A Road Trip Guide to Arizona
While Arizona is known as “The Grand Canyon State”, it has a lot more to discover beyond the Grand Canyon. From cacti to red rock, this Southwestern state is full of adventure. Arizona is the perfect state for a road trip, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the best stops along the way.
Arizona is a state for outdoor enthusiasts. Arizona was our first trip out west, and we were blown away by its beauty and unique landscape. If you’re planning a road trip through Arizona, you might be wondering when is the best time to visit. The spring and fall months are the best time to visit due to the mild temperatures in each season. Arizona can get very hot in the summer with temperatures over 100 degrees, but surprisingly, it can also be very cold in the winter with heavy snowfall. We visited in mid-March and were surprised by how cold it was. We ended up driving through a snowstorm and hiking through snow at the Grand Canyon.
In planning our adventure, we chose to start at the bottom of Arizona, since we were going to Utah in the same week. We flew into Tucson to begin our time in Arizona.
Tucson, AZ
Sunny Tucson is home to Saguaro National Park. Not only does this park have hundreds of cacti, it also provides visitors with many hiking trails, bike routes, and a drive-able loop for easy sightseeing. This park has two entrances: the Rincon Mountain District ( 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730) and the Tucson Mountain District (2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743). Like most national parks, Saguaro National Park requires a park pass. A weekly pass can be obtained at the front entrance for $25, however, we recommend the America the Beautiful Pass. Especially on a trip where you’ll be visiting multiple parks, this pass is a cost effective option. It is an annual pass that can be purchased online for $80. It’s best to purchase it about a month before your trip, because processing and shipping times can be a few weeks.
Phoenix, AZ
A 3.1 mile hike that is rather difficult, the top of Camelback Mountain offers expansive views of the Phoenix Valley below. It is known as one of Phoenix’s best hikes with 360 degree views at the summit shaped liked a camel’s back.
Sedona, AZ
Sedona is one city we regret not visiting. Known for its red rock buttes and vibrant community, you won’t want to miss it.
Cathedral Rock is one of the most photographed locations in Arizona. You’ve probably seen a picture of it somewhere on Instagram or Pinterest. It is a 1.2 mile out and back hike that is rated as difficult. Due to its popularity, it can be very crowded.
Devil’s Bridge is the large sandstone arch in Sedona. It is a 1.8 mile roundtrip moderate hike. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a parking spot at the trailhead, as it does get crowded.
You can’t drive through Arizona without stopping at the Grand Canyon. Like Saguaro National Park, the Grand Canyon has two entrances-the North Rim and the South Rim. The North Rim is only open from May to October, so we could only visit the South Rim. Each entrance is about 4 and a half hours apart, so keep this in mind if you plan to visit both sides of the park. We would have loved to hike more here, but unfortunately due to road closures our day trip turned into an evening. We would highly recommend visiting the Grand Canyon for at least two days. We chose to hike part of the Rim Trail which is a paved walkway with several overlooks and viewpoints. The trail is a total of 13 miles, and we hiked about 3 before it got dark. We loved seeing the canyon change colors as the sun set and even hiked through some snow. You can use your annual park pass here, or purchase a weekly pass for $35.
Page, AZ
Located in Page, AZ, Horseshoe Bend is a magnificent sight. The Colorado River flows around the canyon’s bend and offers visitors expansive views. This is not a national park, so you can’t use your park pass, but parking is only $10. The hike is a short .6 mile from the parking lot and is well maintained. There is a fenced in viewing area at the top, but visitors can walk around it and go right up to the edge. While I was standing on a ledge, a kind man let me know that it was very thin underneath and probably not the best for standing. Be careful when walking around, as sandstone can break easily or be worn down. Early mornings are best to avoid crowds. We went in the middle of the day, and it was very crowded. However, you can easily find a spot to take it all in away from other tourists.
Antelope Canyon is a majestic slot canyon. As this canyon is on Navajo land, you must book a guided tour prior to visiting. Unfortunately, it was still closed in 2021 when we visited Arizona.
We loved exploring Arizona’s national parks and many hiking trails. We hope this guide was helpful in planning your upcoming trip! If you want to add on the state of Utah, check out our road trip guide.
