Rocky terrain and breathtaking scenery means one reaction from a certain group of adventurers: “let’s go mountain biking!” Arizona really does have some of the best trails in the country that will challenge your muscles while rewarding you with unbelievable sights.
Some of the nicest roads are in Arizona (mostly because of the mild weather patterns) and perhaps that’s why locals have an insatiable hunger to get off-road. Ensure suspension and strap on a strong seatbelt for a thrilling experience.
Hot air balloon rides can be difficult in a desert where the average temperatures can be up in the 90’s but you won’t regret waking up early for a rare chance to see this gorgeous landscape from above. While the ride is gentle, floating above the ground thousands of feet without a seat belt or window to secure you in carries with it its own sense of adventure.
If you’ve never been in a helicopter before then your first ride above any landscape will be thrilling. With that said, this option is for people who can appreciate the unique sensation that a helicopter presents while having the wherewithal to enjoy the sweeping views from above.
With some of the most world-class rapids you are missing out on a huge opportunity if you don’t raft in Arizona regularly. From the obvious option of the Colorado River down the Grand Canyon to the challenging and lesser known rapids of the Salt River you are bound to wear a smile while drenching wet.
Sure, sure, skydiving is on any list of adventurous activities despite the region one is speaking of. However, after the bewildering feeling you’ll experience right after jumping out of the plane you soon reach terminal velocity which means you have some time to adjust to this surreal suspension above the Earth and take in the wondrous views below; do it in a place where the views are that amazing, such as Arizona.
People tend to clump three typical adrenaline activities together: skydiving, bungee jumping, and hang gliding. With a drastic underappreciation for the latter we’re here to argue why it’s a worthy experience. Hang gliding starts on the ground which means you will gain altitude from the very start as you, essentially, run off of the side of a mountain. Rather than simply falling you’ll be gliding (duh) and may even share a thermal lift with a neighboring bird.
Zip lining is a growing industry but it’s safe to say that you won’t find an experience quite like this one anywhere outside of Africa (or even inside the continent, for that matter). This unique activity is reserved for thrill-seekers who never knew they always wanted to zip above African predators.
While we’ve gone down the adrenaline track for a few of these you may be surprised to see a dude ranch as an option but it truly is a magnificent experience to live on a ranch, particularly in the state that’s home to Tombstone!
We couldn’t leave the humbling and dynamic wonder of the Grand Canyon off of this list. Yes, 5-million people visit the result of the Colorado River every year but a tiny increment of them actually hike into it, and an even smaller portion actually camp there. Fill a backpack and prepare your lungs for a weekend in the canyon!
