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Although at first glance much of Arizona's Valley of the Sun seems to be an extended urban area, there are actually some surprisingly diverse natural landscapes - perfect for hiking and close encounters with Mother Nature.
Payson, just a 90-mile (or 1.5 hour) drive from Phoenix, has cooler temperatures, miles and miles of hiking and camping areas in Tonto National Forest, and serene mountain lakes where you can fish or swim. The exhibits at the Rim Country Museum provide a friendly introduction to the history of this region.
Just outside Payson, you'll see a dramatic wall of stone that rises some 2,000 feet above the valley floor. This is the Mogollon Rim (pronounced "muggy-OWN"), a raised section of land that begins in central Arizona and continues into New Mexico. Winding roads lead you to a vast plateau with forests, lakes, and camping areas. The lakes are famous for their fishing, and boat rentals are available.
Many people visit the High Country to angle for fish, but if you're not getting any bites, stop by the Tonto Creek Hatchery, where you can at least see what the trout you're not catching look like.
Visit one of the world's most unusual natural bridges at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The spectacular arched bridge curves over a flowing stream, and a series of paths lead down to the water.
Pinetop-Lakeside, once two towns but is now incorporated as one, is one of the most active communities in the region. In winter, snow skiers head here on their way to the Sunrise Park Resort. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest borders Pinetop-Lakeside, as does the nearby Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
Show Low's White Mountain location attracts anglers - two nearby lakes provide excellent fishing. The Little Colorado River passes through the small town of Greer and provides excellent trout fishing. The area is popular with cross-country skiers, and during the summer, hikers wend their way up hiking trails on Baldy Peak. Mountain bikers and horseback riders find trails suited to a variety of skill levels. The top of the peak is open only to members of the White Mountain Apache tribe - violators face a fine - so be sure to heed any signs you might see along the trails.
In the heart of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is the town of Alpine, a good place to begin your exploration of the surrounding countryside. You can fish, hunt, hike, or camp in this beautiful setting.
Red Rock Country
Though not many destinations could claim to compete with the Grand Canyon and majestic Lake Powell, the brilliantly hued red rocks of Sedona are equally breathtaking.
Day hikes of differing skill levels to Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa give up-close views of the the mighty rock formations, and sunsets are undeniably beautiful. Narrated jeep tours offer the opportunity to four-wheel with ease through the best sights of the area. Hot air balloon tours will have you floating on cloud nine over the red rock buttes, and helicopter rides are also popular.
Oak Creek leads to Slide Rock State Park where you can frolic among the smooth stone troughs, pushed by the stream water. The scenic trip through this country will take you past many cozy cabins and lodges along the creek that provide perfect spots for quiet retreats.
Flagstaff Area
Just north of Sedona lies Flagstaff, With its 7,000-foot elevation, Flagstaff enjoys snowy winters and elegant summers. Skiers visit the San Francisco Peaks for challenging downhill action - or take off on the winding logging roads for cross-country skiing.
In summer, hikers explore the flowery meadows and high mountain trails. Flagstaff is also a haven for mountain bikers. Try some of the dirt roads in nearby Coconino National Forest. Hunting and fishing are also very popular.
For those with an interest in astronomy, Lowell Observatory is a must-see. It was from this here that the cold and distant planet Pluto was discovered.
North of Flagstaff is Sunset Crater National Monument, where you'll find the picturesque remains of a volcano surrounded by lava flows and caves. Don't worry about eruptions - the cone has been dormant for more than 900 years.
If you've seen many classic Western movies, you've seen parts of the Navajo Reservation. Monument Valley is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, rivaling the Grand Canyon as a popular backdrop for Hollywood's Old West movies, such as John Ford's Stagecoach.
Dramatic pillars of stone and fabulously shaped towers of colorful rock form the setting for Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. You can start your visit at the park's visitors center and overlook area. Jeep tours and guided horse-back rides provide you with an up-close look at some of the world's most breathtaking landmarks.
Along the northwest edge of Indian Country, you'll find the expansive waters of Lake Powell, created by the mighty Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Lake Powell's clear blue waters provide a popular spot for houseboating, fishing and water sports. The shore is dotted with small canyons that let you get away from the crowds and enjoy the pleasures of solitude and seclusion..
Hikers should consider investigating narrow Antelope Canyon, renowned for its steep, rainbow-hued walls. You can also rent a boat from the Wahweap Lodge and Marina and visit the scenic Rainbow Bridge National Monument to see this enormous natural arch of stone.
One of the best kept secrets in Arizona is the utterly beautiful Canyon de Chelly National Monument. (Pronounced "duh-SHAY.") The canyon walls display the colorful hues of sandstone above, while the canyon floor is green and fertile. People have lived here for more than 2,000 years, and the canyon has many ancient ruins, including the popular and easily-accessible White House Ruins. The visitor center offers seasonal ranger-led hikes and exhibits. To enter the canyon itself, you must be accompanied by an authorized guide, and many visitors opt to take a guided jeep tour.
Outside of Winslow look for one of the most unusual sights in the world - Meteor Crater. A gigantic piece of space rock struck the earth here 22,000 years ago, leaving behind a moon-like crater. Lunar astronauts have trained here before heading to the moon.
The Petrified Forest National Monument, near Holbrook, features few green trees, but acres of fossilized ones dot the landscape. Displays and a short film at the visitors center explain how the ancient stone forest was created. Remember, it is forbidden to remove any petrified wood from the monument.
Just west of Holbrook, Rock Art Canyon Ranch, a working ranch, offers guided and self-guided tours to Chevelon Canyon. The area contains hundreds of petroglyphs that were etched into the canyon walls by the ancient Anasazi people.
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