Travel & Leisure

At long last, summer vacation is finally upon us. With glimpses of memorable road trips, staycation setups and weekends away in sight, locals and tourists alike are all pining after their next desert adventure, hoping they’ll find themselves wrapped up in one of so many of the state’s captivating environments and experiences.

While Arizona is home to colossal monuments, lush forest preserves and jaw-dropping national parks, the state has a reputation for finding some of its most beloved sites often overcrowded and unreachable. Licensing, permits and waitlist reservations have made it all...

When it comes to outdoor adventure options in the Valley of the Sun, there is no shortage. The thousands of miles of trails distributed between four to five major trail systems gives any staycationer an endless supply of memorable experiences a short drive from their resort. Here are some of my favorite trail systems in the Valley and a few of the top activities to at each:

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

There are seven...

Imagine colorful wildflower palettes painted across the desert floors, with backdrops of piercing buttes and rocky, mountainous terrains accentuating the blooming beauties. This dream is an actual reality at dozens of secret hot spots and natural wildlife parks across the state.

We’ve rounded up a few of the very best places to catch a glimpse of authentic, spring scenery in Arizona this year.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Hikers and daring adventurers from around the world always find their way to...

After an unusually rainy winter (the sixth-wettest on record in the Phoenix area), it’s a great time to get out and go hiking. Wildflowers are in bloom and temperatures are still mild. So lace up your boots, grab a hat and sunscreen, and get ready for a weekend adventure at any of these six trails in the Phoenix area.

Piestewa Peak Summit...