The Grand Circle Part V - Introducing Colorado and Arizona
- David Maiwald
- Feb 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 1
Part V of the Grand Circle Series - Colorado and Arizona
In this article:
Introducing the Grand Circle
The colorful and dramatic regions of the Grand Circle in the U.S. Southwest - a spectacular collection of some of America’s most diverse and dramatic landscapes, protected by world-famous national parks as well as several state and tribal parks. This rugged and mostly sparsely populated area is characterized by several isolated mountain ranges that rise from the vast high desert plains of the Colorado Plateau. This is primeval country - bare rock in all shades of red and yellow as far as the eyes can see. Interrupted by otherworldly buttes and mesas, by scattered dune fields, and by an endless network of formidable canyons. A stretch of land so rough and unnavigable that large parts remain mostly undeveloped to this day.
In the middle of it all lie some of the most remote and isolated areas of the lower 48. A harsh and wild yet strangely beautiful stretch of land that has been the epitome of the Wild West for centuries thanks to its dramatic sceneries and rich cultural history - ranging from precolonial civilizations to the iconic era of Route 66. This has created a dense concentration of world-renowned natural as well as historic landmarks and extremely popular tourist destinations that are scattered throughout this area. However, there also is a long list of destinations in this region that are well off the beaten track. The perfect place for all kinds of outdoor adventures, navigating the region’s countless scenic roads and breathtaking backcountry trails by either car, bike, boat, or on foot.
All of this offers exceptional chances to explore and experience some of America’s wildest and most dramatic desert landscapes. In the following sections of Part II of the Grand Circle Series I will take you along on a journey exploring the three national parks as well as a collection of state and tribal parks that are situated in and around the region’s tribal lands in northern Arizona, western New Mexico, and southern Colorado - all of which I have visited several times in between the spring of 2022 and the fall of 2024. During these visits I have experienced all four seasons in the area, spent several weeks in the remote backcountry hiking and camping, and covered hundreds of miles on the region’s most scenic drives. Based on this I will highlight my personal top destinations including the best times to visit, and will further describe my favorite scenic travel routes to explore the area.
Introducing Colorado and Arizona
Covering large parts of northern Arizona as well as portions of western New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and southeastern Utah, the Navajo Nation Reservation - the largest reservation within the U.S. - along with several smaller reservations in and around it make up a vast area containing numerous cultural landmarks as well as sparsely populated beautiful landscapes. Here a combination of national and tribal parks protect a variety of rugged canyons and impressive rock formations, including both, world-renowned destinations as well as well-kept secrets that are off the beaten track. This is native land, filled with history. Most of the settlements within the reservations are small towns such as Kayenta or Chinle, which offer almost all basic services. The largest settlements in the area lie just outside or in between the reservations with Farmington in New Mexico, Cortez in Colorado, and Holbrook or Page in Arizona.
The area outside the region’s native tribal lands is characterized by colorful high desert plains and the Grand Canyon. If that’s not enough, this part of the Grand Circle further offers dense forests, towering mountains, and vast open grasslands, making for a surprisingly diverse mix of landscapes that are protected by a variety of national parks, national monuments, and state parks. Besides the pristine desert landscapes and alpine mountain sceneries this area is well known for some of the most popular and picturesque historic places from the golden era of the legendary Route 66, with many of them located in the towns of Holbrook, Williams, and Seligman.
I traveled to and through these parts of the Grand Circle on several occasions in between the spring of 2022 and the fall of 2024, exploring the tribal lands of the Grand Circle and driving along Route 66 from east to west. All of these visits were parts of extensive road trips in between the cities of Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Here the vast distances and big skies are some of the most remarkable features of this seemingly primeval country. Be it the vast open high desert plains and grasslands east and west of Flagstaff, the incomprehensible dimensions of the Grand Canyon, or the countless buttes and mesas of Monument Valley. All of this makes this region seem somewhat otherworldly - a place where distances cannot be comprehended and where time seems to be standing still. Neither seemed to matter when I was traveling through these mysterious lands.
The best travel routes
The Grand Circle is centered around the four corners region and covers large parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, further encompassing the entire area of the Navajo Nation Reservation - America’s largest Indian reservation. There are three major travel routes serving much of the area. The most popular travel route in the region is Route 66 which has been replaced largely by I40 and runs through northern New Mexico as well as northern Arizona. This route cuts through the southern portion of the Grand Circle area, connecting Albuquerque in New Mexico with Kingman in Arizona. The Route 66 theme is well preserved in most of the towns and villages along the way, with Holbrook, Flagstaff, and Seligman serving as major local hubs that offer countless photo opportunities, themed restaurants, and gift shops. Right along I40 further lies Petrified Forest National Park that protects a colorful desert landscape and an impressive display of petrified wood.
Highways 191 and 89 are the two main routes running in a north south direction, serving much of the Navajo Nation Reservation as well as northern Arizona and southern Utah. Along these routes lie many of the region’s world-renowned natural highlights with Grand Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, and Zion National Park along Highway 89, and Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park along Highway 191 being the most popular destinations.
Besides those main routes, Highway 160 as well as Utah State Routes 12 and 24 lead deeper into some of the less-traveled regions of the Grand Circle. While Mesa Verde National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park are not located directly along one of the three major traffic arteries, a detour along Highway 160 or Utah State Routes 12 and 24 to one of those parks is well worth the drive, as this leads into some of the more pristine desert areas that are off the beaten track. And this is also where some of the region’s true hidden gems are situated, with several state parks that are considerably less crowded than the likes of Arches or Grand Canyon, but offer no less dramatic sceneries!
For a visual guide check out my video below. For more detailed information feel free to continue reading through the next parts of this series at the bottom of this page.
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