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Visit Gila Bend, Arizona

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Gila Bend is the center for a prosperous stock-raising and farming region in the Gila River Valley. The first farms were established in 1699 by Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino. Just west of town is the site of the infamous 1851 Oatman Massacre, where all but three children of a westward-bound family were killed by Apaches. Exhibits about area history are displayed in a museum at the information center.

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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Phoenix/Glendale Sports & Entertainment District

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Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

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Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate

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Tru by Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate

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Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix West Avondale

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Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Avondale

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Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Glendale/Westgate

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DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Chandler

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Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix West-Avondale

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Comfort Suites Goodyear

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DESTINATIONGila Bend Gila Bend is the center for a prosperous stock-raising and farming region in the Gila River Valley. The first farms were established in 1699 by Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino. Just west of town is the site of the infamous 1851 Oatman Massacre, where all but three children of a westward-bound family were killed by Apaches. Exhibits about area history are displayed in a museum at the information center.
NATIONAL PARKAgua Fria National Monument Semidesert grasslands and a riparian forest support abundant wildlife, including pronghorn, mountain lions, javelinas and white-tailed deer.
NATIONAL PARKApache Sitgreaves National Forests Along the south rim of the Colorado Plateau in east-central Arizona, the Apache-Sitgreaves national forests comprise nearly 2.1 million acres. They are named, respectively, for the Apaches and for Lt. Lorenzo Sitgreaves, who in 1851 led the first military topographical mapping expeditions across Arizona. The forests include the Mount Baldy, Bear Wallow and Escudilla wilderness areas and the Blue Range Primitive Area.
NATIONAL PARKCanyon De Chelly National Monument Cottonwood Campground is managed by the Navajo Nation and offers primitive campsites for tent and group camping on a first-come, first-served basis. Restroom facilities are on-site; no showers or hookups are available. Limited services are offered in winter. A nightly fee is required. Phone (
NATIONAL PARKCasa Grande Ruins National Monument Off SR 87/287, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument lies within the city limits of Coolidge. The
NATIONAL PARKChiricahua National Monument Approximately 70 miles northeast of Douglas via US 191 and SR 181 or 36 miles southeast of Willcox via SR 186 and SR 181, Chiricahua (cheer-ee-KAH-wah) National Monument, also called the “Wonderland of Rocks,” is in the Chiricahua Mountains at an elevation ranging from 5,180 to 7,310 feet. Nine miles of the 21-mile county road that runs south from Bowie across Apache Pass to SR 186 are unpaved and rough in places. Unseasoned mountain drivers and cars pulling trailers should avoid the narrow, winding route from Portal; it is closed in winter.
NATIONAL PARKCleveland National Forest Divided among three separate areas in San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties, Cleveland National Forest covers more than 460,000 acres in Southern California. These areas include chaparral and conifer woodlands and offer many recreational opportunities, the most popular of which are camping and hiking.
NATIONAL PARKCoconino National Forest Surrounding Flagstaff and Sedona, Coconino National Forest covers 1,821,495 acres. In the south the forest is cut by deep canyons; in the north the San Francisco Peaks attain the highest elevation in Arizona. These peaks, including
NATIONAL PARKCoronado National Forest In southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, Coronado National Forest's 12 widely scattered sections cover 1,780,000 acres. Named for Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, who journeyed through southern Arizona in 1540, the forest's varied plant and animal life reflects the area's extremes of elevation: Flat deserts of cacti and paloverde give way to rugged, heavily forested mountains known as the Madrean Sky Islands that are covered with oak, juniper, pine, fir and spruce, depending on the elevation.
NATIONAL PARKCoronado National Memorial Lying 22 miles south of Sierra Vista and 5 miles off SR 92, Coronado National Memorial was established to commemorate Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's exploration of the Southwest. The expedition, the first European venture across what is now the U.S.-Mexican border, began in February 1540 when the viceroy of Mexico sent young Coronado northward in search of gold from the fabled Seven Cities of Cíbola.
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