Arizona

The Grand Canyon State's scenic byways and historic roads transport visitors to all of its natural wonders and many hidden treasures off the beaten path.

Get your kicks on Route 66, probably Arizona's most famous road, which crisscrosses the state from east to west. Although portions have been replaced by an interstate, this historic route still manages to convey what it was like to travel across the United States in the 1920s. Route 66 crosses the Navajo Indian Reservation and nears the Hopi Indian Reservation, where you might pick up some Native American crafts. The road is also not far from Canyon de Chelly, Walnut Canyon, Meteor Crater, and the Homolovi Ruins.

The Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway, a national Scenic Byway, crosses over the gorgeous Kaibab Plateau and travels through two forests: the Kaibab National Forest and the Grand Canyon National Park. There are plenty of places to hike and camp along the mute. Groves of golden aspen, flowery meadows, ponds, and outcrops of limestone break up the dominance of the regal coniferous forest. This byway travels to the brink of the spectacular north rim of the Grand Canyon, which is 1,000 feet higher than the south rim. Wildlife is abundant across the Kaibab Plateau, which is over 8,000 feet in elevation. Allow at least an hour to explore this 42-mile-long Scenic Byway. For more information, visit www.ArizonaScenicRoads.com.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Natural History Magazine, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning