8 Bucket list-worthy Destinations For Your Arizona Road Trip
Arizona is king when it comes to gorgeous scenery. Home to six national parks, thirty-one state parks, and some of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, it is also home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
Simply put, the Copper State is a haven for unparalleled views, especially if desert terrain is what you’re after. If you’re currently in the planning stages of your Arizona road trip itinerary, chances are you’re currently feeling overwhelmed when choosing where to go and what to do during your visit.
While the entire state is dotted with incredible destinations, a few stand out from the crowd, making them wonderful starting points for exploring Arizona’s majestic beauty.
If you still aren’t sure where to go during your visit, make sure these 8 destinations are musts in your schedule!
- BEFORE YOU GO! Make sure you read our best desert driving safety tips
8 Must-See Destinations in Arizona
1. Sedona
In time, geological forces cut deep rifts into the Colorado Plateau, forming the insanely interesting landscape Sedona provides today. Imagine desert spires piercing the skies, expansive river canyons painting the landscape, and other-worldly red rock formations dotting the scenery to get a pretty good idea of what Sedona’s landscape offers visitors.
During your visit to Sedona, make sure you test your desert hiking skills by hitting a trail or two. Another must is exploring the town’s cultural goodness by checking out the many museums and centers that offer insight into Sedona’s rich heritage so you can better understand the land you’re walking on!
2. Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim Section
Visiting the Grand Canyon may sound a little cliché, but if you’re the type of traveler who prefers staying away from the crowds, focusing your time on the lesser-visited North Rim section of the park is a wonderful way to experience the Grand Canyon without having to share it with hoards of visitors.
This part of the canyon offers secluded hikes and viewpoints, giving visitors a much more private (but equally amazing) experience. You can find shorter trails here excellent for smaller legs, including the paved 0.5-mile Bright Angel Point. By vehicle, enjoy the Point Imperial and Cape Royal scenic drive, which only requires short walks to the scenic lookouts.
- Don’t miss our complete family guide to visiting the Grand Canyon – including the difference between the North & South Rim and what to expect at Grand Canyon West, Hualapai Land.
3. Monument Valley
Another fabulous landmark of Arizona perfect for road trippers, this red sand desert region is nestled between Utah and Arizona. Known for its towering sandstone buttes, you will feel like you’ve been dropped straight into the film set of a Western movie.
The 17-mile Valley Drive is one of the country’s most famous scenic drives (paid access). Part of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Olijato-Monument Valley), there’s no rock climbing or hiking off-road without a guide. However, you are invited to admire the towering sandstone masterpieces from afar with a self-guided tour of 11 spectacular vantage points.
- A stop in Monument Valley fits well with our Denver to Grand Canyon itinerary
4. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is the most photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest, and it’s easy to see how it gained that title as soon as you step foot in it.
As one of the most iconic hikes in Arizona, no trip to the state would be complete without braving this gorgeous trail. Created by floods that crashed onto sandstone cracks in the area, Antelope Canyon is such an impressive sight because of the exquisite swirl of desert hues on its walls formed as a result.
Antelope Canyon is protected by Navajo Parks and Recreation, and only authorized tour companies can take visitors to the canyon. Children are allowed on Upper Antelope Canyon tours, but be aware of the bumpy journey. No strollers or backpack carriers are allowed. Lower Antelope Canyon is undeniably more strenuous and recommended for experienced hikers.
- TOP TIP: www.antelopecanyon.com and www.navajotours.com are known to cater to families with car seat options
5. The Wave
Sitting right on the spot where Utah and Arizona meet, The Wave is one of the most unique hiking trails in the entire world. With a rainbow of shimmering rusty hues coloring the rocks, the landscape looks, well, exactly like a wave of desert colors!
It is a photographer’s dream, though the 6.4-mile round-trip hike in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is not for the fainthearted. Due to the area’s high temperatures, it can get pretty challenging, so make sure you come prepared for the feat. We’d only recommend it for families if your kids are experienced hikers.
- Snagging tickets to hike The Wave isn’t exactly an easy task, so make sure you plan ahead as early as possible!
6. White Pocket
If you didn’t manage to get a ticket to hike The Wave, White Pocket is a wonderful alternative thanks to its similar terrain. Featuring Navajo sandstone that ranges from bright orange, pink, and red hues as well as whacky-looking rock formations, this place provides a landscape that will have you wondering if you were somehow teleported into the heart of Mars!
Surprisingly, White Pocket remains pretty off-the-beaten-path, making it a great spot to see if you want to explore one of Arizona’s best secret gems.
7. Havasupai Falls
Set on sacred Native lands, the Havasupai Falls are utterly spectacular, and no trip to Arizona is complete without visiting this gem of a place.
Set on the Havasu Canyon, Havasupai consists of five separate waterfalls: Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, Havasu Falls, New Navajo Falls, and Fifty Foot Falls, each one equally stunning as the last. When visiting, remember that the Havasupai Tribe guards the grounds, so it’s imperative to remain respectful of their land and, if possible, take time ahead of your visit to learn about their culture. Campground reservations are essential.
- The only way to get to Havaupai Falls is by reservation. These go on sale for the year at 8 AM on 1 February; maximum 4 per person and they all tend to be snapped up within hours. Make sure you are prepared and have your account registered and ready at havasupaireservations.com
8. Petrified Forest National Park
225 million years ago, tree logs were brought into the area by the heavy floods that took place during that time. Not too long after, a ton of volcanoes began erupting in the area, and the trees were buried under silica-rich ash. As time passed, water crystallized the ash, transforming it into quartz and making the logs look colorful and sparkly!
Millions of years passed, and the logs were exposed again, making the landscape in the Painted Desert section of Petrified Forest look like an insane rainbow of colors (hence the name).
If you want to explore this natural wonder, you can drive the park’s scenic road. However, hiking trails are also available if you’d like to examine the logs closely. Seriously, hiking in the Painted Desert is guaranteed to make you feel like you’re walking in a different galaxy!
We hope this list of some of the best places to visit in Arizona has given you the inspiration needed to craft the perfect Southwest itinerary. Even though the state has much more to offer, these places are the ideal starting points for exploring Arizona’s desert magic!
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