Unlike my home state of Michigan, Arizona is landlocked. Located in the southwestern region of the United States, it has a vast and diverse geography. Arizona is famous for the following physical features:
- Deep canyons
- High-and low-elevation deserts
- Numerous natural rock formations
- Volcanic mountain ranges
Okay, I am about to date myself. In the late 90’s – early 2000’s, my close friends and family started to have children and create families of our own. At the same time, some of our parents started to retire. Some moved to Florida, while others claimed Arizona as the state to become snowbirds. I was intrigued by the idea of retiring in Arizona versus Florida, although I have yet to visit the state.
One of our friends followed their parents down to Arizona so their kids could be close to Grandma. Being newly married at the time, with no children yet, we too pondered the idea of relocating to Arizona because we were sick of the cold. However, one of my friends suggested that I would not like Arizona because it really does not have any greenery, nor the changing colors, or The Great Lakes with all the beautiful beaches and the nation’s longest freshwater coastline (e.g., 3,288 linear miles).
Since the State has such a dry geography, do they suffer from fires claiming Arizona homes and businesses by surprise? Since California deals with a lot of fast-spreading wildfires, I can imagine a fire in Arizona – with its wide-open spaces – could totally run wild, with no obstacles in its way to slow it down.
Some folks are situated well enough to retire in Florida or Arizona, especially those who come from my home state of Michigan. As far as where I think I will live in my retirement, I’m a lifer, Michigander; who am I kidding! I love this state and all it has to offer – just look at one of our Pure Michigan ads!
I recently read that I am not alone in this thinking. Apparently, the AARP (American Aging and Retired People) cites, “Michigan is the third most popular destination for retirees making interstate moves, according to a December 2022 report by moving services clearinghouse HireAHelper, topped only by Florida and North Carolina,”.
Lucky me, I have friends and family in both Florida and North Carolina! There is no need to relocate; I can visit anytime I wish. And that time is February. The time of year when we are sick of the cold, tired of looking at muddy snow piles, and overwhelmed with wearing too many layers.
Now I am wondering if my friend was correct. She thinks I wouldn’t like Arizona because I adore green spaces. Let’s find out…
Is any of Arizona green?
Apparently, she was wrong! From what I have read, Arizona has more than sixty desert cactus species, boasts six national forests, has dozens of tranquil lakes, and is home to over four million acres of unspoiled wilderness areas. Wait, lakes? I was always led to believe that Arizona was a dry, hot desert land of nothingness.
Wikipedia notes that “The Colorado River is vital to Arizona because of the perennial dryness of the region. The river is famous because of its role in the creation of the Grand Canyon, which was created over a period of six million years. Several irrigation systems divert water from the Colorado River, of which the one most vital to Arizona is the Central Arizona Project. The Central Arizona Project, which is 336 miles (541 km) long, diverts 1,500,000 acre-feet (1.9 km3) of water from Lake Havasu City into central and southern Arizona,”.
In addition to the Colorado River, Arizona is also home to the Verde River, which flows through the Verde Valley in central Arizona. The Verde River is known for its lush greenery and provides a stark contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. The riparian area along the banks of the Verde River supports a variety of plant and animal species, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.
Northern Arizona is another region known for its greenery, particularly in areas such as Flagstaff and the Coconino National Forest. Flagstaff, with its higher elevation, experiences cooler temperatures and receives more precipitation, allowing for forests of pine, fir, and aspen trees to thrive. The Coconino National Forest offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing in a scenic mountainous setting.
The Mogollon Rim, a prominent geological feature that runs across central Arizona, also provides a break from the arid desert landscape. The Mogollon Rim is characterized by its high cliffs, pine forests, and numerous lakes and streams. Popular destinations along the rim include Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and the town of Payson.
Southern Arizona is not without its green areas either, with the Sky Islands region standing out for its biodiversity and unique ecosystems.
Are there lakes in Arizona?
Per Arizona State Parks, below are some of the top lakes:
- Alamo Lake State Park
- Lake Havasu State Park
- Lyman Lake State Park
- Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
- Patagonia Lake State Park
- Roper Lake State Park
Of course, they have lakes – How could I forget about the infamous Lake Havasu? Although I have never been there, I have heard so much about this lake and would someday like to visit it. It looks stunning in the photos. Here’s a list of the largest lakes in the US:
- Lake Superior Michigan–Minnesota–Wisconsin–Ontario
- Lake Huron Michigan–Ontario
- Lake Michigan Illinois–Indiana–Michigan–Wisconsin
- Lake Erie Michigan–New York–Ohio–Ontario–Pennsylvania
- Lake Ontario New York–Ontario
- Lake of the Woods Manitoba–Minnesota–Ontario
- Iliamna Lake Alaska
- Great Salt Lake Utah
- Lake Oahe North Dakota–South Dakota
- Lake Okeechobee Florida
It’s no surprise that my home state of Michigan has the largest lakes – we already knew that. Although, I was a bit shocked to see that Arizona’s Lake Mead made number twenty-six out of one hundred of the largest lakes in the US!
Arizona physical features
Overall, Arizona’s diverse landscape includes not only desert vistas and cactus-filled landscapes but also verdant river valleys, dense forests, and tranquil lakes.