15 Places to Visit on an Arizona Road Trip
Arizona: Just a boring, dusty wasteland with tumbleweeds, triple-digit heat, and rattlesnakes, right? Wrong. But that descriptor is not entirely off—some parts are exactly that depressing.
So why visit? Well, because Arizona is so much more than a giant barren desert. Think red rock formations, bucket list hikes, and even skiing—yes, skiing!
Not to mention, Arizona isn’t just big—it’s massive. We’re talking the 6th largest state in the U.S., home to 22 national parks and monuments, two of the largest man-made lakes in the country, and this thing called the Grand Canyon.
I’ve been lucky enough to an Arizona road trip countless times, checking off some of the state’s bucket-list stops like a boss. So if you’re planning your own Arizona road trip, this guide will help you navigate the best road trip stops in Arizona and hopefully make you feel a little less overwhelmed. I’ve rounded up my personal favorite spots, along with a few that are still on my must-see list — I’ve seen a lot in Arizona on road trips, but not all! Here’s your ultimate guide to the 15 best places to visit on an Arizona road trip.


When to Visit Arizona
Arizona is a year-round destination, but timing is everything if you’d like to avoid feeling like a literal hot mess. The best months are October through April, when the temperatures are bearable. However, if you dare to visit in the summer (which I have!) congratulations on your bravery! Summer is perfect for visiting higher elevations like Flagstaff or Mt. Lemmon, where it’s cooler. Plus, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is only open in the summer, so there’s that. Just embrace the heat and make sure to drink enough water .

15 Epic Stops on an Arizona Road Trip
Northern Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Yes, it’s a giant hole in the ground, but it’s the giant hole — and one of the seven wonders of the world. Whether you hike the Bright Angel Trail, do the epic Rim-to-Rim hike or just take some selfies, the Grand Canyon is a must-see stop. Just don’t drop your phone.
Even if you just “Clark Griswold” the Grand Canyon (i.e. take a photo and leave), it’s still worth seeing once. And let’s be honest, for a lot of people, that’s exactly what they do at the Grand Canyon. Nothing wrong with that. If you’re not going to hike, there’s nothing else to do except, well, look at it.

Horseshoe Bend
No doubt, you’ve seen this on social media everywhere — that curve in the Colorado River that, you guessed it, looks like a horseshoe. You’ll want to devote about an hour here, as you have a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the actual overlook. And you might want to time your visit to see it at sunset. If you’re looking for more information, I go into much more detail in this post about Horseshoe Bend.

Antelope Canyon
Another insta-favorite – and for a good reason – it looks beautiful! I actually haven’t been here yet myself (I know, I know) but it’s on my list. You can only visit Antelope Canyon while on a tour, so you’ll have to plan ahead. Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? Pick one but prepare to shell out some cash.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir that’s perfect for boating, kayaking, or just enjoying the scenery. On my bucket list is the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, where you take a boat ride out to a natural bridge (it has nothing to do with dogs). If you have time, check it out (though it’s technically in Utah).

Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park
They’re essentially at the same place – Petrified Forest National Park. You’ll see the Painted Desert area in the northern section of the park and the petrified wood in the southern section. I-40 divides the two areas. Both areas have a scenic drive where you can take in all the sights. If you have time for a short hike, check out the Blue Mesa Trail.

Southern Arizona
Saguaro National Park
If you want a place where you can pose with a saguaro cactus, this is it. Saguaro National Park is split into two districts (east and west), and in my opinion, both are equally nice. Hike a trail, stop in at the visitor center, and take photos of Arizona’s most iconic plant.

Tombstone
This is where it all went down for Wyatt Earp and his crew. And although you probably read about what happened here in at some point in an American History class in Junior High, you’re probably more familiar with the 1993 blockbuster movie of the same name–with Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday and Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp.
Here, you can walk down the main drag of Allen Street (it’s still an unpaved dirt road), and you’ll witness tourists and re-enactors alike cosplaying their Wild West fantasies. The gunfight reenactments at the OK Corral are pretty entertaining though!

Bisbee
This cute former copper mining town has an interesting history (locals say it’s haunted) and now has a thriving artist community. You can tour the Queen Mine or just wander through its streets and do some shopping. While you’re there, swing by the Lavender Pit—a massive, abandoned open-pit copper mine that you can view from the highway.

Chiricahua National Monument
It’s called the “Wonderland of Rocks” — and that it is! The hiking here is fantastic, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into some alien landscape. Chiricahua National Monument is located way off the beaten path in Southern Arizona, pretty far from any major town; it takes some effort to get here but it’s definitely worth it!

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Speaking of places that that some effort to travel to, here’s another one! This is the only place in the U.S. where you can see organ pipe cacti, which look like saguaro’s multi-armed cousins. It’s remote — it’s one of the most least-visited places in Arizona — and it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You’ll find some scenic the scenic drives and hiking trails. I wrote more about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument here if you’re interested.

Phoenix Area
Superstition Mountains
With a name like that, you’d expect witches, black cats and ghosts, but nope—just desert hikes and stunning sunsets. Legend has it there’s a lost gold mine somewhere in these mountains, but good luck finding it! Two places to check out in these mountains are the Lost Dutchman State Park and the Tonto National Forest.

Northeast Arizona
Monument Valley
Located between the Arizona-Utah border, Monument Valley is all about those dramatic red rock formations where all your favorite Hollywood Westerns were filmed. Take the scenic drive or hire a Navajo guide for a deeper dive. Either way, it’s amazing and absolutely worth the detour. Don’t forget to stop at Forrest Gump Point for your photo (location on the map below)

Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Pronounced “de-shay”, this monument is a mix of canyons and ancient history. The monument has a scenic drive that terminates at the famous “Spider Rock” formation. You can also take a guided tour with a Navajo guide to explore cliff dwellings. (I thought this was much more compelling than the Grand Canyon, but don’t tell anyone I said that!)

Flagstaff and Sedona
Sedona
Whether you’re into vortexes (vortices) or just want a killer view, Sedona definitely delivers. In fact, it’s my favorite place in all of Arizona. Hike Cathedral Rock, shop for crystals, and take some photos of you and your crew pretending to meditate in front of red rocks.
I’ve written a lot about Sedona. Here is a 3-day itinerary in case you have extra time to spend in this area (and I do recommend it), otherwise, check out all my Sedona posts here.

Flagstaff
Visit Flagstaff during winter for skiing or in summer for hiking. The vibe here is part college town, part outdoor enthusiast paradise. Nearby, you can visit a few different National Monuments: Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monument.

Arizona Road Trip Tips
- Hydrate! The desert doesn’t mess around. Bring water. Then bring more water.
- Sunscreen: Unless you enjoy looking like a lobster.
- Don’t pet the wildlife: Rattlesnakes don’t want to be your friend.
- Be Aware of Monsoon Season and Flash Flooding : Flash floods in the desert are no joke. I know because I got caught in one once (story for another time). Monsoon season is during the summer months, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. If rain is in the forecast, check road conditions and never, ever enter a slot canyon if there’s any chance of rain.
Have fun on your Arizona Road Trip! Hope you enjoy these spots as much as I have!



More About Arizona
WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO SEE IN ARIZONA: Check out all of the posts on Arizona on this blog here.
US NATIONAL PARK UNITS IN ARIZONA: Did you know Arizona has 22 National Park Service units? I wrote about them all here. Some of my favorite NPS sites in Arizona are Organ Pipe National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona.
OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH ARIZONA: Looking for something else? Here are some lesser-known sites in Arizona that you might want to check out: Abandoned Lisa Frank Warehouse, Fairbank Ghost Town, Agua Caliente Regional Park, and The Abandoned Buckhorn Baths.
ROUTE 66: The famous Route 66 runs through part of Northern Arizona. If you’re thinking of doing a Route 66 road trip, check out my Route 66 tips.
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: If you love taking photos when traveling, don’t miss my article on how to Improve your Travel Photos with these 7 Lesser Known Travel Photography Tips
I’ve been to Arizona twice and loved it. There’s so much to see and do and I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface. Thanks for this informative post.
As a traveler and a photographer, Horseshoe Bend is on my bucket list.