Away from the Crowds in Arizona

Arizona is a state in the Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It is the Grand Canyon State.

Antelope Canyon is a masterpiece of nature. It is located near Page. The canyon features winding corridors with amazing sandstone formations. Visitors can book a guided tour.

Apache Death Cave is among the most haunting roadside attractions in Arizona. You’ll find it inside the ruins of the abandoned Two Gun Trading Port.

This cave is the site of a dark tale of deadly ambush between rival tribes. You can see old buildings, a decaying zoo, and a graffiti-tagged entrance to the cave.

Arizona Hot Spring Trail is one of the best desert hikes in the Southwest. It is near Hoover Dam. The trail winds down natural hot springs beside the Colorado River. There are thermal pools surrounded by towering cliffs.

Bisbee is a colorful mountain town in the Mule Mountains near the Mexican border.

Visitors can enjoy the Queen Mine Tour, riding deep into a historic copper mine. In the town, the steep staircases and winding streets have vintage shops, cozy cafes, and art galleries. You can see some ghostly spirits staying overnight at the Copper Queen Hotel with haunted legends.

Chiricahua National Monument is referred to as a wonderland of rocks. You can see dramatic rock formations with towering spires. There are hiking trails winding through the monument offering panoramic views. Legend has it that the Apache people named Chiricahua after their chief.

Jerome is among the most unusual small towns in Arizona. It was built on a steep hillside above the Verde Valley. At one time it was a bustling copper mining town and later became a semi-ghost town. There are interesting spooky buildings, old-time saloons, and art galleries to see.

Among the highlights is the Jerome Grand Hotel, once a hospital in the early 1900s and now getting attention from ghost hunters. (pictured above)

Just outside of the town you’ll find the Gold King Mine, offering a hands-on dive into the mining past.

Montezuma Castle is a 1,000-year-old cliff dwelling. It is located in a limestone cliff above Beaver Creek. The five-story structure was built by the Sinagua people and is one of the best-preserved ruins in North America.

Take a look at Montezuma Well, a natural limestone sinkhole and ancient irrigation canals.

Mystery Castle is located on the outskirts of Phoenix. It was built by Boyce Gully for his daughter Mary Lou. The castle was built by objects that he found and put together. Visitors can explore the rooms and see artifacts.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located in the Sonoran Desert. The namesake cacti only grow in this region of the US. For panoramic views you can drive the Ajo Mountain Loop or take short hikes viewing natural arches and blooming ocotillos. Trails are well-marked.

At the visitor center you can get trail updates and see cultural exhibits on the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Rock Art Ranch is located in the desert southeast of Winslow. It is a working cattle ranch and home to one of the best-preserved petroglyph collections in the American Southwest.

Visitors can get guided tours into Chevelon Canyon, where thousands of ancient carvings stretch along the sandstone walls. There is an on-site museum displaying Native American artifacts and cowboy memorabilia.

The Bird Cage Theater in Tombstone is a relic of the Wild West. At one time his historic establishment was the scene of rowdy performances and notorious events, as can be seen by the bullet-riddled walls.

Visitors can see the haunted halls and perhaps meet up with some rowdy spirits from the past.

The Superstition Mountains are shrouded in mystery and legend. They are located east of Phoenix. It is thought that the rugged peaks hide the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Hiking trails stretch through the area.

Tumacacori National Historical Park in a quiet corner of southern Arizona brings together centuries of culture, religion, and food. This is a Spanish colonial site dating from the 1690s. It is a national park with adobe ruins and heritage orchards telling the story of the earliest colonial history in Arizona. Tours by rangers explain the past with stories of missionaries, indigenous communities, and early settlers. In Tubac you can visit art galleries and purchase handcrafted Southwestern goods.

The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook is a roadside legend and one of a few surviving Wigwam Villages. Each unit is shaped like a concrete teepee with cozy beds. Out front are classic cars to add to the vibe, making you feel like you're stepping into the far past.

Nearby is the Petrified Forest National Park.

You can also explore downtown Holbrook.