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10 Forests in Arizona That You Shouldn't Miss
The state of Arizona is one that features a fantastic diversity of landscapes and areas of geological interest. North Arizona is famous for the Grand Canyon, a colorful chasm with steep rocky walls more than a mile deep and stretching some 277 miles alongside the Colorado River. Other notable destinations in North Arizona include Flagstaff set alongside the San Francisco Peaks which has the largest ponderosa pine forest, Museum of Northern Arizona, and is close to a number of national parks and monuments. On the south side of Arizona lies the city of Phoenix, the largest in Arizona. Notable day trips in Phoenix include the Heard Museum which is one of America's largest collections of Native American art, Phoenix Museum of History, as well as the Desert Botanical garden which has a great collection of desert plants.
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1. Woodchute Wilderness Area
2. Tonto National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
This forest occupies approximately three million acres of wilderness for exploration via hiking, backpacking and horseback riding.
Reviewed By 859heidij - Seville, United States
If you're in the Phoenix/Tucson area and are looking for a day trip, drive through here. Lost Dutchman State Park is on 88. Then follow it north. Due to a landslide, 88 does not go all the way to Roosevelt. But the drive to Tortilla Flat is amazing. We drove until the road ended then got out and walked around. We flew the drone for some amazing videos. It's stunning - we definitely were not expecting to find the scenery this drive offers. The pull offs always offer beautiful view. We saw many people camping through the area and would love to do the same someday.
3. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
4. Coconino National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Named after the Coho Native American people, this forest is two million acres of recreational, lumber, and mining land.
Reviewed By 5cindy - Fort Myers Beach, United States
We did the oak creek scenic drive through Coconino National Forest and it was absolutely beautiful. There are lots of trees in this area.
5. Prescott National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Forest located in a mountainous section of central Arizona, offering campgrounds, picnic grounds and 2,500 miles of roads for visitors.
Reviewed By Sbaygirl
If you are traveling from Jerome to Prescott ( or vice-versa) and are up for a thrilling ride, take AZ 89-a and drive through the mountains that comprise the Prescott National Forest. Beautiful panoramic vistas of pine tree-covered mountains. It's not for those with a deathly fear of heights or winding mountain roads with hairpin turns, but for those who go, it's a visual treat.
6. Tucson Mountain Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 391 reviews
A 20,000-acre desert natural preserve that accommodates many outdoor activities.
Reviewed By Cheriontheroad
A beautiful area west of Tucson with lots of hikes that range from easy to challenging. Truly a desert experience with great views of Tucson.
7. Kaibab National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Parkland consisting of more than 1.5 million acres that border the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park.
Reviewed By RobertE2027 - Rimrock, United States
The most diverse old growth forests I have seen in the Southwest. My girlfriend and I were delighted to see Aspens and Spruces growing among Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pines.
8. Coronado National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
There are 17 mountain ranges in the 1.8 million acres of this park.
Reviewed By WaitForIttttt - Hazlet, United States
My husband and I visited Coronado National Forest as part of a southwest hiking trip. The cacti in this forest are amazing - deceivingly tall. We hiked Tanque Verde Falls Trail, which was a lot of fun. There was convenient parking nearby and the road up to the trail also has some lovely views. We also saw some coyote while driving through the forest. I'd definitely recommend a stop if you're in the area!
9. Rainbow Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
An area in the south side of the Petrified Forest National Park.
Reviewed By CWGross - Calgary, Canada
The Rainbow Forest isn't a specific PLACE in Petrified Forest National Park. It is the southernmost region of the park where you find most of the petrified wood deposits. The northernmost region, by contrast, is the Painted Desert. The Rainbow Forest is most accessible through the Giant Logs trail behind the Rainbow Forest Museum and the nearby Long Logs trail. If you are coming to Petrified Forest specifically to see the petrified wood deposits, then this is the section you want to give the most time to. We actually started at the north gate, at the Painted Desert, and ended up feeling a bit rushed by the time we finally got down to the Rainbow Forest, which I regret. When we go back (I've already decided it's a WHEN, not an IF!), we're going to focus on just the Rainbow Forest. You get a neat effect going north to south, because the petrified wood deposits get bigger and more voluminous as you go, climaxing in the Rainbow Forest, but if you do that make sure you give yourself a full day. By the time we got to the park and had lunch, we didn't actually get IN the park until noon. The Long Logs trail closed at 5:30, the museum closed at 5 or 6, and the park road closed at 7, and that sneaks up on you sooner that you expect. If you're undecided about Petrified Forest, DO IT. It's not a scenically dramatic park like Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, etc. What is most fascinating about Petrified Forest, and the Rainbow Forest in particular, is what you find there: endless fields of massive 225 million year old logs, dating back to the primordial swamps in which dinosaurs were just small newcomers. It's one of the most famous palaeontological sites in the WORLD, let alone the United States. If you're making your way out to Northern Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater and all that, you owe it to yourself to see Petrified Forest too.
