The rising sun illuminates a blooming ocotillo and prickly pear cactuses along the Sedona area’s Teacup Trail. Ocotillos typically bloom in the spring but may also do so in response to summer rainfall. | Laura Zirino
Latest Feature

The Nerve of Mother Nature …

Fittonia albivenis is native to South America — to places such as Ecuador and Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil. Indigenous tribes in these places use the...
Tall cottonwoods and flowering plants reach toward the steep sandstone walls of Paria Canyon, a remote destination in Northern Arizona. Known for its hiking opportunities, the canyon is part of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. By Jack Dykinga
Latest Feature

Colors: The Music of the Eyes

Editor’s Note: In the final installment of our centennial salute, we present an essay by Jack Foster, who ranks as one of the very best writers...
Saguaros glow in morning light over one of Catalina State Park’s many washes. By Jack Dykinga
Hiking

Canyon Loop Trail

Catalina State Park A river runs through the northwest corner of Catalina State Park. Like most desert rivers, Cañada del Oro works only part time,...
Rolling grasslands anchor a view of distant peaks from Tres Bellotas Road. | Jeff Maltzman
Scenic Drives

Tres Bellotas Road

Southern Arizona In the old days, the story goes, three oak trees marked the U.S.–Mexico border at the end of a broad, shallow canyon south of...
The fire pit area at Air Village is festively lit and conveniently located. | Laurence Parent
Lodging

Air Village

Traditional hotels are easy to find in Prescott. Inns and B&Bs, too. Non-traditional lodging, however, is limited. But thanks to Spencer Andrews and his family, there’s another option. The...
Bird's-eye view of a waterfall in Boynton Canyon, near Sedona is by Mark Frank.
Photo Editor Forum

This Is My Story … by Mark Frank

I’m a retired landscape architect, so when I’m composing a photo, I often think about the rules of design. That was the case for this image. I’ve...
Photograph of four people sitting around a fire at dusk with a view of the nearby Santa Rita Mountains is by Steven Meckler.

Rune Wines

Close-up three-quarter view photograph of sonoran desert tortoise is by Bill Hatcher.
Nature

Sonoran Desert Tortoise

Arizona is home to two species of desert tortoise: the Sonoran Desert tortoise (Gopherus morofkai, pictured here) and the Mojave Desert tortoise (...