Why just visit one park when you can explore them all—again and again—for life?
Arizona isn’t just an icon of the Southwest—it’s a wonderland of rugged mountains, ancient ruins, desert blooms, and sprawling vistas. From intricate cave dwellings tucked into hillsides to towering geological formations that pierce the sky, the Grand Canyon State is world-renowned for its sheer diversity and breathtaking beauty. And there's no better way to explore it than with the America the Beautiful pass.
More than 30 National Park units are right here in Arizona—and they’re calling your name.
As Roger Naylor–Arizona’s esteemed travel writer and author of Arizona National Parks and Monuments–points out, “People from around the globe scrape, save, and plan for that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity just to come and play in our backyard.” Whether you're chasing sunsets at Saguaro National Park, standing in the shadow of Montezuma Castle, or hiking the cliff dwellings of Tonto National Monument, you’ll find awe-inspiring experiences at every turn.
Your ticket to adventure starts at just $80.
A standard America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and gives you access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country—including all national parks and monuments. Better still? Seniors (62+) can snag a Lifetime Pass for the same price! That’s unlimited entry to national treasures for the rest of your life.
There are also free or discounted passes for veterans, Gold Star families, fourth graders, people with permanent disabilities, and volunteers.
And here’s a bonus: if the site charges per vehicle, your pass covers everyone in the car.
We’re surrounded by natural splendor:
The monument is located north of Globe and overlooks Roosevelt Lake. It has both Upper and Lower Cliff Dwellings, which were occupied roughly 700 years ago and are considered some of the best preserved cave dwellings in the Southwest.
If you are traveling this summer seeking cooler temps, check out these destinations
The Upper Cliff Dwelling at Tonto National Monument near the town of Roosevelt. Courtesy Jabon Eagar PhotographyThere is no castle here, Naylor points out. Rather, as a five-story, 20-room structure which is accessible only by ladders, “the prehistoric high rise is the very definition of a cliff dwelling, tucked into a limestone alcove 100 feet above the canyon floor,” he notes.
Naylor says it best: “Protecting Arizona’s youngest volcano, this pine forest conceals the haunting desolation of old lava flows that have transformed into twisted rock, porous black cliffs, spatter cones, and other intriguing formations that defy description.”
A true cliff city lies here. “Experience a rare intimacy in this small, forested canyon with ancient cliff dwellings lining the path and soot-darkened rooms inviting you inside,” Naylor says. “Dozens of prehistoric cliff dwellings are tucked away in the contours of the canyon walls.”
Multiple cultures are represented in the stone pueblos here, Naylor explains.
“Instead of being tucked away in canyons or cliff alcoves, these dwellings occupy prominent points in the park, atop an isolated butte or perched on the edge of a steep-walled canyon.”
Or head south for a day trip and visit the Tucson area
This park includes the ruins of three Spanish colonial missions. The most prominent, according to Naylor, is the Tumacácori, “with its distinctive and picturesque adobe church.”
Tumacácori National Historical Park by Roger Naylor[/caption]
Saguaro National Park Sunset. Photo by NPS Hannah Schwalbe“Two segments of national park bookend Tucson and contain vast cactus forests and rising mountains, creating a stunning desert playground on the city’s doorstep,” Naylor says. “This is the sun-blasted heart of the Arizona desert, a garden of towering multiarmed giants.”
– All excerpts from Roger Naylor’s Arizona National Parks and Monuments
Just a couple visits and the pass pays for itself. Plus, with discounts on camping for seniors and access passholders, you’ll be saving every time you pitch a tent.
It’s more than a pass—it’s a promise to explore, to discover, and to reconnect with the land. Whether you’re 9 or 90, the America the Beautiful pass makes it easier than ever to enjoy Arizona’s greatest treasures, year after year.
Available locally at:
Order online (shipping fees apply): store.usgs.gov
Ready to start your journey?
Get the pass. Pack the car. And rediscover why we’re lucky to call this place home.
For details on Tonto National Forest sites that require a pass, visit: fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/passes
To get your copy of Arizona National Parks and Monuments, head to: rogernaylor.com
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