Outdoors
in Phoenix, AZ

(520) 689-2723

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Vibrant seasonal foliage is always on display at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, located at the University of Arizona and boasting the unique desert landscape beauty of the outdoor area. Two miles of wheelchair-accessible trails await the adventurous nature-lover in the Tonto National Forest.

(480) 941-1225

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Experience an oasis of surprising bursts of color and expressive succulents at the Desert Botanical Garden. Perhaps you'll find your green-thumb inspiration in the garden's Berlin Agave Yucca Forest or the Desert Wildflower Loop Trail.

The Desert Botanical Garden has been wowing naturalists for more than 70 years, featuring more than 145 acres of stunning desert blooms, flora and fauna year-round.

The site is located within Papago Park in Phoenix and opened in 1939. Today, more than 21,000 plants fill the land, including outdoor exhibits and displays, specialty greenhouses and preservation of endangered and fragile species.

One-third of the plants are native to the area. The remainder come from all over the world. Special collections from Australia and Baja California are featured alongside specimens from South America. Ecosystems represented include mesquite bosque, semidesert grassland, and upland chaparral scrub.

The Desert Botanical Garden is especially noted for its agave and cacti collections. Educational demonstrations showcase the power of energy efficient ecosystems and their influence on technology, including a rainwater capture system and greywater irrigation.

(928) 638-7888

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Grand Canyon National Park is the must-see attraction in Arizona, no matter what part of the state you are visiting. Plan to hike, camp, backpack or ride the Colorado River. Enjoy spectacular scenery any time of year, but especially in the fall and sprin

Grand Canyon National Park is considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world, which should come as no surprise. The storied park covers 1,902 square miles, and includes the Grand Canyon itself, formed as a gorge of the Colorado River.

The South Rim by far is the most popular visiting point, with easy access from Route 64. Most of the Grand Canyon is remote and inaccessible, adding to the canyon's storied reputation.

Many appreciate the Grand Canyon for its colorful geography and its role in preservation history.

For adventurous explorers, the rim of the Grand Canyon provides multiple points of access to the parkland and everything else below the rim. Hikes, mule riders and river runners can be seen enjoying the Grand Canyon's natural beauty.

(800) 567-6745

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Test your mettle on a Mild to Wild Rafting Adventure on the Salt and Verde rivers. Tame the white water with experienced guides and leave with memories to last a lifetime. You can choose a water sports adventure that's mild or wild, depending on your thrill level and experience.

(928) 567-2840

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Interact with exotic animals at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. This truly otherworldly nature experience includes a snake show with giant anacondas and boas, a 45-minute African Bush Safari that includes personal encounters with giraffes, zebras and more, and a predator feed where you can watch carnivores devour 800 lbs. of raw meat.

(602) 268-1261

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Go on a horseback riding adventure through the rugged, serene outdoor beauty of the Arizona countryside. Ponderosa Stables provides rides on more than 40 miles of trails across 18,500 acres of South Mountain Park. Close encounters with exotic native plants and native animals are common in this region.

(480) 984-3305

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Enjoy a lazy afternoon of tubing down the Salt River - and don't forget to rent a tube for your cooler. The Salt River Tubing & Recreation Co. will take care of all the details. Just make a reservation, show up in your swimsuit and flip flops, and get ready for a good time.

(602) 447-8200

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Grab your paint gun and get ready for fast-paced sports action at Westworld Paintball Adventures' Xtreme Pursuit Paintball Arena, a 30,000-square-foot indoor playground for grownups and teens. It includes 500 tons of dirt, bunkers, sniper towers and more. Specials include video-gamed themed events and ladies' night on Fridays.