Day Trip 2 itinerary
Day Trip Adventures in Casa Grande
Experience an exhilarating Day 2 of your Casa Grande journey, soaring through the skies at SkyDive Arizona and SkyVenture Arizona, discovering the beauty of Picacho Peak State Park, and getting up close with ostriches at the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch.
SkyDive Arizona
Get ready for adventure by driving east on I-10 from Casa Grande first thing in the morning, when you are most energetic and ready for discovery. Take a 15-mile drive to SkyDive Arizona and SkyVenture Arizona in Eloy (Exit 198 east from I -10 to Tumbleweed Road, north on Tumbleweed).
At SkyDive Arizona jump from a plane at 13,000 feet above the Casa Grande Valley for an incredible buzz you’ll be talking about for years. Or, if you’re afraid of heights, try the exciting wind-chamber indoor skydiving for all ages at speeds up to 120 mph at SkyVenture Arizona. Or, just enjoy being a spectator from the Bent Prop Saloon.
Picacho Peak State Park
Continuing east, on Interstate 10 headed toward Tucson, you cannot help but notice the monolithic 1,500-foot Picacho Peak at Exit 219. Picacho Peak State Park was the site of a significant Civil War battle fought in Arizona. The battle was re-enacted in March for many years. The park also offers two trails for those who want to see the majestic views of the Casa Grande Valley. One trail is more leisurely and the other is steeper and recommended for more experienced hikers. Stop at the ranger station on-site for more information. (520) 466-3183
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
As you leave the State Park, stay on the east frontage road to your right. You will soon be at Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch. Visitors (aka kids of all ages) can feed the ostrich, emus and deer, view the Lorikeet Forest, and purchase unique items to commemorate your visit, from the open market located at the same site.
A few miles east on I-10, at Exit 226 Red Rock interchange, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic by taking Park Link Drive east to Hwy 79 (Pinal Pioneer Parkway). Park Link Drive is a 20-mile road, which connects to Pinal Pioneer Parkway to the east. Midway between Florence, AZ and Oracle Junction, you will pass the Tom Mix Monument, built to memorialize silent-film star Tom Mix, who died in a car accident in 1940.
Continue driving north on Pinal Pioneer Parkway, and turn right on Paisano Drive. At the end of the road you will find St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, which is a working monastery. Call ahead to see if the monastery is open to visitors and instructions for your visit.
