Arizona

Arizona stands as a symbol of the American Southwest, with its rugged landscapes, rich cultural history, and breathtaking national sites. Its deserts and canyons reveal millions of years of geological history, while its indigenous roots stretch back thousands of years. Ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs hint at the lives of early Native American tribes who called this harsh yet beautiful land home. Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, leaving behind missions and influencing the region’s culture. The territory became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War, and Arizona officially gained statehood in 1912, making it the 48th state.

Arizona’s national sites showcase the state’s dramatic natural beauty and historical significance. Towering rock formations, deep canyons, and ancient ruins reflect both the power of nature and the resilience of those who lived there. These sites serve as living museums, preserving the history of native cultures and early settlers alike. Today, Arizona is a haven for adventurers and history lovers, offering a unique blend of rugged wilderness and rich heritage that continues to captivate visitors from around the world.

The 39

National Treasures in Arizona

Agua Fria National Monument
Apache National Forest
Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument
Hohokam Pima National Monument (No Access)
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Kaibab National Forest
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Navajo National Monument
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Pipe Spring National Monument
Prescott National Forest
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Tonto National Forest
Tuzigoot National Monument
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Wupatki National Monument

Shea's Videos and Travel Journal Entries From Arizona

A black Jeep is towing a small teardrop trailer through a desert landscape, evoking a sense of déjà vu. Sparse vegetation and dry grass cover the rocky ground. Rugged mountains rise against a clear blue sky, one prominent peak towering on the left, all bathed in bright daylight.
When I returned to the force Road near Amado, I was happy to find that the exact same camp spot was available and someone made it even easier to back in than last time.
A person wearing a green cap and red t-shirt smiles in front of the Sonoran Desert National Monument sign, their desert home. The sign includes logos and mentions it's managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Dry brush and distant mountains stretch under a clear blue sky.
While this wasn't exactly my original plan, returning to one of my favorite places in the Arizona desert provided me with the isolation I needed to work on a major website project.
A black Jeep with a roof rack tows a teardrop-shaped camper, parked on a dirt patch under cloudy skies. Mountains rise in the background of Amado's desert landscape, their peaks visible from the sparse vegetation surrounding an unused fire pit nearby.
I was a little bit apprehensive about leaving the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and heading south of Tucson. The weather had once again turned windy, cold, and uncomfortable.
A black Jeep with a roof rack is parked on a dirt path in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, towing a compact gray teardrop camper with a kangaroo logo. The dry, sparse landscape and bare trees bask in the warm light of sunset under a clear blue sky.
Needing a place to tuck away for the weekend and get some work done before I headed south of Tucson, I found a great isolated area with good Internet and no one else nearby.
A smiling man in glasses stands amidst a tree-filled, arid landscape with an off-road vehicle nearby. Inset images reveal desert scenes with arches and cacti. Text: "The Hiking CEO - Shea Oliver," "Shea's Rapid Recap #44," "Experience the unparalleled beauty of the Sonoran Desert like never before.
Oregon Pipe Cactus National Monument was more beautiful than I ever expected, and I had two perfectly wonderful hikes: one to a mine and mine store ruins and one to a double arch.
A person sits in a camping chair with a laptop on their lap, relaxing beside a parked camper van on BLM Land. The ground is covered with a black mat, and the scene is bathed in warm, late afternoon light, with shrubs and distant hills at Gunsight Wash in the background.
Talk about finding a perfect place to camp while I visited the Oregon Pipe Cactus National Monument! This BLM area was about perfect for what I needed, and the weather was great.
Man with laptop outdoors next to large sign "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver." Three photos overlay: a colorful mural of a woman's face, a small brick chapel, and graffiti-covered street. Text reads: "Shea's Rapid Recap #43 - Discovering Hidden Gems around Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
I'm now hanging out in Gunsite Wash, near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, after checking out a unique roadside shrine and admiring some sweet street art in Ajo, Arizona.
A man with glasses smiles outdoors, featured in a collage with images of ancient ruins nestled in the Sonoran Desert. The text reads, "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" and "Shea’s Rapid Recap #42: Peace, Projects, and an Ancient Secret in the Sonoran Desert.
After spending time in the Sonoran Desert National Monument, working on trailer projects and walking in the desert, I explored the mysteries of the Casa Grande National Monument.
A desert landscape at sunset showcases a vivid orange sky with scattered clouds, as silhouetted mountains frame the scene. The foreground features saguaro cacti and dry shrubs, embracing the tranquil beauty of sunsets and inviting you to believe in nature’s serene spectacle.
On an evening, where I was not expecting the sky to produce much of a sunset I was treated to quite a surprise while I was FaceTime with my oldest son in the evening.
Man with glasses in a desert landscape with cactus and mountains. Three inset images: 1) Maha Ganapati Temple in Arizona, 2) Interior of Dwarf Car Museum showcasing vintage cars, 3) Stunning sunset over desert. Text: "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver. Shea's Rapid Recap #41.
In the Sonoran Desert National Monument, I've experienced a mix of serenity and excitement, from visiting a stunning Hindu temple to exploring a dwarf car museum and sunsets!
In the Sonoran desert landscape at sunset, a vibrant sky with wispy clouds sets the scene. A cholla cactus stands in the foreground, surrounded by sparse desert vegetation. Distant mountains silhouette against the colorful horizon as scattered saguaro cacti dot this enchanting scene of sunsets and serenity.
As the evening began to set in, the wispy clouds in the sky hinted that we might be in for a spectacular sunset, so I headed into the desert in an attempt to capture its beauty.
A desert landscape with a large cholla cactus in the foreground surrounded by dry shrubs and scattered rocks. Rolling hills with sparse vegetation are in the background under a clear blue sky. A lone saguaro cactus is visible in the midground.
Join me as I wander through the stunning Sonoran Desert! Discover hidden life, unique landscapes, and the mesmerizing quartz that shapes this captivating terrain. What will I find next?
A tall saguaro cactus stands in the Sonoran Desert landscape surrounded by dry shrubs. In the background, rocky hills rise under a clear blue sky, creating a typical arid environment. Perfect for hiking, the sun casts bright light, accentuating natural textures and colors.
I meandered into the Sonoran desert from my campsite and did something I hadn't done before, even though I've camped in this area several times and often wandered the desert.
A small camper and black SUV parked on gravel beside a solar panel and folding table at sunset. Two tall cacti stand nearby in the stunning Sonoran Desert against a backdrop of orange, pink, and blue sky. Text reads "The Hiking CEO, Shea Oliver" and "Shea's Rapid Recap #40.
After an awesome couple of weeks in the Ironwood Forest National Monument and some fabulous trips into Tucson, I headed to one of my favorite spots from last year.
Sonoran Desert National Monument Round Three img_1641
Just like last year, the weather refused to cooperate south of Tucson, and I headed further west into one of my favorite places from last winter and found an even better camping spot.
Close-up of a man wearing glasses and a green cap, with the text "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" in a badge. Behind him, photos of religious and historic artifacts, including a statue, capture Tucson's essence. The text reads, "Shea's Rapid Recap #39: San Xavier del Bac Mission, Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.
With a rainy day on tap, I headed into Tucson to visit the San Xavier Del Bac Mission, the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center, and ate an Indian Taco that rocked!