Have you ever wondered, Are there pyramids in Arizona? Arizona has huge sections of desert, but pyramids are a pretty rare find in the state. There are pyramids in Arizona, however — just not quite in the grand tombs we tend to expect from, say, Egyptian pyramids. Check out these unique pyramids you can find throughout Arizona:
- Biosphere 2, Oracle
Thomas/Flickr Built as a biosphere testing facility, the origins and design of this facility almost seem to come straight out of a science fiction novel. The stepped pyramid greenhouse and its adjacent buildings contain biomes that transition from one environment to another. East Biosphere Road, E Biosphere Rd, Arizona 85623, USA
- Hi Jolly Monument, Quartzsite
J Jakobson/Flickr This tomb is found in a Quartzsite cemetery at the gravesite of Hadji Ali (also known as Philip Tedro), an immigrant of the Ottoman Empire who led camels through the Southwest for the U.S. Army. Ali died in 1902 and the state governor dedicated the pyramid monument in 1935. We think it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Arizona! Hi Jolly’s Tomb, W Elsie Ln & Hi Jolly Lane, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, USA
- Hunt’s Tomb, Phoenix
Shana/Flickr Ever visited Papago Park in Phoenix and wonder about that strange, white pyramid sitting within its boundaries? That is the resting place for Arizona’s first state governor, George W.P. Hunt, and his family. Initially, it served as a the 1931 tomb for Hunt’s wife and Hunt himself was later laid to rest here three years later. Governor Hunt Tomb, 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
- Poston Butte, Florence
Wikimedia Commons While we’re on the topic of pyramid-shaped tombs, there’s another one located in the state. Located on top of Poston Butte near Florence, it is the final resting place for Charles D. Poston who is widely considered the “Father of Arizona” for his efforts to establish Arizona Territory. Poston Butte, Florence, AZ 85132, USA
- Pyramid on Central, Phoenix
Jack Ketcham/Flickr This one is a little different from the other pyramids on our list since this building is inverted and vaguely looks like the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This office building is located near the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Osborn Road in Phoenix. The exact location is 3507 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85012. North Central Avenue & East Osborn Road, N Central Ave & E Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA
- Tempe Municipal Building, Tempe
Wikimedia Commons Here’s another unique piece of Arizona architecture. Serving as Tempe’s city hall, this interesting building was apparently designed this way for more efficient heating and cooling through the seasons. Tempe Municipal Building, 31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Tovrea Castle and Monument, Phoenix
Tovrea Castle and Carraro Cactus Garden/Flickr Sitting on the same property as Tovrea Castle, the building that looks like a tiered cake, is this brass pyramid in the middle of a garden. Legend has it, this pyramid was originally supposed to be a tomb for E.A. Torea but when interring laws were changed, it was created into a monument to the family. Tovrea, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Those were pretty cool, huh? Do you know of any other pyramids in Arizona we should know about? Let us know of others that you know of by leaving a comment on our Facebook fan page.
Thomas/Flickr
Built as a biosphere testing facility, the origins and design of this facility almost seem to come straight out of a science fiction novel. The stepped pyramid greenhouse and its adjacent buildings contain biomes that transition from one environment to another.
East Biosphere Road, E Biosphere Rd, Arizona 85623, USA
J Jakobson/Flickr
This tomb is found in a Quartzsite cemetery at the gravesite of Hadji Ali (also known as Philip Tedro), an immigrant of the Ottoman Empire who led camels through the Southwest for the U.S. Army. Ali died in 1902 and the state governor dedicated the pyramid monument in 1935. We think it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Arizona!
Hi Jolly’s Tomb, W Elsie Ln & Hi Jolly Lane, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, USA
Shana/Flickr
Ever visited Papago Park in Phoenix and wonder about that strange, white pyramid sitting within its boundaries? That is the resting place for Arizona’s first state governor, George W.P. Hunt, and his family. Initially, it served as a the 1931 tomb for Hunt’s wife and Hunt himself was later laid to rest here three years later.
Governor Hunt Tomb, 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Wikimedia Commons
While we’re on the topic of pyramid-shaped tombs, there’s another one located in the state. Located on top of Poston Butte near Florence, it is the final resting place for Charles D. Poston who is widely considered the “Father of Arizona” for his efforts to establish Arizona Territory.
Poston Butte, Florence, AZ 85132, USA
Jack Ketcham/Flickr
This one is a little different from the other pyramids on our list since this building is inverted and vaguely looks like the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This office building is located near the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Osborn Road in Phoenix. The exact location is 3507 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85012.
North Central Avenue & East Osborn Road, N Central Ave & E Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA
Here’s another unique piece of Arizona architecture. Serving as Tempe’s city hall, this interesting building was apparently designed this way for more efficient heating and cooling through the seasons.
Tempe Municipal Building, 31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Tovrea Castle and Carraro Cactus Garden/Flickr
Sitting on the same property as Tovrea Castle, the building that looks like a tiered cake, is this brass pyramid in the middle of a garden. Legend has it, this pyramid was originally supposed to be a tomb for E.A. Torea but when interring laws were changed, it was created into a monument to the family.
Tovrea, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Pyramids in Arizona December 14, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other unique places in Arizona? The Grand Canyon State is in a league of its own when it comes to unique places and points of interest. In addition to the above pyramids in Arizona, here are some other unique places you’ll only find here:
Papago Park. We mentioned it briefly above, but this AZ pyramid deserves its 15 minutes! One of the most recognizable places in the Phoenix metro, Papago Park is both a historical relic and an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. The park, which has served as everything from a reservation for indigenous tribes to a POW camp during World War II, is now a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and golfing. It gets bonus points for its pyramid-like architecture, too. Impossible to miss from anywhere in the park, a pristine white pyramid stands in stark contrast to the surrounding red rock landscape! And true to pyramids’ original function as burial sites and memorials, Papago Park is home to the final resting place of Arizona’s very first governor, W.P. Hunt. His tomb sits atop a dramatic hill, so you can pay your respects while admiring panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert landscape. Desert Botanical Garden. Spanning over 140 acres, the Desert Botanical Garden is proof that more than dust and tumbleweeds can be found on Arizona soil. Boasting over 50,000 plants throughout a vast array of perfectly-curated outdoor exhibits, this magical place is a destination worthy of a spot on your bucket list! The Grand Canyon. Speaking of bucket lists, the Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, the most unique and marvelous place in Arizona. A place of endless intrigue and immensity, the Grand Canyon is one of the largest and longest canyons on Earth, and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon is also a beloved destination for waterfall chasers, as it’s home to some of the country’s finest falls. The Grand Canyon can be explored in myriad ways: you can drive up to scenic viewpoints, explore on a helicopter tour, whitewater raft down the Colorado River, or even walk out onto a glass bridge. But however you chose to experience the Grand Canyon, know it will be a bucket-list-worthy adventure you’ll never forget.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Pyramids in Arizona
December 14, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other unique places in Arizona? The Grand Canyon State is in a league of its own when it comes to unique places and points of interest. In addition to the above pyramids in Arizona, here are some other unique places you’ll only find here:
Papago Park. We mentioned it briefly above, but this AZ pyramid deserves its 15 minutes! One of the most recognizable places in the Phoenix metro, Papago Park is both a historical relic and an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. The park, which has served as everything from a reservation for indigenous tribes to a POW camp during World War II, is now a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and golfing. It gets bonus points for its pyramid-like architecture, too. Impossible to miss from anywhere in the park, a pristine white pyramid stands in stark contrast to the surrounding red rock landscape! And true to pyramids’ original function as burial sites and memorials, Papago Park is home to the final resting place of Arizona’s very first governor, W.P. Hunt. His tomb sits atop a dramatic hill, so you can pay your respects while admiring panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert landscape. Desert Botanical Garden. Spanning over 140 acres, the Desert Botanical Garden is proof that more than dust and tumbleweeds can be found on Arizona soil. Boasting over 50,000 plants throughout a vast array of perfectly-curated outdoor exhibits, this magical place is a destination worthy of a spot on your bucket list! The Grand Canyon. Speaking of bucket lists, the Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, the most unique and marvelous place in Arizona. A place of endless intrigue and immensity, the Grand Canyon is one of the largest and longest canyons on Earth, and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon is also a beloved destination for waterfall chasers, as it’s home to some of the country’s finest falls. The Grand Canyon can be explored in myriad ways: you can drive up to scenic viewpoints, explore on a helicopter tour, whitewater raft down the Colorado River, or even walk out onto a glass bridge. But however you chose to experience the Grand Canyon, know it will be a bucket-list-worthy adventure you’ll never forget.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Grand Canyon State is in a league of its own when it comes to unique places and points of interest. In addition to the above pyramids in Arizona, here are some other unique places you’ll only find here:
- Papago Park. We mentioned it briefly above, but this AZ pyramid deserves its 15 minutes! One of the most recognizable places in the Phoenix metro, Papago Park is both a historical relic and an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. The park, which has served as everything from a reservation for indigenous tribes to a POW camp during World War II, is now a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and golfing. It gets bonus points for its pyramid-like architecture, too. Impossible to miss from anywhere in the park, a pristine white pyramid stands in stark contrast to the surrounding red rock landscape! And true to pyramids’ original function as burial sites and memorials, Papago Park is home to the final resting place of Arizona’s very first governor, W.P. Hunt. His tomb sits atop a dramatic hill, so you can pay your respects while admiring panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert landscape.
- Desert Botanical Garden. Spanning over 140 acres, the Desert Botanical Garden is proof that more than dust and tumbleweeds can be found on Arizona soil. Boasting over 50,000 plants throughout a vast array of perfectly-curated outdoor exhibits, this magical place is a destination worthy of a spot on your bucket list!
- The Grand Canyon. Speaking of bucket lists, the Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, the most unique and marvelous place in Arizona. A place of endless intrigue and immensity, the Grand Canyon is one of the largest and longest canyons on Earth, and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon is also a beloved destination for waterfall chasers, as it’s home to some of the country’s finest falls. The Grand Canyon can be explored in myriad ways: you can drive up to scenic viewpoints, explore on a helicopter tour, whitewater raft down the Colorado River, or even walk out onto a glass bridge. But however you chose to experience the Grand Canyon, know it will be a bucket-list-worthy adventure you’ll never forget.