EXPLORE THE ERAS 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. Petrified Forest National Park, near Holbrook 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 TOP TO BOTTOM: NPS PHOTO; ENRIQUE NORIEGA, VISIT TUCSON 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 San Xavier del Bac Mission, Tucson 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. 26 VISITARIZONA.COM
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2025-26: Page 26
