The Magnificent State Of Arizona

Arizona has more than just magnificent landscapes and the Grand Canyon. This extraordinary state is full of history as well. It was actually the last of the 48 coterminous states to make its way into the Union. This makes it a bit of a baby as compared to the older states. Nonetheless, it is abundant in culture and has served as a host to various significant events. Along with its great history, it offers distinct geology and geography. Because of this, it draws a great number of vacationers every year.

The History Of Arizona

The documented history of the area exists from as far back as the mid 16th century. This was a time when several Spanish explorers were making their way through the area. One in particular, Marcos de Niza, journeyed through what is modern day Arizona and documented a portion of what he experienced. Those experiences were built upon by later explorers such as Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.

It eventually became a part of Sonora and belonged to the country of Mexico. During that time, it had a relatively low population density and did not attract nearly as many travelers as it does today. It eventually became apart of the United States of America in 1848 thanks to the terms set in the Mexican Cession. Some parts of the area remained under the control of Mexico until 1853 when America purchased the remaining land through the Gadsden Purchase.

All of what is now Arizona was originally part of the New Mexico territory. It wasn't until 1863 that Arizona was split from the territory. It then became referred to as the Arizona Territory. The territory was rugged and very difficult to profit from. It strained to develop until the late 19th century when the railroad arrived in the area.

Eventually, in 1912, Arizona emerged as an official state in the United States of America. The economy in the state was based almost entirely on cattle and copper, but citrus, cotton, and a couple of other commodities played a role as well. In the course of the mid-20th century, the state saw a huge boom in tourists as well as older families seeking to retire in a comfortable environment.

The Grand Canyon

Nowadays, when you think about Arizona, you probably picture the gorgeous scenery of the Grand Canyon. It brings in millions of travelers and certainly has one of the most outstanding views in the entire country. It stretches for 277 miles and it's as wide as 18 miles in some areas. In it's deepest spots, the canyon can reach depths of a mile.

The Grand Canyon is a testament to Arizona geography as well as geology. The natural sculpting of the landscape has unveiled billions of years of geological history and laid it bare for the entire world to view and to study. We have learned a lot from the history the Grand Canyon has to offer and we will certainly continue learning more in the future.

Certainly, we are not the first to discover the canyon. The area was initially populated by Native Americans. The locals built remarkable settlements throughout the base of the canyon and inside a number of its larger caves. It was also regarded to be a holy site by the Pueblo natives.

Traveling To The Grand Canyon

If you are organizing a trip to visit Arizona, then you've most likely made an allowance of your time to visit the Grand Canyon. You can walk, run, hike, raft, take a helicopter ride, and even skydive into the area. There's even a marathon that stretches along 78 miles of the canyon and it lasts for a full 24 hours.

There are a variety of techniques used for making it to certain points on the canyon. In any case, it's essential that you plan for the journey. If you'll be doing any hiking, then you should know that it is an exhausting journey. Do as much research as possible, make sure people know where you are at, and bring along all of the suggested survival gear.

Explore One Of America's Greatest States

While it may not be the oldest state in the country, it certainly has a lot to offer. At the top of that list is the stunning Grand Canyon. Regardless if you are there for the history, the scenery, or the people; there is's no denying that it's one of America's greatest states. Take advantage of the attractions and activities this state has to offer with Tourplicity. Browse through our catalog of tours and make your reservation today!

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Learn About Oak Creek Canyon

If you are wanting to hike, swim, or fish; visit Oak Creek Canyon! People going to Arizona can be overwhelmed by all of the activities and tourist attractions readily available to them within the state. A common question asked is, what other destinations should I check out besides The Grand Canyon? Among the most popular choices for adventurers is the stunning Oak Creek Canyon. Oak Creek Canyon is commonly referred to by the locals as the small cousin of the Grand Canyon. While it does not match up in size, it does feature incredibly unique scenic charm. This is a fabulous place to visit heading to or from the Grand Canyon.

This geographical creation is a steep canyon with a fabulous river gorge. It is located in Northern Arizona between Sedona and Flagstaff. The Canyon is often dismissed as just one more hiking location in Arizona but nothing could be further from the truth! If your trip will not permit a full day at Oak Creek Canyon, don't worry. Tourplicity's Grand Canyon Day Tour drives through this work of art on the way to the Grand Canyon!

Oak Creek Canyon Facts

Oak Creek Canyon is close to 13 miles long. It has a width that ranges from 0.8 miles to 2.5 miles wide. The canyon hits depths ranging from just 800 feet to a spectacular 2,000 feet. Due to faulting during the canyon's formation, Oak Creek Canyon's West Rim is about 700 feet higher than its East Rim. The canyon's elevation to the western side is around 7,200 feet whereas the east side's elevation is close to 6,500 feet. This diverse area contains water features, red rock formations, and pine trees.

Geological evidence reveals that the formation of Oak Creek Canyon occurred about 10 million years ago. The original canyon was later filled by a number of lava flows and gravel deposits during the Miocene Epoch. Around this time frame, the Oak Creek Fault which was once inactive became active. At this point, the existing day canyon started to form along the fault line because of the erosional action of Oak Creek. Oak Creek carves through the canyon and it is a tributary to the Verde River.

The eroded walls of the Oak Creek Canyon are mainly formed of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. These sedimentary rocks are formed by the build-up of sediments over time. The exposures of Kaibab Limestone and Toroweap formations are only on the canyon's northern end. The most commonly exposed rock on the southern edge of the canyon are the white and red colored sandstones of the Schnebly Hill Formation. The east rim of the canyon includes some of the youngest rocks. This area's rocks developed from basalt lava flows that are estimated to be 6 million years old.

Recreational Activities

The Oak Creek Canyon is found within the unique Coconino National Forest. Some areas of the canyon are assigned as federal wilderness areas to conserve their natural condition for future generations. There are numerous recreation areas, picnic areas, and campgrounds managed by the United States Forest Service within the canyon. This makes the Oak Creek Canyon an awesome place to visit for people of all ages.

One of the main attractions is the natural water slide, Slide Rock. Located in Slide Rock State Park, the slide ranges from 2.5 feet to 4 feet wide and is 80 feet long! If you count on visiting Slide Rock make sure you visit when the water is warm. It can reach near freezing temperatures in the cooler months. Also, be cautious in the water when crossing on foot because the sandstone is very slippery. The canyon also presents more than 49 miles of fishable waters along the creek. Fishing fanatics can hope to catch catfish, brown trout, rainbow trout as well as smallmouth bass in this area. Aside from swimming and fishing, backpacking the trails leading into the canyon or up to the canyon's rim is a must do activity.

If you intend to check out the canyon on your own, you can access it relatively easily. You will just need to drive south from Flagstaff on US Route 89A. After about 14 miles, you will arrive at the canyon's edge. At this point the canyon plunges close to a thousand feet through a string of switchbacks to the bottom. On the bottom of the canyon, you can investigate an extra thirteen miles alongside the flowing, crystal clear Oak Creek.

If you do not have the time to visit Oak Creek Canyon, take advantage of our Grand Canyon Day Tour. The tour departs from Scottsdale, Tempe, or Phoenix and will drive through Oak Creek Canyon on the way to the Grand Canyon! Call us and speak with a tour specialist to make your reservation today!

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