Contrary to what you might expect, the Sonoran Desert isn't a dry, barren wasteland. Instead, it encompasses almost every kind of terrain imaginable, including coniferous forest, grassland, and lush thornscrub full of cacti and tropical plants. The desert covers almost the entire southern half of Arizona, so it offers almost endless things to see and do, but popular stops include Saguaro National Park, the Sonoran Desert National Monument, and Scottdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which boasts excellent hiking trails. Visitors interested in learning about the desert's flora and fauna can also visit the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson.

2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743, Phone: 520 883-2702

Sedona Coconino National Forest Flagstaff, Arizona Grand Canyon Arcosanti Kartchner Caverns State Park Mesa Meteor Crater Mission of San Xavier del Bac Montezuma Castle National Monument Petrified Forest National Park Pima Air and Space Museum Prescott Red Rock Scenic Byway Saguaro Lake Saguaro National Park Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Slide Rock State Park Sonoran Desert Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Titan Missile Museum Tombstone, Arizona Tucson Mountain Park Winslow, Arizona

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