Top Things to do in Arizona
Things to do in Arizona, United States: The Best Bodies of Water
The state of Arizona is one that features a fantastic diversity of landscapes and areas of geological interest. North Arizona is famous for the Grand Canyon, a colorful chasm with steep rocky walls more than a mile deep and stretching some 277 miles alongside the Colorado River. Other notable destinations in North Arizona include Flagstaff set alongside the San Francisco Peaks which has the largest ponderosa pine forest, Museum of Northern Arizona, and is close to a number of national parks and monuments. On the south side of Arizona lies the city of Phoenix, the largest in Arizona. Notable day trips in Phoenix include the Heard Museum which is one of America's largest collections of Native American art, Phoenix Museum of History, as well as the Desert Botanical garden which has a great collection of desert plants.
Restaurants in Arizona
1. Fossil Springs Trail Head
2. Willow Springs Lake
3. Lake Powell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,495 reviews
Straddling northern Arizona and southern Utah, Lake Powell and the surrounding Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offer many leisure activities.
Reviewed By Bidule005 - France, null
Early in the morning, we went to Wahweap Marina to make a wonderful 2-hour cruise on Lake Powell, which is the second largest artificial lake (5058 km²) in North America. We learnt that artificial Lake Powell: - was created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on Colorado river in 1963; - is very large, being 300 km long and having 3,380 km of shoreline!!! It is also 170 meters deep! - is the second largest water man-made reservoir in the USA! - has a very jagged shore, with more than 90 canyons! During the cruise, we were amazed by the wonderful panoramic viewpoints on the lake and with ocher and red-orange rocks with incredible shapes. The narrow and winding canyons were majestic. The contrast between these colorful rocks reflecting in the water and the blue of Lake Powell was striking! Lake Powell is an oasis of freshness in a rocky dazzling and breathtaking desert landscape with fantastic canyons!!!
4. Lake Havasu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
Created when the Parker Dam was built in 1938, this lake is actually a Colorado River reservoir popular for water-skiing, boating and other recreational water sports.
Reviewed By BecRecks - Grand Junction, United States
The London bridge is so beautiful, there are excellent boat trips here with narration and there are a ton of lighthouses around the Lake that are actual smaller replicas of real lighthouses. THe Lake had tons of swimming areas and lots of rental options for water craft. November was in the MID 80s -perfect time to go, not crowded AT ALL(don't go there in the summer!) Bring some water toys if you go. Lots of great breweries around - friendly people. Just a really neat place to go. But drink extra water as it is super dry there....
5. Maricopa Lake Park
6. Apache Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
A popular, man-made lake in the Superstition Mountains, which offers fishing, scenery and camping.
Reviewed By RobertD6697 - Mesa, United States
Beautiful lake for kayaking with beautiful landscapes. There were very few boats on the lake while we were there making is great for kayaking.
7. Salt River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
This river, which flows through the Phoenix area, offers boating, tubing and whitewater rafting opportunities.
Reviewed By WanderingWithUsTwo - Phoenix, United States
The Salt River is a large river in Arizona that stretches through Maricopa and Gila county. It is a popular location to visit for many locals looking to cool off during the summer months. People generally will utilize the river and surrounding areas for tubing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and camping. Considering how rare it is to find large bodies of water here, it is also common to find many animals nearby. Because of the water supply and local vegetation this is by far one of the best places to spot wild horses. Oftentimes during the early mornings and evenings you will see herds of horses grazing along the riverbed and wading through the river. There are also nearby lakes that also offer desert landscapes and more opportunities for socializing and boating as well. Along the way via Bush Highway you can also find several trails to hike and use for OHVs or mountain biking with views of the Red Mountains and Four Peaks in the distance. There are several places to stop along the way that are free as well as designated recreation areas but be aware of costs associated with day-use permits. Overall, this is a great place to come by and cool off or just admire the stark contrast of water with the surrounding desert landscape! - @wanderingwithustwo
8. Prescott National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Forest located in a mountainous section of central Arizona, offering campgrounds, picnic grounds and 2,500 miles of roads for visitors.
Reviewed By Sbaygirl
If you are traveling from Jerome to Prescott ( or vice-versa) and are up for a thrilling ride, take AZ 89-a and drive through the mountains that comprise the Prescott National Forest. Beautiful panoramic vistas of pine tree-covered mountains. It's not for those with a deathly fear of heights or winding mountain roads with hairpin turns, but for those who go, it's a visual treat.
9. Verde River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Lying within the Coconino, Prescott and Tonto National Forests, Arizona's Scenic and Wild River is a unique and important resource since it stands in dramatic contrast to the desert-type landscape through which it meanders.
10. Lynx Lake Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
Lynx Lake is one of the most popular recreation areas in central Arizona. Mild weather, the cool ponderosa pine forest, a serene 55-acre lake, trout fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, archaeological sites, and bird watching attract visitors from throughout Arizona.
Reviewed By captjrk - Prescott Valley, United States
This a great place to visit for kayaking, fishing, hiking and picnicing. The south end has covered picnic tables, grilles and a boat launch. In the summer there are canoe, paddleboat, and kayak rentals at the north end. Nice to walk arould the lake - the west side is paved and the east side is not, but still not a difficult trail. Between he north entrance and Highway 69 there is "Lynx Lake Ruin". It's an easy, peaceful 3/4 mile hike back to he ruin.
