6 Most Overlooked Towns in Arizona

Arizona is well known for the Grand Canyon, its desert climate, and the Red Sedona Rocks. However, there is more to the state than these natural attractions. Many of the small towns in Arizona are often overlooked. Smaller than the cities, they typically receive less attention from tourists. However, the towns still have a lot to offer. Tubac is a small Arizona town that artists will appreciate. There are more than thirty art galleries featuring the work of local artists around town. Jerome is a quaint old mining town and is the perfect day trip for history lovers. Prescott is home to the Lynx Lake Recreation Area, a place with stunning scenery that will make you feel like you are outside Arizona. These are only a few of the small towns in Arizona. Here, we will look at the six most overlooked towns in Arizona.

Window Rock

Window Rock is a magnificent town in Arizona, and its beauty often goes overlooked. An iconic landmark of Window Rock is the town's Window Arch, which is what gave the town its name. The massive 200-foot sandstone arch is spectacular against the Arizona blue sky.

Window Rock is also the headquarters for the Navajo Nation. This is the largest sovereign Indigenous nation in the entire United States. There are museums and trading posts explaining the indigenous history in the town. The Navajo Nation Cultural Museum has many photos, maps, artifacts, and works of art showing the history of the Navajo people.

Prescott

Prescott doesn't look like your typical central Arizona town. The town feels more like upland Colorado with its lush trees and mountains. Nearby, the town has two lakes, Watson Lake and Willow Lake; they are great spots to bird-watch or enjoy a picnic. To experience more wilderness in Arizona, check out the Prescott National Forest. The forested area has eight regions to explore and hike through. Lynx Lake Recreation Area is another great spot in Prescott with lots to for outdoor enthusiasts.

Besides natural beauty, Prescott has interesting historical sites. The Charlotte Hill Museum in Prescott is a great spot in town to learn more about local history. The museum covers five acres and is in eleven separate buildings, covering the history of the north and central regions of Arizona. The Smoki Museum is another great museum to check out in Prescott. Open since 1935, the museum focuses on preserving and promoting Native American culture in the southwest.

Tubac

Just outside the Mexican border, still in Arizona, is the small town of Tubac. The town is a desert oasis with a vibrant art scene and exciting history to explore. Explore the town's history at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. At the museum, see the Presidio, the state's oldest Spanish fort. At the museum, you will learn about the military leader Juan Bautista de Anza. Afterward, walk the Anza trail, which extends for 1200 miles. The trail starts at the Presidio and extends all the way to San Francisco. One of the most popular things to do in Tubac is check out the local art galleries. Tubac has more than thirty artists, including local artists, from sculptors to mosaic artists and weavers. The Tubac Center of the Arts is a great spot to check out. The gallery has pieces that show Tubac and the southwest. To see some unique art pieces, visit the Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden. The garden has unique, colorful metallic pieces.

Jerome

Jerome, a former mining town, is the largest ghost town in the United States. While it isn't the first place people think of visiting when going to Arizona, the town shouldn't be so easily overlooked. As an old mining town, there is a lot of exciting history to explore. The town even has its historic park just a short drive from the downtown. Here, you can visit the famed Douglas Mansion. Built in 1916 by James S. Douglas, a wealthy mining entrepreneur, the mansion today is an opportunity to learn about the town's mining past. You can see artifacts and learn about the Douglas family's impact on the area. To understand more about what Jerome was like during its mining days, visit the Jerome Historical Society and Mine Museum. The museum has exhibits of old photographs, maps, and newspaper articles, giving a detailed town history. Near the museum, you will find the Jerome Artists Cooperative. This is a gallery that showcases the work of local artists, from sculptures to painters. A quirky historical landmark in Jerome is the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town. This is the area of a former gold mine just outside of town. Today, you will find old buildings and vintage cars on display here, all from Jerome’s mining days.

Springville

While Springville has a population of less than 2,000, there is still a lot to explore around town. Located in the wild mountains of Arizona’s Apache County, the town is a blend of mountain views and unique history. Travelers visiting Springville should take the beautiful Coronado Trail Scenic Byway to enjoy scenic views of Mount Baldy and large tracts of national forest. Around town, there are a lot of excellent historical sites to explore, including the White Mountain Dinosaur Exploration Center. Here, you can learn about the area's original excavation that led to the discovery of 4 new species of dinosaur unique to the White Mountain region of northern Arizona.

A great museum in town is the Casa Malpais Museum. The museum features artifacts such as pottery, stone weapons, tools, and jewelry made by indigenous people. Springville's Renee Cushman Art Collection museum combines history and art. The museum is a collection of donated works by a Springville resident. The collection of artwork is a significant draw for tourists.

Alpine

Located near Springville is the Arizona town Alpine. In a mountain valley, it's no wonder the town is well known for its abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. A great way to explore the surrounding wilderness in Alpine is by embarking on a hike. The Escudilla Wilderness trail is a popular hike, leading hikers past the Escudilla mountain, one of Arizona's highest peaks. There are also opportunities for fishing around town. Luna Lake and Crescent Lake are great spots to fish or enjoy a picnic. Alpine is also a lesser-known destination for geocaching. There are over 120 geocache sites in Alpine, making the town a grove for treasure.

Discover Arizona's Underrated Towns

Arizona is a state rich in natural wonders, history, and culture. While you can experience the beauty of Arizona in the state's cities, the towns are another great spot in Arizona and are often overlooked. However, they still have a lot to offer. From the White Dinosaur Exploration Center in Springville to Window Rock's stunning rock formations, the towns are full of underrated fun and beauty.