Choose Arizona adventure
Try these 5 ideas to shake off cabin fever and explore Arizona
Arizona is full of outdoor adventures from soothing to hair-raising. Check out trails to hike, a river to kayak, peaks to summit, wines to taste and more.
Like everyone else, I’m trying to balance my concern over catching (and spreading) the COVID-19 virus with my sheer exhaustion of looking at my four walls, dreaming that I could board a plane that would safely take me ... anywhere. • While being mindful of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s coronavirus advice and waiting for my turn for the vaccine, I think I’ve reached the end of Netflix. When I found myself watching someone organize a closet, I decided I had truly hit rock bottom.
And there’s really no excuse for that since we live in a place with plenty of opportunities to get outside safely. We’re so lucky to live where other people want to vacation, and it’s easy to do a day trip without spending any vacation time.
Now in my third year in the Valley, I’ve developed an ever-growing list of wonders of the Grand Canyon State that I want to see. But I’ve also come to feel increasingly at home here, and I keep putting off when I’ll actually go.
The new year has brought me renewed energy to check off some of the places on my “must see” list. Destinations like Monument Valley and Havasupai Falls are closed and will have to wait until the COVID-19 pandemic is more under control. But there are plenty of other places I’m hoping to check off this year to give me a better perspective on the history and grandeur of our state.
Here’s what’s on my Arizona wander list for 2021. (Gentle reminder: If you go, please wear a mask and socially distance so that everyone can explore safely.)
Hike Arizona’s mountain peaks
In 2020, I took on the challenge of hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim in a day. This year, I hope to reach some of Arizona’s mountain peaks. Hiking Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona, is high on my list. So are Picacho Peak in Picacho Peak State Park and the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains.
Also on my list: getting out to Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park to see the tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives on June 20, 2013, while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire.
Kayak through Horseshoe Bend
There are thousands of Instagram posts showcasing breathtaking views of Horseshoe Bend from above and, yes, I’d like to see it with my own eyes instead of on the ‘gram. But since I learned that you can have a company take you up the Colorado River to kayak the bend, I’ve added enjoying its beauty from water level to my Arizona to-do list.
Kayak the Colorado and Kayak Horseshoe Bend will rent you a kayak and take you upriver to kayak through Glen Canyon. You can even make it a two-day trip by camping at one of the boat-in campsites along the river.
This is one I’m saving for the summer months as a weekend reprieve from the
triple-digit temperatures.
Enjoy natural wonders and wine in Willcox
At 195 miles southeast of Phoenix, a trip to Willcox will take a little planning and at least one night. There are two things I’m interested in seeing in this area of Arizona.
Chiricahua National Monument has been nicknamed the “wonderland of rocks” for its hoodoos, formations and lichen-covered boulders. You can get out and hike its network of trails or enjoy an 8-mile scenic drive to take in the splendor.
Then, after enjoying the outdoors, I plan to stop by the wineries and tasting rooms in nearby Willcox to bring home a souvenir from southern Arizona wine country. Willcox Wine Country has a handy online guide to the region.
Visit Bisbee for a little history
Bisbee has been on my list for a while now so I can learn more about Arizona’s history. Since mining is a significant part of that history, I’d love to go underground on the Queen Mine tour.
I’m also looking forward to meandering through all the shops and galleries while taking in the charm of Main Street. Just know that many of the stores are closed or have limited hours while the pandemic is raging right now.
And what’s a visit without a stop at a tourist icon like the Room 4 Bar in the Silver King Hotel? It’s the smallest bar in Arizona, with just one bartender and four stools.
Explore Yuma for agritourism and prison history
Yuma, which grows the vast majority of the produce in the U.S. in winter, has a robust agritourism scene. Before the pandemic struck, the city’s tourism bureau offered “farm to plate” tours that took visitors through the fields and finished with a meal prepared by culinary students. The popular outings typically sold out quickly.
Sadly, those are on hold for now. But Visit Yuma is still presenting “Date Night” dinners where participants can eat a meal served under the stars in a lush date grove.
If you’re interested in learning history while you dine, Visit Yuma also hosts history dinners with Mexican-inspired dishes and discussions of the history of the Colorado River, agriculture and downtown Yuma.
Speaking of history, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park has reopened with COVID-19 precautions. It offers a spooky look at what it was like to be a prisoner during the 1800s as well as some of the notable prisoners it housed.