Arizona is home to three national parks and some of the most spectacular rock formations in North America. The 48th state is also a state steeped in Wild West history. What better way to explore Arizona than on a road trip?
If you’ve been considering visiting the Grand Canyon State, start by completing your road trip checklist and choosing a highway. This includes the basics like vehicle maintenance and an extended vehicle warranty for added peace of mind when driving long distances.
When you’re ready to head out, this guide will help you choose from the five best road trips in Arizona (or add them all to your list if you have time!).
Whichever route you choose, it’s important to remember to be a responsible traveler. Take your own belongings with you, don’t disturb wildlife and don’t damage ancient sites.
Buckle up and let’s go. Here are five stops and Arizona road trip attractions you won’t want to miss!
1. Grand Canyon
As inspiration for the state’s nickname, the Grand Canyon tops this list. The canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep at its lowest point, making it one of the most spectacular in the United States.
Because of its size, visitors typically have to choose between: North Rim and South Rim of the canyon.
The South Rim offers the quintessential Grand Canyon experience, including guided donkey rides, paved trails, luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and a terrifying glass skywalk.
It’s also easily accessible from major cities, making it an ideal road trip destination from Phoenix and Los Angeles.
The North Rim of the canyon is much quieter and has fewer man-made attractions than the more touristy South Rim.
On the other hand, the higher the altitude, the more the Grand Canyon appears. Instead of dramatic sun-drenched landscapes, the North Rim offers quiet forests and secluded hikes.
The vibe of the North Rim is focused more on the natural beauty of the canyon than on tourism. Some popular North Rim destinations include the North Kaibab Trail and Ribbon Falls.
☞ See also: 15 Best Things to Do in the Grand Canyon
2. Sedona – Desert Town
There are so many things to do in Phoenix, where I live, but every time someone visits me, they ask me the same question: “When can I go to Sedona?”
Located north of Phoenix, this desert town surrounded by red rock cliffs, steep canyons, and lush pine forests is a highlight of any Arizona road trip.
When you’re ready to go, take Interstate 17 north.
Along the way, you’ll pass Montezuma Castle National Monument, a preserved cliff dwelling inhabited by the Sinagua people more than 1,000 years ago.
You’ll also pass by the V-Bar-V site, the largest “rock art site” in Red Rocks Country.
Hiking in Sedona is legendary, so pack your boots and don’t miss out on some of the best desert hikes, including Cathedral Rock, Devils Bridge, The Birthing Cave, and Soldiers Pass.
Sedona itself is known for its thriving arts community and quaint small-town atmosphere. Start your day at Coffee Pot Restaurant, a bustling café serving all-day breakfast and 101 types of omelettes.
Once you’ve filled your stomach, spend the day shopping for crafts at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. This beautiful outdoor shopping district features cobblestone streets, hand-blown glass, and colorful artisan jewelry.
For dinner, make a reservation at Heartline Café. Two of my favorite dishes are bacon-topped petit filet mignon and pistachio-crusted chicken breast.
3. Tombstone – A Town Too Hard to Die
Wyatt Earp was a notorious gambler and sheriff who participated in the famous OK Corral shootout. Every Memorial Day, Tombstone honors his legacy with a Wyatt Earp Days celebration.
The two-day festival features shootouts, mock hangings and a massive chili cook-off. Tombstone’s affinity for the Old West is evident in everything from its architecture to its attractions. It’s also why Tombstone earned the nickname “A Town Too Hard to Die in.”
USA Today They said it perfectly when they called Tombstone “the perfect blend of the historic and the rustic.” OK Corral is just one of Tombstone’s historic landmarks.
History buffs can also visit the Bird Cage Theater Museum, a former brothel. The museum has been preserved to demonstrate the honest character of the building.
Finally, visit Tombstone’s first cemetery, Boot Hill Graveyard. This historic site is said to be the graveyard of people who ‘died with their shoes on’.
You can get from Phoenix to Tombstone in about three hours, and from Tuscon in just over an hour.
Monument Valley is located on the border of Arizona and Utah. Official Utah Travel Website. Good trick, Yuta. But you can’t fool anyone!
Monument Valley is one of the Copper State’s greatest treasures.
These towering sandstone rock formations have set the stage for numerous Western movies. a travel writer “Five Square Miles defined what decades of moviegoers thought of when they imagined the American West.”
There are many day trips and guided tours from Sedona or Flagstaff, but I prefer to drive the 17-mile road at my own pace. Park admission is $20 per vehicle, but there is no time limit.
If your budget allows, consider staying overnight at the View, the only hotel in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. This luxury property offers unparalleled views of the entire valley, especially at sunset and sunrise.
Another option is to stay in a unique “cave lodge” just a 10-minute drive from the park. This accommodation is amazing. Click here to take a look.
Before you leave, visit a trading post run by the Navajo Nation. Inside you’ll find several John Wayne memorabilia and a variety of Navajo arts and crafts.
5. Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell
This list will end the same way it started – with amazing rock formations formed by water erosion over millions of years. Antelope Canyon is a majestic slot canyon located east of Page in northern Arizona and is one of the most amazing places to visit in the United States.
The canyon’s undulating corridors have been featured in several nature documentaries, including Louie Schwartzberg’s Moving Art series.
Throughout the day, sunlight illuminates the 120-foot walls of the canyon, casting shadows in every nook and cranny.
If you are considering a visit, you should know that a guided tour is the only way to explore the canyon.
A short drive away, Lake Powell offers hiking, climbing and rappelling through beautiful sandstone canyons. Lake Powell is actually in Utah, but the closest lodging is in Page, Arizona.
Now that I think about it, Lake Powell is not a lake, but a reservoir. Oh well! You don’t have to think about semantics when you go boating, swimming, or waterskiing at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
If you plan to visit both Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, allow at least two days. One day is not enough to experience all that these natural wonders have to offer.
Are you ready for an Arizona road trip?!
As you can see, it’s all about natural beauty here in Arizona. There is so much to see and do that you could spend months here and still not experience everything.
Exploring the state in your own vehicle gives you the independence and freedom to see as many landmarks and natural attractions as you want. Enjoy all the great road trips in Arizona.
☞ SEE ALSO: Must-Dos in Old Town Scottsdale
Have you ever taken a road trip to Arizona? What did we miss?! Share your favorite road trip destinations in Arizona in the comments below.
