Few People Know Arizona Is Home To Two Hidden Grand Canyons
Although the world wonder inspiring our state’s nickname will always be number one, even us native Arizonans can admit there’s never really a good time to visit. Tourists abound all year long, chaos and crowds prevent the serenity and oneness with nature that so many people travel here to seek. Luckily, there’s an alternative available.
Though Arizona’s Painted Desert is one of our state’s most famed attractions, few people know about the two remote canyons situated on its outskirts. Located on Navajo land in Tuba City, these isolated gorges are seldom visited and virtually untouched.
Though Arizona's Painted Desert is one of our state's most famed attractions, few people know about the two remote canyons situated on its outskirts. Located on Navajo land in Tuba City, these isolated gorges are seldom visited and virtually untouched.
To get there, you'll turn off of Highway 264 onto a dirt road between milepost 336 and 337. Keep following it until you reach a parking lot with picnic tables and chairs.
Incredible panoramic vistas seem to extend endlessly into the horizon. Multicolored rock layers are piled atop one another, creating an eye-popping contrast guaranteed to drop your jaw.
Natural features like spires, hoodoos, gullies, fins, and cliffs line the nearly four miles of the canyon floor. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more intricate example of erosion in Arizona that isn't packed with tourists all year.
Even less frequented is nearby Ha Ho No Geh Canyon. Grey and yellow badlands sprawl out over a 15-mile expanse and the views at sunset are simply unparalleled.
There aren't any signs or marked trails to guide you, but makeshift paths have been carved out by previous hikers. A permit is required to visit, which can be obtained through the Navajo Parks & Recreation office in Cameron.
While you're in the area, consider stopping at a couple roadside attractions. Tuba Trading Post dates back to 1905 and sells authentic Native American paintings, rugs, jewelry, and pottery.
Compare your foot size to that of ancient beasts at Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, just five miles from town. Knowledgeable Navajo guides will show you several ancient wonders such as skeletons and dinosaur eggs completely free of charge.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
