Happy Birthday, Arizona! Here Are 14 Reasons Why the Grand Canyon State is My Favorite Place in the U.S.

Have you ever wondered "When did Arizona become a state?" or "Who founded Arizona?" If so, I have answers just in time for Arizona's birthday. As if there weren’t already enough things to love about Arizona, the Grand Canyon State was born on the sweetest day of the year: Valentine’s Day.

On February 14, 1912, President William Howard Taft signed legislation that admitted Arizona to the Union as the 48th state. I’m from Texas, but Arizona has been my favorite ever since I visited for the first time in 2014. Nothing compares to the wide-open, rugged desert landscape peppered with ancient red rocks and majestic Saguaro cacti. Arizona captured my heart immediately, so to celebrate her special day, I’d like to highlight 14 reasons why the Grand Canyon State will always be special to me. It was hard to narrow it down to just 14, but I managed to get there in the end, and here they are:

1. Grand Falls

I wrote an article about how lucky I am to have gotten the chance to visit Grand Falls before it closed to the public indefinitely. Words can’t fully express just how magical this remote waterfall on the Navajo Nation is. This waterfall is actually taller than Niagara Falls, and the powerful sound of the rushing water combined with the secluded locations makes for a life-changing experience.

2. Saguaros

The Sonoran Desert is the only place on earth where Saguaro cacti grow wild, and since I don’t have a passport, my only opportunity to see them is in Arizona. I can’t put my finger on exactly why I love these unique plants so much. Perhaps it’s because they can live for hundreds of years, or maybe it’s the stoic, regal look about them as if they’re standing guard over the desert. Regardless of the reason, my heart warms every time I see one.

3. The Salt River

I had never seen a wild horse until I swam in the Salt River. Now, I make sure to squeeze in a river trip every time I come to Arizona because the ability to get close to such majestic creatures isn’t something I take for granted.

4. Sedona

At the risk of sounding like a typical tourist, I’m just going to come out and say it: I love Sedona. I don’t love the over-commercialization of the natural environment, but there’s no denying the scenery is breathtaking. I fall in love with those red rocks all over again each time I visit, as if I’m seeing them with brand-new eyes. Bell Rock is by far my favorite, with Coffee Pot Rock coming in as a close second (I am a self-proclaimed coffee addict, after all). 

5. No Daylight Savings Time

While I don’t personally get to experience this perk since I live in Texas, it’s still something I admire about Arizona because I hate Daylight Savings Time. Losing an hour of sleep? No, thank you! (I know it’s only for one night, but still.) 

6. The Grand Canyon

I obviously had to include Arizona’s grandest claim to fame, although it’s kind of a given. It sounds dramatic, but I cried the first time I saw the Grand Canyon in person. Funny enough, I’ve actually only been to the North Rim, which sees just 10% of the park’s total visitors (I may have to put the other 90% on my Arizona bucket list). I quite enjoyed the smaller crowds and different views from what most of the pictures and postcards depict.

7. The Diverse Climate

From the rugged desert terrain of Southern Arizona to the lush, fairy tale-like forests up north, the Grand Canyon State offers two vastly different climates, and I love them both. There are very few places where you can go from skiing to sweating in a matter of hours. Getting to see such a wide variety of scenery in one state will always be one of my favorite things about Arizona.

8. Meteor Crater Natural Landmark

I’ve experienced quite a few hurricanes in my relatively short life, and the winds at the Meteor Crater in Winslow were comparable. It was honestly one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited, and I hope to go back someday. 

9. Flagstaff

I never miss an opportunity to visit Flagstaff — especially in the winter. Skiing at the Snowbowl is one of my favorite pastimes in Arizona, and during the other seasons, I love hiking through the magical forests and feeling like I’m in a storybook.

10. Red Rocks

New Mexico might be the Land of Enchantment, but personally, nothing is more magical than Arizona’s red rocks. There’s a certain mysticism about them that I can’t really put into words. I’ve always been a skeptic when it comes to the so-called “energy vortexes” in and around Sedona, but maybe the belief has some truth to it. 

11. The History

From hiking miles to ancient cliff dwellings expertly crafted by indigenous peoples to going underground to see the inner workings of old mines, Arizona is a wealth of natural and human history. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon State over a dozen times and still have a bucket list full of destinations to check off.

12. Mountain Roads 

I was 15 years old when I first visited Arizona on a road trip with my sister. Despite only having my learner’s permit, she couldn’t drive the entire time, so I got to take the wheel sometimes. I’ll never forget the exhilarating experience of driving on the winding mountain roads up near Payson for the first time. I was too mesmerized by the view to be nervous — seeing the evergreen trees lining the cliffsides never fails to leave me speechless.

13. Route 66

Obviously, Route 66 isn't just in Arizona, but some of my favorite towns along the Mother Road are in the Grand Canyon State. Holbrook and Kingman are two of my favorites!

14. The People

Arizonans are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Whether I’m learning facts about Arizona from locals or asking a park ranger for directions, everyone always goes out of their way to be kind and helpful. I hate feeling like a “pesky tourist,” but that’s never the case in Arizona.

In honor of Arizona's birthday, what are your favorite things about the Grand Canyon State? More importantly, what’s your “why” behind those reasons? 

If you have plans to take an Arizona road trip this year, our road trip packing guide lists all the most important items to bring in one convenient place.