#3 Arizona Grand Canyon & Sedona

It’s one thing to see pictures of Horseshoe Bend, but it’s another thing entirely to be here in person. There are lots of viewing areas of the turn in the river from atop the cliff, and you can climb around and find all sorts of different angles. It’s a short hike from the nice parking area to the viewing area, but there aren’t any other facilities, as a heads up.

If you’re in search of an incredible natural vista, then Horseshoe Bend is definitely worth a visit. The name was inspired by its unusual shape, a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located four miles southwest of Page, AZ, within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Glen Canyon Dam and the popular Lake Powell, the best view is from the steep cliff above Horseshoe Bend.

October 27, 2014 Rated 5.0 This is truly one of the most beautiful spots in America. I think most travelers drive right by it without even knowing it is there. The parking lot for Horseshoe Bend is on the west side of the highway and there is a tiny sign pointing the way. No matter what you do, pull off and do this fairly easy hike. Even if it is tough for you to get up that initial hill, the rest of the hike is an easy downhill hike to the lookout point. BRING YOUR CAMERA as you will want to take dozens of pictures--it is just that beautiful!

Don't let the hike scare you--you can see the hardest part from the parking lot--just an uphill hike but it is on a very sandy pathway so it is quite slippery. I don't think you'd be able to take a wheelchair and a stroller would be very difficult as well. Definitely keep your little ones close by--do not let them run ahead! I'm not usually afraid of heights but being on that edge is quite scary and if I was there with my kids, I'd be quite nervous. That being said, this is easily one of the most beautiful places in America and should be put on the top of your list if you are in the area around the Grand Canyon and Page. WELL worth the side trip!

The Tuba City Dinosaur Track Site is located just 5 miles away from the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites. Visitors can explore dinosaur tracks that were left millions of years ago. The tracks were formed in the early Jurassic period, about 202 to 200 million years ago. Several different types of dinosaurs are represented by their tracks at this site, all of them are carnivores. Fossil footprints, also called trace fossils, are classified not according to what animal created them, but rather by their form, since its impossible to know for sure if two unrelated animals made similar tracks. dinosaur-tracks-2Based on the age of the rocks and the fossils of carnivorous dinosaurs in the area, it's likely that animals such as Coelophysis kayentakatae and Dilophosaurus wetherilli made the tracks at the Tuba City site. The hike is fairly easy and mostly flat; it winds around several stone spires and past hundreds of tracks. There are usually Native American guides hanging out around the site who are willing to guide you around the site and tell you the legends and science behind the tracks.

Sweet little roadside stop right on 160. There are a couple little makeshift vendor stands that you may get slightly pressured to look at. Also expect to be offered a tour which is customary to provide a tip. I've heard $5 to $10 or more depending on how far you go and the size of your group. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes. Also take what they say with a grain of salt. They'll tell you there is a T. rex track that doesn't fit with this time period. From my research they tell you of a dinosaur skeleton that's really just attractively formed sandstone. Really cool though and worth the stop.

Just outside Flagstaff, you can visit two national monuments: Sunset Crater and Wupatki. Since the two national monuments are adjacent, you can take the Sunset Crater Wupatki Loop through both. At Sunset Crater, explore the otherworldly landscapes where the astronauts trained for the lunar landing as you walk along the jagged edge of the Bonito Lava Flow or to the base of Sunset Crater Volcano. Then, continue to Wupatki to see ancient Puebloan ruins.

Getting There:

1. Drive north on SR 89A to I-17 and Flagstaff. Before entering Flagstaff, merge on I-40 east toward Albuquerque and continue to exit 201. Turn left. A half-mile later, turn right on US 89. Drive 8 miles to Sunset Crater National Monument’s entrance.

2. From Flagstaff, take U.S 89 north for 12 miles (19km), turn right on the Sunset Crater - Wupatki Loop Road, and continue 2 miles (3km) to the visitor center.

You couldn't hike up to see the crater but drive around the park and do the lava walk. It's pretty amazing to see the scenery and imagine people once inhabited the area. For 5$, you can't beat it.

Amazing. Get your park pass and have your book stamped. We have never seen anything like it. We hiked the lava trail- about a mile of huge lava flows. Just incredible.