Alta East trail leads to mountain summit

Phoenix Summit Challenge can take you to new heights

Every year, the City of Phoenix hosts the Phoenix Summit Challenge. The challenge is to hike to seven specific mountain summits in seven days.

Emerald Cove is really a small cave

How to plan an amazing kayaking and camping adventure to Emerald Cove and Willow Beach on the Colorado River

Instagram-worthy Emerald Cove gets its name from the brilliant, greenish hues that light up the water when the sun’s at just the right angle. Get tips on planning an epic trip to this Arizona wonder.

Large pieces of petrified trees lie in pieces in a section of Arizona's Painted Desert

A visit to Petrified Forest National Park is like traveling millions of years back in time

In addition to large deposits of fossilized wood, Petrified Forest National Park also features ancient petroglyphs and hundreds of acres of Arizona’s jaw-dropping Painted Desert.

Panoramic view of colorful mounds of soil in Arizona's Painted Desert

If you want to see and photograph Arizona’s Painted Desert head to one of these spots

Of all the magnificent natural wonders in Arizona, the Painted Desert is among the most underappreciated. Want to experience it for yourself? Grab your camera and head to one of these parks.

Wood ladder leads up into a cliff dwelling in Keet Seel Canyon

8 tips for hiking to see the amazing Keet Seel Canyon ruins of Arizona’s Navajo Nation

The Keet Seel Canyon hike experience ranks among the best in Arizona. Best of all, permits are easy to get and there is no charge for the hike, camping or ruins tour.

Mountain peak rises above desert landscape is lit up by the sun.

Piestewa Peak a fitting memorial for one of Arizona’s bravest daughters: Lori Piestewa

Piestewa Peak, the second tallest in Phoenix, rises high above the city and serves as a lasting memorial to Lori Ann Piestewa – the first American Indian woman to lose her life in a war on foreign soil.

Practical tips for hiking Grand Canyon down South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch and up Bright Angel Trail

So many posts on the web over analyze this spectacular hike. These tips are simple enough for anyone to follow.

Explore ancient cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon National Monument

At Walnut Canyon National Monument, southeast of Flagstaff, you can walk through one of the best preserved communities of cliff dwellings in Arizona.

stone fireplace in desert

Many myths surround the history of Lost Ranch ruins in Phoenix South Mountain Park

Tucked into a small valley of South Mountain Park in Phoenix is a little known ruins site that has generated all sorts of urban myths. I think I uncovered the truth.

Phoenix South Mountain Pima Canyon trailhead sign

South Mountain Park Pima Canyon Trailhead extreme makeover expands access, improves experience

In recent years, the Pima Canyon parking area and trailhead in South Mountain Park has become quite popular with hikers … More

Man hiking through tunnel through boulders

Best short hike in Phoenix: Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley and Fat Man’s Pass in South Mountain Park

If you’re in Phoenix for just a short time and need a quick fix of nature on one of the city’s legendary trails, the Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley hike may be just the thing for you.

Petroglyph rock art in South Mountain Park provides evidence of ancestral Hohokam life

South Mountain Park in Phoenix is home to thousands of petroglyphs left behind primarily by people of the Hohokam culture. Discover where you can see them in this post.