Arizona

Whether you are a full time resident or just a visitor, hiking in Arizona is a lot of fun. Pinnacle Peak Mountain was originally part of the Arizona State Trust Land, owned by the State of Arizona. The mountain’s elevation is around 3,170 feet. Pinnacle Peak park is now part of the Scottsdale Park Department. It is a terrific place for people of all ages. Pinnacle Peak Mountain and Park is a 150-acre natural preserve located in North Scottsdale, Arizona. Besides some of the best views of the Valley, moderate-level hiking and rock climbing is available. It’s a very well run park and it has a four-mile hiking and biking trail around the mountain peak. Climbing is allowed during daylight hours only.

It you’re looking for something to do outside on a fall, winter or spring weekend, try a hike at Pinnacle Peak Park. Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and other creatures at the park. Summer is not a very enjoyable time because of the harshness of the desert and heat. When planning your hike please remember to wear hiking boots and keep hydrated. Don’t hike alone. Pinnacle Peak Park is a treasure to the Scottsdale community and visitors alike.

One the most visited natural wonders in North America is the Grand Canyon with over six million visitors a year. The Grand Canyon is a rugged, vast and remote place in northern Arizona. The spectacular natural beauty of the pinions and juniper woodlands at the Grand Canyon is home to a lot of wildlife including deer, bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, and more. The best time to see or photograph the Grand Canyon is in the early morning or late afternoon on sunny days. Hiking and backpacking is rigorous because the 7,000 foot elevation, extreme temperatures and difficult trails. The inner canyon can become as hot as 120 degrees in the summertime. You should be in excellent physical condition if you plan to hike down into the canyon. All overnight camping below the rim requires a backcountry permit. The Colorado River flows along the bottom of the canyon and it is about one mile below the rim. Some visitors make arrangements with tour businesses to go whitewater rafting in the river. The Skywalk located on the west rim is a glass-bottom U-shaped walkway projecting 70 feet out over the edge. It allows visitors to look straight down, nearly 4,000 feet below to the bottom of the canyon. There is a fee to walk the Skywalk and to enter the Grand Canyon. No cameras are allowed on the Skywalk.

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nation’s largest privately owned, non-profit zoological parks. It is located on 125 acres in Phoenix’s Papago Park. The Phoenix zoo is a very lively attraction for the entire family. The zoo is located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, Arizona. The zoo’s phone number is (602) 273-1341. The Phoenix Zoo is home to approximately 1,400 animals including 200 species of endangered or threatened birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world. The zoo attracts many tourists visiting this desert city. The zoo has exhibits that make you feel like you are in the animals’ natural habitat. I especially enjoyed the monkies.

The Phoenix Zoo is open year-round. You can buy your tickets online. The zoo has four themed areas that lead visitors to exhibits that represent different areas in the world. These areas are the Arizona Trail, the Africa Trail, the Tropics Trail, and the Discovery/Children’s Trail. There are lots of special events at the zoo such as Starry Safari and Nights at the Zoo. You can check these events out online. Phoenix zoo offers many programs, lectures and workshops for people of all ages from children to adults. A visit to the Phoenix Zoo is sure to be a lot of fun.