Arizona
Family travel to Arizona combines culture, adventure and kids. Visit a Native American Indian Reservation, explore one of the state's many archaeological sites or discover dinosaur tracks. Spot wildlife or watch birds. Marvel at the Grand Canyon. Hike, horseback ride or take a mule pack trip. And during the winter holiday season, take a train trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express. Whether you camp under the stars or relax in luxury at a family destination resort there are countless things to do in Arizona with kids.
Situated just north of Mexico, Arizona shares more than a border, or corner, with five U.S. states - New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and California. It shares the 'Old West' and Southwest cultures with several of its neighbors. Yet there is much to Arizona that is unique.
Arizona's rich cultural heritage dates back more than 11,000 years when the Clovis people, a Paleo-Indian tribe, traveled through what is today Southeastern Arizona. But it wasn't until AD 400 and the arrival of the pueblo cultures - Hohokam, Anasazi, Mogollon and Salado - that the state was actually settled. Today, twenty-one Native American tribes, each with its own distinct culture and traditions, call Arizona home. Tour a pueblo ruin or visit an Indian reservation on an Arizona vacation and learn more about this corner of the American Southwest.
The history of Arizona is also tied to the Wild West. Gold diggers and mountain men were attracted to this once inhospitable U.S. State. A family trip to the frontier towns situated in Northwestern Arizona provides an opportunity to introduce the kids to times past.
A family trek from corner to corner is a trip across seven of Merriam's Life Zones. Watch closely and take in each transformation along the way. And the change isn't limited to the vegetation; the wildlife also varies with the altitude and latitude. Don't forget your binoculars on a family vacation in Arizona!
- travel planning
- more on Arizona
- Arizona hotels
- Arizona tours
- fun stuff for kids
|
Arizona tours & outfitters
Angel's Gate Tours, Grand Canyon South Rim
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
112 Kletha Trail Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 tel: +1 800 957 4557 (toll free in the U.S.) or + 1 928 856 1698
Angel's Gate Tours offers full day hikes for families interested in exploring the Grand Canyon on foot. All hikes begin and end on the South Rim. Pick-up is available from Flagstaff, Williams and Tusayan hotels. The minimum age and difficulty of the hike vary.
 Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
4050 E. Huntington Dr Flagstaff, Arizona 86004 tel: +1 800 786 7238
Arizona Raft Adventures offers families 2 very different Colorado River rafting experiences, motor and hybrid. While you need not be a river rat to enjoy the motor trip (minimum age 10), previous rafting experience is beneficial on hybrid, whitewater rafting trips (minimum age 12).
 Arizona River Runners, Grand Canyon
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
Phoenix, Arizona 85068 tel: +1 800 477 7238
Arizona River Runners offers 3, 6, 7 and 8-day motor trips (minimum age 8) and 8 and 13-day oar powered (minimum age 12) whitewater rafting trips on the Colorado River. Motor trips begin / end in either Las Vegas or Marble Canyon, AZ. The 8-day paddle trip is hike-in from the South Rim.
Canyon Explorations / Expeditions, Grand Canyon
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
Flagstaff, Arizona 86002 tel: +1 800 654 072 or +1 928 774 4559
Canyon Explorations / Expeditions' whitewater rafting trips are ideal for families with children 12 years of age and up that want to explore the Grand Canyon as well as the Colorado River. In addition, to paddling, hike, explore, relax and learn. All trips begin and end in Flagstaff.
Canyon Trail Rides, Grand Canyon North Rim
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
Tropic, Utah 84776 tel: +1 435 679 8665
Canyon Trail Rides offers North Rim mule trips ranging from one hour to one day. Children must be at least 7 years of age for one hour rides, 10 for ½ day trips and 12 for the full day trek to Roaring Springs. All trips depart from the North Kaibab Trailhead. A shuttle bus departs from the lodge.
 Classic Journeys, Grand Canyon North Rim
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
7855 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 220 La Jolla, California 92037 tel: + 1 800 200 3887 or +1 858 454 5004
Classic Journeys, a U.S. based adventure travel company, offers multigenerational walking holidays in just about every corner of the world. Family journeys are designed with kids aged 7-13 in mind and the kids-only activities are not limited to walking.
 Don Donnelly Stables, Superstition Wilderness Area
Type of Organization: outfitter
15371 Ojo Road Gold Canyon, Arizona 85218 tel: +1 602 810 7029
Don Donnelly Stables, also known as D-Spur Ranch, is a true working cattle ranch. Enjoy trail rides, hayrides, camp rides and trail riding vacations in the Superstition Wilderness. The minimum age for one-hour trail rides is 6. Advance reservations are recommended for trail rides and required for all other activities.
Grand Canyon Field Institute, Grand Canyon South Rim
Type of Organization: non-profit organization
One Tonto Street Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 tel: +1 866 471 4435 (toll-free in the U.S.) or +1 928 638 2485
The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers learning adventures - day hikes and two day hiking trips - for families interested in making the most of their trip to the Grand Canyon. All hikes begin and end on the South Rim. The minimum age and difficulty of the hike vary.
 O.A.R.S., Grand Canyon
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
Angels Camp, California 95222 tel: +1 209 736 4677
O.A.R.S., an authorized concession of the Grand Canyon National Park, boasts 20 years of experience on the Colorado River. The minimum age may be 12 (7 below Whitmore Wash) but it is well worth the wait! Apart from rafting, enjoy hiking and swimming on 4 to 19 day whitewater rafting trips.
OK Corral, Inc., Superstition Wilderness Area
Type of Organization: outfitter
2655 E Whiteley St Apache Junction, AZ 85219 tel: +1 480-982-4040
OK Corral, U.S. Forest Service licensed, offers hourly trail rides in the Goldfield Mountains and half-day horseback rides and overnight pack trips in the Superstition Wilderness. Advance reservations are recommended for trail rides and required for all other activities. Children aged 6-7 are led on their own horse.
Ponderosa Stables and South Mountain Stables, Phoenix
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
10215 S. Central Avenue Phoenix Arizona, 85040 tel: +1 (602) 268 1261
Ponderosa and South Mountain Stables offer hourly trail rides as well as breakfast, sunset and hayrides. Children must be at least 6 to ride alone. Kids aged 2-5 may ride double with an adult. Reservations are recommended for trail rides and required for all other rides. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
 Trusted Adventures, Grand Canyon
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
Boulder, Colorado 80306 tel: +1 303 554 8821
Trusted Adventures, an alliance of seven leading adventure travel companies, makes finding and booking an adventure vacation in the Grand Canyon easy. The minimum age for Colorado River rafting trips is 9. Havasu cultural and walking holidays are ideal for children aged 7 to 15.
  White Tanks Riding Stables, Phoenix
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
20300 West Olive Avenue Waddell, Arizona tel: +1 (623) 935 7455
White Tanks Riding Stables, located at the entrance to White Tank Mountain Park, offers hourly trail rides and group hay wagon rides. Kids must be at least 7 years of age to ride alone. Pony rides are available for younger children. Reservations are recommended for trail rides and required for all other rides.
 Xanterra, Grand Canyon South Rim
Type of Organization: adventure travel company
Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, Arizona 86023 tel: +1 303 297 2757 or + 1 888 297 2757
Xanterra offers one day (7 hour) and overnight mule trips into the Grand Canyon from the South Rim. While there is no minimum age, all riders must be at least 4'7" (1.38m) tall. The maximum weight is 200 lbs (91kg) fully dressed. If you are afraid of heights a mule trip into the canyon may not be for you.
 |
