In vast Mid-West of the United States most tourists expect to find little more than a few rattlesnakes and lonely roadside diners. But look a little closer and you'll see that the arid semi-deserts of Utah and Arizona offer some of the most striking landscapes in all of North America.

Most visitors to Arizona stick to the northwestern corner of the state that's home to one of the great natural wonders of the world — the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. But although it's a major attraction, it need not be the only reason to visit the state.

Arizona has 27 State Parks and numerous natural wonders that provide access to a wide variety of activities, fauna and flora, and landscapes. The Sonoran Desert and Sagauro National Park feature typical desert scenery, with canyons, red cliffs and sandstone pinnacles, coyotes and rattlesnakes, and the giant multi-armed cacti that typify the Arizonian landscape.

The Painted Desert and the magnificent sandstone spires of Monument Valley in the northeast, the spectacular Red Rock Country of Sedona, and the mountains and forests of Flagstaff are just some of Arizona's other natural attractions.

The desert is also home of the Wild West, the land of cowboys and Indians, prospectors, gamblers and dusty towns. The character of the Old West is epitomised in the old mining town of Tombstone, the site of the famous shootout at the OK Corral where staged gunfights, swinging saloon doors and old wooden buildings are reminders of the harsh past that respected the 'law of the gun'.

Neighbouring Utah is a land of extremes, and the state holds a special appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, encompassing a wide variety of landscapes and fascinating geological formations.

Most of the state is situated on a plateau above 1219m, but the elevations rise and fall spectacularly across snow-covered mountains and deep river canyons. The most significant sights and attractions have been formed by the dramatic forces of nature, creating ruggedly beautiful, multicoloured canyons, eroded rock sculptures, red desert plains, forested mountains and snow-capped peaks. Southern Utah has five breathtaking national parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyon, which draw the most visitors, but the lesser-known parks are just as spectacular.

For a taste of what these two desert states have to offer, have a browse through the gallery below. You can also visit our Utah and Arizona travel guides…

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GALLERIES > USA National Parks
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