7 Amazing Natural Destinations in Arizona

7 Amazing Natural Destinations in Arizona

by ajohnson | Jul 18, 2023 | Arizona, Blog, Travel

Arizona doesn’t slack when it comes to incredible natural destinations. Home to 3 national parks, 6 national forests, and 31 state parks, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing what to see and do.

If you’re currently plotting a trip to Arizona and want to see as much nature as possible, chances are you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with options. Put simply, one could easily spend an entire year exploring Arizona’s natural gems and never have to do the same thing twice!

To make things a bit easier for you, I decided to come up with the ultimate list of natural destinations to visit in Arizona. Especially for first-timers in the Grand Canyon State who want to get a mix of the best this amazing region has to offer!

7 Amazing Natural Destinations in Arizona

Tonto National Bridge State Park

Tonto National Bridge State Park is believed to be home to the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Aside from its humongous size, the entire state park is a true geological wonder. Whose landscape will make you feel as though you were transported into a storybook setting?

During your visit to Tonto National Bridge, you’ll get to stand at the top of the bridge. And get the unique experience of exploring travertine rocks in a tunnel. If you’re up for more adventure, you can also choose from four different hiking trails in the park. All of this will lead you down into the canyon to get a brand new perspective of the bridge!

Horseshoe Bend

7 Amazing Natural Destinations in ArizonaSet in the heart of the alluring Glen Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander on the Colorado River that may very well be one of Arizona’s favorite Instagram spots. 

Visiting the main lookout point at Horseshoe Bend is pretty easy. And requires a short 1-mile hike from the nearby city of Page. Plus, it’s located pretty close to popular Arizona destinations like the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. Which makes it an ideal pitstop to make in-between adventures.

If you have time to spare, we recommend exploring Horseshoe Bend beyond its main viewpoint. In order to enjoy lesser-known activities in the area. Which range from hiking, helicopter touring, and even rafting down the river!

Lake Powell7 Amazing Natural Destinations in Arizona

Lake Powell is a tranquil section of the Colorado River. And a striking place to visit if you love other-worldly-looking landscapes. 

With bold blue waters snaking around red rock formations, Lake Powell is not your usual lakeside adventure. Gawking at the beauty of the lake is reason enough to head here. But there are plenty of activities on the menu if you want to linger a while longer. Including hiking to several viewpoints, tubing, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and wildlife spotting!

Petrified Forest National Park

Striking colors aren’t usually what you expect to find in nature. But at Petrified Forest National Park, they’re pretty much the norm.

Millions and millions of years ago (as in, roughly 200,000 million), floods brought dead logs into the area. Which were later crystallized by silica-rich ash from volcanic activity. Today, the landscape at Petrified Forest is a sea of multicolored glitzy logs. Which will very much have you wondering if you were transported into an entirely different universe!

Havasu Falls

Arizona nature travel listAs one of the most iconic natural wonders of Arizona, a visit to Havasu Falls is a must on any itinerary through the state. Especially for those who don’t mind a challenge when the rewards are beautiful secluded views!

Havasu Falls is a set of waterfalls that cascade down over bright red rock walls and into striking blue pools. Creating a scene that feels as though it should belong in a painting. A pretty challenging hike is required to reach the waterfalls. And a permit to enter the area is also needed. But if you’re the type of traveler who can’t let a great view pass them by, the rewards are guaranteed to be worth the effort.

The trek can be quite challenging due to its hefty elevation gain and demanding terrain. But you’ll have plenty of excuses to stop and take a rest. Especially when you consider the entire way is dotted with beautiful landscapes. Including three other waterfalls, you can take a dip in!

Hoover DamHoover Dam

A man-made dam may not sound like a place to visit if you’re interested in natural destinations. But Hoover Dam is definitely an exception to the rule.

Constructed inside Black Canyon and over the Colorado River, Hoover Dam isn’t just striking to look at. But when you stand atop it, you’ll be treated to the most breathtaking views of quintessential Arizona scenery.

As a plus, Lake Meade is located pretty close to Hoover Dam. This means you can combine a visit to both places for the ultimate nature experience in Arizona!

Canyon De Chelly National Monument

Located in the heart of Navajo Land, Canyon De Chelly National Monument is a remarkable canyon that just happens to be one of Arizona’s lesser-known destinations. 

Aside from the amazing landscapes, you’ll see all over, an aspect that makes Canyon De Chelly incredibly unique is the fact that you’ll find traces of civilizations. Like the Anazaki and Puebloan people who once resided in the area. Plus, a visit here also provides visitors with a unique chance to learn more about the Navajo people. Who still call the canyon their home up to this day!

What Is Arizona Known For?

Ah, Arizona! Let me tell you, this state is known for more than just its scorching hot temperatures and cacti. When you think of Arizona, a few things may come to mind. First off, this place is all about stunning natural beauty. From the gorgeous Oak Creek Canyon to the majestic San Francisco Peaks mountain range, Arizona’s got it all. And speaking of beauty, we can’t forget about the breathtaking Antelope Canyon with its red sandstone formations.

Now, let’s talk about water. Yes, you heard me right! Despite being known for its desert landscapes, Arizona offers some incredible water experiences. Picture this: gliding on green water while water skiing. Yep, that’s right! Arizona gives you the chance to enjoy water sports like nowhere else. Who says you can’t have it all?

So, whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or just someone who appreciates the unique charm of this great state, Arizona has something for everyone. It’s no wonder it’s become a bucket list destination for travelers from all over the United States. So, grab your sunscreen, put on your hiking boots, and get ready for an Arizona adventure like no other!

Have you ever been to any of these natural destinations in Arizona? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience. So feel free to tell us all about it in the comment section below!

20 Reasons to Own Less Stuff

20 Reasons to Own Less Stuff

by ajohnson | Jul 7, 2023 | Blog, Life, Minimalism, Opinion

In this article, we are going to give you all the reasons why you must consider owning less stuff.

We could buy one thing today, and tomorrow we’ll crave another. It’s a vicious loop, and sadly there is no end to desires. Thanks to our perpetual desires and growing consumerism, we don’t settle for less. 

We want more and more, until there remains no space in our homes, to move freely. Growing up, we had a barn that was so full of things you could barely walk through it, let alone find anything you needed.

That is just one of the reasons why minimalism has been the principle that everyone is embracing; it focuses on owning less stuff doing you innumerable benefits. I personally have been going through our home with a fine-tooth comb to pick out things I haven’t used in a year, or ever, and reducing the clutter. 

It feels lighter, and the energy has shifted. Maybe it’s the summertime air, but I know I don’t want to waste time trying to keep up with anyone else anymore. Thus, I’m buying less and less and keeping even less in my home.

how to live having less

20 Reasons to Own Less Stuff

What is a minimalist person?

So, imagine this: you walk into someone’s home and it’s like stepping into a zen paradise. Not a single unnecessary item in sight, just clean lines, open spaces, and a sense of calm. 

That, my friend, is the magic of minimalist living. 

A minimalist person is all about simple living, and focusing on what truly matters. They spend less money on stuff they don’t really need, which not only saves their hard-earned cash but also reduces their stress levels. They’re all about living in the present and enjoying every moment instead of wasting time on materialistic pursuits. 

Minimalists focus on quality over quantity. It’s their mantra, so they choose higher quality items instead of hoarding a bunch of cheap junk. 

By decluttering their physical space, it’s easier to find what they need and they feel overwhelmed much less. Plus, having a smaller home means less time spent on cleaning and organizing, leaving more room for enjoying life and spending time with loved ones. 

If you want to dive deeper into minimalist living, be sure to check out this post. Trust me, it’s definitely worth a read!

20 Reasons to Own Less Stuff

Reasons to own less stuff

  1.     It makes cleaning quicker and less hassling. When you own less, you will have fewer surfaces to dust. Moreover, you will have an open space for vacuuming; you would not have to move heavy objects.
  2.     You would not have to go through a million things to find what you are looking for. 
  3.     More stuff makes your house look messy. When you have fewer things, it would give your home a spacious and clean look. 
  4.     It’s a given, when your motto is to own less stuff, you would not shop spontaneously. Consequently, this would be healthy for your budget and would help you save more money. 
  5.     It would help you focus on memories rather than material things.
  6.     Cleaning is a stressful affair, so much so that it can deteriorate your mental health. But when you would have less stuff to clean, you would not only stress less, but you would find plenty of time to spend on things you actually like to do. 
  7.     You would admire quality over quantity. In other words, you’d become qualitative. 
  8.     As Lord Buddha said, desires are the root cause of all unhappiness. And owning less can help you control your desires. As a result, you will be more satisfied and happy in life. 
  9.     It would become easier for you to give your home a makeover from time to time when there is less stuff to move. 
  10. More demand means more production which ultimately leads to environmental pollution. So, when you are buying less stuff, you are indirectly saving the earth’s resources. 
  11. It would set a good example for your kids. They would learn from you, and that would eventually drive them away from materialist temptations. 
  12. There are a million things in your home that you don’t need. But there are others, who need them more than you. When you have decided to own less stuff, you can give the extra ones to those in need. 
  13. Fewer clothes = less laundry. 
  14. It would help you get ready for work quicker. When you have fewer clothes and fewer cosmetics, you would not spend hours looking for the perfect outfit for work. You will be quicker. 
  15. A spacious and mess-free ambiance can provide you with serenity. 
  16. You will become more productive when your focus is not on cleaning piles of clothes. Not to mention, you would be able to concentrate better in a clean and mess-free home. 
  17. Don’t have enough space at home to do your workouts? Well, if you own less stuff, you will get all the space you need for all your workouts, be it mountain climbers or an hour-long session of Zumba. 
  18. You will be able to make better investments when you have a significant amount of money saved from owning fewer things. 
  19. Have heavy furniture around? Well, consider selling it; decluttering will help you earn some extra money this way. 
  20. You become grateful. You stop comparing yourself to others when you are satisfied with the things you already own. minimalist lifestyle

Tips for creating a minimalist home

 

Here is a bulleted list of tips to get started on creating a minimalist home:

  • Start slow – focus on decluttering and simplifying one area at a time
  • Create a checklist of areas you want to declutter
  • Set a timeline for yourself, like one room a week
  • Get your family involved – make it a fun challenge or game
  • Decide whether to donate or sell items you no longer need/use
  • Consider asking friends or family if they want some of your items before donating or selling them
  • Sort items into categories and only keep the essentials
  • Create a designated space for each item you keep
  • Minimize surface clutter such as mail and knick-knacks
  • Consider a capsule wardrobe to simplify your closet
  • Invest in multi-functional furniture to save space and reduce clutter
  • Limit purchasing new items and opt for experiences instead

Maybe put that on your vision or life board and see how it feels for you. It could be the thing that sets you free.

Well, that’s all we have to say. I hope these reasons helped you change your mind and own less. After all, as they say, less is more. 

And another piece to think about – I eventually want to split my time between our current home, and another home somewhere tropical. If I have all this stuff here, then how will I know I can live without it when I’m at the other location without having to pack everything? 

Do you own less stuff too? How did it help you in life? Feel free to share your stories and experiences in the comments section.