Arizona, the Grand Canyon State is home to many ghost towns, 4×4 trails, and lots of history. Arizona was the last of the lower 48 states to be admitted into the United States in 1912. Arizona boasts the Grand Canyon, which is the largest canyon in the planet and is also home to Tombstone, the site of the most iconic gunfight in the old west.
Arizona shares the Colorado River with Utah, Nevada, and California, the water of which scoured the harsh landscape. This erosion is the caused the creation of some of the most memorable landscapes the world has to offer.
Although Arizona is characterized as a harsh, dry desert landscape, it does offer amazing water activities. The Colorado River offers amazing recreational opportunities in Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mojave and Lake Havasu. House boating on the lakes gives you the opportunity to relax and lazily navigate the water ways. Those of us fortunate enough to do so, rafting the white waters of the Grand Canyon and exploring the side canyons will make memories of a life time.
Arizona 4×4 trails offer unique remote views and landscape and a chance to look back in time and history.
Arizona Destinations and 4×4 Trails
Arizona Trails
Cerbat Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownFounded in 1870 Cerbat Arizona is a gold mine ghost town and former county seat for Mohave County, Arizona. The surrounding area started to attract… |
Arizona Points of Interest
Alamo Crossing Mohave County Ghost TownAlamo Crossing is a submerged ghost town hidden beneath the waters of Alamo Lake, Mohave County, Arizona. Alamo Crossing, Mohave County Arizona The town is… |
Callville Nevada – Colorado River Steamship LandingCallville Nevada is a ghost town and Colorado River Steamboat port, which is now submerged below the waters of Lake Mead. Bishop Anson Call founded… |
Cerbat Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownFounded in 1870 Cerbat Arizona is a gold mine ghost town and former county seat for Mohave County, Arizona. The surrounding area started to attract… |
Charleston ArizonaCharleston, Arizona is a ghost town located in Cochise County, Arizona. the town operated from the late 1870's through the 1880's. The town is founded… |
Chloride ArizonaChloride Arizona is the oldest continuously inhabited Silver Mining town located in Mohave County, Arizona. The name derives its named from Silver Chloride (AgCl) which… |
Colorado SteamshipsFrom 1852 through 1909, Colorado Steamships ferried people and supplies up and down the Colorado River to mining camps and outposts. Following the discovery of… |
Fort MohaveFort Mohave is a historic settlement located in the southwestern region of Mohave county, Arizona, United States. Nestled along the banks of the Colorado River… |
Grand Canyon RailroadThe Grand Canyon Railroad is a 64 miles railroad which connects Williams Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The original 64 mile… |
Lower Antelope CanyonLower Antelope Canyon one of two slot canyons located off the highway 98 just outside of Page, Arizona near the Utah border. Entering Lower Antelope… |
Millville ArizonaMillville Arizona is a ghost town and sister city to Charleston, Arizona located along the San Pedro River, in Cochise County, Arizona. Charleston served as… |
Mineral Park Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownMineral Park is a ghost town located in Mohave County Arizona founded in 1870. Once started, operations continued until 1912. The journey was tough just… |
Oatman Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownOatman Arizona is a small community with a rich history located in Black Mountains in Mohave County, Arizona. Located near Bullhead City, the town of… |
The Lost Dutchman’s Gold MineCover of a "Map of the Lost Dutchman" Area by J. Allan Stirrat Copy 1948 and Reprinted in 1959 . The tale, rooted in mystery… |
Tip Top ArizonaFounded in 1876, Tip Top Arizona is a old Silver Mining town and ghost town located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The town site is located… |
Tombstone ArizonaTombstone Arizona is a historical point of interest, and the location of the O K Corral Gunfight, located in Cochise County, Arizona. The history and… |
Upper Antelope CanyonLocated just outside of Page, Arizona Upper Antelope Canyon is arguably the best known slot canyon on the planet, yet few people will know its name… |
Vulture City ArizonaVulture City Arizona is a ghost town and popular mining camp which is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. The town was located in the Sonoran… |
Arizona Ghost Towns
Alamo Crossing Mohave County Ghost TownAlamo Crossing is a submerged ghost town hidden beneath the waters of Alamo Lake, Mohave County, Arizona. Alamo Crossing, Mohave County Arizona The town is… |
Callville Nevada – Colorado River Steamship LandingCallville Nevada is a ghost town and Colorado River Steamboat port, which is now submerged below the waters of Lake Mead. Bishop Anson Call founded… |
Cerbat Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownFounded in 1870 Cerbat Arizona is a gold mine ghost town and former county seat for Mohave County, Arizona. The surrounding area started to attract… |
Charleston ArizonaCharleston, Arizona is a ghost town located in Cochise County, Arizona. the town operated from the late 1870's through the 1880's. The town is founded… |
Millville ArizonaMillville Arizona is a ghost town and sister city to Charleston, Arizona located along the San Pedro River, in Cochise County, Arizona. Charleston served as… |
Mineral Park Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownMineral Park is a ghost town located in Mohave County Arizona founded in 1870. Once started, operations continued until 1912. The journey was tough just… |
Oatman Arizona – Mohave County Ghost TownOatman Arizona is a small community with a rich history located in Black Mountains in Mohave County, Arizona. Located near Bullhead City, the town of… |
Tip Top ArizonaFounded in 1876, Tip Top Arizona is a old Silver Mining town and ghost town located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The town site is located… |
Vulture City ArizonaVulture City Arizona is a ghost town and popular mining camp which is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. The town was located in the Sonoran… |
Arizona Birds
American Robin ( Turdus migratorius )The American Robin (Turdus migratorius), a member of the thrush family is a migratory songbird commonly found across North America. Recognized for its bright orange-red… |
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)A member of the cuckoo family, the long legged Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is an icon of the desert southwest in part to the artistic… |
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a medium-sized woodpecker found across North America. It belongs to the family Picidae, which includes woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers.… |
Raven ( Corvus corax )The Raven ( Corvus corax ) is one of eight subspecies of Ravens distributed throughout the world. Also known as western or northern raven, this large black… |
Stellars Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri )The Stellars Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri ) is a common character found in the forests of the western half of the United States. The bird… |
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)The fast flying White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) The White-throated Swift is a medium-sized bird known for its swift and agile flight, sleek body, and distinctive… |
Arizona Mammals
Black Tailed Jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus )Black Tailed Jackrabbit enjoying the shade of a Joshua Tree. The Black Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) commonly known as the American Desert Hare makes its… |
Coyote (Canis latrans)Coyote (Canis latrans) enduring a snow storm in Joshua Tree National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun A symbol of the American Southwest, the… |
Mustang (Equus ferus caballus)A lone mustang is the symbol of wild, power and freedom Left behind by Spanish explorers and settlers, the Mustang ( Equus ferus caballus )… |
Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana )Commonly known as an antelope, the Pronghorn is an even toed or hoofed mammal found in the plains of the western United States of America. |
Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus)The Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) is a tree squirrel species native to the western United States. Known for its striking appearance and arboreal lifestyle,… |
Wild Burrow ( Equus africanus asinus )Scattered across the south west scattered small populations of Wild Burrow ( Equus africanus asinus ) thrive in the harsh landscape. The burrow is also… |
Arizona Reptiles
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), also known as the "horny toad", is a common North American reptile and found throughout… |
Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)One of the more unique and quite frankly cool animals found in the Mojave Desert is the Desert Tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ). My family… |
Speckled Rattlesnake ( Crotalus mitchellii )The Speckled Rattlesnake is fairly common pit viper found in southern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona and south-western Utah and down the Pacific coast into… |
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis )The Western Fence Lizard ( Sceloporus occidentalis ) is perhaps one of the most common lizards in the desert southwest and is also known as… |
Zebra Tailed Lizard ( Callisaurus draconoides )The Zebra-Tailed Lizard is a medium sized lizard which features a long black and white striped tail and commonly found in California, Arizona and Nevada.… |
Arizona Wild Flowers
Arizona Thistle ( Cirsium arizonicum )Arizona Thistle ( Cirsium arizonicum ) is a member of the sunflower family and common across the south west. The thistle has a two year… |
California Goldfields ( Lasthenia californica )Lasthenia californica, commonly known as California goldfields, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is native to California and is particularly… |
California Poppy ( Eschscholzia californica )The California Poppy the state flower of California. As the name implies, the California Poppy is that state flower of California. However, this little flower… |
Chicalote (Argemone munita)Chicalote (Argemone munita) A species of prickly poppy, Chicalote (Argemone munita) is also known as the flatbud prickly poppy. A native of California, the Chicalote… |
Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata)Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata) Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata), also known as Coyote Gourd, is a flowering plant common in the desert southwest and known to… |
Desert Marigolds (Baileya multiradiata)Desert Marigolds photographed near the Old Mojave Road. Desert Marigolds (Baileya multiradiata) are an abundant and well distributed flower across the desert south west. The… |
Desert Primrose (Oenothera deltoides)Desert Primrose photographed in Anza Burego, CA The Desert Primrose ( Oenothera deltoides ) is a small bush-like flowering planet with delicate white flowers. The primrose ranges… |
Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)Fremont's Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) is a small delicate looking flowering plant commonly commonly found in the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The… |
Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) The Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is a perennial herb and orange wildflower which is commonly found in Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona. This… |
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)The Giant Red Indian Paintbrush or Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a wildflower and perennial which is quite common in the western United States, including… |
Mojave Poppy ( Eschscholzia glyptosperma )Eschscholzia glyptosperma, commonly known as the desert gold poppy or desert poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family. This annual herb… |
Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia )Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) A member of the sunflower family, the Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) boasts a delicate lavender flower in the harsh… |
Notch-leaved phacelia ( phacelia crenulata )Notch-leaved phacelia ( phacelia crenulata ) is a lovely little purple wild flower which grows across the desert southwest from California to Texas. The plant… |
Owl’s Clover (Castilleja exserta)Owls Clover (Castilleja exserta) is a small flowering plant which can grow about 1 foot tall. The Owl's Clover is a native plant to… |
Palmers Penstemon ( penstemon palmeri )In the spring on 2020 I was photographing along the Morning Star Mine Road, we happened upon Palmers Penstemon ( penstemon palmeri ). This species… |
Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is a fairly common vibrant purple wild flower and is common in much of Western North America… |
Spreading Phlox ( Phlox diffusa )Spreading Phlox ( Phlox diffusa ) is a perennial shrub with small needle like leaves. This is a small white flowering plant prefers alpine, sub-alpine… |
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatium)A member of the mustard family, the Western Wallflower ( Erysimum capitatium ) is a brightly colored yellow flower which is quite common across the… |