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Visiting All 22 National Park Service Units in Arizona

Arizona is home to a whopping 22 National Park Service Units in the state! While at first glance, you might think it’s all bleak desert scenery, but these park service units in Arizona are full of variety; from stunning red rock formations to ancient pueblo ruins, from sprawling desert vistas to deep canyons, Arizona’s NPS sites offer a huge opportunity for exploration and discovery. While I have not visited all of them, I’ve visited quite a few. Let’s take a look at all of the NPS units in Arizona.

National Park Service Map of all 22 Units in Arizona
National Park Service Map of all 22 Units in Arizona

Table of Contents

Is there an itinerary for visiting all 22 NPS units in Arizona?

Well, I don’t have an itinerary for this! And frankly, I’m not putting one together because it would be quite difficult to do this in one trip unless you have a lot of time. I’ve visited these sites on many, many different visits to the Southwest, and personally, I think that’s a better way of doing it, rather than just knocking off all of them in one go. Arizona is a large state and these sites are spread out, with some being in very remote areas. Others are close to other sites in neighboring states and it’d be hard to avoid including sites in other states.

My suggestion is to see them when you can — chose which ones interest you the most and prioritize them. See others when you happen to be in the area.

Map of Arizona’s NPS Units

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Canyon de Chelle National Monument - Spider Rock
Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Home to ancient Ancestral Puebloan ruins and stunning red rock canyons, offering hiking, camping, and guided tours. See the famous Spider Rock!

Location: Chinle, Arizona (far northeastern Arizona)

My thoughts: I absolutely loved Canyon de Chelly National Monument. I thought it was more stunning than the Grand Canyon. Definitely make it a point to visit this National Monument.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Casa Grande Ruins NM

Preserves the remnants of an ancient Hohokam farming community, including the “Great House” structure.

Location: Coolidge, Arizona

My thoughts: This is a small NPS unit. You can read my thoughts here in my review of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/cagr/

Chiricahua National Monument

Chiricahua Mountains
Chiricahua National Monument

Known for its unique rock formations, hoodoos, and hiking trails amid the Chiricahua Mountains.

Location: Near Wilcox, Arizona

My thoughts: While quite remote and out-of-the-way, Chiricahua National Monument is beautiful – if you make it out this way, definitely stop here. The Farway Ranch site is pretty interesting too.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/chir/

Coronado National Memorial

Commemorates the expedition of Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado and offers scenic views of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Location: Hereford, AZ

My thoughts: I haven’t visited this national memorial yet.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/coro/

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Preserves the ruins of an old military outpost and offers hiking trails through the Chiricahua Mountains.

Location: Near Wilcox, Arizona. Close to Chiricahua National Monument, but on a long, dusty dirt road.

My thoughts: I haven’t visited Fort Bowie NHS yet.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/fobo/

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Lake Powell Arizona
Lone Rock beach at Lake Powell, Arizona on a sunny day

Includes Lake Powell and the scenic canyons of the Colorado River, offering boating, fishing, and camping opportunities.

Location: Page, Arizona

My thoughts: Lots to see here, including the dam itself and beautiful Lake Powell.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/glca/index.htm

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park

One of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, known for its vast canyon vistas, amazing hiking trails, and Colorado River rafting.

Location: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

My thoughts: I’ve been to the Grand Canyon twice (south rim, both times), and I’ll be honest, it never lived up to the hype for me (granted, each time, I was traveling with companions who could not hike. Had I been able to hit the trails, I might feel differently. I’ll be back someday!) That said, it’s definitely something you’ll want to see in your lifetime.

Official NPS Site: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Grand Canyon/Parshant National Monument

This remote and rugged monument protects a vast expanse of pristine desert wilderness and offers opportunities for backcountry camping, hiking, and stargazing.

Location: Northern Arizona

My thoughts: I haven’t visited this National Monument yet

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/para/index.htm

Hohokam Pima National Monument

Protects prehistoric Hohokam village sites and artifacts, offering limited access for research purposes. Hohokam Pima National Monument is closed to the public.

My thoughts: Visitors are not allowed at this National Monument.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/articles/hohokam.htm

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Preserves a historic trading post and showcases Navajo rugs, crafts, and cultural heritage.

Location: Ganado, Arizona

My thoughts: I have not visited this NHS

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/hutr/

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Follows the route of Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza’s expedition through Arizona and California.

Location: Nogales Arizona to San Francisco, California

My Thoughts: I have not visited this NPS unit.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/juba/

Lake Mead National Recreation Area:

Lake Mead Nevada / Arizona
Lake Mead

Spans the Arizona-Nevada border and includes Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, offering boating, fishing, and camping.

Location: Mojave desert – located in both Arizona and Nevada

My thoughts: Definitely worth a visit – especially the Hoover Dam! Easily visited on a day trip from Las Vegas.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/lake/

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Well

Features well-preserved cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago and a well.

Location: Camp Verde, Arizona

My thoughts: This national monument has two units – the castle and the well. The castle will be a quick stop, but the well might take a little longer as you’ll probably want to hike around it — it’s really pretty. Definitely visit both! You can read more about my visit and review here.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/moca/

Protects three well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, accessible via hiking trails and scenic overlooks.

Location: Black Mesa, Arizona

My thoughts: I haven’t visited this NPS unit yet.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/nava/

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

Traces the historic trade route between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, passing through Arizona.

Location: In Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Nevada

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Known for its namesake cacti, diverse desert flora, and scenic drives along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Location: Ajo, Arizona

My thoughts: This is my favorite National Park Service unit in Arizona! I absolutely adore this park – it is severely underrated and absolutely gorgeous, especially if you visit during the springtime. Yes, it’s wayyyy out of the way, far from basically everything, but if you have the chance, you won’t regret going.
My post:
One Day Itinerary in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona

Official NPS website: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/

Parashant National Monument

Offers remote wilderness experiences and stunning views of the Grand Canyon from the Arizona Strip.

Location: Northern Arizona

My thoughts: I have not visited this NPS unit.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/para/

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

Showcases colorful petrified wood, ancient petroglyphs, and fossils dating back millions of years. Painted desert area offers a scenic drive.

Location: Holbrook, Arizona

My thoughts: This park is divided between two units – the petrified forest and the painted desert. Both are worth a look but in all honestly, Petrified Forest National Park is not a very exciting National Park, when compared to the other 63 units. In other words, don’t base an entire vacation around this place; a half day is all that you really need.

Read more: Hiking the Blue Mesa Trail – Petrified Forest National Park

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

Protects iconic saguaro cacti and diverse desert ecosystems, offering hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing.

Location: Tucson Arizona.

My thoughts: The park is divided into two units – east and west. If you’re short on time, I’d go with the west unit as it seems to have a denser concentration of saguaro cactus, but each are worth a visit. Not one of the most exciting of the 63 National Parks — to me, it ranks pretty low, but worth it if you’re in the Tucson area.

Read more: Is Saguaro National Park Worth Visiting?

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/

Pipe Spring National Monument

Preserves a historic Mormon fort and natural spring, offering guided tours and cultural exhibits.

Location: Fredonia, Arizona

My thoughts: I have not visited this NPS unit.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/pisp/

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater National Monument
The sunset crater cinder cone volcano in Sunset Crater National Monument near Flagstaff Arizona

Features cinder cone volcanoes, lava flows, and Native American archaeological sites.

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

My thoughts: Really liked this national monument. You can read my thoughts in more detail on this blog post where I review Sunset Crater National Monument in Arizona.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/sucr/

Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument protects well-preserved cliff dwellings built by the Salado people over 700 years ago, providing a glimpse into ancient Native American life in the desert Southwest.

Location: Roosevelt, Arizona

My Thoughts: I haven’t visited this NPS unit yet.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/tont/

Tumacácori National Historical Park

Showcases Spanish colonial missions and Native American heritage sites along the Santa Cruz River.

Location: Tumacácori, AZ

My thoughts: I haven’t visited this NPS unit yet.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/tuma/

Tuzigoot National Monument:

Tuzigoot National Monument Arizona
Tuzigoot National Monument Arizona

Perched atop a ridge overlooking the Verde River, Tuzigoot National Monument preserves the ruins of a Sinagua pueblo dating back to the 12th century, offering insight into ancient Native American life in the region.

Location: Verde Valley, Arizona

My thoughts: Interesting ruins and great guided tours. Very small NPS unit, not much else to do.

Read more: Is Tuzigoot National Monument Worth It? A Review

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/tuzi/

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument Arizona
Walnut Canyon National Monument Arizona

Walnut Canyon National Monument contains well-preserved cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago, nestled within a scenic canyon landscape.

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

My thoughts: Worth a quick stop – definitely do the hike down to the cliff dwellings – it’s the best thing to do there!

Read more: Complete Guide to Visiting Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/waca/

Wupatki National Monument

Ancient Indian ruins at Wupatki National Monument in Arizona

Wupatki preserves ancient Puebloan ruins and artifacts, including multi-room dwellings, ball courts, and petroglyphs, amidst the stunning red rock scenery of northern Arizona.

Location: Near Flagstaff, Arizona

My thoughts: This is probably my favorite ancient ruins site in Arizona. It’s quite extensive, with three different ruins to visit.

Official NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/

National Parks to see in Arizona USA
National Parks to see in Arizona USA
National Parks to see in Arizona USA

More About Arizona

WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO SEE IN ARIZONA: Check out all of the posts on Arizona on this blog here.

US NATIONAL PARK UNITS IN ARIZONA: Did you know Arizona has 22 National Park Service units? I wrote about them all here. Some of my favorite NPS sites in Arizona are Organ Pipe National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona.

OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH ARIZONA: Looking for something else? Here are some lesser-known sites in Arizona that you might want to check out: Abandoned Lisa Frank Warehouse, Fairbank Ghost Town, Agua Caliente Regional Park, and The Abandoned Buckhorn Baths.

ROUTE 66: The famous Route 66 runs through part of Northern Arizona. If you’re thinking of doing a Route 66 road trip, check out my Route 66 tips.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: If you love taking photos when traveling, don’t miss my article on how to Improve your Travel Photos with these 7 Lesser Known Travel Photography Tips

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