1. Grand Falls

These muddy falls are similar to the chocolate waterfall in the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Grand Falls is an incredible natural phenomenon in the Southwest due to its many tiers of water and wide stance. This waterfall wonder is on Navajo Nation land in the Painted Desert, 30 miles east of Flagstaff.

Water from the White Mountains feeds the falls and flows into the Little Colorado River. Because of this, the waterfalls only flow at certain times of the year. During March and April, you can see the falls at their best because of the snowmelt from earlier in the year. The monsoon season also allows you to see the falls in the summer, but the window is usually short and highly dependent on the weather.

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2. The Wave

We wrote a more in-depth article about The Wave, but we can’t say enough great things about it. It truly is a unique and spiritual experience. The first time you lay eyes on the exquisitely elegant patterns throughout The Wave will blow your mind. The photos don’t do this incredible topography justice.

Located in the 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South have some of the world’s most visually stunning geologic sandstone formations.

The Coyote Buttes permit areas are in a backcountry, undeveloped wilderness area without developed trails or facilities. The Bureau of Land Management limits visitors to Coyote Buttes through a permit system to preserve the wilderness character and protect the fragile area.

3. Emerald Cove

Emerald Cove gets its name from its brilliant, greenish hues when the sun is at just the right angle. As a result, it was one of the most elusive among our Arizona bucket list items.
The Emerald Cove is a small notch in the Colorado River canyon wall. In between Kingman, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, Willow Beach Marina is the closest access point.

The Colorado River divides Arizona and Nevada, two of the hottest states in the country. Summers can be dangerously hot and uncomfortable. The best time to exert yourself outside in May and September is early morning. When the sun passes far enough in the sky to illuminate the vegetation growing on the river’s bottom, the water shows off its brilliant emerald color. According to some, 2 p.m. is prime time; however, lighting can vary throughout the year, depending on the sun’s angle.

4. Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is undoubtedly a favorite topic for us to write about, but that doesn’t mean we won’t take the opportunity to gush about it further (no pun intended).

Havasu Falls is the most famous aqua-blue Havasupai waterfall that spill over deep-orange, travertine cliffs in a desert oasis of staggering beauty. Havasu Canyon contrasts starkly with the lush vegetation near the water, a juxtaposition of harsh desert and lush tropical paradise. There are five Havasupai Falls: Navajo Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls. In a side canyon of the Grand Canyon, all are located on the Havasupai Indian reservation. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon, which are unlike any other in the world.

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5. Subway Cave

Discover the underground world of a lava tube. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight since the cave is completely dark, and the self-guided trail is approximately 1/3 mile long. Sedona’s Boynton Canyon Trail is incredibly popular, but most people come for the Subway Cave, one of the most photogenic caves in the area.

Either hiking the Boynton Canyon Trail will be a pleasant experience, or it will be unforgettable.

An out-and-back hike leads to the “end of trail” sign. Then, a hike along Boynton Canyon is combined with a climb into the not-so-secret Subway Cave for an unforgettable experience.

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