun Accommodations 78 Tucson at a Glance 310 Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley of Tucson Accommodations 316 the Sun Dining 98 Tucson Dining 330 Phoenix, Scottsdale & the Valley of the Sun Attractions 116 Tucson Attractions 346 Central Arizona 159 Walking Tour: Downtown Historic Districts 359 Sedona & Vicinity 181 Southern Arizona 383 The Grand Canyon & Northern Arizona 205 Western Arizona 419 Flagstaff 207 An Invitation to the Reader In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels, restaurants, shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share the information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed with a recommendation, we’d love to know that, too. Please write to: Frommer’s Arizona 2004 Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030
An Additional Note Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—and this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirma- tion when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us, however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
Other Great Guides for Your Trip:
Frommer’s Grand Canyon National Park Frommer’s Family Vacations in the National Parks Frommer’s National Parks of the American West Frommer’s American Southwest Frommer’s Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (rec- ommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see). In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Finds Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun
Kids Best bets for kids, and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviations are used for credit cards: AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
Frommers.com Now that you have the guidebook to a great trip, visit our website at www.frommers.com for travel information on more than 3,000 destinations. With features updated regularly, we give you instant access to the most current trip-planning information available. At Frommers.com, you’ll also find the best prices on airfares, accommodations, and car rentals—and you can even book travel online through our travel booking partners. At Frommers.com, you’ll also find the following: • Online updates to our most popular guidebooks • Vacation sweepstakes and contest giveaways • Newsletter highlighting the hottest travel trends • Online travel message boards with featured travel discussions What’s New in Arizona
Despite the sluggish economy and The spa and river-like swimming pool general reluctance on the part of many are the best features here. people to travel, Arizona has remained However, if it’s a wildly entertaining a very popular vacation destination. water park your family is looking for Sure there have been the inevitable in its next vacation destination, then closings, but the state has also bucked book a room at the Pointe South economic trends by opening three Mountain Resort, 7777 S. Pointe huge new mega-resorts in the Phoenix Pkwy., Phoenix (& 877/800-4888; area. Here are some of the highlights www.pointesouthmtn.com), which on the Arizona travel scene. now boasts the biggest and best water PHOENIX, SCOTTSDALE & THE park at any resort in Arizona. VALLEY OF THE SUN Although On the other hand, if you and your the Phoenix area’s three new resorts are significant other are looking for a for the most part geared toward con- romantic getaway where you can ference business, they all have plenty enjoy a few spa treatments, then check of great amenities for vacationers. in to the deliciously romantic Royal Palms Resort and Spa, 5200 E. The JW Marriott Desert Ridge & Resort & Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Camelback Rd., Phoenix ( 800/ Blvd., Phoenix (& 800/835-6206; 672-6011; www.royalpalmsresortand www.desertridgeresort.com), in north spa.com), which last year added a small Phoenix, is the largest of the three new spa. This boutique resort was once the resorts and has a huge pool area and winter home of Cunard Steamship several good restaurants. executive Delos Cooke. The Westin Kierland Resort & Make a reservation at the Wrigley Mansion Club, 2501 E. Telawa Trail. Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scotts- & dale (& 800/WESTIN-1; www.westin. ( 602/955-4079 or 602/553-7387; com/kierlandresort), goes out of its way www.wrigleymansionclub.com), and to reflect the essence of Arizona and is you can dine in the former winter home our favorite of the three. The tubing of chewing gum magnate William “river” and adult pool by the spa make Wrigley Jr. Although the historic home this a great choice for both families and is now owned by Geordie Hormel, you couples. It’s also adjacent to the Kier- won’t find Spam on the menu. land Commons shopping center, which Fire eaters take note: Under pressure has some excellent restaurants. from pepperheads, we have included in this edition Los Dos Molinos, The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass & Resort, 5594 W. Wild Horse Bass 8646 S. Central Ave. ( 602/243- Blvd., Phoenix (& 866/837-4156; 9113), Phoenix’s famous purveyor of www.sheraton.com/wildhorsepass), is New Mexican–style food for people located on an Indian reservation south who think Mexican food is never hot of Phoenix and has a long, winding enough. To prove that New Mexican artificial river leading up to the resort. food does not have to be incendiary, 2 WHAT’S NEW we have also included the Blue Adobe Pinnacle Peak Park, 26802 N. Grille, 144 N. Country Club Dr., 102nd Way (& 480/312-7955), Mesa (& 480/962-1000), which serves which preserves 150 acres of Sonoran deliciously complex dishes that don’t Desert. You can do a 3.5-mile out- come with a fire extinguisher. and-back hike across the park’s name- Of course, we all know that fried sake mountain. dough is bad for us, but aren’t vacations The Arizona Cardinals NFL foot- all about indulging in a few guilty ball team is finally getting its new pleasures. At the Fry Bread House, stadium, which is currently under con- 4140 N. Seventh Ave. (& 602/351- struction in the west valley city of 2345), you can sample Indian tacos, Glendale. Until it’s ready in 2006, the which are made with big slabs of, you Cardinals will continue to play at Ari- guessed it, fry bread. These hefty meals zona State University’s Sun Devil Sta- are a mainstay on reservations all across dium. During baseball’s spring training Arizona, but those served here in season, you can now catch both the Phoenix are some of the very best. Kansas City Royals and the Texas The Valley of the Sun lost a couple Rangers at the west valley’s Surprise of its more unusual museums over the Recreation Campus, 1580 N. Bullard past year. The Fleischer Museum, Ave., Surprise (& 623/594-5600). which specialized in works from the See chapter 4 for more information. California School of American Impres- CENTRAL ARIZONA In Sedona, sionism, has closed its doors. Also, the L’Auberge de Sedona, 301 L’Auberge Champlin Fighter Museum has Lane, Sedona & 800/272-6777; www. moved its extensive collection of fighter lauberge.com), has given all its rooms a planes to Seattle. To make up for these total makeover—gone is the chintz and losses, we’ve added several other inter- lace. This boutique resort now has esting little museums. On the campus rooms as beautiful as the setting on the of Arizona State University, you can banks of Oak Creek. space out at the Center for Meteorite However, the biggest news in Sedona Studies, Bateman Physical Sciences is the opening of El Portal Sedona, 95 Center, Palm Walk and University Portal Lane, Sedona (& 800/313- Drive (& 480/965-6511), or get fired 0017; www.innsedona.com), a 12- up at the Ceramics Research Center, room bed-and-breakfast inn built of which is affiliated with (and across the hand-formed adobe blocks. The build- street from) the ASU Art Museum at ing is a labor of love for its owner. Nelson Fine Arts Center, 10th Street See chapter 5 for details. and Mill Avenue, Tempe (& 480/ 965-2787) There are often interesting THE GRAND CANYON & art exhibits at the Schemer Art Center, NORTHERN ARIZONA In & Flagstaff, Josephine’s, 503 N. 5005 E. Camelback Rd. ( 602/262- & 4727), which is near The Phoenician Humphrey’s St. ( 928/779-3400), resort. Also, if you’re shopping in Old is now serving excellent food in a his- Town Scottsdale, be sure to wander toric Craftsman bungalow. through the Scottsdale Mall (a park, Despite ongoing traffic congestion not a shopping center) to see Robert problems at the Grand Canyon, it got a Indiana’s LOVE statue. little bit more difficult to get around If too many dinners out have you the national park without a car this past thinking you should get some exercise, year. The Grand Canyon Eco-Shuttle, join the fitness fanatics on the trail at which used to operate between the north Scottsdale’s recently opened community of Tusayan and Grand WHAT’S NEW 3
Canyon Village, is no longer running. However, frugal travelers should take You’ll now have to call a taxi. note of some new restaurants listed in See chapter 6 for details. this book this year. Fans of economical THE FOUR CORNERS REGION and authentic Japanese food should be Due to security concerns, tours down sure to search out Yoshimatsu Healthy into Glen Canyon Dam no longer Japanese Food & Café, 2745 N. operate when the nation is on Code Campbell Ave. (& 520/320-1574). If Orange alert level. Also, with the lake’s it’s Cajun food you prefer, head to water level down almost 100 feet, tour Nonie New Orleans Bistro, 2526 E. boats can no longer cruise right up to Grant Rd. (& 520/319-1965). The Rainbow Bridge; it’s now necessary owners of Tucson’s popular Bistro Zin to walk a mile from where the boat and Wildflower restaurants have also moors if you want to stand in the now opened a casual pizza place called shadow of the largest natural bridge in Sauce, Casas Adobes Plaza, 7117 N. the world. Oracle Rd. (& 520/297-8575). See chapter 7 for more information. History buffs and anyone else curi- ous about the history of Tucson will EASTERN ARIZONA’S HIGH want to visit the new Arizona Histori- COUNTRY In the summer of cal Society Museum Downtown, 140 2002, you probably heard plenty N. Stone Ave. (& 520/770-1473). If about the huge Rodeo-Chediski forest you or your kids are crazy for trains fire that raged through the pine forests and you happen to be in town on the of eastern Arizona. Although the mas- right day of the month, you can visit sive fire leveled hundreds of thousands the Gadsden-Pacific Toy Train Oper- of acres of forest and destroyed homes ating Museum, 3975 N. Miller Ave. throughout the region, it never made (& 520/888-2222). it to the prime tourist area’s of Pine- See chapter 9 for more information. top-Lakeside, Greer or the Coronado Trail. So if you’re planning on explor- SOUTHERN ARIZONA If Old ing this region of the state, which is Tucson Studios was just too touristy little visited by out-of-staters, there’s for you but you still want to swagger no need to worry about hiking amid down the streets of a Hollywood cow- charcoal and ash. town at high noon, then head to Ben- See chapter 8 for more information. son and Mescal (& 520/883-0100), a movie set that is operated by Old Tuc- TUCSON The former Sheraton El son Studios. This place sees only a Conquistador Resort & Country Club handful of visitors each week. is now the Hilton Tucson El Con- See chapter 10 for details. quistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Rd. (& 800/325- WESTERN ARIZONA How about 7832; www.hiltonelconquistador.com), a little dinner theater in the shadow of and is adding a splashy new water play- the London Bridge? At the London ground, complete with water slide. Arms Pub & Playhouse, 422 English Two noteworthy Tucson restau- Village (& 928/855-8782), you can rants—the top-end Stone Ashley and catch live theater and savor some of the ever-popular Presidio Grill— the best food in Lake Havasu City. served their last meals this past year. See chapter 11 for details. 1 The Best of Arizona
Planning a trip to a state as large and diverse as Arizona involves a lot of deci- sion making (other than which golf clubs to take), so in this chapter we’ve tried to give you some direction. Below we’ve chosen what we feel is the very best the state has to offer—the places and experiences you won’t want to miss. Although sights and activities listed here are written up in more detail elsewhere in this book, this chapter should help get you started planning your trip.
1 The Best Places to Commune with Cacti • Desert Botanical Garden in the wild (rattlesnakes, tarantulas, (Phoenix): There’s no better place scorpions, black widows, and Gila in the state to learn about the monsters). See p. 344. plants of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert • Saguaro National Park (Tucson): and the many other deserts of the Lying both east and west of Tuc- world. Displays at this Phoenix son, this park preserves “forests” of botanical garden explain plant saguaro cacti and is the very adaptations and how indigenous essence of the desert as so many tribes once used many of this people imagine it. You can hike it, region’s wild plants. See p. 115. bike it, or drive it. See p. 348. • Boyce Thompson Arboretum • Tohono Chul Park (Tucson): (east of Phoenix): Located just out- Although this park is not all that side the town of Superior, this was large, it packs a lot of desert the nation’s first botanical garden scenery into its modest space. established in a desert environ- Impressive plantings of cacti are ment. It’s set in a small canyon the star attractions, but there are framed by cliffs, with desert plant- also good wildflower displays in ings from all over the world—a the spring. See p. 356. fascinating place for an educational • Organ Pipe Cactus National stroll in the desert. See p. 154. Monument (west of Tucson): The • Arizona–Sonora Desert Museum organ pipe cactus is a smaller, (Tucson): The name is mislead- multi-trunked relative of the giant ing—this is actually more a zoo saguaro and lives only along the and botanical garden than a Mexican border about 100 miles museum. Naturalistic settings west of Tucson. This remote house dozens of species of desert national monument has hiking animals, including a number of trails, scenic drives, even a large critters you wouldn’t want to meet natural spring. See p. 381.
2 The Best Active Vacations • Rafting the Grand Canyon: the state comes even remotely Whether you go for 3 days or 2 close to matching the excitement weeks, no other active vacation in of a raft trip through the Grand THE BEST DAY HIKES & NATURE WALKS 5
Canyon. Sure, the river is crowded thing, how about as much golf or with groups in the summer, but tennis as you can play? The the grandeur of the canyon is Phoenix/Scottsdale area has the more than enough to make up for greatest concentration of resorts in it. See chapter 6. the country, and Sedona and Tuc- • Hiking into the Grand Canyon son add many more options to the or Havasu Canyon: Not for the mix. There’s something very satis- unfit or the faint of heart, a hike fying about swinging a racquet or down into the Grand Canyon or club with the state’s spectacular Havasu Canyon is a journey scenery in the background, and through millions of years set in the climate means you can do it stone. This trip takes plenty of practically year-round. See chap- advance planning and requires ters 4, 5, and 9. some very strenuous hiking. With • Mountain Biking in Sedona: both a campground and a lodge at Forget Moab—too many other the bottom of each canyon, you hard-core mountain bikers. can choose to make this trip with Among the red rocks of Sedona, either a fully loaded backpack or you can pedal through awesome just a light daypack. See chapter 6. scenery on some of the most • Riding the Range at a Guest memorable single-track trails in Ranch: Yes, there are still cowboys the Southwest. There’s even plenty in Arizona. They ride ranges all of slickrock for that Canyonlands over the state, and so can you if experience. See p. 188. you book a stay at one of the • Bird-Watching in Southeastern many guest ranches (once known Arizona: As avid bird-watchers, as dude ranches). You might even we know that this isn’t the most get to drive some cattle down the active of sports, but a birder can trail. After a long or short day in get in a bit of walking when it’s the saddle, you can soak in a hot necessary (like, maybe to get to tub, go for a swim, or play a game the nesting tree of an elegant tro- of tennis before chowing down. gon). The southeast corner of the See chapters 5, 9, and 10. state is one of the best birding • Staying at a Golf or Tennis regions in the entire country. See Resort: If horseback riding and chapter 10. cowboy cookouts aren’t your
3 The Best Day Hikes & Nature Walks • Camelback Mountain (Phoenix): central Arizona landmark is short For many Phoenicians, the trail to but strenuous, and from the top the top of Camelback Mountain is there are superb views out over the a ritual, a Phoenix institution. desert. The best time of year to Sure, there are those who make make the hike is in spring, when this a casual but strenuous hike, the peak comes alive with wild- but many more turn it into a seri- flowers. Picacho Peak is between ous workout by jogging to the top Casa Grande and Tucson just off and back down. We prefer a more I-10. See p. 155. leisurely approach so we can enjoy • The West Fork of Oak Creek the views. See p. 82. Trail (outside Sedona): The West • Picacho Peak State Park (south Fork of Oak Creek is a tiny stream of Casa Grande): The hike up this that meanders for miles in a narrow 6 CHAPTER 1 . THE BEST OF ARIZONA Arizona
NEW MEXICO COLORADO 191 Rock 180 St. Johns Canyon de Chelly Chelly National Monument Window Chinle Ganado 191 40 Four Corners 191 61 180 Navajo Tribal Park 264 National Park National Park 160 Petrified Forest Forest 77 377 RESERVATION Kayenta 87 NATIONAL FORESTS NATIONAL FORESTS APACHE-SITGREAVES APACHE-SITGREAVES Holbrook Navajo National Monument 260 HOPI INDIAN PAINTED DESERT RESERVATION INDIAN Lake Powell Winslow 98 87 Monument Valley 40 Navajo Tribal Park Tuba City Crater Meteor Wupatki National Monument Wupatki National Monument Cameron s NAVAJO k Page
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FOREST FOREST e 89
COCONINO COCONINO P NATIONAL NATIONAL
89 Flagstaff Flagstaff Humphreys Peak
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