ROAD TRIPS

Top things to do in Arizona this fall

A tamale festival, Old West shootouts and great hiking are just a few reasons to road trip this autumn.

Roger Naylor
Special for The Republic
Passengers de-board at the pumpkin patch outside of town where they also enjoy a  hay bale maze and a walk through a haunted train car.

Temperatures are down, there’s practically nip in the air and it’s perfectly acceptable to buy bags and bags of candy bars. What’s not to love about autumn? Grab a pumpkin spice latte and hit the highway in search of all the great things Arizona has to offer in the fall. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

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Visit a castle

The massive five-story dwelling of Montezuma Castle is built in a natural recess in a limestone cliff, high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek.

While it's not actually a castle and it has nothing to do with Montezuma, the misnomer doesn’t detract from the serene beauty of Montezuma Castle in Camp Verde.

The five-story dwelling is built in a natural recess in a limestone cliff, high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek. The deep alcove provides protection from the elements and is no doubt responsible for the excellent condition of the structure. Many of the original ceiling beams are still intact, even though they were installed more than 800 years ago. Early settlers believed the structure was built by Aztec ruler Montezuma and the name stuck.

Today, visitors to Montezuma Castle National Monument can savor a tranquil desert oasis. A paved trail meanders beneath the shade of graceful sycamore trees and leads to scenic viewpoints of the towering cliff house. Along the way, informational signs fill in the ecological and cultural details.

Admission is $10, free for age 15 and younger. It's good for seven days and includes nearby Tuzigoot National Monument in Clarkdale.

Details: East of Interstate 17 off Exit 289 in Camp Verde. 928-567-3322, www.nps.gov/moca.

Choo-choo to Pumpkin Town

It may not be as flashy or as well known as the Polar Express, but Grand Canyon Railway’s Pumpkin Patch Train is a lovely afternoon outing with the kids. Starting Oct. 8, trains depart from the Williams depot every Saturday and Sunday until Halloween. Passengers arrive at a pumpkin patch outside of town where they get to pick their special pumpkin.

Tickets cost $25, $20 for ages 2-16. Included in the price are a hay-bale maze, a walk through a haunted train car and one pumpkin per child. Arts and crafts supplies are waiting at the depot in case you can’t wait to decorate your pumpkin. Trains depart at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to don Halloween costumes.

Details: 235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams. 800-843-8724, www.thetrain.com.

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Watch history come to life

Anza Days commemorates Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1775 expedition from Tubac to the Pacific Ocean and the founding of San Francisco.

Anza Days commemorates Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1775 expedition from Tubac to the Pacific Ocean and the founding of San Francisco. The event has been re-envisioned this year to reflect more historical accuracy and to engage the kids.

It begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 15 at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Riders in period dress equipped with shields, leather armor and 9-foot lances will engage in cavalry drills.

After gathering at St. Ann’s Church for a blessing, the colorful procession will ride north toward La Canoa. From 10.m. to noon, the presidio unveils its children’s Anza Discovery Program with costumes, activities, props and ponies. Admission to the state park is free on Oct. 15.

Details: 1 Burruel St., Tubac. 520-398-2252, azstateparks.com/Parks/TUPR.

Sample the grapes

Experience the delicious heart of southern Arizona’s wine-growing region at the Willcox Wine Country Festival Oct. 15-16. Set in Railroad Park in downtown Willcox, the event features 16 wineries, local vendors, gourmet food and live music. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The festival is free but tickets must be purchased to sample wine, starting at $14. Buy in advance online for a discount. If you’d like to make a weekend of it, get tickets for the Bistro Wine Dinner on Saturday evening for $45. There’s also Wine and a Movie on Saturday night. “A Good Year,” starring Russell Crowe, will be shown at Willcox Historic Theater, one of the few remaining single-screen downtown theaters in the state. Cost is $14 with glass of Willcox wine or $8 for the movie only.

Details: www.willcoxwinecountry.org.

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Hike on the coast

Cattail Cove offers the most hiking options with a small network of trails skirting the shoreline of Lake Havasu and weaving through stark but colorful hills.

Four state parks perch on Arizona’s West Coast between Parker and Lake Havasu City overlooking the Colorado River. During summer months they’re crowded with boaters and winter brings the snowbirds. But stop by in the fall and you'll enjoy ideal weather and peaceful hiking trails.

Buckskin Mountain State Park features a trio of trails that climb into hardscrabble desert and past the remains of old mines. River Island State Park has just one short trail but it’s a dandy as it scrambles up Wedge Hill, where you’ll have stunning panoramas of the water.

Cattail Cove State Park offers the most hiking options with a small network of trails skirting the shoreline of Lake Havasu and weaving through stark but colorful hills. The Mohave Sunset Trail runs the length of Lake Havasu State Park with views of palm trees, sandy beaches and sparkling water. Admission fees are $10-20 per vehicle.

Details: www.azstateparks.com.

Get rowdy in Tombstone

An 1880's fashion show is part of Helldorado Days in Tombstone.

Helldorado Days is the signature event of this storied Western town and it’s been going on for decades. It started in 1929 as Tombstone’s 50th anniversary and just kept rolling ever since.

Helldorado Days takes place Oct. 21-23 and will feature gunfight reenactments, street entertainment, live music, fashion shows and — attention hipsters — a beard contest along historic Allen Street. There’s also a parade at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Adding to the festivities, Tombstone at Twilight takes place on Oct. 22. Tombstone at Twilight is from 5 to 8 p.m. the fourth Saturday of every month with shops staying open late, entertainment and evening shootouts. While in town, give yourself a pre-Halloween treat with a ghost tour of the historic Birdcage Theater.

Details: 520-457-9317, www.tombstonechamber.com.

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The Somerton Tamale Festival is the Woodstock of tamale events, with over 30,000 people descending on the little border town south of Yuma.

Tuck into tamales

The Somerton Tamale Festival is the Woodstock of tamale events, with more than 30,000 people descending on the little border town southwest of Yuma.

Visitors can sample dozens of varieties ranging from traditional beef and chicken to pork, turkey, corn and spinach tamales. There are even sweet tamales filled with pineapple, peach and strawberry. This is the 10th year for the festival, with all proceeds helping to provide Arizona State University scholarships to local students.

The festival is Dec. 17, the last Saturday of autumn, with winter’s chill standing on the doorstep. What a delicious way to end the season. The festival begins at 11 a.m. A few arts and crafts vendors are on hand and there will be live music throughout the day.

Details: Along Main Street in Somerton, about 11 miles southwest of Yuma. www.somertontamalefestival.com.

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