by Denise Paduano

Created on: September 10, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

From it's lush Northern corners to it's Saguaro studded hills there's no shortage of spectacular scenery or memorable things to do in Arizona's many state parks.

Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim)

The North Rim rises about 1000 feet higher than the South Rim so it is cooler in summer and colder in winter. The North Rim features great drive up views of the Canyon. It also has much more difficult overlooks to get to, including the view fromToroweap which many people have called one of the scariest places on earth because of the its straight down perspective. Although the North Rim is only 10 miles from the south Rim it's 215 miles by car.

Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)

Annually more than four million visitors peer at the Canyon from the overlooks at the South Rim. Easily accessible by car, tour bus and the train from Williams. The South Rim offers a full range amenities including hotels, and restaurants. Hiking the trails, driving to the overlooks and riding mules in and out of the Canyon, and rafting the Colorado River are all popular activities.

Petrified Forest National Park

About 225 million years ago when dinosaurs and huge amphibians ruled the earth this expanse of Northeastern Arizona contained lakes, streams, swamps, and pine trees up to 25 stories high. Today the land is harsh and arid and the trees have been petrified. The 28 mile drive through the park offers exquisite vistas and hiking trails. Inside the park stands a 100 room Indian ruin built around A.D.1250 and there are numerous petroglyph sites.

Tonto Bridge National Park

A paved road descends into Pine Creek Canyon where mineral springs have created the world's largest natural travertine bridge. The spring continues to flow and droplets spill slowly from the top of the arch, watering ferns and other vegetation below. Visitors can view the 400 foot long arch from an observation deck or hike down under it.

Lost Dutchman State Park

At the foothills of the legendary Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman State Park introduces visitors to the rugged Sonoran Desert. Trails lead into the mountains and the Tonto National Forest's Superstition Wilderness. Stop at the visitors center for information and maps on the area then enjoy the park's desert nature trails, picnic areas and campgrounds.

Saguaro National Park

This park housing some of the greatest stands of Saguaro cactus in the state has two locations. The West section is more popular because of it's proximity to other area attractions and because there are more impressive stands of Saguaro's in this section. The East section contains an older area of forest and is more popular with hikers because most of it has no roads.

Kartchner Caverns State Park

These caverns were discovered in 1974 and are among the largest and most beautiful caverns in the country. These enormous limestone caverns contain an impressive array of colorful mineral formations that have developed over eons. Kartchner is a "living" cave, meaning the mineral formations continue to grow.

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