We all know the fall season brings the best weather in Arizona due to the much cooler temperatures contrasting from the past summer months. The fall weather calls for finally leaving the air-conditioned indoors and being able to go back outside and explore the natural beauty of sunny Arizona. Listed are the best places to explore during the autumn season in Arizona.
Central Arizona:
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
This national forest located near Superior —featuring Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden—is home to pistachio trees, hackberry black walnut and Arizona sycamore trees. Make sure to visit for Thanksgiving Weekend Fall Foliage Finale Festival on Nov. 25-26.
Sycamore Canyon
This forest is located near Clarkdale and is absolutely gorgeous during this time of year. One can take a serene hike along the Sycamore creek and see reflection of the leaves through the water.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=74369
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
This state park is located in Cottonwood and is filled with many cottonwood trees. For the best leaf viewing, one should definitely check out the Canopy trail and the two-mile Verde River Greenway trail.
https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/w
Northern Arizona:
Aspen Nature Loop
This trail—at the base of Snowbowl—offers a super easy hike where one can see views of the San Francisco Peaks and the Grand Canyon.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55064
Kachina Trail
This trail filled with aspen trees and located right below the parking lot of the Arizona Snowbowl. This moderate-to-difficult 10-mile hike gives one views of the biggest firs and pine trees that anywhere else in Arizona.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55112
Hart Prairie Road
This biking trail located 10 miles north of Downtown Flagstaff takes you on a colorful view through the many aspen trees of Arizona and high-altitude meadows while displaying unbelievable views of the San Francisco Peaks.
https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5500184/hart-prairie-loop
Southern Arizona :
Cave Creek Canyon
Known to some as “Arizona’s Yosemite,” Cave Creek Canyon is located on the east of Chiricahua Mountains and is full of maple, sycamores and oak trees. The best time to go is late October/early November with the South Fork Trail displaying the best fall leaves.
http://www.friendsofcavecreekcanyon.com/
