EA 2020

From Scottsdale, Arizona, there are almost too many natural wonders to name within driving distance. The Sonoran Desert, the Petrified Forest, and, of course, the Grand Canyon are among the most well known. The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest natural wonders in the entire world and it just happens to be located in Scottsdale’s back yard.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited natural tourist destinations in the United States drawing millions of visitors each year. Residents of Scottsdale, Arizona, however, are only a four hour drive from the South Rim of the Canyon where the waters of the Colorado River spent more than six million years digging their way an average of 4000 feet deep into the desert ground. Photographers, naturalists, hikers, white-water enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys being in the great outdoors could not ask for a better base of operations than Scottsdale from which to pursue their hobbies.

One of the lesser known attractions within driving distance of Scottsdale is the Kartchner Caverns State Park. Although these caves are estimated to be tens of thousands of years old, they were discovered only in 1974 and were purposefully kept secret from the public until 1988. Because of their recent discovery, these breath-taking caverns are in nearly perfect condition with none of the damage caused by heavy traffic that most other large cavern complexes have experienced. The Kartchner Caverns offer awe-inspiring geological formations unlike any other in the world. The youth of this state park combined with its proximity to the Grand Canyon keep its miles of tunnels off the beaten path for most tourists, leaving it relatively uncrowded for those who live near enough to visit at their leisure.

While many Americans are familiar with the majestic red buttes of Monument Valley, on the northern border of Arizona, from the movies, the true grandeur of these 1000 foot tall vertical towers can only be realized by standing among them. The area is a Navajo Nation Tribal Park, but is open to tourists, with the exception of Mystery Valley and Hunt’s Mesa which can be visited only as part of a guided tour. The park offers hiking, horseback riding, and a 17 mile long roadway for those who want to drive through and see as much of the park as possible.

While most areas of the United States offer some local attraction, few can boast either as many natural attractions, or any at all of the scale and grandeur of those available as day trips to the residents of Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale is also one of those regions of the country that boasts good weather for the entire year making it an almost perfect place to live for those who do most of their living outdoors.

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