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 casual Black Bear Diner interior with wooden decor, tables, and booths. Several people are seated and eating breakfast; some wear hats. A server carries food. Animal-themed paintings line the walls, and a TV plays news in the upper right corner.
High hopes for a big omelet at what I thought was a local diner turned into something that wasn't quite as satisfying.
A rugged desert landscape with scattered green shrubs and cacti invites you to hike among rocky hills and jagged mountains. Sunlight and shadows create depth, while distant peaks are silhouetted against the partly cloudy sky.
It was only going to be a quick walk on the BLM roads to get stretched out and get the day going, but sometimes hikes happen!
A yellow and red tent labeled "Taqueria Lupe" stands in a gravel lot, offering Mexican food. Empty tables and chairs sit out front, with a menu under the awning. A gray minivan is parked nearby, and industrial buildings line the background.
A delay in getting an Amazon shipment to an Amazon locker. Gives me an excuse to go get some tacos.
A roadside memorial in a desert landscape features religious statues, artificial red roses, a cross, and offerings on a mound of rocks—an intriguing spot for Geocaching enthusiasts nestled among mountains, sparse shrubs, and cacti under a clear blue sky.
After finding the geocache on the summit of Saddle Mountain, I had to ask myself, should I get back into geocaching?
A casual outdoor Mexican restaurant with a red-and-white canopy is shown. Trucks are parked on a dirt lot, and a yellow sign reads "Jacky's Mexican Food." People sit at tables under the canopy beneath a clear, sunny sky.
I always love trying something new and when I found out this place had Huarache I knew I would have to check it out.
A selfie of Shea Oliver on the summit of saddle Mountain
I hiked up to the summit of Saddle Mountain as a reward for getting my new business launched. It was a beautiful day, and I had the mountain all to myself.
Large dark rocks with ancient petroglyphs, showing animal and abstract designs, rest on a rocky, grassy hillside in the Tonopah desert. Sparse shrubs and cacti are scattered across the slope under a cloudy sky.
Hike from a campsite to find the petroglyphs marked on Google Maps. Ended up finding a few and had some fun just wandering around.
A jeep and teardrop trailer parked in the desert near Signal Mountain.
Hanging out east of Phoenix on some BLM land waiting for a storm to pass and hoping for good weather.
The Mountain Quail Café in Quartzsite, Arizona.
Stopped in a popular local café to grab a quick breakfast after leaving Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. After nothing but my cooking it was pretty dang good.
A Jeep and a teardrop trailer parked near the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
A decent and popular location for RVers. I could have picked a better spot, but sometime you gotta find out the hard way!
A compact teardrop trailer, with a bicycle mounted on its roof, is parked on the rocky terrain of the Sonoran Desert. The trailer's rear hatch is open, revealing a small kitchen area. As warmth radiates from the pink and orange sky, dark clouds loom over a distant mountain range like a national monument.
As has been the case for much of this adventure, I hadn't planned on being to the Sonoran Desert National Monument for a few weeks, but crappy weather pushed me Westward.