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Camping on the Mogollon Rim: Best Campgrounds & Dispersed Sites (2026 Guide)

Camping on the Mogollon Rim: Best Campgrounds & Dispersed Sites (2026 Guide)

by daniellenfairbanks | Apr 15, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Payson/ Pine/ Strawberry

Camping on the Mogollon Rim: Best Campgrounds & Dispersed Sites (2026 Guide) If you’re looking to escape the Phoenix heat, camping on the Mogollon Rim is one of the best places to do it. Just a couple of hours from the Valley, the Rim offers cooler temperatures,...
Salt River Tubing: Use the Company or Go on Your Own?

Salt River Tubing: Use the Company or Go on Your Own?

by daniellenfairbanks | Mar 30, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Seasons, Phoenix

Salt River Tubing: Use the Company or Go on Your Own? Planning to go Salt River tubing this summer? You’re not alone—floating down the Salt River is one of the most popular ways to cool off in Arizona. But before you go, there’s one big decision to make: 👉 Should you...
Best Lakes Near Phoenix, Arizona

Best Lakes Near Phoenix, Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Mar 27, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Seasons, Phoenix

Best Lakes Near Phoenix, Arizona If you’re looking to escape the heat, a lake day at one of the beautiful lakes near Phoenix is a great choice. Luckily, there are several options within a short drive of the city—ranging from easy-access spots with beaches and...
Best Swimming Holes in Arizona (Local Guide for 2026)

Best Swimming Holes in Arizona (Local Guide for 2026)

by daniellenfairbanks | Mar 26, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures

Best Swimming Holes in Arizona (Local Guide for 2026) Arizona might be known for its desert landscapes, but it’s also home to some incredible places to cool off—especially in the warmer months. From easy-access swimming holes in Sedona to hidden creek spots near...
Easy Hikes in Sedona: 10 Scenic Trails for Beginners

Easy Hikes in Sedona: 10 Scenic Trails for Beginners

by daniellenfairbanks | Feb 19, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Sedona

Easy Hikes in Sedona: 10 Scenic Trails for Beginners Sedona is known for its jaw-dropping red rock hikes — but not all of them require steep scrambles or heart-pounding climbs. In fact, some of the most beautiful trails in Sedona are also the most accessible. Whether...
Where To Stay in Prescott, Arizona

Where To Stay in Prescott, Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Feb 13, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Food, Stays, & Experiences, Prescott

Where To Stay in Prescott, Arizona Nestled in the mountains of northern Arizona, Prescott is one of the most charming weekend getaways from Phoenix. Known for its pine forests, historic downtown, and mild four-season climate, this small mountain town offers everything...
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a week living in phoenix 🏜️☕️🥾✨ a week living in phoenix 🏜️☕️🥾✨
arizona officially has a FOURTH national park! 🌵🏞️ arizona officially has a FOURTH national park! 🌵🏞️ and there’s a pretty cool story behind how it happened.

📍 chiricahua national park | willcox, arizona

🚗 about 3.5–4 hours from phoenix
🌵 located in southeastern arizona, near willcox
🥾 17 miles of hiking trails
🪨 famous for its towering rock spires, balancing rocks & volcanic formations
🌋 formed by volcanic activity approximately 27 million years ago
🏞️ more than 12,000 acres of protected landscapes

originally designated a national monument in 1924, chiricahua is known as the “wonderland of rocks” and is home to incredible biodiversity, beautiful hiking trails, and thousands of years of cultural history, including its significance to the chiricahua apache.

but how exactly does a national monument become a national park? 🤔

here’s a little government refresher using chiricahua as an example (had to bring back memories from AP Gov in high school, lol)-

🇺🇸 HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW:

1️⃣ a bill is introduced: senator mark kelly @captmarkkelly first introduced legislation to designate chiricahua as a national park in 2021. the effort continued over several years, with bipartisan support.

2️⃣ legislation is introduced in congress: the successful 2025–2026 effort included a bipartisan effort

3️⃣ committees review the legislation: congressional committees consider proposed bills, discuss their impacts, and can recommend changes before they advance.

4️⃣ the house votes: on march 16, 2026, the house of representatives passed the chiricahua national park act.

5️⃣ the senate votes: on september 30, 2026, the senate passed the legislation by unanimous consent!

6️⃣ the president signs: on october 20, 2026, president trump signed the bill into law, officially making chiricahua arizona’s fourth national park and the 64th in the united states! 🎉

and this is why understanding how our government works matters!

we don’t have to be experts on every piece of legislation, but understanding the process, knowing who represents us, and staying informed about issues we care about can make a difference.

📌 save this for your next arizona road trip!
drones are great, but if you don’t have one or can drones are great, but if you don’t have one or can’t have one in certain places & you want drone-like footage, try the insta360 X6 📸✨ AD

the extended invisible selfie stick is taller than i am, but still easy to hold & barely noticeable in videos (like these ones!) @insta360 

ive always loved capturing my adventures to have tangible memories for years to come, and this is such a fun way to do it!! 

places/ things im putting on my list that would be so cool captured with the X6:

🛶 top down while on a kayak/ paddle board 
🌉 walking over a bridge 
🏔️ on a mountain summit/ ridgeline
🏜️ in front of a tall mountain that’s too big to capture even with wide angle 
🚗 outside the window driving views 
🚠 on a gondola!!!

any others you can think of???

comment 📸 for the link and use my code: DANIELLE 

#insta360 #insta360x6
what are your favorite hikes lately? 🥾 what are your favorite hikes lately? 🥾

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