Arizona is home to one internationally recognized natural wonder: the Grand Canyon. It brings in 5 million visitors every year and is one of the most photographed places in the world. However, those of us who live in the state know that’s only the beginning of the list of marvels that can be found here. If you’ve ever wondered what else would be considered a natural or humanmade wonder, check out our list:
Please note, Navajo National Monument is temporarily closed.
- Antelope Canyon
Moyan Brenn/Flickr This sandstone slot cave is hidden out of sight near Page but is one that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
- Arcosanti
Cody/Flickr Located 28 miles south of Camp Verde, Arcosanti was created as an experimental desert city that its architect, Paolo Soleri, hoped would become a model for a more sustainable environment.
- Arizona Biltmore
Daniel Langer/Flickr The Biltmore is one of the Phoenix Points of Pride that was built in 1929 and is certainly a beauty inside and out.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
Overwater Photography/Flickr Located on Sedona’s red rock buttes, this building was designed to look like it is emerging from the earth. The chapel is also surprisingly smaller than most people imagine, creating an intimate spiritual experience.
- Emerald Cave in Black Canyon
Lynn D. Rosentrater/Flickr You can thank the Colorado River for creating this beauty. When the sun hits the water in the cave just right, a vivid green glows from the bottom of the river.
- Grand Canyon
David Denicolo/Flickr Do you really think I could make a list about Arizona’s marvels without including the Grand Canyon? What else is there to say about it; it’s beautiful!
- Havasu Falls
Vinh Tran/Flickr Located within the Grand Canyon, a stop at this little oasis is one worth the long, long hike to get to it.
- Keet Seel at Navajo National Monument
Alan English CPA/Flickr These old ruins in northeastern Arizona are considered some of the best preserved cave dwellings in the Southwest.
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
Sandy Weaver/Flickr Often called the “White Dove of the Desert,” this beautiful Spanish mission is incredibly well-preserved and is the oldest European structure in the state.
- Monument Valley
Scott Taylor/Flickr Straddling the border we share with Utah, we’re pretty lucky to have the iconic mittens formations on the Arizona side.
- Petrified Forest
Keith Yahl/Flickr Aside from the vast collection of petrified wood, the landscapes and archaeological sites here are incredible and uniquely diverse.
- San Francisco Peaks
Judith Arsenault/Flickr Arizona’s tallest peaks are located here, an old volcano that is important to the regional ecology and Indigenous cultures.
- Taliesin West
John Kittlesrud/Flickr Old FLW’s winter home and studio is located in Scottsdale and is one of several Arizona buildings designed by Wright.
- Tonto Natural Bridge
Randy Jenkins/Flickr This is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The tunnel underneath is tall and long, extending 400 feet from one end to another and standing 183 feet tall. It also has a seasonal waterfall that makes a trip here extra special.
- Vermilion Cliffs
Michael Wilson/Flickr The Wave is just one of the many beautiful finds you’ll come across at this park; all show how playful and unique a landscape can look thanks to weathering.
Those places sure look good in photographs but you really need to see them up close to truly appreciate their beauty! If you want to check out more incredible places in Arizona, check out our article on places in Arizona that you thought only existed in your imagination.
Moyan Brenn/Flickr
This sandstone slot cave is hidden out of sight near Page but is one that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Cody/Flickr
Located 28 miles south of Camp Verde, Arcosanti was created as an experimental desert city that its architect, Paolo Soleri, hoped would become a model for a more sustainable environment.
Daniel Langer/Flickr
The Biltmore is one of the Phoenix Points of Pride that was built in 1929 and is certainly a beauty inside and out.
Overwater Photography/Flickr
Located on Sedona’s red rock buttes, this building was designed to look like it is emerging from the earth. The chapel is also surprisingly smaller than most people imagine, creating an intimate spiritual experience.
Lynn D. Rosentrater/Flickr
You can thank the Colorado River for creating this beauty. When the sun hits the water in the cave just right, a vivid green glows from the bottom of the river.
David Denicolo/Flickr
Do you really think I could make a list about Arizona’s marvels without including the Grand Canyon? What else is there to say about it; it’s beautiful!
Vinh Tran/Flickr
Located within the Grand Canyon, a stop at this little oasis is one worth the long, long hike to get to it.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
These old ruins in northeastern Arizona are considered some of the best preserved cave dwellings in the Southwest.
Sandy Weaver/Flickr
Often called the “White Dove of the Desert,” this beautiful Spanish mission is incredibly well-preserved and is the oldest European structure in the state.
Scott Taylor/Flickr
Straddling the border we share with Utah, we’re pretty lucky to have the iconic mittens formations on the Arizona side.
Keith Yahl/Flickr
Aside from the vast collection of petrified wood, the landscapes and archaeological sites here are incredible and uniquely diverse.
Judith Arsenault/Flickr
Arizona’s tallest peaks are located here, an old volcano that is important to the regional ecology and Indigenous cultures.
John Kittlesrud/Flickr
Old FLW’s winter home and studio is located in Scottsdale and is one of several Arizona buildings designed by Wright.
Randy Jenkins/Flickr
This is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The tunnel underneath is tall and long, extending 400 feet from one end to another and standing 183 feet tall. It also has a seasonal waterfall that makes a trip here extra special.
Michael Wilson/Flickr
The Wave is just one of the many beautiful finds you’ll come across at this park; all show how playful and unique a landscape can look thanks to weathering.
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