Pinal County - 50 Attractions You Must Visit

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is a 19,410 acres wilderness area located in the U.S. State of Arizona.The wilderness includes the 11-mile long Aravaipa Canyon, the surrounding tablelands and nine side canyons. The Nature Conservancy's Aravaipa Canyon Preserve protects 7,000 acres of private land and is contiguous with the BLM wilderness area. A permit and fee are required to enter Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. Use is limited to 50 people per day.

Aravaipa Creek lies within the Basin and Range region of southern Arizona, emerging from the Pinaleno, Santa Teresa, and Galiuro mountains at an elevation of about 3,000 feet.This Creek flows year-round, an unusual phenomenon in the Arizona desert. Nurtured by this abundant water, large sycamore, ash, cottonwood, and willow trees flourish along the stream, flanked by other riparian vegetation.

Arnett Creek is a stream in Arizona, that runs through central Arizona in a part of the Gila watershed that sees year-round flows—a rare find in this arid state.

Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. It is a 3.14-acre structure originally built to be an artificial, materially closed ecological system, or vivarium. It remains the largest closed ecological system ever created.

This trail begins off of the Dutchman basically at the Peralta Trailhead and climbs through some scenic views until it reaches the Dutchman Trail 104 at Crystal Spring on the southeast side of Bluff Springs Mountain. Bluff Springs itself is northwest of Crystal Spring along the Dutchman another quarter mile.

This is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Founded in 1924 as a desert plant research facility and “living museum”, the arboretum is located in the Sonoran Desert on 392 acres Over 2600 species of arid land plants from around the world grow at the arboretum.

The building was built in 1929 by Gus Kratzka as the family residence. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has a rusticated concrete exterior and includes several features that made the summer heat more bearable for the retired banker and his wife. The mission of this building is to develop an art museum and creative arts center and provide citizens of the Casa Grande and Central Arizona with the opportunity to enjoy a diverse selection of quality art.

Here you’ll find the Ancient Sonoran Desert People’s farming community including the preserved “Great House,” or “Casa Grande.” It also preserves a group of Hohokam structures dating to the Classic Period. visitors can explore the extensive and fascinating compound with the help of guided tours and an interpretive center that offers answers to questions, and leaves you to ponder a few more questions yet to be solved.

Fremont Saddle is one of the more popular hiking destinations in the Superstition Mountains. This trail winds through the canyon and then takes you up switch backs until you reach the saddle. The breath-taking view of Weavers Needle may convince you to stop here for the day, but I suggest going a bit farther.

This very popular trail on the edge of Tonto National Forest leads to a beautiful valley with native hieroglyphs. Near Apache Junction, ArizonaIt rises 1.45 miles through a bajada into the mouth of Hieroglyphics Canyon, where several panels of well-preserved petrogylphs are located above seasonal pools. The basalt rock etchings were mistaken by early European settlers for Egyptian hieroglyphs, hence the erroneous name.

The Historic Kannally Ranch House in Oracle State Park was built in the later 1920s and early 1930s in Oracle, AZ.The original 160-acre ranch was purchased by Neil and Lee Kannally in 1903. The two brothers were later joined by three other family members and the ranch grew to almost 50,000 acres.The present Kannally Ranch House was built in 1929Ð1932 and is of Mediterranean Revival Style with Moorish influences, patterned on Italianate villas of the 1920s.

The Hohokam Pima National Monument is an ancient Hohokam village within the Gila River Indian Community, near present-day Sacaton, Arizona. The monument features the archaeological site Snaketown 30 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The area was further protected by declaring it a national monument in 1972, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

This is a steep and strenuous route that leads to the top of the dramatic and interesting landmark of Picacho Peak. The trail utilizes steel cables, handrails, and railroad-tie steps to assist hikers in reaching the top of the peak.Views at the summit are exceptional though and worth the effort to get there. The hike is very exposed and should not be attempted during extremely hot temperatures or during other extreme weather conditions.

The Lost Dutchman State Park covers 320 acres in the middle of Arizona, not far from the Superstition Mountains. The park was created in 1977, and it's named after the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine.The park offers camping facilities, day use parking and acts as a trailhead for the trails leading into the Tonto National Forest in which the Superstition Mountains are located. Many people confuse these National Forest trails with trails that are maintained by Lost Dutchman State Park.

Lost Goldmine is a mostly blue trail with some difficult ups/downs through arroyos. There are no man-made features, so enjoy the natural ones, including excellent up-close views of the Superstition Mountains. The trail features an abundant collection of cholla, ocotillo, barrel cactus, saguaro, palo verde and mesquite.

Martinez Canyon Trail is a moderate 14.4 mile out-and-back trail located near Mecca that offers scenic views and is primarily used for hiking, horses, and backpacking. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

A majestic and small historic park located in downtown Florence, Arizona on the corner of Main and Ruggles Streets. The park consists of a preserved courthouse and other buildings dating to the Arizona Territory period. The original structure was built in 1878 with the addition of a jail in 1882 and the courthouse in 1891. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A beautiful mountain Summit in Pinal County Arizona. It is a very easy day trail for new off-roaders. There are just a few narrow shelf sections and occasional washouts but other than that there are not major obstacles.

Newman Peak is the highest point of the Picacho Mountains, a compact range with impressive prominence located in the desert about 45 miles north of Tucson. despite its impressive profile and prominence, Newman Peak is difficult to access and very few people actually attempt its summit. It is one of the iconic attraction in this area and also an interesting trekking area too.