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The Best Active Vacations
Rafting the Grand Canyon: Whether you go for 3 days or 2 weeks, nothing comes even remotely close to matching the excitement of a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. Sure, the river is crowded with groups in the summer, but the grandeur of the canyon is more than enough to make up for it.
Hiking into the Grand Canyon or Havasu Canyon: Not for the unfit or the faint of heart, a hike down into the Grand Canyon or Havasu Canyon is a journey through millions of years set in stone. This trip takes plenty of advance planning and requires some very strenuous hiking. With both a campground and a lodge at the bottom of each canyon, you can choose to make this trip with either a fully loaded backpack or just a light daypack.
Riding the Range at a Guest Ranch: Yes, there are still cowboys in Arizona. They ride ranges all over the state, and so can you if you book a stay at one of the many guest ranches (once known as dude ranches). You might even get to drive some cattle down the trail. After a long or short day in the saddle, you can soak in a hot tub, go for a swim, or play a game of tennis before chowing down.
Staying at a Golf or Tennis Resort: If horseback riding and cowboy cookouts aren't your thing, how about as much golf or tennis as you can play? The Phoenix/Scottsdale area has one of the nation's greatest concentrations of resorts, and Sedona and Tucson add many more options to the mix. There's something very satisfying about swinging a racket or club with the state's spectacular scenery in the background, and the climate means you can do it practically year-round.
Mountain Biking in Sedona: Forget Moab -- too many other hard-core mountain bikers. Among the red rocks of Sedona, you can pedal through awesome scenery on some of the most memorable single-track trails in the Southwest. There's even plenty of slickrock for that Canyonlands experience without the crowds.
Bird-Watching in Southeastern Arizona: As an avid bird-watcher, I know that this isn't the most active of sports, but a birder can get in a bit of walking when it's necessary (like, to get to the nesting tree of an elegant trogon). The southeast corner of the state is one of the best birding regions in the entire country.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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