2025 Apache County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Petrified Forest National Park is indeed one of Arizona's most underrated gems. Many Arizonans are unaware of its beauty as it is often overshadowed by the Grand Canyon. But trust me, this park is worth a full day of exploration! The scenery here is otherworldly, with vibrant colors and unique formations, making it a photographer's dream. I highly recommend downloading the audio tour app, which shares fascinating historical and geological insights as you drive and hike through the park, adding a lot of fun to your experience. Don't miss the Blue Mesa Trail, a moderately difficult hike that takes you through stunning badlands with vibrant blue and purple hues. Another highlight is the Crystal Forest, where you can marvel at the incredible petrified wood sparkling in the sunlight. If you're looking for a quieter, less crowded, historically rich, and surreal national park, this is the place to visit. A must-see in Arizona!

Petrified Forest National Park, established in 1962, is the world's largest petrified forest, where you can also see Native American petroglyphs and the Painted Desert. Covered in heavy snow, the petrified forest looks like a painting with a mix of red and white. However, after several days in the national parks, I seem to have grown a bit weary of this reddish hue 😪, and with many technical terms on the signs and no Chinese explanations, I could only skim the surface. The next stop is the town of Sedona, said to be the Shangri-La of the American West – a famous Arizona resort and tourist destination. It is said to be mysterious, with a supernatural spirituality, and is an ancient sacred site revered by Native Americans. Strolling around the town feels very pleasant～ In the distance are the undulating red rocks, at the foot of the mountains are people leisurely walking their dogs, pink jeeps, and everywhere you look there are small shops and cafes ☕️.

Sunny Tour in the Southern United States | 7-Day Tour from Los Angeles + Phoenix + Saguaro National Park + Carlsbad Caverns National Park + Albuquerque + Petrified Forest National Park + Sedona + Las Vegas + Death Valley National Park Enjoy the five major national parks in the southern United States: Saguaro National Park, White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, and Death Valley National Park. Drive along Route 66, America's Mother Road, and relive its glorious history on a nostalgic journey. DAY1 Itinerary: Los Angeles → Sunnylands (45 minutes) → Indio Date Garden (60 minutes) → Salton Sea (passing by) → Redemption Mountain (30 minutes) → Phoenix → Arizona State Capitol Museum (exterior) → Tempe DAY2 itinerary: Tempe → Biosphere 2 (60 minutes) → Pima Air and Space Museum (60 minutes) → Cathedral of St. Xavier (90 minutes) → Sonoran Desert Museum (55 minutes) → Saguaro National Park (50 minutes) → Deming DAY3 itinerary: Deming → White Sands National Park (45 minutes) → Carlsbad Caverns National Park (90 minutes) → Roswell DAY4 itinerary: Roseville → Santa Fe Plaza (60 minutes) → Albuquerque → Hot Air Balloon Museum (45 minutes) DAY5 itinerary: Albuquerque → Gallup (45 minutes) → Petrified Forest National Park (120 minutes) → Barringer Crater (45 minutes) → Sedona DAY6 itinerary: Sedona (3 hours, you can take a sightseeing car and visit the Holy Cross Church) → Drive on Route 66 → Hoover Dam (pass by) → Colorado River Emerald Bay kayaking + beach cruise (own expense, 1.5-2 hours) → Las Vegas DAY7 itinerary: Las Vegas → Death Valley National Park (2.5 hours) → Los Angeles