3.Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument’s gorgeous rock formations draw hikers from around the world. Can’t-miss landmarks here include The Wave in Coyote Buttes North and White Pocket in the Paria Canyon. Keep in mind, though, that both areas require permits for hiking and camping. These permits – which are given to as few as 20 people per day (depending on the region and type of visit) by Arizona’s Bureau of Land Management – ensure travelers can enjoy the monument without rubbing elbows with hordes of tourists.
4.Montezuma Castle National Monument
Often compared to a high-rise apartment building, Montezuma Castle National Monument features a five-story, 20-room design that’s built into the cliffs of central Arizona’s Verde Valley. Although the pueblo structures were named after an Aztec emperor, the dwellings were formerly inhabited by the Sinagua Indian Tribe. Visitors can learn more about Sinagua culture at the monument’s museum before they trek the area’s trails to Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well. But remember, the monument does not permit entry into the dwellings due to their fragile state.
