Arizona is a state in the southwestern United States It is primarily known for its scenic parks, which are picturesque enough to hike in December.of The Grand Canyon alone took millions of years to form and attracts more than 5 million visitors Every year; the stunning snowy landscape makes it an ideal destination to explore in the winter when there are fewer crowds.

The state was first settled more than 10,000 years ago, at a time when rain was more frequent and there were many wooded mountains and grassy slopes. The United States officially acquired the city from Mexico in her 1854, but many areas already had their own post offices, banks, and prisons.

Tucson, Phoenix, and Tombstone may be Arizona's iconic historic cities, but the following smaller communities are also important and worth a closer look.

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Ten
Santa Cruz County Ruby

Settled in 1907

Located at the base of Montana Peak, approximately 4 miles from the Mexican border, it was originally called Montana Camp. Ruby Arizona's well-preserved mining ghost town offers a variety of other outdoor activities. It may be privately owned, but it is open to the public for a limited time. $15 permit. Visitors flock to admire the biodiversity and explore over 350 acres of trails.

• Peak population: 1,200
• Day-trip business hours: Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to dusk
• Best time to visit: From May to September, observe the migration of Mexican free-tailed bats.
• Highlights: 25 historic buildings including mining equipment, schools, and prisons
• Other activities: Bass fishing at Mineral Lake. Stargazing.camping; wedding venue

9
Oatman in the Black Mountains of Mojave County

Formed around 1904

Ruins of the Tom Reed Mine in Oatmantown, Arizona

A former gold mining town located just off Route 66 (a must-do American road trip); Automan The town was named after Olive Oatman, who was kidnapped by the Yavapai and released in 1855. This town is a perfectly walkable small town where visitors can witness the Wild West come to life and local donkeys roam free. Annual events include a July 4th sidewalk egg-baking contest and Christmas bush decorations.

• population: 43
• Best time to visit: October to April
• Highlights: Darling's Hotel; Glory Hole Saloon; Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighter shootouts held daily at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

8
Jerome, in the Black Hills of Yavapai County

Founded in 1899

Beautiful views of Jerome, a popular mountain town in Arizona

Sitting on a 5,000 foot hillside in the Black Hills of Arizona, jerome It was home to the Hohokam people from 700 to 1,125 AD. Gathered there by Spanish explorers in the 16th century and then by copper miners in the 19th century, it was named after Eugene Jerome, an investor in the United Verde Copper Company. Today, it is primarily home to artists, writers, historians, and retirees. The old prison slides 60 meters down the hillside, making it an unusual and popular tourist attraction, nicknamed the “sliding prison.”

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7
Youngberg, Pinal Count

Founded in 1893 as Goldfield

Goldfield, also known as Youngburg, Pinal County, Arizona, USA

The town of Goldfield established a post office on October 7, 1893 to serve the needs of local gold prospectors. It was renamed Youngburg toward the end of the year in honor of noted financier and acting governor George Young.Currently privately owned goldfield ghost town Located 7.5 miles northeast of Apache Junction, this section is free to explore and is home to many merchants and tourist attractions, from antique photography to gold panning and gem mining to stoneware pottery and gunfight reenactments. General stores are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Best time to visit: From November to June
• Highlights: Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon (11 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m.); Mountain Church (service Sundays 11 a.m.); Goldfield Gunfighters Show held daily (November to April, noon to 4 p.m.). Goldfield Mine Tour ($12 per adult)

6
Crown King, Yavapai County

Founded in 1888

It was once home to the Hohokam, Yavapai, and Apache peoples. Crown King was founded by gold and silver prospectors. This underrated small Arizona town with a unique charm lies high in the Bradshaw Mountains, 32 miles southeast of Prescott.of crown king general storeRegarded as the oldest single saloon in operation in the state, it has been open since 1904 and serves as both a tourist information center and general store.

Five
Seligman, Yavapai County

Founded in 1886

Rusty Vault is one of the tourist attractions in the Seligman area of ​​Old Route 66.

It was named after Jesse Seligman, a banker from New York who invested in railroad lines in the area. seligman Located between Flagstaff and Kingman, it was the homeland of the Havasupai tribe. Today, it's primarily known as the birthplace of historic Route 66, and the colorful retro shops along the historic district sell plenty of related memorabilia, and admire the many vintage vehicles. can do.

• population: 691
• Best time to visit: May, September, October
• Highlights: Pitts & Washington Central Building (built 1903). The Aztec Motel (Built in 1935, from $87/night).Copper Cart Motoporium

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Four
Yavapai County Camp Verde

Founded in 1865

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, Arizona

Located 136 miles north of Phoenix on the banks of a famous river, camp verde Another charming historic town in Arizona, it's the valley's oldest community, with roots dating back 10,000 years. This charming ranching and farming community includes three Indian reservations and offers numerous archaeological sites and recreational activities such as horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, camping, and hiking.

3
Wickenburg County, Maricopa County, Yavapai County

Founded in 1863

Santa Fe Railroad Engine 761, built in 1890, located in Wickenburg, Arizona, USA

We're less than an hour from Phoenix, and there are many scenic drives nearby. Wickenburg It was named after Henry Wickenburg, a mineralogist who emigrated from Prussia. Once a mining community, it is now considered the ranching capital of Arizona and offers a variety of outdoor activities. This self-guided walking tour Visitors can visit numerous historic stops, including the Santa Fe Depot (1895), railroad engine number 761 (1890), and the old Mesquite Tree Jail, where criminals were held in chains from 1863 to 1890. I can.

2
Pima county idiot

Founded in 1847

Fifty-five miles north of the scenic Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the only place in the United States where Senita and Organ Pipe Cactus can be seen in the wild, lies a quaint, historic town. Idiot. Once home to the O'odham people, the Tohono, named for the pigment extracted from the ore-rich rock, was later settled by prospectors from a company known as the Arizona Mining and Trading Company. The main whitewashed plaza, with its shaded sidewalks, colorful murals, and well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, is considered the most beautiful in the Southwest.

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1
Count of Santa Cruz Tubac

Founded in 1752

Historic downtown area of ​​Tubac, Arizona, USA

Located between the Tumacacori Mountains and the Santa Rita Mountains, Tubac This charming and walkable town was first settled by the Pima people in the 1500s. Considered Arizona's first European settlement and American mining community, it has grown into an artist and wellness colony with upscale spa treatments, bird watching, biking, walking spots, and a variety of galleries.