America's National Parks At a Glance. Thomas Crochetiere Crochetiere

overwhelms our senses through its immense size and beauty. The South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon are the primary areas visited by the public. The rest of the park is very rugged and remote, parts of which may be accessible by backcountry trails and roads. From Native Americans who considered it a holy site to the tourists from all around the world that visit today, the Grand Canyon and it’s nearly two billion years of geological history is a landmark whose importance is evident at first sight.

      Hohokam Pima National Monument

      Chandler, AZ 85225

      520-723-3172

      Hohokam Pima National Monument is an ancient Hohokam village within the Gila River Indian Community. The Monument features the archaeological Snaketown, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Excavations in the 1930s and again in the 1960s revealed the site was inhabited from about 300 BC to around 1200 AD and may have had up to 2,000-inhabitants. The site is owned by the Gila River Indian Community, which has decided not to open the area to the public.

      Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

      P.O. Box 150 Ganado, AZ 86505

      928-755-3475

      Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site is considered a meeting ground of two cultures between the Navajo and the settlers who came to the area to trade. Hubbell is the oldest operating trading post on the Navajo Nation. Open since 1878, Hubbell Trading Post still sells groceries, grain, hardware, horse tack, coffee and Native American Art.

      Montezuma Castle National Monument

      P.O. Box 219 Camp Verde, AZ 86322

      928-567-3322

      Montezuma Castle National Monument protects a set of well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. A five story, 20-room high-rise apartment is nestled into a towering limestone cliff. This structure tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape. The dwellings were built between approximately 1100 and 1425. The park includes Montezuma Well, a natural limestone sinkhole which also contains dwellings.

      Navajo National Monument

      P.O. Box 7717 Shonto, AZ 86045

      928-672-2700

      Navajo National Monument was established to preserve three cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. These three dwellings are Keet Seel, Betatakin and Inscription House. These villages date from 1250 to 1300. You will find original architectural elements such as roof beams, masonry walls, rock art, and hand and foot holds.

      Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

      10 Organ Pipe Dr. Ajo, AZ 85321

      520-387-6849

      Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is the only place in the United States where the Organ Pipe Cactus grows wild. Along with Organ Pipe, many other types of cacti grow there. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has a thriving community of plants and animals. A scenic drive, wilderness hike, or a night of camping will expose you to a living desert that thrives.

      Petrified Forest National Park

      P.O. Box 2217 Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

      928-524-6228

      Petrified Forest National Park named for its large deposits of petrified wood, holds fossils from 225-million years ago. New fossils are found each year. The northern part extends into the Painted Desert. More than 400 species of plants are found in the park. Petrified Forest National Park has rich wildlife as pronghorns, bobcats and coyotes are found throughout the park as well as snakes, lizards, deer mice and over 200 species of birds. Backcountry hiking is a popular activity at this park.

      Pipe Spring National Monument

      406 North Pipe Spring Rd. Fredonia, AZ 86022

      928-643-7105

      Pipe Spring National Monument is rich with American Indian, early explorer and Mormon pioneer history. These groups as well as plants, animals and many others have depended on the life giving water found at Pipe Spring. You will learn about pioneer and Kaibab Paiute life by exploring the museum, historic fort and cabins, garden, orchard and Ridge trail.

      Saguaro National Park

      3693 South Old Spanish Tr. Tucson, AZ 85730

      520-733-5153

      Saguaro National Park, located in the Sonoran Desert, gets its name from the saguaro, a large cactus which is native to the region, which can only be found in one small portion of the U.S. Many other kinds of cactus, including barrel, cholla, and prickly pear, are abundant in the park.

      Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

      6400 N. Hwy 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004

      928-526-1157

      Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument protects Sunset Crater, a cinder cone within the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Sunset Crater is the youngest in a string of volcanoes in this field. Roughly 900-years ago, the eruption of this volcano reshaped the surrounding landscape, forever changing the lives of people, plants and animals. There is a 1-mile loop trail located at the base of the crater, but hiking to the summit is not permitted.

      Tonto National Monument

      26260 N AZ Hwy 188 #2 Roosevelt, AZ 85545

      928-467-2241

      Tonto National Monument preserves two cliff dwellings of the Salado culture during the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th centuries. The Salado Phenomena, 700-years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert.

      Tumacacori National Historical Park

      P.O. Box 8067 Tumacacori, AZ 85640

      520-377-5060

      Tumacacori National Historical Park protects ruins of three Spanish mission communities. It also contains the landmark of the 1937 Tumacacori Museum building. These ruins are more than just adobe, plaster and wood; they evoke tales of life and land transformed by cultures meeting and mixing. Tumacacori Mission was established by Father Kino during his visit in 1691.

      Tuzigoot National Monument

      P.O. Box 219 Camp Verde, AZ 86322

      928-634-5564

      Tuzigoot National Monument preserves a two and three story pueblo ruin on the summit of a limestone and sandstone ridge, 120-feet above the Verde River floodplain. The Tuzigoot Site is an elongated complex of stone masonry rooms that were built along the spine of a natural outcrop in the Verde Valley. The pueblo shows us this ancient village built by the Sinagua people. They were farmers and artists with trade connections that spanned hundreds of miles.

      Walnut Canyon National Monument

      6400 N. Hwy 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004

      928-526-3367

      Walnut Canyon National Monument preserves the ancient cliff dwellings of the former homes of ancient inhabitants of Walnut Canyon. Within the canyon, there are 25 cliff dwelling rooms constructed by the Sinagua, a pre-Columbian cultural group that lived in Walnut Canyon from about 1100 to 1250.

      Wupatki National Monument

      6400 N. Hwy 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004

      928-679-2365

      Wupatki National Monument protects and preserves Native American ruins that dot red-rock outcroppings across miles of prairie. Nestled between