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Arizona's Hidden Gems Aren't So Hidden Anymore

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 1:13pm
Updated: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 1:20pm
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Horseshoe Bend
A visitor at Horseshoe Bend.

The unofficial definition of a geographic hidden gem is that it’s a place only a small percentage of the population has traveled to — and it retains a bit of mystery, with most of us only having seen the site in photos.

Arizona has a number of formerly hidden gems that have become extremely popular — and that’s leading to some tough decisions being made.

Horseshoe Bend — along the Colorado River in Northern Arizona — could approach 2 million visitors by the end of this year, and that has led to parking restrictions that were never needed before.

Robert Stieve, Arizona Highways editor-in-chief, joined The Show to talk about what else has changed among what used to be hidden gems in Arizona — and how to deal with it.

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