Arizona Official State Travel Guide - Arizona 2025-26
Explore the Eras
2025-08-25 06:10:21
Stories dating back centuries still echo through Arizona’s sun-washed landscapes. Travel through the time periods and discover where you can experience remnants of the past.
ANCIENT AMERICAN INDIAN CIVILIZATIONS
Arizona’s early history reflects the vibrant cultures of Indigenous peoples, who continue to thrive on this land today. Visit the rugged terrain of Walnut Canyon National Monument in the Flagstaff area, where the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people offer a glimpse into their remarkable way of life. Just north, explore the sprawling ruins of a once-thriving community at Wupatki National Monument, a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Ancestral Puebloans. Eastbound, journey through Petrified Forest National Park, where fossilized trees stand as silent sentinels of a time long past. More than 1,000 archaeological sites, including petroglyphs, have been discovered in the park. And in Camp Verde, marvel at the remarkably well-preserved limestone cliff dwellings of Montezuma Castle National Monument, perched high above verdant valleys and built by the Sinagua people.
SPANISH EXPLORERS & MISSIONARIES
Trace the footsteps of Spanish explorers and missionaries who left an indelible mark on Arizona’s landscape and culture. The 1,200-mile Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail commemorates the route of the 1775–1776 expedition traveled by Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza and more than 240 settlers. Arizona is home to 27 of the trail’s sites, including San Xavier del Bac Mission, a Spanish Catholic church with iconic Baroque architecture, located just outside downtown Tucson on the lands of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Farther south, head to the historical village of Tubac to explore Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, where the remnants of a Spanish military outpost offer insights into Arizona’s oldest European community. Nearby in Santa Cruz River valley, visit Tumacácori National Historical Park, home to the ruins of three Spanish colonial mission communities — two of which are National Historic Landmarks.
MINING BOOM & GHOST TOWNS
Relive the rich history and upheaval of Arizona’s mining boom, when prospectors flocked to the desert in search of riches. Jerome State Historic Park, a former copper mining town turned ghost town, perched on the side of Mingus Mountain, is now an eye-catching landmark where you can take a self-guided tour of the indoor/outdoor exhibits of the old Douglas Mansion. Step back in time and pan for gold at Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction or Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix where the spirit of the Old West lives on in restored buildings. Discover the artistry of Arizona’s mining heritage at the Arizona Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale, home to over 5,000 copper artifacts. Hard-hat on, descend into a century-old underground complex on the Copper Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee to learn the inner workings of a copper mine. Watch theatrical re-enactments of outlaw shootouts at O.K. Corral in Tombstone or in downtown Oatman. Prescott is home to Whiskey Row — once lined with 40 saloons in its mining heyday — where you’ll find The Palace Restaurant & Saloon, a circa-1870 steakhouse. Explore more of the town’s history across 4 acres of buildings and exhibits at the open-air Sharlot Hall Museum.
MILITARY FORTS & HISTORY
Arizona’s historic military forts tell the stories of ongoing conflicts between the U.S. government and Indigenous nations during westward expansion, reflecting deep struggles over land, sovereignty, and the survival of longstanding cultures and communities. Journey to Bowie to find Fort Bowie National Historic Site, where the old ruins of a military outpost stand as a reminder of the battles fought on Arizona’s frontier. Explore Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, where the barracks and officers’ quarters offer insights into the lives of soldiers stationed here during the 1870s and 1880s. Check in at the Apache Cultural Center & Museum in Fort Apache to peruse exhibits about the White Mountain Apache Tribe before exploring the grounds of the Fort Apache Historic Park. Then, venture to the nearby satellite property, Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark, occupied by Zuni and Hopi ancestors until about 1400.
©Arizona Official Travel Guide. View All Articles.