Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Phoenix, United States
1. Saguaro National Park East
Experience the unique cacti-filled Sonoran Desert landscapes and diverse wildlife like javelinas, coyotes, and rattlesnakes.
- Desert Landscapes: Offers a unique desert landscape filled with iconic saguaro cacti.
- Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Provides excellent opportunities to observe native Arizona wildlife.
- Day and Night Hiking Trails: Features day and night hiking trails, showcasing the beauty of the desert under different lights.
2. Saguaro National Park West
Explore a less-visited part of Saguaro National Park with stunning sunsets and wildlife such as roadrunners, Gila monsters, and bobcats.
- Sunset Viewing: Offers breathtaking sunset views over the Sonoran Desert.
- Less-Visited Area: Provides a quieter, less-visited experience compared to Saguaro East.
- Unique Wildlife Sightings: Home to rare and unique desert wildlife like the Gila monster and roadrunner.
3. Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve
Discover over 200 species of birds, including the elusive burrowing owl, in this vast urban preserve.
- Urban Oasis: Serves as an oasis amidst Phoenix's bustling cityscape.
- Extensive Bird Watching Opportunities: Boasts over 200 species of birds, making it a paradise for bird watchers.
- Trails for All Abilities: Offers trails suitable for all abilities, from easy walks to challenging hikes.
4. South Mountain Park and Preserve
Hike through diverse habitats, spotting wildlife such as jackrabbits, javelinas, and rattlesnakes in this sprawling urban park.
- Urban Hiking Experience: Provides a unique urban hiking experience within Phoenix.
- Diverse Habitats: Features diverse habitats, including desert, woodland, and grassland ecosystems.
- Extensive Trail System: Boasts over 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
5. Tonto National Forest
Explore the largest national forest in Arizona, home to diverse wildlife like elk, deer, and black bears.
- Largest National Forest in Arizona: Covers a vast area, making it the largest national forest in Arizona.
- Diverse Wildlife: Provides habitat for various wildlife species, including elk, deer, and black bears.
- Recreational Opportunities: Offers camping, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding opportunities.
6. Lost Dutchman State Park
Hike through the Superstition Mountains, searching for rare desert wildlife like the elusive javelina and desert tortoise.
- Superstition Mountains: Located within the beautiful Superstition Mountains.
- Rare Desert Wildlife Sightings: Provides opportunities to spot rare desert wildlife like javelinas and desert tortoises.
- Camping, Hiking, and Picnicking: Offers camping, hiking, and picnicking opportunities within its scenic landscape.
7. McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Hike through scenic desert landscapes dotted with rocky outcrops and spot local wildlife such as Gila monsters, coyotes, and javelinas.
- Scenic Desert Landscapes: Features beautiful, scenic desert landscapes.
- Wildlife Sightings: Provides opportunities to observe local wildlife such as Gila monsters, coyotes, and javelinas.
- Hiking Trails for All Abilities: Offers hiking trails suitable for all abilities.
8. Cave Creek Regional Park
Explore the rugged desert terrain of Cave Creek and its namesake creek, home to various desert wildlife like rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and bobcats.
- Rugged Desert Terrain: Features a rugged desert terrain perfect for off-road adventures.
- Cave Creek: Follows the picturesque Cave Creek, which offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Multi-Use Trails: Offers multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
9. Usery Mountain Regional Park
Discover the scenic Sonoran Desert landscape, home to diverse wildlife like javelinas, Gila monsters, and coyotes.
- Scenic Sonoran Desert Landscape: Offers a scenic, pristine Sonoran Desert landscape.
- Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Provides excellent opportunities to observe desert wildlife like javelinas, Gila monsters, and coyotes.
- Multi-Use Trails: Offers multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
10. Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Explore the diverse habitats of Phoenix's mountainous region, spotting wildlife such as jackrabbits, coyotes, and roadrunners.
- Diverse Habitats: Features diverse habitats, including desert, woodland, and grassland ecosystems.
- Wildlife Sightings: Provides opportunities to observe native Arizona wildlife like jackrabbits, coyotes, and roadrunners.
- Trails for All Abilities: Offers trails suitable for all abilities, from easy walks to challenging hikes.
11. Salt River Wildlife Refuge
Observe the endangered Salt River wild horses and other desert wildlife like javelinas, coyotes, and eagles in their natural habitat.
- Endangered Salt River Wild Horses: Provides a home to the endangered Salt River wild horses.
- Diverse Desert Wildlife: Offers excellent opportunities to observe diverse desert wildlife like javelinas, coyotes, and eagles.
- Boat Tours: Provides boat tours along the Salt River for an up-close wildlife viewing experience.
12. Usery Wildlife Reserve
Spot desert wildlife like javelinas, Gila monsters, and roadrunners in their natural habitat within this protected area.
- Protected Area: A protected area dedicated to preserving desert wildlife.
- Diverse Desert Wildlife: Offers opportunities to observe diverse desert wildlife like javelinas, Gila monsters, and roadrunners.
- Nature Photography Opportunities: Provides excellent opportunities for nature photography.
13. Sonoran Desert National Monument
Explore a vast and remote desert landscape, home to rare and unique wildlife such as the Sonoran pronghorn antelope.
- Vast and Remote Landscape: Covers a vast, remote desert landscape.
- Rare Wildlife Sightings: Provides opportunities to spot rare and unique wildlife like the Sonoran pronghorn antelope.
- Backpacking Opportunities: Offers backpacking opportunities for multi-day wilderness adventures.
14. Kartchner Caverns State Park
Explore the unique underground world of limestone caverns, home to rare bat populations and other desert wildlife.
- Limestone Caverns: Features stunning limestone caverns filled with unique geological formations.
- Rare Bat Populations: Protects and supports rare bat populations within its caverns.
- Desert Wildlife Habitat: Serves as a vital habitat for various desert wildlife species.
15. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty of the world's largest travertine bridge and its diverse wildlife like black bears, mountain lions, and deer.
- World's Largest Travertine Bridge: Features the world's largest travertine bridge.
- Diverse Wildlife: Offers opportunities to observe various wildlife like black bears, mountain lions, and deer.
- Camping, Hiking, and Picnicking: Provides camping, hiking, and picnicking opportunities within its scenic landscape.