Create your own Arizona day trip experience!

Whether you wish to plan a trip to see nature and wildlife, learn about the history of the southwest or just want to get away from it all Arizona has a variety of places to see and things to do that will interest any recreational adventurer.

Day trips make a refreshing break from the chaos of the daily routine. They can also be cheap, since many of the areas are distant from the city.

Arizona features a surprising range of terrain that includes desert, grassy lowlands and vegetated mountain regions. The climate found across the state also shows much variety. And you don't have to travel far to appreciate this assortment of scenery. In the summer you can take a break in the cool, nearby hills, while the lower lying areas are more popular in the winter months.

Alpine is in Apache County which is in the eastern most part of Arizona. Located due east of Scottsdale-Phoenix it is only 6 miles from the border with New Mexico. You can get there by taking U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 191.

The town is nestled among the gentle pines of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The San Francisco River also begins its winding path toward the pacific coast near Alpine.

The land is at a very high elevation. The climate is continental steppe and highland so that plant life is rich what one expects to see along mountains. The distinctive mountains stand out boldly against the surrounding lower elevations. Wildlife includes elk and mountain lion. The area is mostly geared toward year around outdoor recreation.

Wildlife preservation is a passion here. There are many animal habitats here, of which the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Habitat (an endangered species of bird) is just one example

Alpine is also designated a Biotic Community. This means that interdependent natural resources, such as soil, water, climate, topical features, flora and fauna are all linked, resulting in unique life zones from sea level deserts to Arctic tundra.

Alpine is, in a word, a naturalist