Northern
Arizona
Since Arizona is known
as the Grand Canyon State, what a better place to start than in the
Northwest corner of our state at the Grand Canyon, one of the seven
wonders of the world. The south rim is easily accessible and I highly
recommend seeing what nature has created over billions of years. The
canyon was created by the Colorado River and is breathtaking to see.
You can enter the south rim from two directions, the east side coming
in on HWY 64 off of US 89 out of Flagstaff or Page. This route will
take you through part of the Navajo Indian Reservation and let you glimpse
part of the Painted Desert. The other way to enter the park is on US
180 out of Flagstaff. This route will take you through the foothills
of Arizona's Snowbowl (ski resort), through beautiful winding roads
of trees to finally the high desert terrain prior to entering the park.
It can be quite cold, so I recommend warm clothes and a summer ride.
Let me know if you see a pink rattlesnake in the canyon (it's true,
they've adapted to their environment).
Another absolute beautiful area is Page and Lake Powell, located North
central in the state, just on the AZ/UT border. Page is a town that
was a planned city, created in 1957 for workers of the Glen Canyon Dam.
After the damn was completed in 1963, Lake Powell was created. Absolutely
incredible. Popular for water touring.
While in the immediate due north of our state, a visit to the far Northeast
corner to see Monument Valley, also located on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
If you watch movies, you can't but help but have seen this spectacular
formation of nature's monuments. A beautiful way to approach is taking
US 160 off of US 89 (same US 89 from Flagstaff to Page) through Tuba
City and the Navajo Land.
Let's continue down into the White Mountain area of our state, located
on the east side, still north as in climate but becoming a little more
central to the metropolitan Phoenix area. A popular get away from the
heat and busyness of the cities, the Show Low, Pinetop, Lakeside area
offers beautiful scenery, cooler climates, and great hospitality. I
recommend taking a few days and staying over in the area and getting
a map and exploring. The Mogollon Rim is breathtaking, located near
Payson, rises 7,000 feet, encompassing a 200-mile stretch across AZ
and NM. It is also home to the largest grove of Ponderosa Pine in the
world.
A favorite destination of bikers is Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. A beautiful
area known as Red Rock Country, the drive through Sedona and Oak Creek
Canyon will be very memorable. Located just to the west of I 17 and
just south of Flagstaff, one can approach from the south or north. Look
for US 89A and travel the whole distance. While in town check out the
Chapel of the Holy Cross. Also in the vicinity is Jerome, a busy little
ghost town. Perched (literally) on Cleopatra Hill and over looking the
Verde Valley, Jerome is a former copper mining town. Full of artists
and crafts people, the town's narrow, tight winding streets ate a pleasure
and amazing to see. Very popular riding destination, you won't be disappointed
in the ride there or the atmosphere once in town. Leaving Jerome I recommend
continuing on down US 89A into Prescott. Famous for Whiskey Row across
from the old Yavapai County Courthouse and its beautiful grounds. The
courthouse scene from Billy Jack was filmed here.
Continuing our traverse across the state we go to Bullhead City and
travel either direction. The area has Hoover Damn on the AZ/NV border,
a very impressive damn started in 1931 and completed 5 years later.
Nearby in Nevada is the ever-popular Laughlin/Las Vegas gambling arena.
Also the ghost town of Oatman is fun. A bike trip would not be complete
without seeing the area from Bullhead through Lake Havasu and The London
Bridge and down through Parker. Plenty of waterways for scenic viewing,
fishing or recreational fun.
Have a great time ... Kimmy
Arizona Office of Tourism
(602)364-3700
