History & Culture
If you live in Phoenix, you live atop an ancient marvel. Before skyscrapers rose and air conditioning cooled the Valley, a sophisticated civilization known as the Hohokam engineered a desert paradise using knowledge that still amazes archaeologists. The Hohokam thrived from around A.D. 450 to 1450. Their name, given
Desert Life
You don’t need to be lost in the Sonoran Desert to understand survival. Every day, you make the same choices desert travelers have made for centuries, just with air conditioning and Wi-Fi. We think of survival as something extreme, but it’s really about instincts: conserving energy, finding water,
Desert Life
Arizona’s desert is full of heat, light, and atmosphere. That mix can produce strange sights that seem impossible. Some can be explained by science while others still feel like magic when you see them for yourself. A mirage happens when layers of hot and cool air bend light. On
Arizona State Parks
Patagonia Lake State Park, located about 12 miles south of the small town of Patagonia and just over an hour and a half from Tucson, is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in southern Arizona. The 265-acre lake is surrounded by rolling hills, mesquite, and cottonwood trees, creating an
Desert Life
Arizona in the summer is no joke. The sun is harsh, the air is dry, and the temperatures can put your body in danger fast. Hiking is still possible, but you need to take it seriously. This guide covers what you need to know before heading out into the heat.
Tucson
Tohono Chul is a desert garden, art space, and walking trail on the northwest side of Tucson. It’s not polished or commercial. It’s a quiet corner where the Sonoran Desert gets to speak for itself. The name comes from the Tohono O’odham language and means “desert corner.
History & Culture
Arizona is known for the Grand Canyon, Tombstone, and saguaros. That is the surface-level stuff. The reality is, this state has been shaped by strange events, overlooked people, and moments that never made it into textbooks. If you think you already know Arizona history, here are five stories that might
History & Culture
Once called “The Hellhole of the West,” the Yuma Territorial Prison now stands as one of Arizona’s most compelling historic sites. Built in 1876, this penitentiary housed over 3,000 inmates during its 33 years of operation, including a number of infamous outlaws, stagecoach robbers, and even polygamists. Today,
Quirky
The Arizona desert carries more than heat and silence. It holds stories, warnings, and rules that were passed down long before any roads cut through the land. You won’t find these rules posted at trailheads or printed in guidebooks. You hear them told by people who know better than
Art & Architecture
Tucked into the edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun isn’t just a museum. It’s an experience. Built by the artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia himself, the space is a celebration of desert life, native cultures, and the power of creativity rooted
Quirky
You’re out in the desert, minding your business, when you spot it. A saguaro cactus, standing tall, arm up like it’s greeting you across the trail. Maybe it’s friendly. Maybe it’s lonely. More likely? It’s just being weird. Saguaros are full of personality. None of
Wildlife
The roadrunner, a symbol of the desert Southwest, is one of Arizona’s most fascinating native birds. Known for their comical sprints and curious personalities, these speedy ground-dwellers can be surprisingly elusive despite their fame. If you’ve ever wondered how to catch a glimpse of one in the wild,