by Diamond Channing

Created on: August 19, 2010   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Arizona offers some of the best nature experiences with its many parks and monuments. Best known in the southern part of Arizona is the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park located in Superior. It is situated at the base of the towering Picketpost Mountain. You will find native Sonoran Desert vegetation together with varied deserts and dry lands. This is a showcase of the areas many Earth's plants and holds an experience of beauty and mystery of over 3,200 plants, 230 species of birds and 800 species of cacti. Visit them at their web-site: www.arboretum.ag.arizona.edu. Their telephone number is 520-689-2723.

You will find inside the museum two models of the ruins at Besh Ba Gowan located in Globe. One of the ruins shows present conditions of the area. The second ruin is a hypothetical construction of the pueblo in 1325 A.D. It has 20 courtyards and a pair of three-story sections.It is said to be the most accessible ancient ruins in the southwest. They are located at 150 North Pine Street. You can visit their web-site at www.jojacobs.net. The ruins are located at Jess Hayes Road. Additional information can be obtained by calling 928-425-0320.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a must see. The ruins are located in the southern town of Coolidge.This is one of the largest and most mysterious pre-historic buildings ever constructed in North America.  To obtain more information about the ruins access their web-site at www.nps.gov/cagr. Call 520-723-3372 for additional information.

Catalina State Park is a scenic desert setting featuring camping, hiking, picnicking, biking, horseback riding, plant and wildlife viewing .  This has been deemed an archaeologist site and only a few minutes from Tucson. Their web-site is www.pr.state.az.us. Their telephone number is 520-628-5798.

Chiricahua National Monument is located in Wilcox. This is a mecca for bird watchers and hikers. This premier area offers a biological diversity of plants and animals on the northern hemisphere. Their web-site is www. nps.gov/chir. Their telephone number is 520-824-3560.

Coronado National Monument located in Hereford commemorates the explorations of Francisco Vasquez De Conrado. Their web-site is www.nps.gov/coro. They can be reached by calling 520-366-5515.

Fort Bowie National Monument located in Bowie gives one an understanding of the clash of cultures and other valiant hunter/gatherer societies fighting to preserve its existence. Their web-site is www.nps.gov/fobo. Their telephone number is 520-847-2500.

Learn more about this author, Diamond Channing.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.