Explore Arizona’s Hidden Canyons and Secret Landscapes

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon, located outside of Page, is one of the most breathtaking and tranquil places on earth. Gently carved from the Navajo sandstone over countless millennia, the slot canyons are majestic and narrow passages, just wide enough for a small group to walk along the sandy floor, with occasional shafts of sunlight illuminating the beauty from above.

It consists of two separate canyons: Upper and Lower Antelope. Each contains hidden “slots” beautifully carved into the swirling sandstone, draining southward into Lake Powell (once the Colorado River). Though mostly dry throughout the year, Antelope Canyon can run and sometimes flood after rainfall. The water slowly erodes the sandstone, shaping gorgeous curves in the rock, while the wind also contributes to this natural sculpture.

Accessing Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon requires an authorized guide.

Canyon X

Due to its status as the world’s most photographed slot canyon, Antelope Canyon can become quite overcrowded. Fortunately, Canyon X offers a wonderful alternative; it is slightly deeper, more remote, and far less visited than Antelope, lying just a few miles away.

Visits to Canyon X are limited to four people at a time (and up to six if they are in the same group), allowing photographers and hikers to relish the eerie beauty of a top-notch slot canyon in relative solitude.

Canyon X is situated within the Navajo Reservation and is accessible only through Overland Canyon Tours in Page. The company offers a six-hour photographers tour, shorter treks for hikers, and customized tours – all available only through advance arrangements. To learn more, visit the Overland Canyon Tours website.

Oak Creek Canyon

Just south of Flagstaff, State Rt. 89A descends a scenic series of switchbacks leading into Oak Creek Canyon, a smaller yet stunning counterpart to the Grand Canyon. Known for colorful rocks and unique formations, Oak Creek Canyon’s stunning scenery attracts visitors from around the world. Furthermore, the Oak Creek Canyon-Sedona area is one of Arizona’s top tourist destinations, trailing only the Grand Canyon.

Occupying part of the Coconino National Forest, certain sections of Oak Creek Canyon have been designated as federal wilderness areas, part of the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness. The U.S. Forest Service manages several campgrounds, picnic areas, and recreational zones within the canyon. Slide Rock State Park, known for its natural water slide and swimming holes, is also found here, along with popular activities like sunbathing, fishing, and hiking.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

To the southeast of Flagstaff lies Walnut Canyon, where a small seasonal stream has carved a 600-foot deep canyon into the Kaibab limestone. The canyon walls exhibit various layers of rock with differing hardness, some eroded more rapidly, creating shallow caves. During the 12th to 13th centuries, these caves served as dwellings for the local Sinagua Indians, providing protection along the steep canyon ledges. Walnut Canyon was declared a national monument in 1915.

While visiting, you can hike along one of two trails or attend a program presented by park rangers. Plan for at least two hours to explore the museum and ruins. (Further information can be found at The American Southwest and the National Park Service).

Ramsey Canyon

Set within the Upper San Pedro River Basin in southeastern Arizona, Ramsey Canyon is celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and diverse plant and animal life. This diversity — highlighted by the presence of up to 14 hummingbird species — is the result of an intricate interplay of geology, biogeography, topography, and climate.

Southeastern Arizona stands as an ecological crossroads, where the Sierra Madre of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts converge. The abrupt rise of mountains such as the Huachucas creates “sky islands,” home to rare species and unique communities of plants and animals. Consequently, the Ramsey Canyon Preserve boasts an incredible variety of life, featuring southwestern specialties like the lemon lily, ridge-nosed rattlesnake, lesser long-nosed bat, elegant trogon, and both berylline and white-eared hummingbirds.

A Folklore Preserve

Nestled in Ramsey Canyon is the Arizona Folklore Preserve. Founded by Official State Balladeer Dolan Ellis in partnership with the University of Arizona South, this preserve collects, presents, and preserves Arizona’s songs, legends, poetry, and myths for enrichment now and for future generations.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Showcasing one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes in North America, the cultural resources of Canyon de Chelly include unique architecture, artifacts, and rock imagery. These features exhibit remarkable preservation integrity, providing excellent opportunities for study and contemplation. Additionally, Canyon de Chelly is home to a living community of Navajo people who hold deep historical and spiritual connections to this significant landscape. It stands out as a National Park service unit entirely composed of Navajo Tribal Trust Land.

At Canyon de Chelly, visitors may engage in horseback riding, hiking, jeep tours, and four-wheel drive excursions, as well as ranger-led activities.

Aravaipa Canyon

Aravaipa Canyon serves as a prime illustration of the Southwest’s desert landscape, with its narrow and winding pathways being unmatched. Approximately 50 miles northeast of Tucson, this canyon showcases incredible scenic wonders and biological treasures. Its popularity has led to issues of overuse since the 1960s. Aravaipa Creek, shaded by cottonwoods, has carved a deep trough of up to 1,000 feet in the Galiuro Mountains, and the canyon’s walls feature stunningly carved and subtly colored rock formations. The creek flows year-round, nourished by springs and tributary streams, supporting one of the lushest riparian habitats in southern Arizona. The main canyon stretches for approximately 11 miles, with the surrounding wilderness extending even further to include surrounding tablelands and nine side canyons. Diverse wildlife can be found, including seven native species of desert trout, desert bighorn sheep, and at least 238 bird species.

A “must do” while visiting Aravaipa Canyon is the Bed & Breakfast, known as Across the Creek at Aravaipa. As the inn is situated three miles up a gravel road and then across a stream (high-clearance vehicles are recommended), dining options may be limited. Consequently, innkeeper Carol Steele provides all meals. Guests are entertained by exploring the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, bird-watching, and enjoying the refreshing creek. The casitas feature eclectic decorations with a mix of folk art and rustic Mexican furnishings, complete with tile floors, stone-walled showers, and inviting verandas.