If there’s anything Arizona is known for, it’s her wide collection of canyons—from the massive Grand Canyon to the dimly lit and well-hidden Antelope Canyon. Each of these spots are beautiful in their own right but, occasionally, one stands out from the crowd. In this case, we are going to take a look at Aravaipa Canyon in Arizona, one gorgeous canyon located in the southeastern part of the state.

Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderrness is a protected wilderness area located in southeastern Arizona, about two hours away from Tucson and is known for its pristine landscape that remains untouched by modern life. A total of 19,410 acres are protected here, making it an incredible example of Arizona's desert terrain.

Aravaipa Canyon is an 11-mile canyon with small side canyons and a creek that runs the length of the canyon. You'll find plenty of desert vegetation here but also the lush riparian environment that attracts so many species to the area.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
The canyon was designated a wilderness area in 1984 in a 13-year pursuit to protect it, especially after attracting a HUGE amount of foot traffic in the decades leading up to that time. Settlers initially drove livestock through the area, then a few mining operations began popping up, followed by camping, hiking, and other human activities.

These days, the Bureau of Land Management only allows up to 50 people enter the canyon each day for a maximum of three days. This reduces the amount of human traffic that runs through the canyon's 11 miles and all the problems that can involve, including overcrowding, noise, and waste.
Alan English CPA/Flickr

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Alan English CPA/Flickr
You will need a permit to visit and the number of activities you can engage in are limited, since the primary focus of this area existing is to protect the land and its animals. You can camp in designated areas away from other campers, hike through the canyon, or even ride your horse during daytime hours. However, biking, bringing pets, and fishing are prohibited. This allows your experience here to feel peaceful and like you're the only person in the entire canyon.

Permits can be obtained by clicking this link.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Did we mention the wildlife? Since the canyon is a protected preservation area with relatively little human contact, you'll find crowds of wildlife occupying the canyon's riparian areas, just like this javelina pictured above.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Alan English CPA/Flickr
If anything, this canyon's remote location and limited visitation will make it feel like your own little sanctuary. Perhaps that's why the animals love it so much as well.

For more information about the canyon, how to get a permit, and how to get there, visit the Bureau of Land Management’s website.

Want to see some other incredible canyons around the state? Be sure to check out our article, 15 Underrated Canyons In Arizona That Will Take Your Breath Away, for places that you definitely need to visit!

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Aravaipa Canyon In Arizona

Leah | December 18, 2020

What are the best outdoor activities in Arizona?

There are many places to visit in Arizona that are perfect for outdoor adventurers. Along with all the beautiful canyons, there are hot springs in the state. The Arizona Hot Springs are perfect for a warm, relaxing soak. You can see a natural bridge and explore the areas around it at the Devils Bridge. Conveniently, visiting that place is also free. While many people know about some of Arizona's most popular caves, like the Kartchner Caverns, fewer people know about the Lava River Cave near Flagstaff. Formed by lava thousands of years ago, you can explore it's rounded tunnel walls and feel the chill below the surface.

What are the most beautiful canyons in Arizona?

It's almost hard to list all of the scenic canyons in Arizona worth visiting. Along with Aravaipo Canyon, there is also spots like Canyon de Chelly. Not only is that canyon absolutely spectacular to see in person, but it also has quite a rich history to learn about. Antelope Canyon is immensely popular with photographers due to its unique beauty. It's also a special place to visit, with only guided tours allowed and reservations sometimes hard to get. We can't talk about beautiful canyons in Arizona without mentioning the grandest one of all, the Grand Canyon. It's one of the most timeless, well-known places in the US for a reason, after all. It wouldn't attract millions of visitors every year otherwise!

Does Arizona have any natural wonders?

Along with places like Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, there are other underrated places in Arizona that are natural wonders. The Chiricahua National Monument has many unique sights you won't find anywhere else, and it's worth taking a drive out to see at least once. The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest are also incredible to take in. The colorful stripes of the badlands and the fossilized trees from millions of years ago are certainly something to behold. You may also consider Arizona's iconic saguaro cactus to be a natural wonder. Only found in the Sonoran Desert, they've become a timeless image associated with deserts, the old west, and more. You can visit the Saguaro National Park to see over 90,000 acres of them.

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