Parks to visit during Cactus League Spring Training
Cactus League Spring Training, held in February and March in Phoenix, Arizona, is an opportunity for Major League Baseball fans to see half of the League’s teams prepare for the season. And it’s no wonder so many teams have chosen Arizona's largest city to train in—Phoenix's spring weather is sunny, warm, and perfect for enjoying the outdoors. It’s also a great time to enjoy the many national parks near Phoenix. Check out our recommendations below.
Within one hour
Just south of Phoenix is Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which preserves the Great House, built hundreds of years ago by the ancestral Sonoran Desert peoples. This four story structure is the last surviving one of its kind, and the park is only one in the US dedicated to preserving and interpreting the culture of these peoples.
Within two hours
Looking to experience Indigenous history close to Phoenix? Montezuma Castle National Monument, and Tuzigoot National Moument are just a forty- minute drive of one another. These monuments preserve the shared history of the Verde Valley, and offer the opportunity to see cliff dwellings and a hilltop pueblo.
Tonto National Monument also preserves several cliff dwellings, which you can hike to. And if you’re looking to spend more time outside, it’s situated close to Tonto National Forest, the largest in the state, with plenty of opportunities for hiking.
Want to experience even more hiking, and the possibility of spring wildflowers? The western district of Saguaro National Park, is within a two- hour drive of Phoenix. Whether you’re out for a stroll on a trail or enjoying a scenic drive, it’s a great time to enjoy the Sonoran Desert in all its spring beauty. And if you are looking for a change of pace from Phoenix, nearby Tucson offers award-winning restaurants, is a world-class cycling destination, and in March, the Tucson Festival of Books, the third-largest celebration of its kind in the country.
Within three hours
Seeking cooler temperatures after a day (or several) watching your favorite teams? Want to enjoy a small mountain town in Arizona (and maybe do a little spring skiing?) Make the drive up to the mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona. The Flagstaff area national monuments—Wupatki, Walnut Canyon, and Sunset Crater Volcano—are all located within a three- hour drive of Phoenix. Each monument has its own distinct character. Visit one of the largest pueblos on the Colorado Plateau at Wupatki, hike into a canyon and see cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon, or take in the beauty of ancient volcanic landscapes at Sunset Crater Volcano.
If you’re looking to head south, there are even more options to explore. Coronado National Memorial, on the US-Mexico border, is a birder’s paradise during the spring migration. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is beautiful in spring, and offers a more remote park experience, with miles of trails, dirt roads perfect for 4x4ing or mountain biking, beautiful canyons, and the chance to camp out under the stars.
Within five hours
Want a few days away? If you’re prepared for colder temperatures, and the possibility of snow, visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument or Navajo National Monument. For thousands of years, the Navajo (Diné)have lived in and around the gorgeous red rock canyons that are today protected by these two parks, managed jointly by the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation. The scenic drives are not to be missed, but be sure to check what trails are currently open to visitors during this shoulder season.
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, the oldest continuously operating trading post in the Southwest, is also a must-visit. Known for the exquisite, authentic, and one-of-a-kind handcrafted rugs, jewelry, and other crafts sold here, Hubbell’s continues to be an artistic, community, and cultural hub for the Diné and other Indigenous peoples in the Southwest.
Chiricahua National Monument, with its rhyolite hoodoo formations that some say rival those of Bryce Canyon National Park, is another Arizona hidden -gem that shouldn’t be missed.
And if you’re willing to make the drive, Mojave National Preserve—across the border in California—is a perfect springtime treat. With cooler temperatures, and slightly longer days, this remote and beautiful park offers desert hiking, lava tube caves, and plenty of solitude.
Cactus League Spring Training in Phoenix is more than just an opportunity to see your favorite teams play. It’s also a great time to experience all that Arizona’s national parks have to offer. Feeling inspired to plan your trip? Check out our itineraries section for more inspiration.
By Nikki Stavile
