All it takes is one day to explore some of the most underrated national parks in Arizona, so what are you waiting for? This 6.5-hour road trip starts at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and ends at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, making a couple of other stops along the way. Get ready to experience the very best of our state’s history and nature – with a fraction of the crowds you’re used to.
Here is the customizable Google Maps route for the trip.
Google Maps
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (Ajo)
National Park Service
TripAdvisor/Kevan J Because of its remote location in extreme southern Arizona, many people aren’t even aware that Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exists. Despite being out of the way, the park - a UNESCO biosphere reserve - is so worth the trip. It’s the only place on earth where the funky organ pipe cactus grows wild, and the terrain is full of native wildlife and vegetation. There are dozens of miles of hiking trails to explore, plus developed, primitive, and backcountry camping. Learn more on the park’s website. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321, USA
- Tumacácori National Historical Park (Tumacacori-Carmen)
Google/Curt Cooper
TripAdvisor/The_Wanderer1992 Tucked away in the upper Santa Cruz River Valley, Tumacácori National Historical Park protects the ruins of three missions from the Spanish colonial era. It’s the oldest mission site in Arizona, dating to 1691. Divided into three separate units, the park details the interactions between the native peoples and foreign missionaries, settlers, and soldiers. There’s so much fascinating history here, from a restored church to a museum to a cemetery. Visitors can enjoy either guided (January-March) or self-guided (year-round) tours, plus a nature trail that winds through the grounds. Learn more on the park’s website. Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ 85640, USA
- Coronado National Memorial (Hereford)
TripAdvisor management
TripAdvisor/Trish Coronado National Memorial pays homage to the first organized expedition into the Southwest, which was led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. The explorers were motivated by the promise of vast cities of gold hidden in the mountains. They found no such treasures, but their journey led to a cultural revolution whose effects are still being felt to this day. Park guests can embark on eight miles of trails, including one that leads to the U.S.-Mexico border. There’s also a super cool, 600-foot-long cavern to explore! It’s one of the last remaining undeveloped caves in southern Arizona. Learn more on the park’s website. Coronado National Memorial, 4101 W Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615, USA
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site (Bowie)
TripAdvisor management
TripAdvisor/DaveLD Last, but certainly not least, our trip takes us to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. A former U.S. Army outpost, the fort saw over two decades of heated clashes between the Chiricahua Apache and American soldiers. The violence has long passed, but it left a tangible mark on the landscape forever preserved by the Historic Site. An easy, three-mile trail meanders through 200-year-old history, and the Visitor Center features a variety of exhibits that help shed light on the conflict. Learn more on the park’s website. Fort Bowie National Historic Site, 3500 Apache Pass Rd, Bowie, AZ 85605, USA
Have you ever visited any of these underrated national parks in Arizona? Would you take this road trip? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! And, before you begin your journey, make sure you check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide. By following this guide, you’ll be prepared for a safe, exciting, and unforgettable road trip in Arizona.
Google Maps
National Park Service
TripAdvisor/Kevan J
Because of its remote location in extreme southern Arizona, many people aren’t even aware that Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exists. Despite being out of the way, the park - a UNESCO biosphere reserve - is so worth the trip. It’s the only place on earth where the funky organ pipe cactus grows wild, and the terrain is full of native wildlife and vegetation. There are dozens of miles of hiking trails to explore, plus developed, primitive, and backcountry camping. Learn more on the park’s website.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321, USA
Google/Curt Cooper
TripAdvisor/The_Wanderer1992
Tucked away in the upper Santa Cruz River Valley, Tumacácori National Historical Park protects the ruins of three missions from the Spanish colonial era. It’s the oldest mission site in Arizona, dating to 1691. Divided into three separate units, the park details the interactions between the native peoples and foreign missionaries, settlers, and soldiers. There’s so much fascinating history here, from a restored church to a museum to a cemetery. Visitors can enjoy either guided (January-March) or self-guided (year-round) tours, plus a nature trail that winds through the grounds. Learn more on the park’s website.
Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ 85640, USA
TripAdvisor management
TripAdvisor/Trish
Coronado National Memorial pays homage to the first organized expedition into the Southwest, which was led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. The explorers were motivated by the promise of vast cities of gold hidden in the mountains. They found no such treasures, but their journey led to a cultural revolution whose effects are still being felt to this day. Park guests can embark on eight miles of trails, including one that leads to the U.S.-Mexico border. There’s also a super cool, 600-foot-long cavern to explore! It’s one of the last remaining undeveloped caves in southern Arizona. Learn more on the park’s website.
Coronado National Memorial, 4101 W Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615, USA
TripAdvisor/DaveLD
Last, but certainly not least, our trip takes us to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. A former U.S. Army outpost, the fort saw over two decades of heated clashes between the Chiricahua Apache and American soldiers. The violence has long passed, but it left a tangible mark on the landscape forever preserved by the Historic Site. An easy, three-mile trail meanders through 200-year-old history, and the Visitor Center features a variety of exhibits that help shed light on the conflict. Learn more on the park’s website.
Fort Bowie National Historic Site, 3500 Apache Pass Rd, Bowie, AZ 85605, USA
Also, check out our previous article to learn about an Arizona national park where you can hike through a wonderland of rocks.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona National Parks December 09, 2022 Courtnie Erickson What are the three main national parks in Arizona? Arizona is home to three national parks and each one is worthy of a visit. The three parks include:
Grand Canyon National Park Petrified Forest National Park Saguaro National Park
If you are searching for an awesome road trip that not only takes you to hidden gems in Arizona but also to one of the best national parks in the Grand Canyon State — Saguaro National Park — check out this Arizona road trip. This scenic drive will take you from Monument Valley to Saguaro National Park and it deserves a spot on every bucket list. What are some of the most beautiful places in Arizona that I should add to my bucket list? The Grand Canyon State is beautiful — no questions asked. Every corner of the state has something beautiful and scenic that deserves a visit. However, if you are searching for some of the most beautiful places in Arizona that definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list, we would highly recommend the following locations:
Grand Canyon National Park Horseshoe Bend Antelope Canyon Canyon de Chelly National Monument
What are some underrated parks in Arizona I should visit? While there are certainly some popular state parks in Arizona, there are also several that are lesser-known but just as deserving of a visit. Some of the most underrated parks in Arizona include:
Oracle State Park Colorado River State Historic Site Jerome State Historic Park Picacho Peak State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona National Parks
December 09, 2022
Courtnie Erickson
What are the three main national parks in Arizona? Arizona is home to three national parks and each one is worthy of a visit. The three parks include:
Grand Canyon National Park Petrified Forest National Park Saguaro National Park
If you are searching for an awesome road trip that not only takes you to hidden gems in Arizona but also to one of the best national parks in the Grand Canyon State — Saguaro National Park — check out this Arizona road trip. This scenic drive will take you from Monument Valley to Saguaro National Park and it deserves a spot on every bucket list. What are some of the most beautiful places in Arizona that I should add to my bucket list? The Grand Canyon State is beautiful — no questions asked. Every corner of the state has something beautiful and scenic that deserves a visit. However, if you are searching for some of the most beautiful places in Arizona that definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list, we would highly recommend the following locations:
Grand Canyon National Park Horseshoe Bend Antelope Canyon Canyon de Chelly National Monument
What are some underrated parks in Arizona I should visit? While there are certainly some popular state parks in Arizona, there are also several that are lesser-known but just as deserving of a visit. Some of the most underrated parks in Arizona include:
Oracle State Park Colorado River State Historic Site Jerome State Historic Park Picacho Peak State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is home to three national parks and each one is worthy of a visit. The three parks include:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Saguaro National Park
If you are searching for an awesome road trip that not only takes you to hidden gems in Arizona but also to one of the best national parks in the Grand Canyon State — Saguaro National Park — check out this Arizona road trip. This scenic drive will take you from Monument Valley to Saguaro National Park and it deserves a spot on every bucket list.
What are some of the most beautiful places in Arizona that I should add to my bucket list?
The Grand Canyon State is beautiful — no questions asked. Every corner of the state has something beautiful and scenic that deserves a visit. However, if you are searching for some of the most beautiful places in Arizona that definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list, we would highly recommend the following locations:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Horseshoe Bend
- Antelope Canyon
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
What are some underrated parks in Arizona I should visit?
While there are certainly some popular state parks in Arizona, there are also several that are lesser-known but just as deserving of a visit. Some of the most underrated parks in Arizona include:
- Oracle State Park
- Colorado River State Historic Site
- Jerome State Historic Park
- Picacho Peak State Park
