The Grand Canyon-Parashant is a vast, biologically diverse landscape encompassing an array of geological formations and historical sites. Bordering the Grand Canyon, this remote area of open space is located in the northern-most portion of Arizona, just south of St. George, Utah. Despite its rugged isolation and the lack of natural waters, the Monument has a rich human history spanning more than 11,000 years. The ponderosa pine ecosystem in the Mt. Trumbull area is a resource that scientists are studying to gain insight into fire history, forest structure change, and the health of old growth forests.

Adjacent to rapidly expanding communities, the 71,000-acre Agua Fria National Monument is about 40 miles north of central Phoenix. The Monument encompasses two mesas and the Agua Fria River canyon, as well as elevations that range from 2,150 feet above sea level along the canyon to about 4,600 feet in the northern hills. This expansive mosaic of semi-desert area, cut by ribbons of valuable riparian forest, offers one of the most significant systems of prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. Here rock terraces border petroglyph sites containing rock art symbols and other remnants that boast a rich record of human history.

NOTE: Both the Grand Canyon-Parashant and the Agua Fria National Monuments require special planning before visits and may not be suitable for weekend family outings. These Monuments offer the hearty, outdoor adventurer miles of unpaved, often extremely rough roads, without any personal or automotive services. Visits require preparation, a good map, plenty of water, extra food, a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and extra tires.

Situated 25 miles northwest of the City of Tucson, the Ironwood Forest National Monument covers nearly 129,000 acres of Federal lands. Found within its boundaries is one of the richest stands of ironwood in the Sonoran Desert and a stunning diversity of bird and animal life. The Monument encompasses several desert mountain peaks including the Silver Bell, Ragged Top and the Sawtooth. Inhabited by humans for more than 5,000 years, the Monument has more than 200 known prehistoric Hohokam sites (A.D. 600- 1450). The lands range in elevation from 1,800 feet above sea level to 4,261 feet.

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