15 Incredible Images of Papago Park

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Arizona, just a few hours’ drive southeast of Los Angeles, IMHO is one of the most underrated destinations in the United States. And although there are definitely well-known attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Tombstone + Lake Mead I think most people kind of pass over this particular area in search of more developed cities that may be full of touristy things to do + see. I hope you won’t be one of them. Papago Park is a great place to start!

I will be writing more about the places I’ve mentioned above in upcoming posts but for now I’d like to draw your attention to a little-known place in the seemingly nondescript college town, home of one of the campuses of ASU [Arizona State University] ::

Papago Park :: cacti

Filled to the rim with beautiful desert plants this unexpected find lies in the city of Tempe. I hadn’t realized this amazing place was so near the city :: as a matter of fact I ran into it by accident even though I had intended to visit. But as I was driving out to the Scottsdale Fashion Square I kept seeing these amazing cacti to my left + right, along College Avenue.

Bunny ears + Old Man or Whisker cacti can be found throughout. Desert plants are so awesome, aren’t they? There’s nothing like them.

Saguaro, Engelmann Prickly Pear, Weber’s Agave, Barrel cacti… so gorgeous + so many different kinds of cacti for miles around.

Canal Lake

Canal Lake is so pretty :: there were a couple of people fishing here + there are usually ducks swimming around but it was a bit warm + it looked like they were getting some shade on the sidelines today. But the water was so calm that the reflection of the trees were crystal clear.

Hole-in-the-Rock

Hole-in-the-Rock is a natural geological formation composed of red sandstone. An easy 5-10 minute hike will get you up to one of the most sought-after views of the Phoenix area.

Throughout Arizona you will find rock formations that rival any other in the country.

Red rocks are actually sandstone. The darker the formations the more manganese oxide they contain.

More desert plants

Riddled with desert plants Papago Park is home to many such cacti + succulents as Weber’s Agave, Soaptree Yucca, Engelmann Prickly Pear + Saguaro.

Saguaro cacti are very slow growing. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall + can live up to 150-200 years. When rain is plentiful + the Saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.

Shown below are Weber’s Agave, Barrel, Organ Pipe, Saguaro + Soaptree Yucca. The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to wander to see all of the wonderful desert plants + flowers. The best time to visit is in the spring when all the desert + cactus flowers are in bloom.

Desert Botanical Garden

I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to be here.

Stunning Saguaro :: I wonder how old this one is … can you take a guess?

Quiet, calm + serene Canal Lake is a perfect respite after a long hike.

The prickly pear is soft + smooth other than the thorns. And the Weber’s Agave makes great medicine for an open sore as does aloe.

The gilded flicker + Gila woodpecker excavate nest cavities inside the Saguaros’ pulpy flesh. When a woodpecker abandons a cavity elf owls, screech owls, purple martins, finches + sparrows may move in. It looks like some of the bigger creatures have made their home in this one.

Located in the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona this beautiful desert is drivable + easily accessible from California, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Nevada + other parts of Arizona itself. On the way you will enjoy some spectacular scenery :: take the time to stop along the way, savor the calm of nature all around you + linger in its beauty.

If you are able to come in the springtime you can also enjoy the cacti in full desert flower bloom.

Make Papago Park your destination + you will find much more than just a park. You will fall in love with nature all over again.

Read about Destinations within driving distance of Arizona ::

6 Things That Happen in Vegas That Don’t Need to Stay in Vegas

Los Angeles :: Why Only See it When We Have Visitors

10 Secret Places in San Francisco and Where to Find Them

Accommodations in Tempe ::

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