AtoZ Places
This directory is a history of places we have personally traveled for camping and exploring throughout Arizona, Utah and New Mexico and beyond. Places from the Forests to Deserts with Lakes, Rivers, Hot Springs, Caves and Peaks. Historical and Abandoned places, Ghost Towns and Ancient Runes. Recreation Areas and National & State Parks. Enjoy!
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
This Chaco Canyon Valley, high-desert landscape has long winters, short growing seasons, and marginal rainfall. Yet, it became the center of a thriving culture a thousand years ago. It was an unlikely place for a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture to take root and flourish. The grand scale of its architecture is monumental, making it a center hub for far-reaching commerce with complex community life and high levels of social organization, creating a cultural vision unlike any other seen before or since. That began in the mid 800s and lasted more than 300 years. Their descendants are the modern Southwest Indians. Many Southwest Indian people look upon Chaco as an important stop along their clans' sacred migration paths-a spiritual place to be honored and respected.
Ancient Ruins, Hiking, Historical Landmark, Camping
Chevelon Canyon Lake
Chevelon Canyon Lake, nestled on the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona, is a serene, hidden gem offering fishing, hiking, and camping. Accessible via a challenging hike, this narrow reservoir is surrounded by rugged canyon views, perfect for nature lovers seeking adventure.
Hiking, Fishing, Camping, Exploring, Forest, Lake, Recreation
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Colossal Cave Mountain Park has cave tours, hiking & biking, trail rides, camping & picnicking, terrace Café & gift shop. The campsites are tucked among the saguaro cacti and mesquite trees in Posta Quemada canyon. These grounds consist of two large areas, El Bosquecito and La Selvilla, both have water and restrooms. Additionally there are a number of smaller areas totaling 30 individual sites. Camping is first-come, first-served. This is primitive camping. No electricity or RV hook-ups available. are located in El Bosquecito and La Selvilla.
Cave, Exploring, Camping
Courtland Ghost Town
Nestled in an arid landscape, Courtland, born from early 1900s mining fervor, whispers tales of a once-thriving community. A fading jail, a collapsing store, and silent foundations stand as echoes of its past. The hills, marked by mines, caution visitors of the hidden hazards within the remnants of Courtland's mining legacy.
Ghost Town, Exploring
Gleeson Ghost Town
Gleeson explorers can discover the remains of a school, a restored jail, hospital, a saloon, a cemetery, and indications of the significant mining activities in the nearby hills. The Gleeson cemetery is situated to the west of the town along the road leading to Tombstone.
Ghost Town, Exploring
Heber-Overgaard FR 124
Discover the beauty of Arizona along Forest Road 124 in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This scenic destination features rugged forest terrain, towering ponderosa pines, and open meadows dotted with vibrant wild mushrooms. Visitors can also witness burn scars from the historic Rodeo-Chediski Fire, now blending with vibrant new growth—a powerful testament to nature's resilience. Encounter majestic wild horses, playful jackrabbits, deer, foxes, and squirrels, making it a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking, Camping, Forest, Exploring
Ironwood Forest National Monument
Ironwood Forest National Monument is a protected area located in southern Arizona, United States. It was established in 2000 and covers approximately 129,000 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape. The monument is named after the iconic ironwood trees (Olneya tesota) that grow within its boundaries.
Hiking, Historical Landmark, Camping, Exploring, Desert
Lava River Cave
This mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave.
Cave, Exploring
McFadden Peak
McFadden Peak, the site of one of two fire lookouts in the Sierra Ancha, offers continuous views of the surrounding areas. This peak was named for William McFadden, who started the Circle Ranch on McFadden Creek. McFadden had been part of a vigilante group during the Pleasant Valley War, and later settled in the Sierra Anchas to get away from the feud.
Hiking
Meadow Hot Springs
Located just 4 miles south of Fillmore, Utah is the quiet little town of Meadow. Meadow Hot Spring is located just west of the town of Meadow, in an open field. The spring is located on private property, but the land owner has continued to make it accessible to the public. The property has been improved with fences and a nicely graded walking path that connects three different pools. The property owners have posted several signs at the main gate so please respect their wishes and obey the posted rules, this will ensure that this beautiful natural resource will remain open to the public.
Hot Springs