 |
OTHER ARIZONA NATIONAL PARKS
Although your vacation is all about Grand Canyon National Park, the most popular natural wonder in the United States, there are other national parks in this region. Below is a short overview of other national parks in Arizona to explore during your Grand Canyon vacation that are in Arizona.
OTHER NATIONAL PARKS IN ARIZONA
Saguaro National Park
Located in the Sonoran desert, Saguaro National Park protects some of the most impressive forests of giant saguaro. Located at the edge of the town of Tucson, AZ, Saguaro National Park has two districts, the Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) and the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East).
The park gets its name from the saguaro cactus, which is native to the region. Saguaro cacti only grow in the Sonoran Desert, but not in all parts of the Sonoran Desert. The range of the saguaro is limited by freezing temperatures in winter.
Limited by elevation, saguaro are usually found growing from sea level to approximately 4,000 feet in elevation. Saguaros growing higher than 4,000 feet are usually found on south-facing slopes where temperatures don't drop as low as other areas of the desert. Many other kinds of cactus, including barrel cactus, cholla cactus, and prickly pear, are also abundant in this park.
The park was established as Saguaro National Monument in 1933, and changed to a national park in 1994.
Visitors will enjoy about 150 miles of maintained hiking trails, and shorter walking trails with interpretative information available. (Hiking is not advisable during the hot summer months.)
One endangered animal, the Lesser Long-nosed Bat, lives in the park during its migration, as well as the Mexican Spotted Owl, a threatened species.
To get to this national park, from Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim, take Highway 180 to Flagstaff, then travel I-17 south to Tucson. (Located about 5.5-6 hours south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.) To learn more about this national park, visit the National Park Website.
Petrified Forest National Park
Home to fossils older than 200 million years, and some of the largest and most beautiful concentrations of petrified wood, "painted desert" badlands, archeological sites and historic structures, Petrified Forest National Park is a very unique national park. For visitors who are interested in seeing an ancient landscape, it's worth the 3-hour drive from Grand Canyon National Park.
To tour the park by car, it will take about 45 minutes. Plan at least an hour to adequately take in the sights of the ancient forests and sites.
If possible, stop at the Painted Desert Visitor Center. Also plan on taking in the sights at Kachina Point. Drive the Blue Mesa Road and stop at the Rainbow Forest Museum.
If you have more time and want to experience this unique park at a deeper level, walk the Giant Logs Trail, the Puerco Pueblo Trail and spend a little time at the Painted Desert Inn Museum.
To get to this national park, from Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim, take Highway 180 to Flagstaff, then travel I-40 east to Exit 303 to Adamana Road. For more information, see the National Park Service website.
|