1 week arizona road trip

• Homeroom Travel

One Week Arizona Itinerary: 7 Days of Fun Adventures

• January 11, 2021

Arizona has a ton of natural wonders and spectacular outdoor sites to see. The following one week Arizona itinerary hits several of the main cities and sites of interest. There are so many options for an Arizona road trip, you cannot go wrong with whatever path you choose. Arizona is a fantastic place for a spring break vacation, especially for teachers on a budget due to the many free and cheap things to do in Arizona.

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Table of Contents

History of Arizona

Arizona was once home to many Native American tribes such as the Hohokam and Ancestral Pueblans. They lived in the area for thousands of years until the Spanish took over the area. Throughout the years, they were booted from their land and the Spanish dominated the area. 

Eventually, the land became independent from Spain and became Mexico. The land was eventually acquired by the United States with the Gadsden Purchase. After a time, it eventually became the Arizona Territory. 

In the 1870s gold and silver were discovered in Arizona, which caused a flood of people to the area. The early 1900s saw several Revolutions in the area. On February 14, 1912, Arizona officially became a state. Since then people tend to visit Arizona for a relaxing escape, outdoor adventures, and more recently, for wine tasting. All of these make for the perfect one week Arizona itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Arizona

My favorite time to spend one week in Arizona is during the wintertime. However, keep in mind a lot of people usually visit during the wintertime so prices may be higher. Book early to save money!  I refuse to visit in the summertime as it is way too hot and dry for me. Fall and spring are also usually pleasant. 

How to Get to Arizona

Arizona has several main airports: Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. You can also opt to fly into Las Vegas and drive to Northern Arizona from there. Phoenix will most likely have the cheapest flights within Arizona. I typically find flights for around $150 from California to Phoenix. Opt to rent a car from Autoslash to find the best price to get your around Arizona.

Day 1: Las Vegas or Flagstaff to Tusayon, Arizona

Drive Time: 4 hours from Las Vegas, 1 hour from Flagstaff.

Costs: Free to $15 depending on activity choices. 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon

Start your one week Arizona itinerary by flying into Las Vegas or Flagstaff. If you fly into Las Vegas, it will be a 4-hour drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim. From Flagstaff, it is a little over an hour’s drive. Opt to spend the night in Tusayan, which is 5 minutes away from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Holiday Inn Express is a reasonable and nice hotel to stay at in Tusayan. 

Depending on the time of your flight, you may have the opportunity to explore Las Vegas or Flagstaff. In Las Vegas, make sure to walk the strip, and grab a drink at the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan. The Neon Museum and the Mandalay Bay Aquarium are also fun places to visit. Also, stop and take a picture at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign or head over to the 7 Magic Mountains art installation. If you have more time, opt to spend at least two days exploring Las Vegas.

Along the way to Tusayan, you can also stop in Kingman, located along the historic Route 66. This area has a ton of murals and cool Route 66-esque signs that are perfect for photo ops. There is even a historic Route 66 Museum and a Railway Museum. Kingman also offers several breweries, distilleries, and wineries.  

If you choose to fly into Flagstaff, there are many things you can do there to keep you busy as well. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and the San Francisco Peaks offer some cool hikes to go on. Flagstaff also offers a historic downtown filled with many awesome bars, restaurants, and breweries. The Museum of Northern Arizona is also another popular stop in Flagstaff. Wupatki National Monument offers a peek into some Native American ruins. 

Day 2: Grand Canyon South Rim

Cost: $25/car or free with The America the Beautiful Pass

Today, spend the day at the Grand Canyon National Park : South Rim. If you are up for a challenge, hike the Bright Angel trail into the Grand Canyon. The short version is a 3-mile round trip hike. The Bright Angel Trail offers the most amazing views of the Grand Canyon and it is quite the experience to hike into the canyon. Later in the afternoon, you can also check out many of the viewpoints of the Grand Canyon along the Hermit’s Rest Route. Make sure to catch either the sunrise or sunset (or both) along the canyon! The Grand Canyon will be the highlight of any one week Arizona itinerary.

Day 3: Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona

Drive Time: 3.5 hours

Costs: $25/car Lake Powell Entrance or free with The America the Beautiful Pass

Hotel: Best Western Lake Powell or Courtyard Lake Powell

Opt to spend some time in the morning catching your last views of the Grand Canyon, and then head out to Page. Page, Arizona is a smaller town in Northeastern Arizona that has some gorgeous outdoor sites. Page is a spectacular addition to a one week Arizona itinerary. This afternoon, spend some time relaxing on the shores of Lake Powell. The water is gorgeous and there are plenty of spots just to chill and relax. Grab dinner at Birdhouse, a scrumptious local fried chicken place. 

Day 4: Page/Monument Valley

Costs: $50 Antelope Canyon Tour, $10 Horseshoe Bend Parking

Page, Arizona is such a fun area to explore and perfect for a girl’s trip. Start the morning with a tour of Antelope Canyon. After, grab some lunch at one of the many delicious local restaurants such as Big John’s BBQ. Then, head over to Horseshoe Bend to check out this big curve of the Colorado River. The lookout is just a short hike from the parking lot and there are tons of places to take amazing photos around Horseshoe Bend. 

If you have more time, you can also use this day to take a drive to add Monument Valley to your one week Arizona itinerary. It is about a 2-hour drive each way. Monument Valley is a desert region on the border of Arizona and Utah with iconic sandstone buttes. It is run by the Navajo. You can opt to take a tour or do a self-drive around the park. 

*Note you could also do all of the Page sites on Day 3, opt to visit Monument Valley on Day 4, and skip Lake Powell. 

Day 5: Page to Sedona, Arizona

Drive Time: 3 hours

Costs: Free

Hotel: Hampton Inn Sedona

In the morning, drive to Sedona, Arizona, and plan to arrive by lunchtime. Sedona is a perfect addition to a one week Arizona itinerary for people who love hiking and the outdoors. Downtown Sedona offers a ton of cute options to eat at.

After lunch, head out on the 4-mile Devil’s Bridge hike. This hike takes you to a large natural sandstone arch. The hike out to the bridge is relatively easy. The last part ascends about 400 feet and you will have to climb quite a few rocks to get up to the bridge. Make sure to have shoes with good traction. Next, you can opt to do another iconic hike, Cathedral Rock, or if you are tired, head into Sedona to grab some lunch. 

After lunch, head to the Cottonwood area for some wine tasting. Page Springs Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, and Alcantara Vineyards and Winery are popular wine tasting stops. Wine tastings cost around $10 a tasting. Tonight, grab dinner in Downtown Cottonwood at COLT 805 Grill. This restaurant has the most amazing barbecue and it is not expensive. 

Day 6: Sedona to Scottsdale, Arizona

Drive Time: 2 hours 

Costs: Free and Up

Hotel: Hampton Inn Scottsdale

This morning, drive from Sedona to Scottsdale. Located just east of Phoenix, Scottsdale is a great place to go to relax as part of a one week Arizona itinerary. It is home to many gorgeous resorts and golf courses. The Downtown area has adorable 1920s style buildings full of cute shops and delicious restaurants. Stop at Merkin Vineyards tasting room to try out some Arizona wine and grab a bite to eat. You can also take a self-guided public art walking tour and check out the interesting pieces of art downtown. 

If interested in hiking, head a little north to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trails range from easy to strenuous, so there are hikes for all levels. History lovers should visit the Museum of the West, which covers the history of the area. Architecture fans can visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s old home Taliesin West and take a 90-minute tour. 

You can also opt to choose a nice resort to stay at and spend time relaxing at the resort. Many of the resorts have nice spas attached to them. Make sure to check Groupon or TravelZoo as they often have great deals for Scottsdale resorts. 

Day 7: Scottsdale to Phoenix, Arizona

Drive Time: 30 minutes

Costs: Free to $25

Hotel: Hampton Inn Phoenix Downtown

Today, opt to spend the day exploring the Phoenix area. Phoenix contains tons of things to do for every type of traveler and should be part of anyone week Arizona itinerary. Start the day with a hike in Papago Park or Dobbins Lookout. Then, grab a delicious breakfast at the Morning Glory Cafe. This cute cafe is located on a farm and served farm-fresh entrees. If visiting in February or March, opt to spend some time at the Cactus League Spring Training. You can also opt to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens or the Musical Instrument Museum. Grab dinner at the Vig or Pomo Pizzeria for some delicious bites to eat. 

*Note: If you prefer, you can opt to spend the previous night in Phoenix and make a day trip to Scottsdale, or opt to stay in Scottsdale and make a day trip to Phoenix.

Day 8: Fly home from Phoenix

Today, wrap up the final day of your one week Arizona itinerary with a delicious breakfast from one of the many amazing places in Phoenix. Depending on what time your flight is, you may have time to hit up a couple more of the Phoenix attractions. 

More Than One Week in Arizona?

If you have more time than one week in Arizona, add on a trip to Tucson . I recommend spending at least two nights exploring Tucson, especially if you want to visit Saguaro National Park or the wine-tasting region of Willcox, Arizona . You could also skip Scottsdale to add in Tucson or Prescott. If interested in a big adventure, opt to visit Havasupai Falls, which takes a minimum of 3 days.

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah and Arizona Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.

Final Thoughts on One Week in Arizona

Interested in other Arizona road trip ideas? Check out this post for some awesome ideas for road-tripping around Arizona. If you have more time, opt to head to California for a week or head to Utah to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. You could also head east to Albuquerque, New Mexico , and White Sands National Park . 

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6 thoughts on “One Week Arizona Itinerary: 7 Days of Fun Adventures”

Ah!! This is so awesome! I love this compilation– I’m hoping to do a big road trip out west this fall or the following so I will definitely be referring back to this when I begin mapping it out!

I had no idea that there were so many beautiful places to visit in Arizona. Thanks for the great itinerary, we’ll be adding this one to our road trip list!

It is on my bucket list to visit the Grand Canyon and WOW there are so many gorgeous places near by! It looks like an incredible trip and I am excited to visit one day!

Wow, I’ve always had the Grand Canyon on my bucket list but Monument Valley looks breath-taking! I had always planned to visit the Grand Canyon on a trip from L.A. to Vegas then the Grand Canyon, but it looks like I could definitely spend longer in the area with so many things to see and do. Thanks for the great guide!

Such an amazing road trip – it’s such a scenic part of the US! I’ve visited and loved the Grand Canyon and Page, but would love to explore Moniment Valley and Sedona.

I have been wanting to visit Sedona for so long! This might be the year I make it. Such great photos and it makes me want to visit every place you mentioned. Such a great post! Pinning so I have this guide when I do visit these places.

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Ultimate Arizona Road Trip: Complete 7 Day Itinerary with 50+ Stops

If you are looking for the ultimate Arizona itinerary look no further. This post is the complete itinerary that we used for the most recent YouTube video. You can see the video above or at this link if you want to watch it. In the video, we spend about a week road tripping across Arizona, from the very top at Page, all the way down to the bottom at Bisbee. Hopefully the video and post help you to do your own road trip and to see this amazing state yourself. If you want all of the places we stopped at on a map, head over the Patreon . Lets jump into it and let me know what your favorite spot is in Arizona in the comments.

Where to Begin

If you are wanting to fly in, the best bet is probably Phoenix . It is centrally located and easy to access the start and the end of the road trip. If you fly into Phoenix , the drive to Page to start what we did is about 4 hours though. Alternatively, you could fly into Las Vegas , but it is a much longer drive to get back to Las Vegas after the road trips is over. If you did fly into Las Vegas , it may be best to fly out of Phoenix to make the most of your time.

If you live close enough to drive, then just head to Page first and drive down the state and leave from Tucson to head back. This is what we did, we drove in from Southern California to Page and then drove through the state and back out through Yuma to Southern California when the trip was over.

After deciding where to come in, here is the full itinerary for what we did in our road trip video.

We drove from Southern California to Page, which is about 8.5 hours. We actually got in the day before and then did the Rainbow Bridge tour before starting our road trip. You can read more about that tour, if you have time to do it, in this post .

• Start – Page, AZ
• End – Grand Canyon South Rim
• Drive time – 2.5 hours (130 Miles)
• Hotel in Page – Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell
• Hotel in Grand Canyon – El Tovar
• Main Stops – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Cameron Trading Post, Grand Canyon South Rim

We started the day early by taking the first tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. While this did not have the light rays the canyon is known for, it was a small tour and an amazing way to experience the canyon. From there we headed to the Glen Canyon Overlook, Horseshoe Bend and then started driving to the Grand Canyon. On the way we stopped for lunch at Cameron Trading Post (get the Navajo Tacos).

We spent the rest of the day in the Grand Canyon. Be sure to stop at the Desert View Watchtower, and many of the other lookouts along the drive to Grand Canyon Village. In the village, you can walk the south rim, go on a few hikes or just enjoy the views from Mather Point.

We ended the night at the historic El Tovar Hotel, which was built in 1905 and is one of the most historic hotels in the national park system.

• Start – Grand Canyon Village
• End – Camp Verde (could end in Jerome or Sedona though)
• Drive time – 3.5 hours (165 Miles)
• Hotel in Camp Verde – Cliff Castle
• Main Stops – Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome

We left the Grand Canyon early and headed south. On the way we stopped at Bedrock City to explore the fun Flintstones inspired park and then we headed past Flagstaff to Sedona. In Sedona, we hiked Cathedral Rock, went to the Chapel of Holy Cross, got lunch at Wildflower and then took in the views at Airport Mesa.

Leaving Sedona, we drove an hour to Jerome and toured the historic mining city on the hill. Some highlights here include the state park, the sliding jail and Haunted Burgers for dinner.

We ended the night at Camp Verde so we could be closer to our first location for day 3.

• Start – Camp Verde (could end in Jerome or Sedona though)
• End – Tucson
• Drive time – 3.5 hours (214 Miles)
• Hotel in Tucson – Hotel Congress
• Main Stops – Musical Instrument Museum, Hole in the Rock Hike, Casa Grande Ruins

Since we stayed in Camp Verde, we were right next to our first stop, Montezuma Castle National Monument. This beautiful cliff dwelling is something you do not want to miss! From there we headed south and stopped for pie at Rock Springs before heading into Phoenix. The original plan was to go to Taliesin West but it was closed for flooding, so we ended up going to a bunch of museums.

First up was the Musical Instrument Museum, one of the best I have ever been to. From there we got lunch at Spiritual Gangster and then did a short hike in Papago Park before heading over to the Hall of Flame Museum (the largest firefighting museum in the world).

We grabbed coffee at Cartel before heading south towards Tucson and getting off the freeway to go to Casa Grande National Monument. This building is almost 700 years old and is well worth seeing!

We ended the day at Tucson, staying at the historic Hotel Congress and getting dinner at El Charro Cafe, which is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the USA.

• Start – Tucson
• End – Tombstone
• Drive time – 2 hours (120 Miles)
• Hotel in Tombstone – Tombstone Grand Hotel
• Main Stops – Copper Queen Mine, OK Corral, Birdcage Theater

Leaving Tucson early, we headed 1.5 hours down to the small town of Bisbee, close to the Mexican border. Here we did the Copper Queen Mine tour, which allowed you to ride a mine cart into the mine itself. From there we walked historic Bisbee, went to a few museums and then continued on to Tombstone.

We spent the rest of the day in Tombstone, walking the dirt streets and stopping to see the Oriental Saloon, OK Corral, Birdcage Theater, Good Enough Mine Tour, Rose Tree Museum and the Tombstone Courthouse. It was a blast exploring this fun town and we ended the night with dinner at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon (get the cowboy cheesesteak).

• Start – Tombstone
• End – Yuma (or just back to Phoenix)
• Drive time – 4.5 hours to Yuma, 3 hours to Phoenix
• Main Stops – The Thing, Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Gates Pass, Rooster Cogburns

On the way out of Tombstone, we stopped at the historic Boothill Cemetery, since we had missed it the previous day. From there, we drove 30 minutes back to Benson and took a 15 minute detour over to The Thing, a fun roadside attraction.

Next, we drove back to Tucson and visited Mission San Xavier Del Bac, before getting Sonoran Hot Dogs at El Guero Canelo and getting an Eegee’s slushy for the road. Leaving Tucson, we headed towards Saguaro National Park with a stop at Gates Pass (my favorite desert view in Tucson) and a visit to the Sonoran Desert Museum. The museum is easily a place you could spend a half day, and be sure to see the rare crested saguaro right near the entrance.

Leaving the museum, we drove through Saguaro National Park (find more stops in the park here) and then made it back to the freeway. Our next stop brought us to Rooster Cogburn, which is a silly roadside attraction where you can feed all sorts of animals, from goats to stingrays.

From there, you will probably want to head back to Phoenix, but for us we headed to Yuma on the way back to Southern Califronia.

Optional Day 6 in Yuma

If you go to Yuma, be sure to stop by Cafecito for breakfast, it was a great spot! Then go to the Yuma Territorial Prison and to the Colorado River State Historic Park. If you are up for another silly roadside attraction, head ten minutes over the California border and go to the Center of the World in Felicity.

So there you have it, our one week road trip through Arizona. This is only a small portion of what the state has to offer and be sure to let us know what we left off in the comments!

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How to Plan an Amazing Arizona Road Trip (7-14 Days)

How were we so late to the Arizona party? Despite both having been to Arizona MULTIPLE TIMES before, we were radically unprepared for the sheer beauty that we experienced over the course of our Arizona road trip. We spent around two weeks in Arizona, and already started making plans for our return. Because there is SO MUCH to do and see in Arizona that it’s honestly a little overwhelming.

We originally had plans to go all over the state, but ended up having to cut our trip a little short. Which turned out to be a good thing, because it forced us to focus in on the things we really wanted to do and see while we were in Arizona.

We used our experience road tripping in Arizona – along with the hours of research that went into planning our own trip – to put together this guide to planning an amazing Arizona adventure.

In it, you’ll find the logistics – when to go, where to fly in, etc etc – along with our favorite stops in Arizona and exactly what to do and see while you’re there.

We think that you should spend your time going deep (or, as deep as you can go with 2-3 days) in each of the stops you make rather than trying to see everything in one trip. The latter approach means you’re spending 4-5 hours a day in the car, which, honestly, sucks.

Instead, spend your time exploring hiking trails, stuffing your face with food and drinks, and seeing some of Arizona’s most spectacular landscapes.

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days in Arizona?

Arizona is huge, and if you’re trying to hit all of the different corners of the state, you’ll need at least two weeks .

If you have less than that, we’d strongly recommend focusing your Arizona road trip itinerary on three main areas : Phoenix and the Superstition Mountains, Sedona, and Grand Canyon National Park.

You will need at least seven days – more would be better – to do Phoenix, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon.

We’ve written the road trip itinerary below for seven days, but have suggestions for what to do with extra time that are equally as detailed as the 7 day itinerary below – you can find them at the end of this guide.

• With a few extra days – 10 or so – you can add on Tucson and Saguaro National Park.
• With 14 days, add the southern loop through Tucson , plus Page and Zion National Park , ending your time by flying out of Vegas. 

Monument Valley, which is spectacular, is FAR from most of the places on this itinerary. For example, it’ll take you three to four hours to get there from the Grand Canyon.

Other than the drive, which is beautiful, there’s nothing else to really do there, so we don’t think it really makes sense to take a huge detour to get there . In fact, it would be a better addition to a broader Arizona / Utah road trip on your way to Moab .

Instead, we’d STRONGLY recommend focusing your time on the corridor between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, immersing yourself in the spectacular landscapes along the way rather than spending all day in the car.

Where to Start and End Your Arizona Road Trip

For most people, a loop that starts and ends in Phoenix, Arizona is going to be the best way to do this road trip.

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which generally has a good selection of flights from around the country (and even the world, in some cases). Click here to check flight prices into Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport for your dates.

The benefit of doing this as a loop is that you won’t have to pay a one-way rental car fee.

From the furthest points on the itinerary below – either Page or the Grand Canyon South Rim – it’s about a four hour drive back to the airport.

Plan on booking the earliest possible flight into Phoenix, and the latest possible flight out to maximize your time.

Note : The exception to doing this as a loop is if you have 14 days and decide to add on Zion National Park at the end. Then, it would actually be better to end in Las Vegas – about two and a half hours or 172 miles from Zion.

Do You Need to Rent a Car for this Road Trip?

In short, yes. You’ll need to rent a car for the entirety of this itinerary. We’d recommend picking up and dropping off at the same place – Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix – to avoid a one-way rental car fee if you can. 

We like using Kayak for booking rental cars because they aggregate all the different car rental sites to help you find the best price. Make sure to rent from a reputable company – Hertz, Enterprise, National, or Avis, which you can do by using Kayak’s helpful filters.  Cl i ck here to check prices for rental cars in Phoenix.

A Complete 7 Day Itinerary for a Road Trip in Arizona

Now that we’ve got all the logistics out of the way, time to get into the exact itinerary we’d recommend. 

Day 1: Fly in and Explore Phoenix

A lot of people pick up their rental car and head straight for either Sedona or Tucson, depending on what route you’re taking.

However, we think there are a few things to do in Phoenix that are well worth a day of your time.

We’d spend your first day, night, and second day in the Phoenix area, focusing on the many outdoor activities nearby, most notably the Superstition Mountains, which were a highlight of our Arizona trip. Then, on your second night, head up to Sedona and sleep there so you can get an early start the next morning.

What to Do in Phoenix

There are a couple of things worth doing in Phoenix itself on your first day in Arizona – we’ll cover the Superstition Mountains on day 2 of this itinerary.

• The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park is worth a stop to see all sorts of desert flora – over 50,000 different kinds! There are multiple loops that take you on a journey through the plant life of the Sonoran desert, which will give you a great foundation for the rest of your trip (“Hey Alysha! It’s a teddy bear cholla cactus!”).
• Speaking of Papago Park, Hole in the Wall is a short climb that takes you to a perfect spot to take in your first Arizona sunset! Unlike places on the west coast, there’s no marine layer or clouds in the sky to ruin the evening glow – sunsets in Arizona are spectacular.
• There are a surprising number of great hikes within 45 minutes of Phoenix. Camelback Mountain is seemingly right in the middle of town, and gives you sweeping views of the surrounding area from the summit, which is reached with a 2.5 mile out-and-back trail that is basically straight up. Tom’s Thumb is another great hike that takes you to a saddle with panoramic views – it’s a little further out to the north of town, but is worth the journey in our opinion.
• Get coffee at Cartel Coffee Lab , who has the best coffee in Phoenix (in our opinion, anyway) and has created a mini empire in southern Arizona.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

We were walking through Uptown Phoenix on our way to Cartel Coffee – some of the best coffee in Phoenix – when we found ourselves in the courtyard of a hip-looking hotel.

That hotel was Rise Uptown , and we wish we would have stayed there. It’s a great location for exploring Phoenix, and the rooms are spacious and beautiful. Plus, there’s a nice pool, and Cartel Coffee is essentially in the lobby. 

In general, we’d recommend staying somewhere between Downtown and uptown, between the two highways that run north-south (51 and 17).

Here are a couple of other good choices in Phoenix.

• Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix : Great value with bright-colored rooms and charming décor. Plus, it’s super affordable! It’s also near the freeway that you’ll take out to the Superstitions, which puts you in a great location for exploring.
• Aloft Phoenix Airport : Location is nothing special, but it’s convenient for the airport, and it’s an affordable choice with nice rooms and a pool.
• The AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore : A little more on the boutique end of the spectrum, this hotel is beautiful, and is well-located in the Biltmore area of Phoenix, which is a perfect home base for exploring the city and surrounding area.

Day 2: Day Trip to the Superstition Mountains

Stay in Phoenix for the night, and head out early to the east, where you’ll find the Superstition Wilderness, a highlight of our time in Arizona. You can explore most of the main part of the western end of the park in a morning, which is exactly what you’re going to do here.

Head to Lost Dutchman State Park , which will be your base for exploring, and park at either the Treasure Loop or Siphon Draw Trailheads . There’s a day use fee of $10 to enter the park.

There are a couple of established hikes in the park, but we created our own by putting together multiple hikes into one big loop.

Start with the eastern part of the Treasure Loop Trail , which winds its way up to the ridge. From there, rather than heading back down via the Treasure Loop Trail, take the Prospector’s Ridge Trail to the west until it intersects with the Siphon Draw Trail . From that intersection, take the Jacob’s Crosscut trail back to the trailhead.

All-in, it’ll be around four miles, and you’ll see the Superstition Mountains and a ton of desert flora and fauna along the way.

On your way back into Phoenix, stop in Mesa, Arizona for a couple of our favorite spots in the Phoenix Metro Area. 

• Get coffee at Mythical Coffee , which is actually in Gilbert, but is roughly on the way. This is the best coffee in the Phoenix area, we think. An alternative would be Peixoto Coffee , which we like because they own a coffee farm in Brazil (or more accurately, are owned by a family who also owns a coffee farm in Brazil) and highlight the coffees from their farm in their shop. 
• Need to refuel post-hike? There are two great gluten free spots in Mesa, which we’d recommend whether you have Celiac Disease (like me) or not. First is Spooky Swirls , a cupcake shop (they make all sorts of baked goods) that makes fun, themed cupcakes that are not only beautiful, but they’re also delicious. We got a Baby Yoda cupcake (see below), that didn’t quite survive the Arizona heat, but was delicious either way. The second spot is Intentional Foods Cafe , which is a 100% gluten free restaurant that is also free of eight other allergens, so it’s perfect if you or any of your traveling companions have food sensitivities. Get the donuts and the fries. 
• Last, but certainly not least, head up to Cider Corps , a veteran-owned cidery in Mesa to try some local cider. I believe (I could be wrong) that they are Phoenix’s only cider bar! They have a nice outdoor patio if it’s cool enough, otherwise they have a high-ceilinged, light-filled indoor space. Plus, CIDER SLUSHIES! You can bring outside food, so we’d recommend grabbing lunch and heading here to eat and sip on some cider. 

Days 3 & 4: Sedona

Drive Time from Phoenix: 2 hours / 115 miles

Sedona is gorgeous. We did Sedona and Zion on the same trip (see our recommendations for 14 days below to see how we did it), and in a lot of ways, they’re very similar. You’ll find red rock walls and towering buttes with lush greenery in the canyons below.

Another thing that makes them similar? The crowds.

We were in Sedona in April, and it was a zoo. Think hundreds of cars parked at the most popular trailheads, and roads to trailheads closed because the trailhead is full.

Still, it’s a beautiful place, and as long as you know what you’re getting into before you get there, you’ll enjoy your visit.

What to Do in Sedona

Sedona, like Bend, Oregon, is an outdoor lover’s paradise. There’s all sorts of fantastic hikes (psst! We have a guide to our favorite hikes in Sedona ), 4×4 offroading, areas to spend a summer day lounging at the river, and more. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Sedona.

Crescent Moon Picnic Area : At this park on the south side of town, you’ll have some of the best views of Cathedral Rock that you’ll find anywhere in Sedona. Plus, there’s a river, so bring a picnic, a blanket and some towels, your swimsuit, and make an afternoon of it. 

Drink Mind-blowing Chai at the Chai Spot : This was unexpected. As I was scrolling Google Maps getting myself oriented, I realized that there was a chai shop in Sedona called the Chai Spot . Not only do they make INCREDIBLE chai (get the butter chai, it’s creamy and rich and delicious), but their story is worth looking into as well. It’s a social project that focuses on economic empowerment of women and education of children in Pakistan. The inside of the shop is colorful and vibrant, and the outdoor patio is a welcome refuge from the heat – it’s the perfect spot for chai lovers (like Alysha) to relax in Sedona. 

Hiking in Sedona: There are an incredible number of great hikes in Sedona. So many, that we have a whole separate post highlighting the best hikes in Sedona – if you want to spend most of your time on the hiking trails, you should absolutely go read that. We really enjoyed the West Fork of Oak Creek , which is a beautiful meander through a lush canyon with towering red rock walls. You cross the river 13 times, but none of the crossings are particularly hard, especially if you have waterproof shoes on. The Boynton Canyon Trail and Soldier Pass Trail were our next two picks, though you need to read our hiking guide to figure out the parking situation for Soldier Pass, which is a bonafide nightmare. Devils Bridge is cool, but you’ll probably have to wait in line at the top for a picture, which isn’t our cup of tea. 

Sunset Spots: Arizona sunsets are amazing. Catch sunset at Airport Mesa , which is one of the most popular spots (there were literally hundreds of people there when we were there) or the top of Cathedral Rock , which requires a steep hike to reach. Another good option that should be less crowded is Bell Rock . Make the climb about halfway up the south side of the towering rock formation and find a nice spot to relax and watch the sun dip below the horizon. It’ll light up the red rocks of the valley in front of you as it does. 

Wine Tasting: I bet you didn’t expect to see wine tasting on an itinerary for Arizona, did you? The Verde Valley Wine Trail is just outside of Sedona, in nearby Cottonwood and Corndale (~30 minutes from Sedona by car) and a trip out there would make for a great afternoon activity after a morning hike. Head to Oak Creek Vineyards for wine flights and small plates (also dog + kid friendly!), or Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (no reservations, tables are first-come-first-served) for a delightfully rustic tasting experience just outside of Cottonwood. If you don’t want to make the journey out of town, head to Art of Wine in Sedona and get a flight of the Arizona reds or whites, depending on what you’re into. 

Where to Stay in Sedona

There are a couple of options in Sedona in terms of style and budget. You could stay in a hotel or resort, which will give you a nice refuge from the heat if you’re visiting in the summertime (or the cold if it’s winter or early spring). Or, you could camp at one of the campgrounds along 89A just north of Sedona. 

Hotels in Sedona

If you’re looking to stay in a hotel, you’ve got a pretty impressive number of options. 

We like Sky Ranch Lodge , which is walkable to the best sunset spot in the area at Airport Mesa. It’s where we’d stay if we were planning a trip to Sedona and weren’t living in our van.

They have a beautiful, lush property that has a patio with a great view of Sedona, and rooms are spacious. Plus, they’re certified sustainable by the Sustainability Alliance of Arizona!

Plus, a free shuttle to areas within five miles of the hotel means you won’t have to deal with parking at some of the most popular trailheads like the Soldier Pass Trail (though you should be careful, because cell-service is nonexistent in some parts of Sedona). It’s also walkable from the airport, which is a nice bonus if you’re flying in. 

The other spot we’d recommend looking at is Junipine Resort , which is along 89A north of town and offers a quieter, more private place to stay. We drove past it on our way to our campground and were intrigued. Sure enough, it looks like an amazing place to stay!

It’s along the banks of Oak Creek, they’re certified sustainable, and they have “Creekhomes” that have plenty of space and a full kitchen. It’s only 10-15 minutes outside of Sedona, and is perfect if you’re in search of a bit of tranquility, which you might not find if you’re staying in downtown Sedona. 

Camping in Sedona

If you want to camp, there are a bunch of campgrounds north of Sedona along Highway 89A. We’ll cover three of them, starting with the closest to Sedona and ending with one that’s about 15-20 minutes outside of town that we stayed at and really liked. 

Manzanita Campground : Right along the creek in a nice shady spot, this is the closest campground to town, which also means it’s the most competitive. There are only 18 sites, 11 of which are reservable in advance. Seven sites are first-come-first-served, so plan on getting there early in the day to secure a spot. More info here . 

Cave Springs Campground: With 84 sites, this is the biggest campground in the area. You must make reservations in advance (at least three days before you show up), and there’s usually availability (though we’d recommend grabbing a spot well in advance for the month of April, which is high season in Sedona). More info here .  

Pine Flat Campground : This is the one we stayed at, and 18 of the 54 sites here are reservable in advance. It’s a nice campground, though it is right along the road (though all of them are, really). Try to get a site on the side of the campground that’s along Oak Creek – that’s on the west side of the road, and the west side of the campground (look at a map and you’ll see what I mean). More info here . 

Days 5 & 6: The Grand Canyon

Drive Time from Sedona: 2 hours / 115 miles

We think 2 days in the Grand Canyon is the perfect amount of time to explore the rim, take the scenic drive out to the East Entrance of the park and Desert View, and do one of the difficult but spectacular hikes that take you below the rim.

There’s plenty to do and see to fill a few more days if you have extra time on this road trip and you’re particularly interested in the Grand Canyon – like the North Rim, or backpacking to the floor of the canyon – but we think your time is actually better spent elsewhere unless you’re up for a long drive around to the North Rim, or a long overnight backpacking trip.

So spend a couple of days exploring the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is plenty of time to see the highlights.

What to Do in Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)

Like we mentioned above, there are three things we think are “must-do” at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

• Hike the Rim Trail : All along the Rim Trail, you’ll have spectacular and ever-changing views of the vastness of the canyon below. We like the stretch from Mather Point to the Bright Angel Trailhead, which is a 3.1 mile hike that is mostly flat with plenty of viewpoints along the way. Don’t miss Mather Point , Yavapai Point , and the Yavapai Geology Museum . This hike is best done in the early morning before 10am, which is when the crowds start to show up, or within an hour of sunset for stunning light on the canyon.
• Scenic Drive out to Desert View : This drive is amazing, with about a half-dozen viewpoints that are worth stopping at along the way. You’ll have a different perspective on the canyon from the eastern end, and it’s the only part of the rim road that you can drive in a private vehicle (except between December and February, when the road out to Hermit’s Rest is open to private vehicles). Start two hours before sunset, stopping at the viewpoints along the way, and ending at Desert View to take in the usually-stunning Arizona sunset.
• Get below the Canyon Rim : Like Bryce Canyon , one of our favorite national parks in the United States, the best way to really get a feel for the Grand Canyon is to hike down into it. You’re sure to appreciate the scale of the canyon if you have to make the climb up the canyon walls, gaining several thousand feet over the course of your journey! The two most popular trails are the South Kaibab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail. The Bright Angel Trail is more of a way to get all the way to the canyon floor, which you won’t be able to do in a day hike. We’d recommend taking the South Kaibab Trail out to Skeleton Point , which is 6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet on the way back. Shorten it to 3 miles / 1,100 feet by turning around at Cedar Point instead.

The hikes below the rim are not for the faint of heart – you’ll need to be prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and salty snacks.

The interior of the canyon is often 20+ degrees hotter than the rim, which means you’re going to be at risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration, particularly in the summer months. Do not underestimate the difficulty of these hikes.

It’s probably better to underestimate your abilities rather than overestimating them, in this case.

Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon

There are three places we’d recommend staying on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, and it largely depends on your budget and style.

If you’re camping, stay at Mather Campground , which is within walking distance (~1 mile one-way) of the main Visitors Center and the Marketplace. We stayed here and although it’s a massive campground, it’s relatively nice with flush toilets, shaded sites, and good water. Honestly, we were surprised at how nice it was.

Staying inside the park on the Rim is a great option, but like most national parks, you’re going to pay a little extra for the convenience of having the Grand Canyon literally out your front door (in most cases). Along the rim, the best options are going to be El Tovar Hotel , the Bright Angel Lodge , and the Maswik Lodge .

Staying outside of the south entrance of the park (which is the best place to stay outside the park), is going to be cheaper, but means a little bit of a journey to get to the rim of the canyon, and often a line at the park entrance (though, not if you get there early enough!).

We’d recommend looking in the town of Tusayan (15 minutes from the rim), which is just outside the South Entrance, or Grand Canyon Junction (30 minutes to the rim), which has a better selection of places to stay, but is a little further out. Here are three places to check out:

• Under Canvas Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon Junction): Bucket list-worthy glamping! If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, check out their safari tents in the desert.
• Red Feather Lodge (Tusayan): Located a few minutes from the entrance to the park, this is a solid value with simple rooms in a perfect location. Plus, relatively affordable!
• Holiday Inn Express or Best Western Premier (Tusayan): Two well-rated, good value hotels just outside the south entrance. Not a whole lot of bells and whistles here, but a pleasant place to use as a home base for exploring the Grand Canyon.

Williams and Flagstaff will have you driving for an hour (or more) each way to and from the rim of the Grand Canyon, and we wouldn’t recommend staying there if you can avoid it.

Day 7: Drive to Phoenix & Fly Home

The drive back to Phoenix is going to take you about four hours from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Plan on booking an afternoon / evening flight to give yourself plenty of time for the drive back.

Longer Itinerary Options (10 & 14 Days)

If you have a full 10 days or even two weeks, you’ll unlock more possibilities for your trip.

Here’s how we would spend 10 days and 14 days in Arizona.

How to Spend 10 Days in Arizona

With 10 days, we think you should add on Tucson and Saguaro National Park on the front end of your road trip, and Page, Arizona on the tail end after the Grand Canyon.

For this version of the itinerary, pick up your rental car in Phoenix and head south to Tucson, where you’ll spend the first 2-3 days. Then, continue on the road trip above as written. On the second-to-last day, head up to Page.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Day 1: Fly into Phoenix, drive to Tucson
• Day 2: Tucson / Saguaro National Park
• Day 3: Tucson / Saguaro National Park
• Day 4: Drive to Phoenix, afternoon in Phoenix
• Day 5: Superstition Mountains, drive to Sedona
• Day 6: Sedona
• Day 7: Sedona + Drive to Grand Canyon
• Day 8: Grand Canyon National Park
• Day 9: Grand Canyon National Park + Drive to Page
• Day 10: Page + Drive to Phoenix + Head Home

Tucson and Saguaro National Park

Southern Arizona is a vastly different landscape than northern Arizona, which is what the 7 day itinerary above focuses on. With more time, you’ll be able to dip your toes in the southern Arizona water (just kidding, this is the desert!), but you won’t be able to see it all.

For your introduction to southern Arizona, we think you should focus on the area around Tucson.

What to Do in Tucson

There are two main focuses for your time in Tucson – Saguaro National Park (there are two parts!) and Mt. Lemmon .

Saguaro National Park

First, you should know that there are two parts of Saguaro National Park that straddle Tucson, one on either side. They are the Rincon Mountain District , which is on the east side of Tucson, and the Tucson Mountain District to the west. 

Stop at the Visitor Center in each part of the park to grab a map, fill up your water, and get ready to explore. There is nowhere to get food or drinks other than water within the park, so you’ll want to pack a lunch and plenty of snacks. 

Here are some things to do in each region of the park. 

In the Tucson Mountain District, which is smaller in area but has a higher density of cacti and is therefore more popular: 

• Drive the 5 mile Bajada Loop scenic drive , which is a loop consisting of Golden Gate Road and Hohokam Road. It’s unpaved, but is passable by all vehicles. Drive it counterclockwise, starting with Hohokam road and ending on Golden Gate. This is a great way to explore the park, especially if you make stops at the Valley View Overlook Trail (extend it a bit by combining it with the Wild Dog Trail ) to get up close and personal with a ton of cacti, and the Signal Hill area, where you’ll find petroglyphs at the top of the hill. 
• If you’re looking for a longer hike , do the hike up to Wasson Peak either from the Sendero Esperanza Trailhead (7.5 miles / 1,600 feet of elevation) or via the Hugh Norris Trailhead (8.9 miles / 2,400 feet of elevation gain). 
• Stop at the Red Hills Visitor Center to walk the short loop through the cactus garden and pick up some maps and park information. 
• The Desert Discovery Center , which is outside the park’s southern boundary, is worth a stop either on the way in or out to learn about all the flora and fauna in the desert. 

In the Rincon Mountain District, which is the bigger but less popular part of the park on the east side of Tucson (If you only have time for one, we’d recommend the Tucson Mountain District. However, if you have time for both, this section of the park makes for a nice combination with Mt. Lemmon, since there’s only really about a half day worth of things to do and see here.):

• The number one thing you should do is drive Cactus Forest Loop Drive , which is a huge loop that takes you through the majority of the park. It is paved, and well worth the time. Stop at the Freeman Homestead Nature Trail , the Loma Verde Trail (do a loop with the Squeeze Pen Trail for a nice stroll through the desert), and the Cactus Forest Overlook . 
• If you’re looking for a longer hike, there are a bunch of great options leaving from the Broadway Trailhead at the northwest corner of the park and the Douglas Spring Trailhead along the northern boundary. 

Then, head to Mt. Lemmon for a completely different perspective on Tucson and the surrounding area. 

At 9,159 feet above sea level, Mt. Lemmon is a completely different place than Tucson. It’s likely going to be 20-30 degrees cooler, which means different ecosystems thrive here on the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains. 

To put it in perspective, the average high temperature in July in Tucson is 100 degrees F. On Mt. Lemmon, it’s 76 degrees. 

Would you believe me if I told you there’s a SKI RESORT on Mt. Lemmon?

You should definitely drive all the way to the top – Summerhaven. It’s 26 miles, and the landscape gradually shifts over the course of the journey. At the top, you’ll be in the woods. In Arizona. Which is an odd feeling when just an hour or two ago you were driving through Saguaro National Park, home of a bazillion cacti. 

Stop by Windy Point Vista and San Pedro Vista on the way up for great views of the surrounding area. 

There’s a bunch of things to do and see in the town of Summerhaven at the top, whether you want to hike or just peruse shops, but we think the drive itself is by far the best part about Mt. Lemmon.

If you’re looking for a great, relatively easy hike, head out to the Mt. Lemmon Fire Lookout Station. It’s 2.1 miles round trip with 360 feet of elevation gain, and you can make a nice loop of it by returning via the Meadow trail. 

Where to Stay in Tucson

There are exactly zero campgrounds to stay at in Tucson, so your only options are going to be hotels and vacation rentals. Since you have two nights, you have your choice between staying in a hotel, which will provide more convenience and flexibility but less space, and vacation rentals, which give you more space and usually a kitchen, but less flexibility.

If you’re looking for a hotel, stay at Hotel McCoy , a cool hotel on the outskirts of town that’s perfect for exploring Saguaro National Park, or the Tuxon or the Graduate Hotel , which are both closer in to town and the amenities in Tucson.

Page, Arizona: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

Page is a good home base for exploring two now Insta-famous sights in Arizona: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend .

I know Page as the jumping off point for renting a houseboat on Lake Powell, which my family has done twice now. Other than those three things, there’s not a whole lot going on, which makes it a perfect half-day addition after the Grand Canyon.

We’d recommend leaving the Grand Canyon on the afternoon of your last day to make it to Horseshoe Bend for sunset. Keep in mind, you’ll be with hundreds of your new closest friends – it’s a popular spot. You’ll need to get there early if you want a prime location.

Then, the next morning, get up early and head to Antelope Canyon . It’s on Navajo land, and is only accessible via guided tours, which take between one and a half to two hours. Grab an early 8am departure, which will give you plenty of time to head back to Phoenix afterwards and catch your flight home (or start the drive home, if you drove).

Where to Stay in Page

Stay at the Desert Canyon Inn , which is where we had booked a room before we had to cut our trip a bit short. They have basic apartments – complete with kitchens! – in a perfect location in downtown Page.

What to Do in Arizona With 14 Days

With a full two weeks, you’ve got options. At a high level, you could either make a big loop, including Monument Valley and Page, or you could tack on Zion National Park at the end of your trip, and fly out of Vegas.

For this itinerary, head south to Tucson first, then spend two days in Phoenix before heading up to Sedona, on to the Grand Canyon, then to Page for a night before heading to Zion National Park, which is technically in Utah, but close enough, right?

Note that we’re skipping Petrified Forest National Park and Monument Valley. It’s not that they aren’t cool and worth seeing. It’s that we think you’re better served focusing on western Arizona here, and making a return trip to explore eastern Arizona. 

Otherwise, you’ll spend WAY too much time driving – and those drives are not particularly scenic, though there are some nice spots along the way – and not enough time actually exploring. 

For reference, it’s going to take you four and a half hours to go from Tucson to Petrified Forest National Park, another three or more hours to go from there to Monument Valley, and another two hours to get to Page. All in the span of about 36 hours, because there’s really not that much to do along that route. 

We think your time is better spent immersing yourself in Tucson, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon (and Zion). Some might disagree, but that’s our perspective. 

Here’s what that itinerary looks like:

• Day 3: Tucson / Saguaro National Park + Mt. Lemmon
• Day 4: Phoenix
• Day 5: Superstition Mountains (sleep in Phoenix)
• Day 7: Sedona
• Day 8: Sedona + Drive to Grand Canyon in evening
• Day 9: Grand Canyon National Park
• Day 10: Grand Canyon National Park
• Day 11: Page (Antelope Canyon morning + Horseshoe Bend sunset)
• Day 12: Drive to Zion
• Day 13: Zion 
• Day 14: Drive to Vegas and Fly Home (stop at Valley of Fire if you have time)

Wondering what to do in Zion National Park? We’ve got you covered. 

• How to Plan a Perfect Zion National Park Itinerary
• Where to Stay at Zion National Park

The Best Time to Road Trip in Arizona

Essentially, we’d say “anytime other than the summer.” But ideally spring and fall – March and April, and September and October being the best months.

We spent three weeks on this road trip in the spring in April, and it was very, very pleasant. In Phoenix, it’s still going to be warm, but not unbearable just yet – think 80’s and 90’s during the day. In higher elevation Sedona and the Grand Canyon, it’ll be slightly cooler, even downright cold in the Grand Canyon at night.

In the fall , it’s going to be similar, with relatively warm temperatures in Phoenix and southern Arizona that start to cool off as you head north into the higher elevation parts of the state.

The winter is also a decent time to visit, particularly in southern Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson). However, you could run into snow in Sedona and the Grand Canyon, which can put a damper on your trip.

Summer in Arizona is going to be borderline unbearable, with temperatures regularly over 100 degrees, and huge crowds of people – particularly families with kids out of school – flocking to places like the Grand Canyon. You’ll need to book things well in advance if you visit during the summer, and be prepared for incredibly hot weather.

More Arizona + Utah Travel Guides

If you liked this guide, you’re going to love our other Arizona and Utah travel guides.

Phoenix : Plan a perfect weekend in Phoenix , and figure out where to stay in Phoenix.

The Grand Canyon : Planning a trip that includes the Grand Canyon? We’ve got you covered with a guide on exactly how to plan an amazing Grand Canyon itinerary and how to find the perfect place to stay .

Sedona : Plan the perfect weekend getaway to Sedona , and learn everything you need to know to go hiking in Sedona .

If you’re making your way into Utah , you’ll want to read our guides to:

• Zion ( 2 day itinerary and where to stay )
• Bryce Canyon (the best hikes and how to spend one day in Bryce Canyon )
• Moab ( a perfect itinerary , the best hikes in Arches , and the best places to stay and things to do )

Plus, our 10 day Utah National Parks road trip is a super detailed guide to exploring Utah, if you’ve got the time. Otherwise, save it for later.

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

One of my favorite road trips I have ever done is in Arizona. I have never forgotten the outstanding views and great hikes I did on my Arizona road trip. The canyons and colors in this state make it a perfect spot for an ultimate family vacation. It is filled with many fun outdoorsy sites, and you can easily spend a whole week here! After this trip, you will have some of the best pictures and memories. I know I did 🙂.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Download my free Outdoor Photography Guide

Best time to visit arizona.

• Spring/Fall:  This is the best time to visit Arizona. The weather is pretty nice, but that means more crowds!
• Summer:  It is sweltering to visit during this time of year. Plan your hikes around the early morning or late afternoon. Bring plenty of water.
• Winter:  This is when I usually go to Arizona. The weather is bearable, and there are not as many crowds. If you go during this time, make sure you have enough winter clothes and camping gear. It does get pretty chilly at night.

10 Day Road Trip Arizona Itinerary Summary

Day 1:  Arrive in Phoenix, Drive to Sedona Day 2:  Sedona Day 3:  Drive to Grand Canyon National Park Day 4:  Grand Canyon National Park Day 5:  Drive to Page Arizona Day 6 : Page Arizona Day 7:  Drive to Monument Valley Day 8:  Drive to Petrified Forest Day 9: Drive to Tucson Day 10: Drive To Phoenix, Fly Home

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Where To Start And End The Road Trip

Phoenix is a great city to start and end your road trip. The airport there is called Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and has many connecting flights. There will be a lot of driving, so renting a car at the airport is best for this itinerary.

>>>Rent A Car Here<<<

10 Day Road Trip Arizona Itinerary

Day 1: arrive in phoenix, sedona.

Drive From Phoenix: 1 h 50 min – 2 h 20 min, (120 miles)

Cathedral Rock

Try to get to Phoenix early in the morning to spend the afternoon in Sedona. Sedona is such a lovely town filled with fantastic hikes. The best thing to do after you arrive in Sedona is the Cathedral Rock trail. This is my favorite trail in the area, and it is pretty short. So even if you get to Sedona in the afternoon, this is a perfect trail for sunset.

Cathedral Rock Trail : Distance: 1.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 744 feet| Difficulty: Strenuous | Trail Guide:  Link  |

Where To Stay In Sedona

• Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe:  This hotel was my favorite. It felt like a home away from home. We got upgraded to a suite, and honestly, it was a dream. It had a full kitchen, fireplace, and living room. If you want more of a homey feel, this is the perfect spot.  >Book Here Now
• Courtyard by Marriott Sedona:  This hotel is excellent. It is a little farther away from town, but the place felt chic and clean. I even liked the bar! Right when you enter, you feel welcome and comfortable. Plus, there is a pool and firepit outside!  >Book Here Now
• Holiday Inn Express Sedona – Oak Creek:  We stayed here on our first night in Sedona, and it is a great place to stay if you are on a budget. There is free breakfast, and it is near one of my favorite trails, the Bell Rock Loop Trail.  >Book Here Now

Read More: The Best Places To Stay In Sedona

Day 2:   Sedona

Sunrise at devils bridge.

The Devils Bridge is the most popular trail in Sedona. It will be packed no matter what time you go. Sunrise is the best time to avoid the crowds, but it will still be pretty crowded.

Devils Bridge : Distance: 4.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 564 feet| Difficulty: Moderate | Trail Guide:  Link  

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

I love hanging out at the Tlaquepaque Shops after a morning hike. The Chai Spot was probably my favorite store in this area. The tea is excellent! Make sure to check out their patio. It is so wonderfully decorated.

Tlaquepaque Shops is also filled with artsy galleries and restaurants. I love spending time here on a beautiful sunny day.

Read More: Best Hikes In Sedona, Arizona

Courthouse Butte Loop

Courthouse Butte Loop is probably the safest hike on this list. It is great for solo hikers. You can still see the highway while hiking, so there is almost no chance of getting lost. Plus, you can make the trail short or long. You can hike the Courthouse Butte Loop or the Bell Rock Loop (the shorter route). Either way, this is such a stunning and fantastic trail.

Courthouse Butte Loop : Distance: 3.9 miles | Elevation Gain: 357 feet| Difficulty: Moderate | Trail Guide:  Link  | I loved the views throughout this hike |

Day 3: Grand Canyon National Park

Drive From Sedona: 2 hours 2 min, (113 miles)

Hermit Road Viewpoints

Hermit Road has some of my favorite viewpoints in the entire park. Powell Point was my favorite view on this road, and I loved stopping at Hermits Rest at the end of the road. The historical gift shop was so cute and had some great hot cider (I went in the wintertime). In the winter, you can drive yourself to all the Hermit Road viewpoints, but you must take the free shuttle bus in the summer.

If you get done early with this activity, check out the viewpoints on the East side of the park, on Desert View Drive.

Read More: 21 Of The Best Grand Canyon Views

Where To Stay In The Grand Canyon

• Yavapai Lodge  is located in the Grand Canyon Village. It is perfect if you want a hotel with great views and excellent location  >Book Accommodation Now
• Thunderbird Lounge  is located in Tusayan near the Bright Angel Trailhead. There are 55 modern rooms, and the restaurant on site is open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.   >Book Accommodation Now
• There are many options for camping.  Click here for more information on campgrounds

Read More: Where To Stay at the Grand Canyon | 22 Best Hotels, Cabins & Campgrounds

Day 4:  Grand Canyon National Park

Hike the south kaibab trail to ooh aah point.

The South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point is my favorite hike at the Grand Canyon. The views are incredible, and the trail is moderate at only 1.8 miles round trip and an elevation gain of 685 feet.

This trail and the Bright Angel Trail are the most popular hikes in the Grand Canyon, so they will be crowded. I have hiked both trails, and I feel like the South Kaibab has better views than Bright Angel. Since your time is limited in the Grand Canyon on this road trip, I would spend your energy on The South Kaibab Trail.

You can make the trail longer and hike to Cedar Ridge or Skeleton viewpoint.

Grand Canyon Village Viewpoints

Grand Canyon Village viewpoints are easy to explore, and I recommend checking them out during sunset. The three main viewpoints are Yavapai Point, Mather Point, and Yaki Point. Yavapai Point and Mather Point are located on the Rim Trail, and I would take your time and explore the Rim Trail. The views are phenomenal everywhere you walk. To get to Yaki Point, you have to take the free orange route shuttle bus.

Day 5: Page Arizona

Drive From Grand Canyon: 2 h 30 min, (131 miles)

Lower And Upper Antelope Canyon

When I did my road trip through Arizona I fell in love with this whimsical place! Page, AZ is so freaking beautiful. I loved the canyons, the colors, and the lake. It was all so stunning!

When I was researching Page, I realized that the number one thing I needed to do was explore Antelope Canyon. There are two Antelope Canyons. An Upper and a Lower. It can be confusing to pick because you have to pay a tour guide to take you to both canyons.

Read More: Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon, AZ | Which Is Better to Visit?

I recommend experiencing both canyons. They are just so beautiful and magical and are a fantastic experience. But if you are limited on time and money, I would pick Lower Antelope Canyon. There were fewer people when I went, the lighting was better, and I loved the formations more. You really can not go wrong with any of the canyons, though.

Like I said above, the only way to experience the canyons is to book a ticket. I have linked the tickets here.

Where To Stay In Page, Arizona

• Lake Powell Resort  is where we stayed. I liked how close the hotel was to Lake Powell. Being able to walk around and experience the views was a plus. But, the actual room we stayed at did need some updating.   >Check Prices and Availability Now
• Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell  is located inside the city of Page, Arizona.    >Check Prices and Availability Now
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson  is located inside the city of Page, Arizona.  >Check Prices and Availability Now

Day 6: Page Arizona

Horseshoe bend.

Hiking to Horseshoe Bend is a must on your trip! This is one of my favorite hikes in Arizona. The view is incredible. The best part is that it is a very easy hike, so you can easily hike it for sunset or sunrise (we did it during sunrise). The trail is only 1.5 miles round trip with a 137 ft elevation gain. The trail can get pretty crowded, but there is plenty of room for everyone to take a photo.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is one of the dreamiest man-made lakes I have ever seen. The best thing to do is to rent a boat or jet ski . You can rent a boat to explore the Rainbow Bridge National Monument – one of the largest known natural bridges in the world! For sunset, I recommend eating at the Rainbow Room because the views at the resort are out of this world.

Read More: Best Things To Do In Page, Arizona

Day 7: Monument Valley

Drive From Page, AZ: 2 hours, (121 miles)

Monument Valley Drive Loop

Monument Valley has been featured in so many western films and is a must-stop on many people’s AZ road trips. It’s such a nostalgic, stunning place to take pictures, and you only need one day to explore all the lovely buttes.

There is one attraction at Monument Valley that cannot be missed: the  Monument Valley Drive Loop . You can either self-drive or hire a guide. Self-driving is extremely easy, but hire a guide if you want to hear the history.

Read More: Best Things To Do In Monument Valley

Other Things To Do At Monument Valley

You can’t do much at Monument Valley without taking a tour, which is understandable because this is Navajo Land. If you want to take other tours, click here . Otherwise, below are some of the activities that are not tours.

• Wildcat Trail: Distance: 3.9 miles | Elevation Gain: 380 feet| Difficulty: Moderate | Trail Guide:  Link  | The only self guided trail in Monument Valley |
• Highway 163 Monument Valley (Forrest Gump Point): World famous location to take pictures of the highway and valley. The GPS coordinates are 37.101393, -109.990973.
• Check Out The View Hotel: Even if you are not staying at the hotel, I think you should still check it out. The views are phenominal, the local Navajo food is delicious, and I loved the gift shop.

Where To Stay In Monument Valley

• The View Hotel:  We stayed at this hotel. The hotel is owned by a local Navajo Tribe Woman named Armanda. The hotel is the only Monument Valley accommodation within the park. If you want the full Monument Valley experience, I highly recommend this hotel. This hotel is the best place to stay in Monument Valley  >Check Prices and Availability Now
• The Goulding Lodge:  is another excellent option for Monument Valley lodging. This hotel has splendid views and hikes nearby.  >Check Prices and Availability Now

Day 8: Petrified Forest

Drive From Monument Valley: 3 hours, (186 miles)

Petrified Forest Road

You only need to spend a few hours at Petrified Forest National Park. There are a few viewpoints and some easy hikes, so this is probably the most leisurely stop on your Arizona Trip. It is an easy itinerary because you will be driving to each viewpoint, stepping out, taking pictures, then getting back in your car to get to the following view.

There is a road that goes through the park called “Petrified Forest Road.” I recommend starting at the visitors center, getting a map, and then making your way down the road at each stop. I will say that the visitors center was the most impressive one I have seen and I loved that you could buy petrified wood. So here are the noteworthy stops:

• Kachina Point
• Puerco Pueblo
• Newspaper Rock
• Agate Bridge
• Jasper Forest Overlook
• Crystal Forest
• Agate House

Read More: Best Things To Do In Petrified Forest

Please Note: It is illegal to take any Petrified Wood in the park. Leave it for other visitors to enjoy in the future.

Where To Stay Near Petrified Forest

• Best Western Arizonian Inn: This is probably the best hotel near the national park. It comes with a pool, bar, and restaurant!  >Click Here To Check Prices
• Petrified Forest National Park Camping:  There are no campgrounds, but you can get a backcountry permit at the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum for free. >Click Here For More Information

Day 9: Tucson

Drive From Petrified Forest National Park: 4 hours, (263 miles)

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is one of the first national parks I visited in the USA. I was so amazed at the landscape as well as the beautiful cacti. The national park is made up of two sections: the eastern side and the western side. To get to each side of the park, you need to drive one hour through the city of Tucson. This is why I think it is best to choose one side to explore, so you are not driving too much on this day(you have been driving all over the state of Arizona for the past few days).

The western side called the Tucson Mountain District has more cacti and more crowds. The Eastern side, called the Rincon Mountain District, has fewer cacti, but it has astounding mountain views.

Some of the best trails in the park include:

• Signal Hill
• Loma Verde Trail
• Desert Ecology Trail
• King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak

Of course, you do not need to hike challenging trails to enjoy this park. We walked around and enjoyed the lovely saguaros in the park. Many people love to take photos of them during sunset and get the perfect silhouette, as shown above.

Read More: Best Hikes In Saguaro National Park

Where To Stay In Tucson

• Graduate Tucson : Love the decoration here! It feels so hip, colorful, and chick.   >Click Here To Check Prices
• Hotel McCoy – Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine :  An fantasic place to stay if you are into art, food and drinking. Such a fun and visually stunning hotel. >Click Here For More Information

Day 10: Drive To Phoenix, Fly Home

Drive From Tucson: 1 hour 35 min, (109 miles)

It’s time to get home 🙁 Arizona is such a fun state with so much to do! If you want to explore Phoenix, you can check out Old Town Scottsdale, which is my favorite area in the city.

Other Arizona Road Trips If You Have More Time

Havasu Falls is arguably one of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever see. In contrast to the orange canyons, the sparkling blue waters really make this an extraordinary place. But getting here is pretty tricky.

You have to apply for a permit in February, and they are challenging to obtain.  You can read about how I got the permit here.  If you can get a permit, then I would center your itinerary around Havasu because this permit is complicated to get.

I also want to point out that you pretty much have to backpack to Havasu Falls (10 miles one way). Backpacking can be difficult for someone that has never done it before. But if you are up to it, do it! It is a good, beginner backpacking trip. You can read more about my backpacking equipment here .

So since it is difficult to obtain a permit and a hard backpacking trip to plan (if you have never backpacked before), then this is an optional stop. But if you do get a permit, I would plan my trip around this hike. The minimum night stays are three nights, and it is worth it!

Learn more about Havasupai in our post: The Ultimate Guide To Havasu Falls

The Wave  is a beautiful place to explore near Page, Arizona. This is another area that requires a permit, and it is challenging to obtain.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle  is a well-preserved ancient dwelling in north-central Arizona that is a 20 room, 5-story structure built by the Sinagua Indians around the 14th century. This is a great pit stop when you are on your way to Sedona.

Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu is located on the border of California and Arizona and is known for the desert trails and water sports. A famous bridge was also relocated from England and linked the mainland to the marinas.

Arizona Itinerary 7 Days

I know that not everyone has time to spend 10 days in Arizona, so I have a 7 day Arizona road trip itinerary below. Petrified Forest National Park is my least favorite out of the areas I list below. If you want to spend more time in Sedona Or Page, you can remove Petrified Forest and replace it.

Arizona Itinerary 4 Days

Arizona itinerary 3 days, arizona road trip tours.

Below are some of the most popular tours on this road trip.

What To Pack Road Trips In Arizona

• Sunscreen:  Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!   >Buy Sunscreen
• Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned in this hot sun! >Check Out This Chapstick
• Hiking Boots/Shoes:  If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before).  >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
• Hiking socks:  Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there.  >Buy Hiking Socks
• Water Reservoir:  Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste.  >Here Is My Water Reservoir
• Water:  Stay nice and hydrated.
• Sunglasses:  It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses.  >Check Out These Sunglasses
• Snacks:  The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars.  Clif Bars are great for hiking
• Camera:  The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.    >Buy Sony Camera Here
• First Aid Kit:  This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable.  >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
• Day Pack to carry all your things:  To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market.  >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
• Headlamp:  A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight.  >Buy A Headlamp Now
• Leggings or Hiking Pants:  I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with!  >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
• Breathable sweat-wicking shirts : Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable.  >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
• Mid Base Layer:  If you are hiking in the winter, this might be a great idea.  >Check Out My Sweater Here
• Sports Bra:  For women.
• Jacket:  I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.   >Buy My Favorite Jacket
• Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
• Tripod:  This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures.  >Check out this tripod
• Knife:  I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case.  >Check Out My Knife Here
• National Park Pass: There are many national parks, and national forests on this road trip so it is best to buy a national park pass. >Buy One Here
• Water Cube: You will be driving a lot so, storing water in the car is smart. >Buy Water Cube Here

Final Thoughts On Arizona Sightseeing Road Trips

Thanks for reading about the best road trip to Arizona! I hope this helps you plan the perfect vacation. Make sure to check out some of my outdoor posts below:

• Utah National Parks Road Trip
• How To Plan A USA National Park Road Trip
• How To Find Free Camping Near Me
• The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist

Get my free National Park Checklist

When you join the newsletter, pin for later: road trip in az.

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One comment.

This is such an epic road trip itinerary! I’ve had all these destinations on my bucket list for a while, especially Havasupai Falls. I will definitely be adding these other stops to my road trip when I’m able to get a permit to Havasupai (hopefully next year!).

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Amazing 7 Day Arizona Itinerary

Arizona is a diverse state with incredible landscapes and vibrant towns. From cities like Phoneix and Flagstaff to the natural beautify of the Grand Canyon and Page, there’s something for everyone here. This itinerary for a 7-day road trip through Arizona will take you to incredible places, including the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and so much more.

For spring break , I was able to take another epic road trip out West here in the US. The entire trip has to be one of the most amazingly epic, adventurous, and beautiful trips I’ve ever taken – it’s right up there with Peru and Zambia as most adventurous for sure. Honestly, I cannot believe I waited to see the Grand Canyon until I was 28 years old!

Arizona is so beautiful and I’m so glad we were able to take this road trip. It had been on my USA bucket list for so long. This one-week road trip in Arizona was something I worked hard to create a perfect itinerary for and I’m excited to share it with you!

Table of Contents

Costs (per person* 3 people on this trip):.

• Flight from DC to Vegas : $250
• Car Rental: $83.00 ( we used Turo for this one)
• Hotels: $445
• Tours/Rentals/Permits: $535 (Havasu Falls alone is $300)

Total Cost: $1,613 (without Havasu Falls $1218)

Budget Notes:

• My goal for this trip was to keep my spending to under $1000 per person before the trip and spending to a minimum. Without Havasu Falls, I was under $700 before the trip ( including flights ). You can definitely do this trip for under $1000 a person. Hotels and food can be really cheap!
• We ended up spending way more than I had hoped to on Havasu Falls just because permits are really hard to get. I do not recommend trying to do Havasu Falls if you’re on a budget. Even if you do not have to use a tour group and go on your own, the permit is $300 for weekdays and $375 for weekends. You can read more about Havasu Falls in my post for all the information you might need.
• We ate out at nice places every day and spent an average of $15 a meal. You can definitely do it for much cheaper than this! However, I had a bit more to spend after getting a bonus at work! (Yes, I am a teacher and get bonuses!)
• There are lot of ways to make a road trip cheaper. For tips, you can read this list of 47 money saving tips for your road trip

Essentials to Pack

The way I recommend doing this is to choose anchor spots to stay and plan a few activities in each that you know you don’t want to miss. Have ideas of other things to do, but don’t over-pack your itinerary so you still have space to discover things!

• Foldable Backpack :  Carry essentials like maps, snacks, water, and a  first aid kit  in a day pack you can easily grab in your car. You don’t want to have to unpack your whole bag looking for something.
• Reusable Water Bottle  : Good for the environment and means you stay hydrated at all times! Most places in the US will have an easy place to fill up your water bottle on a trip.
• Portable Charger with Fast Charging Technology :  Even if you think you don’t need it because your car has a plug, I still recommend bringing an additional charger. You want to make sure you have the ability to navigate and get help if needed.
• Sunglasses : While you might think that drinking into the sunset sounds romantic, it’s not easy on your eyes. Get some good sunglasses!
• Collapsible Cooler : Keep drinks, snacks, and leftovers cold with a collapsible cooler for easy storage and setup when needed. It fits easily in a suitcase!

Subscribe  to access my editable  road trip packing checklist !  Discover  what to pack for an international trip  here too.

Day 1 Las Vegas or Phoenix to Grand Canyon

$50 for Grand Canyon West,  2 1/2 hour drive

+ 3 1/2 hours to Flagstaff

This was our longest driving day. My original plan for this trip was to fly into Phoenix and drive from there. I’ve heard such great things about it and I do look forward to exploring Phoenix and Mesa someday! If you decide to drive from Phoenix, consider extending this trip into a second week into a two-week West Coast trip going from Phoneix through California.

However, flights were not on my side for this one. They were over $500 for our dates. That’s more than I paid for Europe this summer and I was not about to do that. Instead, we booked a trip to Las Vegas for half the price and drove from there. The distance is the same either way. The distance that is different is the drive from the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff. That is pretty far, but is actually the closest city to the next destination – Havasu Falls.

From Vegas, you get an added bonus – Hoover Dam is on the way to the Western Rim! Each rim of the Grand Canyon has its own unique views.

Grand Canyon West Rim

There are two different viewpoints on the Western Rim. Both were very beautiful, but I personally liked the second stop better because it gave you a beautiful view of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, which is not something you typically see in photos, so it was unique and beautiful to see.

Pro-tip: If you drive from Phoenix or have an extra day, you can visit the South Rim Grand Canyon National Park which is $40 a car instead of $50 a person. This can be a money saver!

Day 2 – 3 Havasu Falls or Grand Canyon South Rim Hiking

$300 for week day permits, and $375 for weekend permits

3 hour drive from Flagstaff

So here is the thing about Havasu Falls…. The rules have changed since I visited. Now, you HAVE to stay for at least three nights if you are going to hike here. They have made it more difficult in hopes to cut down on the impact tourism is having there. When I went, we could go through a tour group as well. They have also stopped allowing this.

The rules are always changing for Havasu Falls, but it’s best to check their official Havasupai Reservation website in order to book. Also, you will have to plan 4 days of a trip for it instead.

If you can’t get tickets, you can hike around Grand Canyon National Park on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and still get some amazing views. Here are a few:

WARNING: There are no easy trails into or out of the Grand Canyon!

• South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point.
• Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa.
• Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point.
• The Hermit Trail offers hikes to Santa Maria Spring.
• Grandview Trail offers hikes to Coconino Saddle.

If you decide to extend a few days… Here is an overview of Havasu Falls.

The closest major city to the start of this hike is Flagstaff. We looked in all the small towns in between for places to stay, but by the time we had things figured out (about a month before the trip), everything in between that we could find was booked early.

We stayed in Flagstaff at the Green Tree Inn , and it was just what we needed. We stayed for just $75 a night. It was definitely not a fancy place to stay, but it did give us a good breakfast and a comfy bed to sleep in. It has been recently remodeled and is under new management so you can expect better service than what is listed in old reviews.

We had to get up at 6:00 am and drive to get to the Havasupai Trailhead by 9 am. It’s about a 3 hour drive from Flagstaff to Havasupai and the trail itself is kind of difficult to find. If you want anymore information on how to find the trail, get permits, and prepare, make sure you check out my post about hiking Havasu Falls . I’ve got all the details listed there!

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls was incredibly beautiful, not very budget friendly, and a very difficult hike. Lots of planning and equipment needs to be prepared in order to have a good time on this hike since you have to stay overnight and cannot day hike.

We loved seeing the falls and chose to do this instead of hiking around other parts of the Grand Canyon. You definitely need at least two days to see everything and more than that would be even better! The more time you have, the more you’ll be able to explore. You can read all my tips for hiking Havasu Falls here.

We saw four waterfalls while hiking – Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, Little Navajo, and 50 footer. All four were impressive and different. The most difficult and also the tallest is Mooney. All were easy to see and a short hike from the camping area.

We finished our Havasu Falls hike around 4 pm and drove back to Flagstaff where we arrived around dinner time. We got Olive Garden (because bread sticks!) and went to bed early.

Day 4 Flagstaff

2 1/2 – 3  hour drive from Havasupai or 1 hour from Grand Canyon Southern Rim

We treated this day as a recovery day after such an intense overnight hike. We decided to check out the city and see what was going on there. Flagstaff does have lots of great hiking  and so if you are still up for it after such a long hike, go for it! We wanted a day to relax. So instead, we checked out downtown Flagstaff.

We stayed again at the Green Tree Inn in another room that was just what we needed for our two day stay.

Downtown Flagstaff is a fun little town. There are lots of shops and places to eat great food. We had great coffee at Fire Creek Coffee Company, ate lunch at Tourist Home All Day Cafe, saw some fun murals near the train tracks, and shopped our way through the cute streets. My favorite meal was a delicious dinner we had at Pizzicleta with homemade burrata, delicious wine, and of course pizza.

There are some amazing Native American ruins easy to reach from Flagstaff. If you have an extra day, this is the perfect extension to your trip.

Day 5 Sedona

45 minute drive from Flagstaff

Sedona was probably my favorite city we stopped in. It is such a unique and beautiful city with tons to do. We did two different hikes and did some more really unique shopping while there. This is another spot you could spend a lot more time in.

Some of the hikes in Sedona are free, but others require a Red Rock Pass, which you can purchase once you get to a hiking location. A car pass costs $5.

My favorite hike was Devil’s Bridge (no pass needed) because there was a really awesome and actually pretty wide natural bridge that you could cross. The hike up was fairly strenuous and lots of people were hiking along the way. The views all along the hike were beautiful.

I highly recommend extending your road trip to stay in Sedona for the night (or two). I recently went back for a full weekend trip to Sedona , and there’s plenty to do here that is worth staying for!

We also hiked Cathedral Rock and saw an awesome but different view of the city and surrounding area. We had a great time on both of these hikes, and I would recommend them to anyone! Eat Mexican food while here and enjoy some shopping at Tlaquepaque  while there, too.

From Sedona, we drove up to Page, Arizona, in the evening. We stopped along the highway for some cheap eats and made it to our hotel around 8 pm.

Day 6 -7 Page

3 hours from Sedona 

Page, Arizona, has so much to see and do! There’s a lot of off-the-beaten-path stuff that is a must for any Arizona road trip itinerary.

We stayed at the Best Western View of Lake Powell. It really did have a beautiful view of the lake from the pool! The rooms were extremely large and very nice. I would highly recommend this hotel if you are staying in Page!

The breakfast was really great and included more than your typical continental breakfast. We got an awesome deal on this hotel using Booking.com and paid just $100 a night when it was listed on other sites for over $250. The location was also perfect. It was within 20 minutes of everything you would want to do in Page. We stayed there through the rest of our trip.

Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell

On our first day here we went to Antelope Canyon and kayaked at Lake Powell. You can actually see part of Antelope Canyon if you kayak far enough into the canyon. We used Paddle Board Lake Powell , which was fine, but know you’ve got to carry your own kayak down to the lake yourself.

However, we were so tired by the time we got here that we decided just to kayak part of the way into the canyon. We did have time, though, to kayak the entire thing if we weren’t too tired!

For our Antelope Canyon Tour , we visited the lower section of the canyon so we could see the light beams. We were lucky to see them, but the canyon itself was so full of tourists, and we used Navajo Tours to book our tour with no issues. One thing to note is that you must pay there and your entire party needs to be present in order to check in. The website online said that you need to be there 30 minutes early to check in. We found this unnecessary, but it was also not high tourist season.

Pricing – $40 for Antelope Canyon Tour , $30 for kayak rental +$25 to enter Lake Powell per car

Coyote Buttes South

On our second day in Page, we drove to Coyote Buttes South —Vermillion Cliffs (also known as the other section of the Wave) and hiked an incredibly unique and beautiful spot. This hike is a little more off the beaten path but worth every minute!

The permit process for this section was not too difficult, and we had a lot of fun there. It took us 1 1/2 hours to get there. Page is the closest town to this area. When we arrived back in Page where, we saw Horseshoe Bend, which was a little underwhelming after all we had seen but worth the .25-mile hike nonetheless!

Pricing  – $7 per permit for Coyote Buttes South

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a quick and easy stop in Page. It is literally right on the edge of town, and there are tons of people there at all times. Pictures of this spot are a little deceiving because they make it seem like you’re the only one there—you won’t be, sadly. It was really crowded when we went, but if you go early, you may get lucky!

A new trail winds .6 miles from the north end of the parking lot to a fenced overlook added in 2018. For a barrier-free view of the blue-green waters below, venture to either side of the overlook. There, you can appreciate the iconic scenery, set up a tripod to capture the sunset, or pose for a picture with your travel companions. Be careful as winds can be strong here!

Although the National Park Service doesn’t charge an admission fee to Horseshoe Bend, the parking lot is located on property owned by Page. The city charges $10 per vehicle or RV and $5 per motorcycle to park in the lot.

4 hours back to Vegas

The last day was mostly a travel day for us. After a lot of hiking and traveling, you need a day to recover! We drove back to Las Vegas, got our nails done, and arrived at the airport in time to relax with a meal before taking our flight back. We chose to drive back through Utah, where if we had more time, we could have visited Zion National Park or other parts of the Mighty 5, but we decided to save that for another trip! Honestly, visiting the Mighty 5 parks in Utah are another trip all by themselves. A road trip to Utah and Arizona can happen on the same trip, though.

I mentioned this before, but you really don’t need this last day to complete the trip. We arrived back in Page by 4 pm on day 7 of our trip. With a 4-hour drive, you could make it back in no time. You could also visit Horseshoe Bend in the morning, hike at Paria Canyon, and drive back from there. Paria Canyon is between Page and Vegas.

Note: If you only have a week, you do have time to make the drive back on day 7 after doing activities.

Overall, this is a jam-packed trip, but it does allow for some chances to relax and see incredible places in Arizona! This week long road trip to Arizona will not disappoint you.

Related posts

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1 Week Road Trip in the USA: Epic Ideas for Your Trip

Grand Canyon Itinerary: One Day at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

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The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

By Author Emily Junda

Posted on Last updated: January 9, 2024

Categories Arizona , Road Trips , Travel Guides

Arizona took us by surprise. We knew Arizona had cool destinations but we were always turned off by the heat. But now with us living in a van, it was time for an Arizona road trip.

We decided to spend a good portion of our winter in this warm state. Like many, there was a time when we thought the entire state was just one big flat desert. 

But Arizona is much more than just desert. It’s home to endless mountains, world-renowned canyons, lakes, rivers, and many unique cities and towns.

This Arizona road trip will likely take longer than a week because there are beautiful destinations in nearly every corner of the state. So, depending on your time frame, maybe pick your favorite spots listed below and save some of the other destinations for another time! 

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy .

Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Phoenix, az.

• Camelback Mountain
• Explore Downtown
• Celebrate @ one of the many breweries downtown
• Camp: Old Air Strip BLM

Lake Havasu City

• Rent a boat or kayak
• Mudshark Brewery
• Camp: Standard Wash

The Grand Canyon 

• Havasupai (Plan in advance) if you score permits, then plan this trip around those dates
• South Rim of The Grand Canyon
• Camp: Kaibab National Forest
• Lake Powell
• Horseshoe Bend
• Antelope Canyon
• The Wave 
• Camp: Lone Rock Beach

Flagstaff, AZ

• Firecreek Coffee
• Camp: Forest Road 353
• West Fork 
• Devil’s Bridge
• Fay Canyon 
• Soldiers Pass
• Birthing Cave
• Camp: Forest Road 525

Whiteriver, AZ

• Cibecue Falls

San Simeon, AZ

• Chiricahua National Monument
• Camp: Coronado National Forest 
• Bathtub Coffee Shop
• Hike Chihuahua Hill
• Camp: The Shrine
• Tanque Verde Falls Hike
• Saguaro National Park
• Camp: Coronado National Forest/Reddington Pass

Honorable Mention

• Slide Rock State Park
• Aravaipa Canyon 
• Monument Valley
• Petrified National Park
• Superstition Mountains 
• Jug Trail #61

You will need  PERMITS  and  RESERVATIONS  for some of these activities/accommodations.  So be sure that you plan ahead so that you don’t miss out.

We recommend lots of slot canyon hikes, which can become dangerous if there’s flash flooding. If there’s precipitation anywhere nearby in the forecast, then slot canyons should be avoided. It’s best to check with visitor centers or local ranger stations for the best information about trail safety conditions.

This road trip is very much designed around camping, and lots of primitive camping too (e.i. no facilities, bathrooms, water, electricity, etc).  This is how we prefer to travel because it saves hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.  And you really get to enjoy the natural beauty of Arizona. We will provide a campsite we personally stayed at or another valid option. But if you prefer to find your own campsites or the ones we provide are full, check out our article: 3 Great Websites For Free Camping

Or if tent camping isn’t your style, a great option is to rent an RV, van or overland vehicle . Our favorite website to find RVs, vans, or overland vehicles for rent is outdoorsy.com .

But if you’re more comfortable in hotel rooms or vacation rentals, please feel free to modify the trip. We suggest using Kayak or VRBO to find the best deals on hotel rooms or rental cars. 

First Stop is Phoenix, AZ. If you are flying in for this Arizona road trip, then Phoenix will most likely be your best option. We always compare prices on flights via Kayak, Hopper , or the Capital One Travel portal. Things to do there are:

Explore Downtown Phoenix:

One fun thing to do in Phoenix is explore downtown. Celebrate with a beer to kickstart a great road trip at one of the many breweries in Phoenix! One of our favorite breweries is San Tan Brewing. And if you love hazy IPA’s, Juicy Jack Hazy IPA is Emily’s favorite beer! 🙂

Camelback Mountain:

A fun hike in Phoenix is Camelback Mountain. There are two different trails you can choose from: Echo Canyon Trail (2.4mi & 1423ft elevation change) or Cholla Trail (2.6mi & 1161ft elevation change). Both hikes are similar in length, elevation gain and view. Also, both are very popular, so plan to get to the trailhead early if you want to secure a spot. 

Next up on this Arizona road trip, is Lake Havasu City which is a unique lake town in western Arizona. Some fun this to do in Lake Havasu City are:

Rent A Boat:

We highly suggest either renting a boat or if you are on a budget, renting some kayaks to venture out on the water! Because the best part about Lake Havasu City is definitely the lake. It’s known for it’s spring break, but the lake gets super congested with fellow boaters. 

We highly suggest trying to visit during the off-season. During off-season you 

A. get a better price on a boat rental &

B. avoid the crowds and dangerous scenes of multiple boats on the water where heavy drinking is involved.

But if you must visit during the “busy season” which is March through August, be extra cautious out on the lake. It’s best to visit in late winter, when you might be able to catch a few days in the 70s/80s or after everyone is back in school around September or October. 

The winter is very mild in Lake Havasu City, so if you don’t mind bundling up on the boat ride (like we did) then that’s the perfect time to visit. You might also get lucky with some days in the upper 60s with sunshine!

Sara Crack Trail:

If you are looking for a beautiful hike to do in the area, we suggest Sara Crack Trail . The hike is 3.4 mi with a 308ft elevation change. It’s an easy hike where you hike between a slot canyon. Do bring lots of water because a large portion of this hike is unshaded. (Bring extra water if you hike during the hot summer months)

Mudshark Brewery:

Another must, if you like beer, is visiting the Mudshark Brewery. Jake and I spilt a flight and every single beer we had, was great! Plus their craft beer is powered by the sun with solar! 

Camping Near Lake Havasu City:

We camped right off Hwy 95 on BLM land at Standard Wash . This place is pretty busy all year round since the weather is very mild in winter. I can’t say it was our favorite place, but it gave us a place to rest our heads. You will basically be camping right near others unless you go deeper down the road which can be rough if you don’t have a high clearance vehicle. 

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is obviously a must if you are doing an Arizona road trip. It’s literally what the state is most known for, and the views obviously don’t disappoint. Some must-do things in the Grand Canyon are:

Havasupai Falls

First off, if you are planning this trip before February 1st, then set your calendar to apply for Havasupai Falls. Permits go extremely quickly and sell out in less than an hour. In our opinion, it is one of the most majestic places Arizona has to offer, if not in the whole world. Therefore, you are gonna want to apply for permits if you can and plan your trip around your permit dates for that trip! 

Havasupai is one of the Grand Canyon’s prized possessions! For more details on Havasupai check out our article: How To Plan A Havasupai Trip

South Rim Of The Grand Canyon

Following that, you are still going to want to visit The Grand Canyon’s main entrance either before or after your trip to Havasu Falls. You can either dive deep and do strenuous hikes down to the canyon floor or get a great view from above at many of the Grand Canyon pull-offs. 

Jake and I visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and can highly recommend it because the views are simply awe-inspiring. Most people choose to visit the South Rim because it’s closer to civilization.  But the North Rim has equally spectacular views.  You probably won’t do both, because it takes over 4 hours to drive from one side to the other!

Most hikes in Grand Canyon National Park are “all or nothing”.  Either it’s a grueling decent and climb into the canyon, or it’s a mild walk along the Rim Trail.  Though you can always start one of the harder trails into the canyon, and just turn around when you feel comfortable.

Camping Near The Grand Canyon:

We actually did The Grand Canyon in one day because it was a stop before our Havasupai trip. Therefore, simply with doing research, if we were to camp we probably would of stayed in Kaibab National Forest which is located 15 min outside The Grand Canyon south entrance. I would assume these campsites get busy from early Spring until late Fall, so plan accordingly!

Get excited for this stop on this Arizona road trip because there are some epic things to do in this town. 

For all the best stops in Page, AZ, be sure to check out our post: Top 5 Things To Do In Page, AZ

Lake Powell:

This is obviously the main attraction to Page, AZ. This is where the Glen Canyon Dam is located at the bottom tip of Lake Powell. If your budget allows, we highly suggest renting a boat or jetski because it’s the best way to explore this enormous and unique lake. 

If you are on a budget then we highly suggest renting a kayak from Antelope Marina. You won’t be able to explore quite as much as a powerboat, but it will at least allow you to get out on the lake and check out one of the side canyons. Because trust us, you will regret not getting out on this beautiful lake and at least exploring it a little bit! 

Glen Canyon Dam:

This 700 foot hydroelectric dam was completed in 1966. You will drive right over the dam to get to Lone Rock Beach Campground, our favorite camping spot. There are pull-offs you can stop on either side of the dam so you can get a closer look from the bridge.

Horseshoe Bend:

Horseshoe Bend is one of the most popular destinations in Page. The hike is a short 1.5mi with 242ft elevation change. The trail is wide, but it will most likely be congested with many other tourists. But the view at the end will all be worth it!  And it’s such a huge canyon that you will need a wide angle lens to capture the whole thing in one photo!

For more details on this hike, check out our post: Horseshoe Bend: Everything You Need To Know

Antelope Canyon:

Another awesome place to visit while in Page, AZ is either upper or lower Antelope Canyon. There are no self-guided tours for either locations, so be sure to book a reservation well in advance. 

If you need help choosing between the two check out our article: Choosing Between Upper And Lower Antelope Canyon .

If you are in no rush on this road trip, then about an hour drive from Page is The Wave. This is one of the most picturesque spots in Arizona. The rock has formed into beautiful stripes of color that look like something from a Dr. Seuss book.

If you are planning this trip in advance, then you should apply for permits in the online lottery. But if you are coming across this road trip right before taking off, then there is still a chance you can get a walk-in permit in Kanab, Utah.

For more details on The Wave Hike check out our article: Hiking The Wave .  

Camp Near Page:

Tonight you will be camping on the beach under the stars at Lone Rock Beach. This is one of our favorite spots in Page, AZ because what more can you ask for? There’s normally a line of RVs and other campers at the water’s edge.  But you can camp anywhere on the beach, so for a little more privacy, feel free to tuck yourself up into the dunes.

If you are looking for more fun things to do north of Page, AZ check out our article: The Ultimate Southern Utah Road Trip .

Flagstaff is the highest city in Arizona. This means it actually experiences a “real” winter unlike much of the state of Arizona which thrives on mild weather. 

Firecreek Coffee Company:

One must-stop in Flagstaff is Firecreek Coffee. Emily might be biased because she worked with the company at their Sedona location for a couple of months, but the customers also rave about the coffee! They use all organic milk and their coffee is all micro-roasted in their Flagstaff location. So they keep it real fresh! 

If you are looking for a delicious breakfast sandwich in the area, try their Copland Sandwich. The sandwich is made to order on a freshly baked croissant or local bagel and comes with hand-crafted tomato jam and chimichurri. It’s pretty high on the list of best breakfast sandwiches we’ve ever eaten! 

They also have many fresh pastries with an assortment of gluten-free and vegan options. Also if you like your coffee a little sweeter, then try one of their hand-crafted syrups such as vegan caramel, vanilla or salted cardamon. 

Mother Road Brewery:

One must-stop place along this Arizona road trip is Mother Road Brewery. If you love IPAs, look into their tower IPA. Jake and I really found a liking to this and heard great things about this brewery. 

Sedona is probably our favorite town in Arizona. We decided to settle down here for a bit in the winter while traveling in our van to save up money. But, there really is too many amazing things to do here, that you could easily spend more than a week without even scratching the surface.

Some of our favorite hikes are West Fork , Fay Canyon, Soldiers Pass , and Birthing Cave. 

Check out our posts: 

25 Fun Things To Do In Sedona, AZ for all the tops adventures in the area &  15 Best Breathtaking Hikes In Sedona, AZ to find the best hikes for you!

Cibecue Falls:

We unfortunately didn’t have time for this hike on our Arizona road trip, but we’ve got it on our bucket-list because it looks EPIC. It is a hike to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall, where you must cross through the creek a handful of times. 

A permit is required for this hike. You can either pick one up at the pay station in the parking lot or at the Sinclair Gas Station (Carrizo C-Store). The permit cost is $30 per person. 

Because we don’t have personal experience from this hike, this is based on our research from fellow hikers. The trail is dog-friendly, but many people advise that it isn’t the best option for dogs. Also, the road out to the trailhead is a bit sketchy, as it is narrow with a sheer cliff to one side. So if you do decide to do this hike, be extra cautious! 

There is also no swimming allowed. It has been said that many people do it anyway, but please be respectful and refrain from swimming. Also, please follow Leave No Trace principles. 

 We think you will enjoy this hike if you love adventure!

Chiricahua National Monument is a hidden gem of Arizona.  It kind of flies under the radar, maybe because it’s tucked way down in the southeast corner of the state.  But we think its was just such a uniquely beautiful landscape.  

Chiricahua National Monument took us by surprise. We had never heard of this beautiful destination, until visiting the state.

We did Echo Canyon/Sarah Deming Canyon Loop which is 8 mi with 1745ft elevation change. The hike truly went through different viewpoints along this hike, each being stunning in their own way.

You start on top of this canyon with stunning views, and quickly find yourself winding through the tall rock formations, and then descend into the lush valley.  And then make your way back up the other side to find more stunning rock formations.

Our favorite part of the hike is “The Grottoes”, so if you’re looking for a shorter hike you can do Ed Riggs, Hailstone, and Echo Canyon Loop. But it was truly amazing walking under huge boulders, almost feeling like you were in a maze.

Continuing along the trail passing by hoodoos and views of the beautiful valley in the distance. We highly suggest visiting this place as even just the drive through the park is stunning.

Camping Near Chiricahua National Monument:

We camped in Coronado National Forest . There are a handful of dispersed campsites along the road. Some of the campsites are along the creek and are surrounded by wilderness. It is about a 15+min drive to the entrance of Chiricahua National Monument.

Bisbee is located on the border of Arizona and Mexico and is by far one of the funkiest towns we have ever come across. It’s an interesting hybrid of an artsy mountain town and rough around the edges old western mining town. It’s somehow cute and gritty at the same time.

We stopped at a coffee shop called the Bathtub, which quite literally had a bathtub you could sit in to enjoy your coffee (clothed & without water of course). We also noticed many of the locals had their own unique style. Some fun things we enjoyed in this down were:

Explore Downtown Bisbee:

Bisbee has an assortment of cool shops downtown. We highly suggest popping in some of the unique and artsy shops. One of our favorite stores was Bisbee Oil & Vinegar.

They had such a huge selection of great olive oils for dressings, recipes, or simply dipping whatever you desire. And if you know us at all, then you know we obviously checked out Old Bisbee Brewing Company.  It’s a modest little brewery with a good local vibe, tasty beers, and free popcorn!

Chihuahua Hill:

A cool hike in the area is Chihuahua Hill which is only 1.6mi with 570ft elevation change. You get a sweet panoramic view of the town, old mine and valley views for miles. You can even see to Mexico! 

Camp Near Bisbee:

We visited Bisbee when we were living in our campervan, so we just slept in a  parking lot  in town.  We stayed here for two nights with no issues and fellow van lifers in the parking lot as well. But if you are traveling in a tent, I would try a spot called The Shrine which is 10 minutes north of Bisbee. 

We aren’t big city people but, Tucson is a pretty neat area. If you are looking for some great authentic mexican food, Tucson is your place! 

Street Tacos and Beer Company:

I’m sure there are a ton of great taco places in Tucson, but this is the place Jake and I decided to go because who doesn’t love tacos and beer?! Also, the prices didn’t disappoint, 3 tacos with free chips and salsa were under $10 which usually has us sold.

But we did splurge for their tasty margaritas!  We liked it so much, that we decided to go a second time, haha.

Tanque Verde Falls Hike:

This hike was a bit more challenging than we thought. Be prepared to get wet and climb up some slippery rocks on this hike. It is 1.8mi with 436ft elevation change. It’s a great spot to cool off in the hotter months. The hike down to the river is beautiful as you are passing through tall saguaro cacti. 

Saguaro National Park:

We found Saguaro National Park to be underwhelming, personally. Just because at this point of the trip, we had already seen many different cacti. Before visiting Arizona, we assumed that Saguaro NP was the only place to see Saguaros.  But in reality, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE in the southern half of the state.  But there are still some nice trails in the park, so if you like checking National Parks off your bucket-list then definitely check it out.  

Camping Near Tucson:

We camped at Cornado National Forest/ Reddington Pass which has a handful of beautiful campsites that look down over the valley. Not to mention you are surrounded by tall saguaros. This camping area is very close to Tanque Verde Falls, so if you plan to do that hike you will have very easy access to the trailhead! You are also fairly close to the east entrance of Saguaro National Park.

Honorable Mention For An Arizona Road Trip

Honorable mention is for all the places that didn’t quite make the list for ultimate places in Arizona. Yet, they are all very cool things to do in Arizona. So if you are looking for more fun things to do in the state of Arizona, check these out!

Slide Rock State Park:

Slide Rock State Park is located between Flagstaff and Sedona. It didn’t quite make the list because we personally think there are cooler things to do in the area. But it is definitely still a neat spot to stop (especially with young kids).

 If you go during the hotter months then it’s a great spot to cool off, as many people quite literally slide down the rocks. So if you’re exhausted from hiking, it would be a good rest day to swim and sunbathe along the river.

Aravaipa Canyon:

Aravaipa Canyon is a unique hike that provides a true wilderness adventure. There are two trailheads to explore this canyon: East and West. We will primarily be talking about the west entrance because that is the route we took, and it’s a lot easier to get to.

This hike is definitely not for all ability levels. It is a 9.6mi+ hike with 649ft elevation change. And there isn’t a maintained trail, so it requires lots of hiking in the river, and navigating un-tamed wilderness. A permit is required for this hike which you can get HERE . The permits are $5/person and a $6 non-refundable fee per transaction.

Backpacking is allowed in the canyon. And honestly, we would encourage it, because then you can explore further into the canyon. There are black bears in the area, so plan for that. With only a day hike, we felt like there was much more that we missed out on.  Until next time…

Monument Valley:

The only reason Monument Valley didn’t make the list is because it would add 2 hours roundtrip to the road trip. But if you are in no hurry, then it is definitely worth the stop. It is another very classic and picturesque stop in Arizona. You can also venture in Monument Valley Tribal Park. The cost is $20 per vehicle. There is a beautiful 17mile scenic loop throughout the park. 

The wave was listed above, but isn’t quite designed into the road trip because it will be a 2 hour round trip detour. So unless you secure permits, it might be a waste of time driving all the way. Because only 20 people are allowed on the hike per day. And walk-in permits are not guaranteed and are based upon luck. So you might have to try for multiple days in a row before you get lucky. 

But again if you are in no rush, then The Wave really is a must-see destination in Arizona. For more details check out our article: Hiking The Wave

Petrified Forest National Park:

If you are into history and prehistoric geology, then you most definitely should add Petrified Forest National Park to your Arizona road trip. It really is a unique sight to see because the wood is 225 million years old. It’s crazy to think the area was once a thriving rainforest and now it is a dry desert. The trees now exist as rock fossils that will challenge your understanding of geology.

Fossil Springs Trail:

The first time we were passing through Sedona, this hike was on our list, but we were hit with a big snowstorm around the same time, so we decided to skip it. But later we decided to settle down in Sedona for a couple of months and therefore added it back to the list.

It is a super cool hike, but definitely suggested to visit between late fall to early spring because the hike is exposed. They have to rescue about 250 people per year. 

We hiked this in February when the temperatures along the trail were in the 60’s and the temperature down by the falls with the sun beating down felt like upper 70’s.

We were in our swimsuits enjoying the water in February, so we can only imagine it getting extremely hot during the summer months. So be prepared with a lot of extra water, maybe even more to help out a fellow hiker who might of not have taken the preliminary precautions of the hot summer sun in Arizona! 

We thoroughly enjoyed this hike, but it will add an hour extra to the road trip and take you a different way to the Cibecue Falls. The hike is 8.3mi with 1505ft elevation change. It is rated as hard, but we found the climb up is gradual, so it is doable for your average hiker!

 Superstition Mountains:

The Superstition Mountains are a cool mountain range to the west of Phoenix. We didn’t get to explore around these mountains, but we wish we did. If you have time, we suggest exploring around the area.

One cool hike to check out in the area is  Wave Cave , which is 3mi with an 846ft elevation change. 

Jug Trail #61:

This is yet another hike we didn’t get to do but wish we had time to. But, you need rappelling gear to do this hike. Therefore, making this a challenging hike for your average hiker. The hike 5.6 mi with a 906ft elevation change. If you have climbing experience, this would be a great hike to add to your Arizona road trip.

Jerome is a little ghost town about 40 minutes southwest from Sedona. The main part of Jerome is actually pretty busy all year round and has many great restaurants, clothing shops and galleries.

If you are looking for some good barbecue be sure to stop at Bobby D’s. It is located in the historic English Kitchen Building which is the oldest dining facility in the state of Arizona. You won’t miss the smell as your walking downtown and the meats smoking outside on the grill. 

But, the real “Ghost Town” of Jerome is another mile up Jerome-Perkinsville Rd which is called Gold King Mine & Ghost Town . It’s a funky town with old buildings, cars and tools. The cost is $7 to go into the historic ghost town and venture through some rich history. 

Takeaway For This Arizona Road Trip

We were surprised by Arizona’s beauty throughout the entire state. As you can see, it’s so much more than just desert and cacti.

Arizona has many unique and funky cities/towns that make the state a must-visit. From beautiful desert lands, mountain tops, and stunning blue waterfalls, there is sure to be something everyone can love about this thriving state.

And the warm weather makes Arizona a great destination for northerners trying to escape the cold. We hope you enjoy this Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. 

Save This ‘Arizona Road Trip’ For Later

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[…] This is a guide to all the most scenic and stunning places that are within the beautiful state of Arizona. From Page where you will visit Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horshoe Bend and venturing the many beautiful hikes within Sedona  to visiting the funky town of Bisbee that borders Mexico. You are sure to find some of the true gems of Arizona on this perfect Arizona Road Trip Itinerary.  […]

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Everything You Need to See, Do, and Eat on an Arizona Road Trip

Drive from Tucson to Page, stopping at the Grand Canyon and other iconic landmarks along the way.

Macy Sirmans is a New York-based freelance storyteller and marketing director for Condé Nast. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure , Food & Wine , and Departures magazines, where her social-first strategy has gained her traction with a travel-centric audience.

There's more to the Grand Canyon State than its namesake. Arizona is brimming with surprisingly luxurious hotels and spas, underrated and unique cities and towns, and southwestern dining guaranteed to take your taste buds for a ride. So grab your camera, hiking boots , and sense of adventure, then hit the back roads of the Wild West for an unforgettable journey.

Here, we take you from Tucson up through the bucket-list destinations of Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park before landing in Page, home to the otherworldly Antelope Canyon. Spend five days minimum exploring this slice of the Southwest to properly soak in all the sights.

Day 1: Start in Tucson

Enveloped by the vast Sonoran Desert, Tucson is a vibrant and colorful Southwestern city with a thriving culinary scene. Stay at Hotel Congress , a landmark property that harbors a concert venue, club, and bistro. It's brimming with vintage charm, but also has a cool rock-and-roll vibe. Plan to party like it's 1919 before crashing in a renovated room that boasts touches of yesteryear such as iron beds and transistor radios instead of televisions.

At nearby Saguaro National Park , witness the towering saguaro cactus — crowned king of the Sonoran Desert — in its native environment. Then, hike to the pinnacle of Mount Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson.

Grab lunch at Tucson Tamale for an authentic taste of the region. Try the traditional red chili beef tamale or the blue corn and veggie vegan tamale. Then, schedule a tour and tasting at Whiskey Del Bac before dinner with a panoramic desert sunset view and live music at The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol , a historic ranch resort and high-end dinner destination.

Day 2: Drive From Tucson to Scottsdale

Just under two hours from Tucson and a 20-minute drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale is a balmy retreat stationed on the edge of the Valley of the Sun. Here, you'll find high-end shopping, world-renowned spas, and a variety of hiking adventures .

Route 79 is the most scenic way to travel between the two destinations. It passes by Casa Grande Ruins , one of the biggest prehistoric structures on the continent. It's free to visit, and the docents are experts in the storied history of the Sonoran Desert. Additional outdoor attractions in Scottsdale include the Desert Botanical Garden and Camelback Mountain . See an abundance of cacti, succulents, and colorful wildflowers at the gardens before a four-hour climb to the top of the mountain for 360-degree views of Scottsdale and neighboring Phoenix.

Stay at Bespoke Inn , a 10-room, boutique gem tucked in a secluded corner of downtown Scottsdale. Unique fixtures (like clawfoot or soaking tubs), elevated amenities (there's a saltwater infinity pool), and al fresco dining at the property's award-winning restaurant, Virtu Honest Craft , shape a personalized experience that lives up to the hotel's name.

Other noteworthy restaurants include Roaring Fork , a downtown hot spot with Old West vibes. At happy hour, the restaurant's signature burgers are 13 bucks each. After dinner, grab a few drinks at Handlebar J , where you can also enjoy live country music, nightly two-stepping, and a robust beer selection on tap.

Day 3: Drive From Scottsdale to Sedona

Two hours up the road from Scottsdale is Sedona , a destination for spa enthusiasts, art connoisseurs, and outdoor adventurers alike. This mystical retreat is flanked by red-rock buttes, steep canyons, and pine forests, shaping an otherworldly environment that's equal parts Wild West and understated luxury.

Get there via Highway 179, also known as the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Break for dessert along the way at Rock Springs Cafe . This landmark, famous for its award-winning pies, was established in 1918. Its close proximity to the highway makes it convenient for road-trippers. Indulge in a seasonal treat, like the strawberry rhubarb crumb pie, or try out the best-selling Jack Daniel's pecan pie.

Hang your hat at The Wilde Resort and Spa . A short walk from shops and galleries in Uptown Sedona, this sophisticated haven boasts modern and spacious suites that overlook Thunder Mountain. Follow a hike through the surrounding red rocks with a spa treatment or Jacuzzi soak at the spa.

After a restful night, kick off another day of hiking by digging into a towering stack of pancakes at Casa Sedona Inn , the perfect carb-load before traversing the red-rock buttes on foot. Sit in the outdoor courtyard for top-notch ambience.

Devil's Bridge is one of the most photographed natural wonders in Arizona, so lace up your boots for a 90-minute trek from Dry Creek Vista. Prepare for a rigorous uphill climb to your destination, but know the view is well worth the effort.

Don't leave before stocking up on Sedona's famous healing crystals at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village . Then end your day with fish tacos, loaded nachos, and a strawberry margarita at the nearby Oaxaca Restaurant , where you can sample the grilled Arizona cactus appetizer and other vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes on the menu.

Day 4: Drive From Sedona to the Grand Canyon

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

A beautiful two-hour drive from Sedona, the magic of the Grand Canyon awaits. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is the cherry on top of an Arizona road trip experience. Take 89A out of Sedona. Break at Midgley Bridge on the outskirts of Sedona for a quick hike down Oak Creek Canyon . Then, stop in Flagstaff to refuel at Macy's European Coffee House , where bespoke coffee concoctions and healthy breakfast fare are served all day. Flagstaff is also home to Arizona's tallest mountain, Humphreys Peak, as well as a variety of Native American heritage sites, so stick around and scout it out for a few hours.

At the Grand Canyon, check into the El Tovar Hotel , a historic property that opened its doors in 1905 and has entertained celebrities and presidents for the past 100-plus years. Mere steps from the edge of the "big ditch," El Tovar is both elegant and rustic with breathtaking views from every window. The resort's Dining Room is as close to the canyon as you can get, and the authentic cuisine is almost as memorable as the views from the window-side tables.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon, right outside El Tovar's doors, is accessible year-round. Look forward to hikes of varying lengths that cater to explorers of every skill level. Plan a hike at sunrise and bring along a breakfast picnic.

Day 5: Drive From the Grand Canyon to Page

Page, a water sports lover's paradise, is another three-hour drive north. Continue along 89A toward Nevada and reserve several hours for a tour of Antelope Canyon . Weave through the winding walls of this sandstone formation with a camera in hand; the wave-like structures and light that breaks through the canyon's slots are straight out of a photographer's fantasy. The Wave is another iconic hike, but requires securing a permit in advance.

In Page, check into the Lake Powell Resort . This serene and peaceful property nestled in the heart of the desert boasts old-fashioned allure and modern comforts. Warm up in the morning at the all-day coffee bar and look forward to nights by the resort's fire pit.

Nearby, BirdHouse serves up some of the best comfort food in Arizona (think: mac and cheese, waffles, mashed potatoes, and crinkle-cut fries). But fried chicken is the star of the show at this roadside establishment. Pair it with a homemade sauce, like honey butter or buttermilk ranch, and an ice-cold beer — BirdHouse has a stout selection from local breweries.

The magic of Horseshoe Bend is a mere stone's throw south of Page. One of the most iconic venues in Arizona, this unusually shaped bend in the Colorado River is best enjoyed from an overlook that towers 4,000-plus feet above sea level. The easy hike from the parking lot to the overlook is less than a mile.

The drive from Page back to Tucson is six hours, but if you want to continue your voyage westward, Las Vegas — via Kanab, home of a famous hike known as The Wave — is four and a half hours. From Las Vegas, you can hop onto Nevada's 365-mile Death Drive , one of the region's most memorable road trips.

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Come with me on my travels, as you plan yours

An Epic One Week Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip

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The Grand Canyon is the second most visited national park in the USA! As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, you need to take a visit to this impressive canyon in Arizona at least once in your life. 

In addition to the Grand Canyon, Arizona has some other awesome cities, forests, national park service sites, restaurants, and attractions. Phoenix, Arizona is the perfect gateway to explore all that central Arizona has to offer. Follow my one week Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip to discover where to go, what to do, where to eat, and where to stay on your way to and from the Grand Canyon. 

A lot of hiking is included in this one week Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip, but you definitely don’t need to be a hiker to follow the itinerary. It is based on my own trip, but includes additional recommendations that I researched, but didn’t have time to include. With the additional ideas you can easily swap out places in each destination or extend this trip if you have more time. 

One Week Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip 

Day 1: Phoenix to Prescott

After arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), rent a car from an airport rental car company or from Turo . Avoid renting from Krystyn on Turo. I love Turo, but had a very bad experience with this owner who runs a business with her husband. When using Turo choose a driver with only one car to ensure you are renting from a local host!

From the airport, drive about one hour and 40 minutes to Prescott. Prescott (pronounced press-kitt) is the former territorial capitol of Arizona. The old frontier town is full of history and there are many places to hike and kayak around the town. 

What to Do in Prescott

Sharlot Hall Museum

It was hard to choose which Prescott museum to visit, but I chose this historic open-air museum to learn more about the history of Prescott. Start your visit in the permanent galleries where you will explore the early history of the Prescott area and about Sharlot Hall, the founder of the museum. 

Then head outside to the historic buildings. The Sharlot Hall Building includes more exhibits on the history and early days of Prescott. Other buildings were built on site, moved from other locations, or are replicas of originals located in Arizona Territory. 

Museum of Indigenous People

Formerly the Smoki Museum, this museum focuses on the culture, history, and art of Native Americans from the area. 

Phippen Museum

Phippen Museum is home to a large collection of western art. 

Prescott Heritage Trail

Pick up a free map from the visitor center and follow the Prescott Heritage Trail. The self-guided walk takes about an hour and will bring you to different historical spots around the city with information plaques.

Courthouse Plaza & Whiskey Row

Whether you follow the Heritage Trail or not, you will want to take a walk around Courthouse Plaza and along Whiskey Row. It’s the heart of the town and home to many historic saloons from the wild west days. Early evening after the museums close and before dinner is the best time to walk around downtown. 

In between the saloons you’ll also find tourist gift shops, boutique shops, and art galleries. Stop into the Treat Center on Whiskey Row for some free popcorn samples! 

Behind Whiskey Row on Whiskey Row Alley you’ll find a couple of Prescott murals for good photo ops! 

Hiking and Kayaking

Prescott National Forest surrounds the town and provides ample opportunities for hiking. Thumb Butte and the Constellation Loop are popular choices. 

Watson Lake, Goldwater Lake, and Lynx Lake offer hiking as well as beautiful spots for water activities including kayaking. 

Prescott Frontier Days

If you time your visit right you’ll be lucky enough to attend the World’s Oldest Rodeo. I didn’t visit over the 4th of July weekend so I didn’t have the first hand experience, but I did learn about it at a temporary exhibit at Sharlot Hall. I can’t think of a better western experience to have! 

Where to Eat in Prescott

That Apple Pan 

This charming red and white apple themed restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch. You need to order something apple when at an apple centric restaurant. The apple-filled crepes are quite sweet, but the apple pancakes are perfect. The portion is quite large too. 

The County Seat

The County Seat is another favorite local spot for breakfast and lunch. 

Bistro St Michael 

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, Bistro St. Michael serves American fare. 

Palace Restaurant 

I take Yelp reviews pretty seriously so I was a little skeptical about the 3.5 star rating. As the Palace Restaurant and Saloon is from the 1870s it is the most historic saloon still running in Arizona. My curiosity won out and I was quite happy it did. 

We had excellent service and I loved the historic atmosphere and servers in classic saloon outfits. The fiesta fish tacos were tasty as well.  

El Gato Azul

With outdoor seating and live music some nights, this cute tapas place is a top choice in Prescott. 

Limoncello Pizzeria

I considered this casual pizza and pasta spot, but knew that I would be having Italian later in my Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip. 

Where to Stay in Prescott

We stayed at the Hampton Inn . About a 10 minute drive to downtown Prescott it was handy, but cheaper than staying downtown. The hotel has been renovated and offers clean and quiet accommodations with a free breakfast and an indoor pool. It was my favorite hotel breakfast of the trip! My only complaint was that the clanky AC was rather loud. 

Other top rated places to stay in Prescott include: 

• Hassayampa Inn : A historic Inn right downtown. 
• Prescott Resort & Conference Center : Offers mountain view rooms. 
• Sheldon Street Lodge : Budget friendly accommodations only a couple blocks from Courthouse Plaza. 

Day 2: Prescott to Grand Canyon South Rim 

Prescott to williams.

The drive from Prescott to the south entrance of the Grand Canyon takes about 2 hours and 20 mins. Williams is conveniently located halfway in between. Williams is an original route 66 town and a perfect place for a pit stop. Drive right through the town on Route 66 and you’ll run into the murals and gift shops. 

If you want to cut back on driving, take the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the park. Not only will you be able to enjoy the scenery without focusing on the road, but you also don’t have to worry about parking at the Grand Canyon. At peak times there can be long lines to enter the park and a wait for a parking spot. Plus the retro train ride will keep you entertained with western cowboys and performers.

Visiting the Grand Canyon South Rim

Entrance Fee

Purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80. This pass gives you unlimited access to all the national parks as well as all the other national lands including national monuments, national forests, and national historic sites. 

If you are following this Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip and planning to visit the national monuments mentioned later in the itinerary, it will definitely be worth it to buy the pass.

If not, 7 day passes for private vehicles are $35. They are valid for everyone in the vehicle. 

Shuttle Buses

The Grand Canyon has multiple free shuttles. Use the shuttles as transportation within the park and to visit all the scenic viewpoints with less walking. Check the current shuttle times on each route as they vary. Some very comical and informative drivers made taking the shuttles quite enjoyable! 

Blue Route : Year-round route that connects the visitor center at the entrance with Grand Canyon Village. 

Orange Route : Year-round route for access to Yaki Point, South Kaibab Trailhead , and Yavapai Point Geology Museum from the visitor center. 

Red Route : Seasonal route from March 1st to November 30th that runs from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Rest. This road is only accessible by shuttle bus when the shuttle is in service. 

Purple Route : Seasonal route from Memorial Day to Labor Day with stops in the town of Tusayan to the visitor center at the entrance. 

Hikers Express Shuttle : Year-round shuttle that goes from Grand Canyon Village to the South Kaibab Trailhead . It only has early morning departures between 4am – 9am depending on the time of the year. 

Rim Trail (from East to West) 

Your first day at the Grand Canyon is the perfect time to get the lay of the land. The best way to do that is by walking the rim trail which runs from the South Kaibab Trail to Hermit’s Rest. The majority of the 13 mile trail is paved. 

Mather Point to the Yavapai Geology Museum is very crowded with a lot of people taking photos. Between Yavapai Geology Museum and Grand Canyon Village is the Trail of Time which has informational panels on the geological history of the Grand Canyon. There are quite a few people here, but not quite as many as before the museum. The crowds pick up again in Grand Canyon Village.

The last ~6 miles past Grand Canyon Village are on the red shuttle bus route. You can take the shuttle bus and get off at as many viewpoints as you would like. If you’re able to walk, I encourage you to walk as much as possible, because it seems like a hassle getting on and off the bus and then waiting for the next bus at every viewpoint. It’s also the least busiest part of the rim trail with dirt trails the last few miles. If I had to choose, I would pick Pima Point as my favorite viewpoint. 

We parked at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and walked from Mather Point to Monument Creek Vista. As our legs were tiring and sunset was approaching we took the shuttle bus for the final two stops and all the way back to Grand Canyon Village. 

Museums, Visitor Centers & Gift Shops (from east to west) 

As you walk along the rim trail make stops at the various museums, visitor centers, and gift shops. 

The South Rim Visitor Center at the entrance is not open daily year-round. Indoors is mostly the ranger station for people to ask questions, the national parks passport book stamping station, and a theater for the 20 minute movie. 

Yavapai Geology Museum has geology exhibits and a small gift shop. It can be reached by walking on the rim trail or by taking the orange shuttle. 

Grand Canyon Village is home to many gift shops, museums, and park accommodations. Verkamp’s visitor center has a gift shop and exhibits on the Verkamp’s family and the early days of the park. These exhibits focused more on the people aspect of the park’s history which I really enjoyed! 

The Hopi House sells Native American products made by locals. The Lookout Studio is a gift shop with an outdoor lookout, surprise surprise, in the back! Kolb Studio also has a gift shop, but my favorite part was the small exhibit downstairs about the Kolb brothers’ adventurous photography business. 

Where to Eat Near the Grand Canyon

There are many places to eat or pick up food within the park. National Parks are known for their beauty and awesome hiking trails, but unfortunately not for their food. Typically national park food is quite pricey and underwhelming. 

We brought food for the day while hiking. My day pack hiking list includes my go to hiking foods. For dinner we ate in Tusayan. 

Foodie’s Club

After a late night in the park watching the sunset we decided to try Foodie’s Club as it was one of the only restaurants open. The counter service spot serves burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salads. My fierce hunger could have affected this, but I thought my wrap was really good. 

We Cook Pizza & Pasta

Bet you can’t guess what this restaurant serves? It’s also a counter service spot with custom pizzas, build your own pizzas, pasta dishes, and sandwiches. 

Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon

Like food, accommodations are always more expensive in national parks. I found Maswik Lodge to be one of the cheaper park accommodations. It is handy to stay in the park and not worry about driving or parking. If you wish to stay in the park make sure to book at least several months in advance for the best availability. Park accommodations are marked on the map above and you can find a full list here . 

Staying in Tusayan is a good alternative. Accommodations are much cheaper and it is a very short drive to the entrance. During busy periods you may have to wait an hour or two to get into the park though. There’s a webcam where you can check the traffic at the entrance. At the end of May (before Memorial Day weekend) the wait was very short. 

Holiday Inn Express in Tusayan provides nice accommodations with free parking and free breakfast. There’s also a pool and a hot tub to soak your legs after a long day of hiking. 

Other top rated places to stay near the Grand Canyon include: 

• Best Western Premier : Another good chain hotel in Tusayan with an indoor pool and hot tub. Rates are available with or without breakfast included. 
• Grand Canyon Inn & Motel : This basic motel is located in Valle. It has some of the cheapest rates near the park. It’s closer than Williams, but is still a bit of a drive to and from the park. There is hardly anything in the town for meals. Make sure you consider this if leaving the park after dark or wanting to arrive before sunrise. 
• There are many chain hotels in Williams , but it is usually over an hour one way to the park. 

Day 3: Grand Canyon South Rim 

If you are up for a challenge, hike into the canyon today. There are 4 trails on the south rim that go into the canyon: Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Hermit Trail, and Grandview Trail. The first two are the most popular. 

Bright Angel is the most well known and the “easiest” as the elevation change is more gradual. They are all really challenging hikes and are not recommended to hike all the way to the bottom of the canyon and back up in one day. You can turn around at any point, but remember the way up on any of the trails is much harder! Check water availability at the trailheads before heading out and bring enough for your hike. 

South Kaibab Trail

My full guide to the South Kaibab Trail will prepare you for this strenuous, but exhilarating day hike into the canyon. 

For more things to do, places to eat, and accommodation choices around the south rim of the Grand Canyon see day two above. 

Day 4: Grand Canyon to Flagstaff 

This Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip takes you to so many distinct parts of Arizona. Flagstaff is the perfect example of that. From the Grand Canyon it will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Flagstaff. 

Home to Arizona’s tallest mountain, Flagstaff sits at a higher elevation and is surrounded by forests. 

What to Do Around Flagstaff

Did you know that Arizona and California both have 18 national monuments, more than any other state? With only one day in Flagstaff we chose to visit the national monuments around the city. They are all included on the America the Beautiful Annual pass . 

Walnut Canyon National Monument

This fascinating national monument includes a visitor center with exhibits and a film describing the history of Walnut Canyon. After watching the film and learning about these ancient cliff homes that Native Americans lived in hundreds of years ago you can see them for yourself by walking on the Island Trail. The one mile trail takes you into the canyon and up close to these amazing natural homes. Informational panels explain more about the people who lived here and their way of life. 

The rim trail is an easier .7 mile trail that overlooks the cliff dwellings below. Do both of the trails to get different perspectives. It’s a beautiful site to walk around in and explore. 

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

At Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument stop at the visitor center first to read the exhibits, watch the film, and receive recommendations from the rangers. 

Several trailheads will take you to the base of the volcano and through the lava fields. One starts at the visitor center, but most are a short drive from separate trailheads. 

It’s a really cool spot that connects well with Walnut Canyon National Monument as many people fled the area and established themselves in Walnut Canyon before the eruption hundreds of years ago. 

Wupatki National Monument 

Drive on the loop road for about 20 minutes farther to reach Wupatki National Monument. The full circle back to 89 where you turned off for Sunset Crater takes about 45 minutes to drive (not including the time spent at both national monuments). 

Wupatki National Monument was home to another community hundreds of years ago. Various trails take you to the different prehistoric pueblos.

What to Do in Flagstaff

With an extra day in Flagstaff or instead of visiting the national monuments nearby you can do some of the following activities in Flagstaff. 

Historic Downtown Flagstaff

Take a walk through historic downtown Flagstaff. Stop at the visitor center, browse the shops, and admire street art on the public art walking tour . 

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

This duplex home was built in 1904 for two brothers and their wives who were successful in the logging business in Flagstaff. Take a self-guided walk around the grounds or a guided tour inside of the mansion to learn more about the family and their role in Flagstaff’s history. 

Other Museums

Flagstaff is full of museums. Head to the Pioneer Museum – Arizona Historical Society, to learn more of Flagstaff’s history. The Fort Tuthill Military Museum focuses on the history of Arizona through different infantry regiments. The Museum of Northern Arizona is a natural history museum with a large focus on indigenous people from Arizona. 

Lowell Observatory

Tour one of the oldest observatories in the country. Learn about the astronomer who discovered Pluto and the research that has been done since on a separate Pluto tour.

Arizona Snowbowl

If visiting in the winter go skiing at the Arizona Snowbowl. In the summer take a scenic gondola ride. I can only imagine this would be beautiful.

Arizona is the perfect state if you love to hike. Within the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff has abundant hiking opportunities. Avid hikers enjoy the San Francisco Peaks and climbing Humprey’s Peak. 

Where to Eat in Flagstaff

Over Easy is an Arizona chain that is known for breakfast. The Phoenix location was featured on Diners, Dives, and Drive Ins. The fresh squeezed orange juice was delicious and the huge, hearty portion of chicken and waffles filled me up for a day of hiking. 

Tourist Home Flagstaff Cafe

This is another highly rated choice for breakfast. 

Swaddee Thai Cuisine 

I’m a big fan of Asian cuisine and was looking forward to having more Asian restaurants as an option in Flagstaff. The restaurant lived up to my expectations and I enjoyed both the veggie rolls and the Pad Won Seen. The restaurant was quite busy and food took awhile to come out. 

Asia Station

We were also considering eating at this Asian restaurant with great reviews. 

MartAnne’s Burrito Palace

This colorful restaurant is known for the best Mexican food in Flagstaff. 

Satchmo’s is the place to go for BBQ in town. 

Where to Stay in Flagstaff

We stayed at the Courtyard , about 10 minutes from downtown. The modern hotel had very nice rooms. There is a gym and an indoor pool. Breakfast vouchers are given if you have platinum status or above. If you don’t or don’t want to use them, Over Easy is a short drive away. 

• Residence Inn : Located downtown, the hotel is very handy if you don’t have a car or if you want to walk around downtown. 
• Highland Country Inn : A budget motel with basic accommodations near downtown. 
• Comfort Inn : Located a 10 minute drive from downtown, this chain motel has breakfast included as well as an outdoor pool.

Day 5: Flagstaff to Sedona

Only about 45 minutes south of Flagstaff is Sedona, another city you need to include on your Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip. Despite the short distance, Sedona’s scenery is vastly different from Flagstaff’s. Red rock formations will slowly take the place of all the ponderosa pines. 

Sedona is known as a spiritual wellness destination with vortex sites believed to generate energy and spiritual connections. 

What to Do in Sedona

Cathedral Rock Hike 

Hiking is one of the top things to do in Sedona. Cathedral Rock is an excellent hike to see the red rock scenery of Sedona and also hike to one of the most powerful vortex sites. 

The 1.2 mile out and back hike is fairly short, but involves steep sections and some rock scrambling to reach the top. I thought it was a lot of fun and the views at the top were worth the effort! 

There are restrooms at the trailhead. Parking is closed when the Sedona Shuttle is in operation. The free shuttle (route #15) picks up at the SR 179 Park & Ride. The shuttle schedule varies throughout the year. 

Little Horse Hike

The same shuttle (#15) that goes to Cathedral Rock also goes to Little Horse. Our original plan was to hike Cathedral Rock and then take the shuttle to Little Horse. We thought it would save time to go to another hike on the same shuttle bus then return to the park and ride and find an alternative hike. 

Once we finished Cathedral Rock instead of going all the way back to the trailhead we walked on Templeton Trail. The trail connected with other trails that would lead us to the Little Horse trail eventually……or so we thought! It does look connected, but we must have missed the trail junction as we ended up taking Easy Breezy Trail back to the Cathedral Rock trailhead. 

The fairly flat Templeton and Easy Breezy trail sections we hiked had hardly any other hikers. There isn’t a lot of shade. During summer afternoons the hike is very hot! 

More Sedona Hikes 

There are way too many Sedona hikes to list. The following are some of the other hikes I researched and wanted to include if time allowed. 

Bell Rock Pathway & Courthouse Butte are popular hikes and vortex sites. Airport Mesa is also a vortex site. It isn’t known for a particular rock formation, but it provides an awesome vantage point to several other famous viewpoints. 

Shuttle #14 will take you to Soldier Pass. The hike will lead you to the Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass cave. 

Devil’s Bridge can be reached by the Mescal trailhead. Shuttle #11 provides transportation to this trailhead. Devil’s Bridge itself is a cool photo spot if you don’t mind the steep drop-off! 

A yoga vortex hiking day is a really cool way to combine hiking and yoga, the best of what Sedona offers. It even includes a chocolate walking mediation!

Sedona Jeep Tour

Another way to experience the red rocks of Sedona is on an off-road jeep tour .

Arizona State Parks

Slide Rock State Park is on the way to Sedona from Flagstaff. Red Rock State Park is southwest of the city. Both parks have numerous trails and other outdoor activities. 

Sedona Heritage Museum

The museum covers the history of Sedona with three historic buildings. The museum offers a close look at the early settlers of Sedona and what their lives were like. 

Tlaquepaque Art & Crafts Village

The village with restaurants, art galleries, and shops is a good pace to get a taste of the best of Sedona. It’s a lovely area to wander around in. 

Where to Eat in Sedona

Saltrock kitchen.

You definitely want a meal with a view when in Sedona. SaltRock is perfect for views outside in the courtyard. The southwest restaurant isn’t quite fine dining, but it is upscale. 

Only valet parking is available directly in front of the restaurant, but you can easily park a few minutes away in the lot for free. The tiger shrimp tamale was recommended, but I enjoyed the flavors in the salmon. 

Everyone recommends Mariposa for fine dining. The Latin America restaurant often books well in advance. 

Hideaway House

With three outdoor patios Hideaway House also provides great views, but in a much more casual atmosphere. 

Wildflower 

Wildflower is a healthy, counter service Arizona chain. It reminds me of Panera Bread, but with a southwest flare. It has outdoor seating around a fountain and an outdoor patio with some views. 

The Sedona location is within a nice outdoor mall with shops. Plaques throughout the space tell little snippets of Sedona’s history. 

Where to Stay in Sedona

We actually stayed in Cottonwood, about a 30 minute drive away. The cheaper accommodations made the extra drive worth it. Plus we stayed at the Best Western where we were upgraded to a cute, little king suite casita! 

Check for more accommodations in Cottonwood . 

Top rated places to stay in Sedona:

• Sedona Pines Resort : Cottage accommodations with full kitchens on the western side of Sedona.  
• Element Sedona : Upscale accommodations with breakfast and an outdoor pool in the Village of Oak Creek (south Sedona). 
• Matterhorn Inn : With a prime location in Sedona’s uptown district, the inn is walking distance to many restaurants and shops. 

Day 6: Sedona to Phoenix

The drive back to Phoenix is about two hours. Once in Phoenix you can return your rental car. It will be easier to get around Phoenix with a car, but I had no problems using the public transportation to reach all of the places I included below. Make sure to plan your transit times ahead of time as service isn’t that frequent. 

On the Way Back to Phoenix: Montezuma Well & Montezuma Castle National Monument

Break up the drive and make a stop at another national monument on your way back to Phoenix. 

Coming from Sedona you’ll want to stop at Montezuma Well first. Part of Montezuma Castle National Monument, the separate site has trails where you can see and learn about the prehistoric people who lived here. 

Further south at Montezuma Castle National Monument, outdoor paths lead you to the preserved apartment in a limestone cliff. The visitor center with exhibits explains more about the history of the site. 

Things to Do in Phoenix

You can easily spend a week in Phoenix, which I did on a separate visit. My guides on things to do in Phoenix and things to do in Scottsdale will keep you busy regardless of how much time you have in Arizona’s capital city and metro area! 

Where to Eat in Phoenix, Scottsdale, & Tempe

There are so many places to eat in the Phoenix metro area. A quick summary of my favorites include:

Welcome Diner (Phoenix) 

There is a really nice outdoor seating where you can sit wherever you want and then come up to the window to order. They will bring you your food. This was the perfect set up for me as it was a good mix of service, but you could sit and really enjoy your food without a waiter checking up on you. 

I had the andouille scramble with cajun spiced country potatoes and a made from scratch fresh baked biscuit. It was very good and a hearty meal. 

Diego Pops (Scottsdale)

Diego Pops was good, but it seemed more about the environment than the food. The tacos are kind of pricey, but if you are looking for atmosphere it is a good choice.

Perfect Pear Bistro (Tempe)

This Tempe bistro serves sandwiches, tacos, salads, and pastas. I loved the outdoor courtyard! 

Cornish Pasty Co (multiple locations)

The restaurant is a southwest chain, with the majority of locations in Arizona. I walked by the restaurant after eating lunch another day. My first thoughts were my mom would like this and maybe I should add it to my list. As my mom wasn’t traveling with me and I’m usually not a huge fan of pasties, I forgot about it. A few nights later a Lyft driver recommended it to me. Then on my last full day in Phoenix when I was going to go to another place I found out from a tour guide that it usually has really long lines. I asked for another recommendation and she said the Cornish Pasty Co.

It took two solid recommendations from locals, but I was so happy I tried the restaurant. Maybe I haven’t had good pasties in the past, but my pork and apple was amazing!

Where to Stay in Phoenix

If you are spending more than a day in Phoenix, stay downtown. The SpringHill Suites is handy to all the activities downtown and provides easy access to public transportation to take you elsewhere in the city. Although they keep the airport shuttle a secret, there is a free shuttle going to and from the airport. Breakfast is also included. 

Aloft Phoenix Airport is another good choice, especially if you have a shorter time in Phoenix as it is only a couple minutes from the airport. The shuttle arrives on demand at the airport and leaves the hotel at set times. A rail station across the street will take you to downtown Phoenix or to Tempe. 

With platinum status or above you can receive free breakfast vouchers. The outdoor pool is perfect for a hot day! 

More top rated places to stay in Phoenix:

• Hampton Inn Phoenix Downtown : A conveniently located hotel with breakfast included.  
• Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport : An airport hotel with an outdoor pool. 
• Hyatt Place Scottsdale : A hotel located in Old Town Scottsdale with breakfast and an outdoor pool.

Day 7: Phoenix

See day 6 for more things to do and places to eat in the Phoenix metro area. 

Other Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip Stops

If you are able to extend your Arizona road-trip longer you can spend more time in any of the destinations above or add on any of the following places. 

I mentioned Cottonwood earlier in the Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip while suggesting places to stay in Sedona. As well as being a cheaper base for exploring Sedona, Cottonwood has a few things to do itself. 

The Blazin M’ Ranch is a frontier themed dinner and show venue with a full country meal and music show. There are also activities around the property including ax throwing and mechanical bull riding. 

Dead Horse Ranch State Park has an interesting name and even more interesting hikes. 

I was really sad there wasn’t time for this former copper mining town in my Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip. The town can be visited after Prescott on the way to the Grand Canyon or after Sedona before heading back to Phoenix. 

The Jerome Historical Society will fill you in on the history of the town. Tour the Douglas Mansion at the Jerome State Historic Park to learn about an influential mining family. Explore the Pueblo Ruins at the Tuzigoot National Monument. Dine at the Clinkscale or the Haunted Hamburger. 

Petrified Forest National Park

Everyone comes to Arizona to go to the Grand Canyon, but the state actually has three national parks. Petrified Forest is about 1 hr & 45 minutes from Flagstaff. Historic Route 66 goes through some of the park. Winslow, another historic Route 66 town, is on the way. 

Speaking of national parks, Arizona’s third park is Saguaro National Park in Tucson. The city isn’t on the suggested Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip route, it’s actually in the opposite direction. Considering it is only about 1 hr & 45 mins south of Phoenix it isn’t too much of a detour if you have extra time! 

Plus with an international airport of its own you can fly out of Tucson at the end of your trip. Make sure to rent a car through a rental car company that offers different pick-up and drop-off spots. 

The biggest problem with adding Tucson is the change of temperatures from the south of the state to the north. While Tucson is pleasant, the Grand Canyon will probably still have snow. While the Grand Canyon has ideal temperatures in late spring and early fall, Tucson will be pushing 100 degrees. 

One Week Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip FAQ’s

What time of year is best.

I did this trip at the end of May, before Memorial Day. It was the perfect time of year as it was before the summer rush. The further north you go in Arizona and the higher the altitude (Flagstaff), the cooler it gets. Late spring and early fall have perfect temperatures. Phoenix will be hotter, but all the other spots will most likely be mild, warm weather. 

How long does it take to drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon?

Without stopping it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon (one way). If you follow the Phoenix to Grand Canyon road trip included above the drive time is about 9 hours round-trip.

Can I do a Grand Canyon road trip without a car?

Many people in the US would consider a car essential to any road trip. I often travel without a car and call it a road trip! I did this trip by car and it will be much easier by car, but a similar trip can be done without a car. You’ll want to use a mix of public transportation (including Greyhound & Amtrak), shared shuttle services, and guided tours.

Groome Transportation has shuttles that run from Phoenix to Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Prescott, Sedona, and Tucson. Guided tours to the Grand Canyon are available from Phoenix , Flagstaff , Williams , and Sedona .

What should I bring? 

If you plan on hiking, be prepared with my day pack hiking list and know what to pack by using my what to wear while hiking guide .

If this one week Phoenix to Grand Grand Canyon road trip helped you plan your time in Arizona please consider supporting me  by  Buying Me a Coffee !

More About Arizona

• Things to Do in Downtown Phoenix
• Things to Do in Old Town Scottsdale

Grand Canyon’s South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point

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Riana Ang-Canning

This is getting me so excited for our Arizona trip in just a few days! We won’t make it to all of your stops but quite a few and now I have even more restaurant, hike and museum recommendations. Thanks!

The Fearless Foreigner

Thanks for reading the post! It’s a really fun road trip, I hope you enjoy it 🙂

Amanda smith

Arizona native here, we pronounce is press Scott, snowbirds and out of staters call it press kit .

That’s interesting as locals were the ones who told me it was “press kit”. Is it a difference between natives and more recent transplants? I wonder how it got changed to press kit?

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The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip: Nine Day Itinerary

• Post last modified: February 27, 2021
• Post category: Arizona / Itineraries / North America / One Week Trips

While Arizona is the Grand Canyon State (and that’s definitely included in the itinerary), there is so much more to this amazing state. This Arizona road trip will be filled with geological wonders, empty desert, red rocks, mountains and bustling cities.  

Our Arizona Road Trip itinerary will take you into five states, four national parks, two national monuments, a national forest and along the famous Route 66. This nine day road trip is a great way to experience the state for any couple or teen-adult aged family. For us, this road trip was a great way to check two things off of our bucket list: be in four places at once and hike the Grand Canyon (to hike the full Grand Canyon, you’ll need to extend your trip).

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When to visit.

We recommend visiting Arizona in early fall or late spring. During these times of year, you’ll get milder temperatures but you’ll still be quite comfortable participating in all the outdoor activities that Arizona has to offer. We visited Arizona in early September and had amazing weather. You can also visit in the summer but remember a majority of this road trip is in desert areas and the weather will be hot. Visiting in the winter will also get you a unique perspective on Arizona but remember that this Arizona road trip also takes you through areas of high elevation where you may encounter snow.  

Where to Stay?

For us, this was a camping experience through and through. We had an entire campsite setup in the trunk of our rental car that we could set up and take down in under a half hour. For every dinner, we cooked over the fire in our pudgy pots or on sticks we whittled. We thought this was an amazing way to experience the natural beauty of Arizona and we highly recommend it. Campsites cost us on average $30 each night and did require advance booking, especially in the Grand Canyon. This meant we could do this trip on a budget.

If you're flying in to Arizona, check out our fly and camp tips here!

For those of you who don’t want to sweat all day and then shower with wet wipes, we’d recommend a mix of AirBnBs and hotels. Some of the towns that we recommend staying in have some unique rental properties available to you. Other areas are more remote and you’ll have to depend on hotels. Whatever, you decide to book, we recommend booking in advance if you are visiting during peak travel times of early fall and late spring.

Sign up for an AirBnB account here and receive coupon for your first stay. We’ll also get a coupon for our next stay.

Day 1 – Phoenix

Flying into Phoenix is generally the cheapest airport destination in Arizona. So on this budget Arizona road trip, we decided to fly into Phoenix. Our one way flights into Phoenix were around $120 each (from Minneapolis). However, if you would like to fly into Tucson to eliminate some driving time, you can do that and then flip flop the Tucson and Phoenix days in your itinerary.  

Try to snag an early morning flight so that you can spend your first day in Arizona exploring Phoenix. Choose a few things to do in the morning in Phoenix . We explored Papago Park and the Desert Botanical Gardens before the day got too hot.  

In the afternoon, start the road tripping part of your Arizona road trip by making your way South on I-10 toward Tucson. Stay in Tucson for the night. We couch surfed in Tucson. However after exploring Saguaro National Park, we would recommend camping there for the evening. If you’re staying in a hotel, we’d recommend staying in a bustling downtown neighborhood so you are close to restaurants. If you’re staying in an AirBnB , there are some amazing rentals with great views of the dessert. Splurge for one of those!

If you’re trying to keep this trip on a tight budget like we did. Stop at a grocery store and stock up on a few days worth of food so that you can cook yourself dinners.  

Day 2 – Tucson

For your first day in Tucson, explore the mighty Saguaro National Park. The Saguaro is an iconic sight in southern Arizona. Wake up early and explore one half of Saguaro National Park . The park is divided into east and west sections and they are located on two different sides of Tucson. Stop for lunch to get some amazing Mexican food. Remember it’s extra spicy this far south! After lunch explore the other half or Saguaro National park. If you have time in the evening explore the bustling nightlife of one of Tucson’s business districts.  

If you're looking for other things to do in Tucson, explore our favorite things to do in Tucson here.

Day 3 – Tucson

The next morning, continue exploring Tucson by visiting a museum or nature area. We can recommend the Titan missile museum, the Biosphere 2 and Mt. Lemon. Have lunch in Tucson before continuing your Arizona road trip by heading north on state highway 77 toward Globe (which is also an Arizona scenic roadway).

If you'd like to spend more time in Tucson, check out our three day Tucson Itinerary here.

If you’ve arrived in time, check out the Besh Ba Gowah Archeological Park and Museum to see the ancient ruins.  

Tuck in for the night and rest. Unfortunately, we don’t have any recommendations for staying in Globe as an unfortunate incident involving a tow tuck, a mountain and a 2 AM arrival made our choices for hotels slim. However we got a good rest at that low budget Motel6 and we’re ready to start fresh the next morning. If you’re camping, our original plan was to stop at Theordore Roosevelt Lake to camp and you could always head there. We checked out the campground as we drove past and it was lovely.  

Day 4 – Tonto National Forest, Winslow and Petrified Forest National Park

Tonto national forest.

Explore Tonto National Forest in the morning. Head north out of Globe on state highway 188. Stop along the way at Theodor Roosevelt Lake and take in the sights. Keep your eyes sharp as we spotted a road runner along this lake. Before leaving Globe restock groceries if you are planning cooking yourself dinners for the next several days.  

Continue heading north and state highway 188 will merge with 87. Here you’ll notice it getting cooler as you enter higher elevation. Stop at all the fun overlooks for the scenic vistas as well as the state forest camping and hiking areas if you’re looking for a place to stretch your legs. We found this to be a very interesting part of our Arizona road trip as we didn’t expect this to get so cool and forested.

Your next stop will be Meteor Crater just a short trek from Winslow. Meteor Crater is a giant hole in the ground created from a meteor strike. It is very large and impressive. Take I-40 back into Winslow.

By lunch time, you should reach Winslows and the iconic dining experience here is a diner as you’re now on Route 66. Enjoy some greasy diner food in downtown Winslow. Don’t forget to stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona. We’ll let you decide what is on your mind. While this is a very touristy thing to do, it is a picture every true Arizona road trip must have.

Next, you’ll take the iconic Route 66 (now called i-40) from Winslow to Holbrook. Keep your eye peeled for all of the interesting side of the road attractions Route 66 offers. Head south from Holbrook on 180 until you reach the South entrance to Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified Forest National Park

Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Petrified ForestNational Park . This amazing park is so underrated. It was our favorite National Park in Arizona (yes, it beat the Grand Canyon). The park is in the middle of the Painted Desert and is filled with petrified wood from times long past. We stopped at the visitor’s center asked for some top sights and then made our way through the park. Enjoy some hikes and trails here in this otherworldly park before heading out of the north gate. When you exit the park you’ll find your self back on I-40 heading east.

If you'd like to learn more about Petrified Forest, check out our guide to Petrified Forest National Park here, including a full day itinerary if you have more time.

Next, follow 191 north and look for a place to stay between Petrified Forest National Park and Canyon de Chelly National Monument. We stayed in the Cottonwood campground, right at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly.

Day 5 – Canyon de Chelly and Mesa Verde

Canyon de chelly.

On the fifth day of your Arizona road trip, explore the Canyon de Chelly National Monument in the morning. It you’re fit, hike down to the White House Ruins in the early morning before the heat gets too bad. Remember, you’ll have to hike back up. At the bottom of the canyon you can see the ruins of the ancient Puebloan building in the canyon walls. Remember that Navajo people live in this canyon and you may run into them going about their day. Explore the North and South canyon rim drives by stopping at all the scenic view points.   Grab lunch on your way out of the canyon as restaurants in this area were scarce.

Mesa Verde National Park

After lunch, head North to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. By the time you reach Mesa Verde, the heat of the day and the main crowds will have dissipated. The first thing you should do when entering the park is to stop at the Visitor and Research Center. The first thing you should do once entering the park is get tickets for a tour of one of the amazing cliff dwellings in the park. Tickets cost $7 and can be purchased for guided tours of Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House. We recommend choosing one or more of these tours on your visit to Mesa Verde and booking them upon arrival.

Mesa Verde is broken into two different roads that do not connect. In the afternoon explore the western road and sightsee the ancient dwellings, fire damage and canyon views. Make sure to stop at all the scenic overlooks in the evening as we were able to catch several overlooks during sunset which was amazing.  

On this Colorado leg of the Arizona road trip, stay the evening in Mesa Verde National Park. The park takes quite some time to drive in and out of so staying in the park will save you driving time. The park contains a large and well kept campground that we stayed in and enjoyed. The sites were well isolated from others and the facilities were nice. For those wishing to stay indoors, the park also has Far View Lodge. The Lodge is quite a bit more expensive than the campground. Whatever option you choose, make sure to make your reservation ahead of time as both accommodations tend to fill up.

Day 6 – Mesa Verde National Park

After sleeping well in Mesa Verde, enjoy exploring the east road in the park. This section of the park has a majority of the stops and attractions in the park. Enjoy your day seeing all of the ancient dwellings and hopefully touring one or more of them.  

Food in the park is available but does not include many options. For all of our meals, we ate camp food that we had brought in. Stay one more night in your same Mesa Verde accommodations.

Day 7 – Four Corners Monument, Navajo National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park

Four corners monument.

On your way out of Colorado and head to the Four Corners Monument in Monument Valley. It will cost $10 for entrance into the park, which is not covered by the National Parks Pass. This bucket list worthy stop is incredibly touristy and only is worth a few minutes of your time but we enjoyed taking pictures on the intersection of four states. Because how many times in your life can you be in four places at once? So snap your picture here and continue heading towards the Navajo National Monument on 160.

Navajo National Monument

At the Navajo National Monument , take the short trails from the visitors center to the Betatakin and Aspen Forest Overlooks and enjoy sights of ancient cliff dwellings. Stop at the Tsegi Point overlook on your way out of the park and continue heading west. This National Monument is free!

Grab lunch as you continue your journey along US-160. We ate in Tuba City which is the largest city on this leg of the journey. We also stopped to restock our grocery supplies for the final days of our journey here as well.  

Grand Canyon National Park

Next, head to the Grand Canyon National Park on Arizona State highway 64. This will be your seventh and final national park/forest/monument of your Arizona road trip. You should arrive here in time to catch a famous Grand Canyon sunset. Enter the park via the East Entrance. You’ll be arriving in the afternoon so wait times to get it shouldn’t take to long but be prepared to wait. Continue along the south rim stopping at all the scenic view points as you head towards the visitors center, hopefully catching a sunset at one. Once you make it to the Visitor Center, find your evening accommodations.

The Grand Canyon has several overnight options including campgrounds and lodges. We stayed in Mather Campground. Mather Campground did have pay-to-use showers which we didn’t know ahead of time and struggled to find quarters under the car seats. There are several Lodges available that all cost quite a bit more than the campgrounds but are also nice. We do recommend staying in the park as it will decrease drive time into and out of the park where you can encounter long waits at the entrance gates. If you stay in the Grand Canyon park, make sure to book your accommodations ahead of time, especially if traveling at peak season.  

Day 8 – Grand Canyon National Park

Enjoy a full day at the Grand Canyon’s south rim as part of your ultimate Arizona road trip. You won’t have to do any driving on this day as the Grand Canyon has free buses that transport tourists within the park. Use this bus to do plenty of hiking and take in all the scenic vistas. Take several quiet hikes along the rim and find completely deserted viewpoints.

Make sure to take a short hike down into the actual canyon but remember not to go too far down as you’ll have to climb back up. We highly recommend hiking into the canyon as you truly get a sense of how big the canyon is from within. For many the Grand Canyon will be the bucket list item on their Arizona road trip and for others it will be a giant hole in the ground. But after spending a day exploring we hope you’ll appreciate the wonder and silence of the park as much as we did.  

There are plenty of places to grab food within the park but we enjoyed packing a picnic and eating along the canyon edge. To keep ourselves on budget we also cooked over the fire at our campground for dinners.  

Day 9 – Route 66, Hoover Dam and returning home

Leave the Grand Canyon after taking in a morning sunset by heading south along state highway 64. In Williams you’ll be able to pick up Route 66. Take this iconic road West towards Las Vegas as part of your amazing Arizona road trip. Stop at all the fun towns along the way and explore the road that the highways left behind. Snap pictures at all the roadside attractions and enjoy the old signs along the road.

In Kingman, head north on 93 until you reach the Hoover Dam . If you have time, stop and take the dam tour, visit the dam gift shop and get a dam souvenir. And then make that same dam joke for the next several years. The Dam tour does cost $30 and parking is an additional fee. You can book your tour ahead of time or attempt to snag an open spot when you arrive. Generally, tours are booked by the afternoon so we would recommend booking ahead of time if you want to take the tour.  

Head on to Las Vegas and fly out of this airport. This airport generally has very cheap flights. Our return flight to Minneapolis was around $80/person.

Want to adjust the itinerary?

If you have less time, you could eliminate Day 5 and Day 6 of the itinerary and head straight from petrified forest to the Grand Canyon. You could also fly directly into Tucson and eliminate day one of the itinerary in Phoenix. If you weren’t interested in Route 66 you could also eliminate the final day and fly out of Phoenix instead of Las Vegas. We would avoid trying to fit more things into each day and shortening the trip that way as the trip was very fast paced as is. However, you could only spend a partial day at Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon but we wouldn’t recommend it. 

If you’re looking for shorter trips in Arizona, check out our Arizona itineraries here. 

If you have more time we would recommend extending some of the time spent at different stops. We would have like more time at Petrified Forest and Mesa Verde. You also could take an extra day to detour to Page Arizona and visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley. If you would like to add some extra time to see more city attractions, spending more time in Phoenix and Las Vegas would also be good ideas.

What to pack?

We love National Parks and the most economic way to see this many is to buy the America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass . This pass costs $80 and will admit you to the Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Tonto National Forest. It will definitely save your money on this trip alone and is good for a full year to use at other National Parks that you may decide to visit.  

Paper maps are a must on your Arizona road trip. This trip will take you through desolate stretches of dessert that don’t always have great cell service.

Don’t forget to pack a camera to capture all of your epic photographs. You’ll be visiting some of the best National Parks in the United States so make sure to capture these National Parks for you memories, your wall and your ‘gram.  

For your Arizona road trip, pack comfortable and breathable clothing. Most of this trip is spent in solitude and nature so no need to pack fancy clothes. Well most of your time will be spent in the desert heat, you’ll also want to pack layers for cool weather as well. You’ll spend time at high altitudes where it is much colder. Also, mornings and evenings in the desert can be cool as well. So make sure you pack plenty of clothes to keep warm in and then peel after as it heats up. Additionally, pack comfortable hiking shoes as there are several miles of trails that you can hike each day.  

For eating on the road, we love to pack a collapsible cooler. Look for a cooler that can easily roll up and fit in your suitcase.  

We consider hydration backpacks an essential for any trip that involves hiking. Plenty of water is a must-have for your Arizona road trip and we think a hydration backpack is the best way to carry it with you.  

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How much to budget?

For two people, this trip cost us just shy of $2000 (if we exclude paying the tow truck – see Tucson itinerary for suggestions on how to avoid getting towed off a mountain on a holiday). So this trip can easily be done for less than $1000/person. The rental car was by far the most expensive part of the budget and we had to pay additional fees to pickup and drop off at different airports. However, this additional fee was worth it to us because of the different in price in plane tickets at Phoenix and Las Vegas airports. Overall this was a very inexpensive trip for us. You could further cut back on cost by bringing your own car if you’re within driving distance and making your own lunches as well.  

• Airfare: $200/person
• Rental car: $750
• Lunches at restaurants: $15/person/meal
• National Parks Pass: $80
• Camp sites: $30/night
• Groceries for breakfasts and dinners: $100

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Arizona Road Trip – The Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary

Written By: The Planet D

Road Trips , United States

Updated On: February 9, 2024

Expert road tripper Dean Williamson shares his awesome Arizona road trip itinerary including 10 awesome experiences to have in 10 days. This Arizona road trip itinerary sees you cover almost 1000 miles in ten days and gives you the ability to experience ten different themes showing why Arizona has something for everyone. From the Grand Canyon to Route 66, this guide takes you through some of America’s most iconic scenery.

Table of Contents

The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip

In my opinion, driving is the best way to experience a new place. You can travel at your own pace, find hidden gems along the way, and change your plans easily as you travel. But how do you know where to go ? It seems everywhere has at least one amazing thing to do or see, which makes the decision near impossible.

But what if there was an ultimate USA road trip that had so many different things to offer without having to drive thousands of miles, would you be interested?

Download or View part one map of your Arizona Road Trips

Start from Tucson

This trip in Arizona starts in Tucson. You can fly into Tucson directly from multiple destinations in the US and there are 1 stop flights from International cities.

• Find a flight to Tucson on Skyscanner for great deals.
• Click here to search all the car rental agencies and get the best price for your drive through Arizona!

Day 1 – Tombstone Arizona

Driving time Tucson to Tombstone : 1 hour 30 minutes

After spending a day or two in Tucson, Arizona it is time to get the show on the road. From Tucson, head south to the most infamous town in the Wild West, Tombstone and the Wild West What do you get when you cross Universal Studios and a real town with an infamous past? The legendary Tombstone, Arizona.

Sure some of it has been modified for tourism but there are not many places you can walk in the footsteps of outlaws and famous lawmen, see where history was made, and maybe have a whisky at the same saloon frequented by Wyatt Earp and his cohorts.

Make sure to spend a few hours exploring here before making your way back to Tucson for a spectacular sunset in Saguaro National Park East. Read: The 17 Best Hikes in Arizona

Day 2 – Saguaro National Park to Phoenix

Driving Time Tucson to Phoenix : 1 hour and 40 minutes

Today you head to Phoenix but take the slow and scenic route through Saguaro National Park West and do some hiking among these incredible giants of the plant world.

Arizona has very unique plant life. Google Saguaro Cactus and you can’t help to be impressed by the weird shapes they grow and the amazing silhouettes they form in the foreground of sunset photos.

But that is nothing compared to standing in a forest of these giants, some growing to the height of a four or five-story building. To see a forest of these behemoths stretching out to the horizon is a highlight that can only be seen at Saguaro National Park.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

• Luxury – Arizona Biltmore Waldorf Astoria
• Mid Range – Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
• Mid Range – Best Western Phoenix Downtown

Phoenix is definitely a place to come back and visit again. If you have the time, spend a day or two here so you can explore some of the amazing places around Phoenix.

Day Trips from Phoenix

If you have some time to spend in Pheonix and have a longer time for your road trip , check out these top attractions (not including what is already in this Arizona trip) guide from Phoenix

• Flagstaff – Route 66, Sinagua Cliff Dwellings, Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
• Prescott – Visit and explore the history of Arizona’s original capital and it’s Victorian-era buildings.
• Petrified Forest National Park – The Petrified Forest National Park is a must visit with highlights including Painted Desert and Rainbow forest and it’s a place where you can see fossilized trees and animals from prehistoric times.
• Slide Rock State Park – Take a Dip in the natural smooth rocks used as waterslides at this swimming hole.

Day 3 – Phoenix to Sedona

Driving Time Phoenix to Sedona: 1 hour and 57 mnutes

From Pheonix, we head to the beautiful and cosmically spiritual city of Sedona for some Native history. Read more: 20 Best Things to do in Sedona, Arizona

Don’t just head up the Interstate directly to Sedona, or you will miss another great highlight along the way in Montezuma Castle National Monument. Read more at Phoenix to Sedona Drive

Spend some time here learning of Native American History. This National Monument is dedicated to preserving Native American culture and is an awesome stop on your trip through Arizona.

Just a short distance up the road are two incredible reminders of the vision and engineering capabilities of Native Americans dating back more than 500 years. Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle is a wonderful example of ancient cliff dwellings. Thre are 20 rooms sitting high on a ledge.

Montezuma Well is a smaller cliff dwelling but built beneath the lip of a massive sinkhole that is fed from underground springs.

Moving on towards Sedona, you will find a small town called Camp Verde which is home to a fort used during the Indian Wars. There are plenty of things to do here and you can check them all out with our article 20 Best Things to do in Sedona, Arizona .

Camp Verde gives a glimpse of life into the soldiers of the frontier in the 1870s. There are lots of outdoor activities like cycling, kayaking, and hiking and there is the Cliff Castle Casino to try your luck.

Suggested Hotels in Sedona

• Luxury – L’Auberge de Sedona
• Mid Range – Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa
• Mix Range – Holiday Inn Express

Day 4 – Spiritual Arizona

Sightseeing Around Sedona

Day 4 of your Arizona road trips is a day to take in the scenery and relax in the vortexes of Sedona. Head to the Information Center for some great driving maps and advice, and finish the day watching the sunset at Airport Mesa.

The Central Arizona town of Sedona has two claims to fame.

The Red Rocks not only provide a magnificent backdrop to the town but have been featured in movies for as long as the film industry has ventured outdoors,

Sedona is a place of great spiritualit y – Reputed to be one of the World’s hotspots for natural energies with its many vortexes, expect to find plenty of modern-day hippies around town.

Overnight Sedona

Day 5 – route 66 and meteor crater to holbrook.

Driving Time: 2 Hours

Three of our highlighted experiences of this Arizona road trip are covered today as we finally hit the Mother Road for the first time. Route 66 is the quintessentially American journey and we take advantage of some of the best stops.

Ask anyone who loves where is the ultimate drive. and the most common answer will undoubtedly be Route 66 , that’s why it’s called the Mother Road. The World’s most famous Road Trip Road

While much of the road and the associated businesses have fallen due to modern society’s need for speed, there are still places to relive the glory days.

Take your time driving this route to enjoy a bit of nostalgia from America’s heyday. Stops include Flagstaff, and Williams town where you’ll see memorabilia from 1926 when America was migrating West.

Meteor Crater

Meteor Crater is a must-stop along Route 66 to see the mind-blowing result of the earth being struck by something from space. While New Mexico is famous for reported alien crash sites and autopsies, Arizona’s connection to outer space is far more obvious.

If you want to know what happens when a big chunk of space rock actually makes contact with the earth then Meteor Crater is for you. It will make you hope none of these massive rocks flying around space ever come for a visit.

Overnight on Route 66

We then end the day eating in a traditional Route 66 diner and sleeping in an original Route 66 Motel.

In Holbrook, you can not only eat at one of the original diners but spend a night at the famous Wigwam Motel, or one of the many other Route 66 Motels for a little more comfort.

Day 6 – Winslow to Monument Valley

Total Driving Distance: 3 hours 50 minutes

Day 6 on our Arizona Road trip is one of the bigger driving days but wait until you see where it ends.

Arizona lives in Pop Culture Folklore and nothing is more so than Winslow Arizona. I suppose it’s what pop culture is all about, making something ordinary become famous, a bit like the Kardashians!

And Arizona is home to a prime example of how something incredibly ordinary has become something of a tourist Mecca, a little town called Winslow. The spot made famous by the Eagles and we go “ standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona.”

Little did they know that when the Eagles sang about standing on a particular corner in this sleeping little place that it would put it on the world map.

After exploring the town, it is time to move on to the beautiful American scenery of the old west.

Monument Valley

Remember John Wayne? If you are old enough to be road-tripping you should be old enough to remember him and some of the Classic Western movies he starred in. The most iconic place featured in those John Wayne western movies is Monument Valley . It is one of the top Arizona road trip attractions.

Fans of old Hollywood Westerns, or Forrest Gump for that matter, will no doubt be excited to see Monument Valley up close. And for those of you not swayed by the Hollywood links , you will still be more than impressed once you get there.

Remember when Forrest Gump ran down the lone road with his long beard? What about when Chevy Chase was up to his high jinx in Vacation? These memorable scenes were shot in Monument Valley.

It can seem like you are driving around the World’s largest movie set here, and in a way, I suppose you are, but what a remarkable place to visit.

Where to Stay in Monument Valley

Tonight you’ll want to stay in Monument Valley. Make a reservation at the View Hotel in Monument Valley Tribal Park. It offers hotel rooms, cabins, and camping.

There’s also Goulding’s Lodge if the View Hotel is sold out.

Day 7 – Page and Lake Powell

Driving time from Monument Valley to Page: 2 hours and 10 minutes

From Hollywood famous scenery to Instagram famous scenery today as we head to Page on Lake Powell. Have a look around the town and take in the stunning color contrasts between the water of the lake and the red and white rocks around it.

Lake Powell is a man-made lake that stretches 299 kilometers (186 miles). There are plenty of things to keep you occupied for a day here.

Being a road trip through Arizona, you can also check out all the incredible rock formations and sights around Page including, Waterholes Canyon, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Tower Butte, and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. Seek these out, you won’t be disappointed.

Suggested Page Hotels Arizona

There are several hotel options in Page Arizona.

• High End: Courtyard Page at Lake Powell
• Mid Range: Hampton Inn & Suites
• Budget: La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham

Day 8 – Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

Driving Time: 20 Minutes

Today on our Arizona itinerary, it is all about the ‘Gram as we have time taking selfies, and amazing landscape photos for the less self-absorbed, at both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. If you’ve never heard of them do a Google or Instagram hashtag search and you will see why they are so popular. Arizona is Insta-famous!

The city of Page sits on the Southern end of Lake Powell, which is surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

But if you want to get some photos to fill your Instagram feed then there are two places outside town that you simply have to see, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

While the soothing flow of the patterns in the rocks at Antelope Canyon can be somewhat hypnotic, you need to stay sharp at Horseshoe Bend and please don’t be one of the idiots risking their life getting too close to the edge for that “ultimate” selfie.

Overnight Page:

Day 9 – The Grand Canyon

Driving Time Page to the Grand Canyon: 2 hours and 21 minutes

Time to make our way to the final highlight of this epic Arizona road trip, the iconic Grand Canyon. Today you’ll be exploring the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

For many people, the Grand Canyon sits high on their travel bucket list, while others like me think of it as little more than a huge crack in the ground. But once you are standing on the edge you can’t help but be blown away by the beauty and the sheer magnitude Find a quiet spot and stay for the sunset.

I can assure you that when you are standing on the edge of the Canyon looking at it spread as far as the eye can see, your low expectations will have been massively exceeded. The Grand Canyon deserves its spot among the great natural wonders of the World.

If you have time, spend a day or two here on your Arizona Road Trip. You can do canyon hikes, whitewater rafting tours, horseback riding, or helicopter scenic flights.

The north rim of the Grand Canyon is less visited and wilder and the south rim has more touristy things to do and see. If you can spend a day exploring both the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon.

There are hotel options within Grand Canyon National Park and you can check them out on TripAdvisor or read our full post Where to Stay At The Grand Canyon: Best Hotels And Areas For Every Budget

Day 10 – The End-Only Open Road Ahead

All good things come to an end but not before getting one final look at the wonder of the Grand Canyon. Make the effort to be there for sunrise and the hour or so after that for some amazing photo opportunities.

Options for a road trip back to Tucson, Arizona.

If you are driving back to Tucson, you have 5-hours ahead. You’ll pass through Flagstaff, Pheonix and you can even make a detour to the old town Scottsdale. Scottsdale is a great place to spend the night if you have more time on your hands.

Today, you may also want to spend the day exploring more of the south rim of the Grand Canyon before moving on. The beauty of a road trip is that you can choose where to go next!

Things to do at the Grand Canyon

• Grand Canyon Village – It’s the popular entrance to the Grand Canyon which takes you to Yavapai Point. It offers the best views of the Grand Canyon.
• Overnight hike and camping on the Bright Angel Trail. For something unique hire a mule for this tral to the river. And camp overnight.
• Explore all the Grand Canyon Viewpoints of the Rim Trail
• Grand Canyon Skywalk – Jutting 70 feet out from the canyon walls, visitors can walk on glass for 4000 feet above the Grand Canyon.
• Colorado River Rafting – You can book half or full-day rafting tours.
• Read more: Things to do at the Grand Canyon

There are so many things to do at the Grand Canyon, you could spend a week here. This incredible river canyon sees the Colorado River cutting through the  Colorado Plateau we will end the trip here letting you decide how long you want to stay.

Then all that is left is to make your way home and start planning your next USA Road Trip As if that’s not enough to make any road trip fan start Googling these places and looking at flight options!

But in all honesty, this is a good start as to why you should be heading out on an Arizona road trip, but there is plenty more to easily double the length of this trip and never be bored or need to cross any borders.

As mentioned at the start, every part of the USA has great road trip options but for a variety of experiences, Arizona is the winner.

Tips for the Ultimate Arizona Road Trip

• Travel Insurance – It’s a toss-up whether or not to buy car insurance. As most car rentals are covered under your personal car insurance. We always do because we prefer not to have the hassle of either having to pay or go through our own insurance should we have a fender bender or even a broken windshield.
• Emergency Road Kit – Check for an emergency road kit in the car, if not, get one at the local Walmart before you drive off into the desert or mountains.
• National Parks Pass – Make sure you buy your National Parks Pass, you’ll be passing through some amazing parks. A pass lets you enter all national parks without worry.
• Extra Water – Whenever we take a road trip, we always make sure to have plenty of extra water. In Arizona, this is a must as it can get very hot.
• Paper Maps – In today’s world, people use Google Maps to get around but be sure to have a hard copy map and know how to use it. Have a map for a backup. We found phone signals to be very spotty and non-existent in many places.

Road Trip Pro Tip

Always Fill up at half a tank – When doing a road trip, we try to never let the tank go below half a tank. If you see a gas station, fill up. It’s better to have a full tank and go through the annoyance of stopping than running out of gas.

Make sure to put together your ultimate road trip playlist!

Best Time of Year for an Arizona Road Trip

There is really no bad time to take a road trip in Arizona. We love driving rain, shine or snow.

• Summer (June/July/August) is the high season and with the high season comes more tourists and higher prices.
• Like many places, shoulder season (spring and fall) is a good time as the weather is still pleasant but crowds are less and prices are lower.
• Winter is good for Arizona as the weather is pleasant year-round.

Many northerners winter in Arizona.  It can get quite cold at night though, so pack for winter conditions and dress in layers. It’s a good idea to keep a blanket in your car if you are taking a road trip in Arizona in the winter.

What to Pack for an Arizona Road Trip

• Don’t forget your hiking boots! You’ll have the opportunity to explore some of America’s most beautiful landscapes!
• Pack layers – Arizona is a desert climate. It may be hot during the day, but it cools down at night.
• Breathable lightweight clothing – instead of sunscreen, we like to wear long-sleeve microlight shirts. It keeps us cool while blocking the sun.
• Reusable Water bottle – Bottled water is plentiful in the US, but why waste the plastic? Tap water is drinkable and you can just fill up whenever you need to. Bring a few, and keep them full.
• Soft cooler – We like having snacks and drinks cold, so a collapsible cooler is easy to transport and keeps your snacks fresh.
• Steripen – You can drink the water in Arizona, but We like to carry a Steripen to purify water from streams and rivers if we are hiking. That way you can fill your water bottle without the worry of parasites.
• Hat – A sun hat is a must when hiking in hot weather.
• Headlamp – It’s always good to have a flashlight with you. We prefer headlamps because they are hands-free. A good one has an excellent beam too.
• Blanket – In case something happens at night, it’s good to have a warm blanket in the car. Plus, a blanket is great for pulling over and having a picnic!
• USB Car Charger – Most cars have USB outlets, but we like to have an extra to keep our electronics and phones charged. The dual outlet lets us charge both phones and a camera.
• Toilet paper – Yep, on a road trip, we are often ducking behind a tree. (but make sure to either bury it with a trowel or carry it out (in a garbage bag of course.
• Camera Gear – Don’t forget your camera! You don’t want to miss a moment of this trip!

Did you enjoy these Arizona Road Trip Ideas? Save to Pinterest to help plan your own trip to Arizona.

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Dean Williamson is the main creative force behind La Vida Global and a road trip veteran with over 30,000 miles of driving in more than a dozen countries. The only thing he enjoys more than sharing his adventures at La Vida Global and inspiring you to have your own is getting behind the wheel and exploring somewhere new.

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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13 thoughts on “Arizona Road Trip – The Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary”

thank you for taking your time and provide us with this helpful post.

We are happy to have found this precious itinerary for our trip to Arizona. Thank you very much. We feel save and well prepared to do our road trip

Thank you for such a detailed guide – we only have seven days for our roadtrip but this is a super handy idea of how much we can fit in and what we sadly might need to leave out. No idea how we didn’t know about the Metor Crater before either!

Wow, ultimate Arizona road trip ideas!! I think those who are planning for a road trip to Arizona, will have no need to go on another post as he/she will get everything from packing to road trip back options here on your post. Keep sharing such kind of marvelous posts!

Loved this, all such great info and helpful tips. I need to definitely check some more of this out! Great pictures as well.

Taking a road trip through Arizona is a great way to see one of the most beautiful states in the entire USA. Really loved this Arizona Road Trip Ideas.

Nice article, but the busy season in AZ is winter! Summers are harsh! I’ve lived in Scottsdale for 35 years.

I think you have listed out all the sources to carry out for the trip. I real thank you for that.

If my luck favours me definitely i will explore it. The Grand Canyon it seems to be amazing place with it’s unique features and topograpy. It’s a place of hidden paradise where itt unreveal thrilling adventure. Appreciate it for sharing fabulous information regarding arizona road trip.

Arizona looks like a beautiful place to visit. One thing for sure is that I wouldn;t want to be caught out there with a low gas tank nor catch a flat tire! L 😛 L

This is a great list of some of the highlights in Arizona, my home state. Tucson itself is worth a visit, including a cute and walkable downtown and the barrio area. There are a number of other fun day trips from there including a visit to the wine regions (like Sonoita), Tubac (native arts) and a visit to Mission San Xavier del Bac, the Titan Missile Musem, and the Airplane Boneyard. Flagstaff is also a great picturesque small town. Thank you for writing this informative piece that showcases some of the greatness Arizona has to offer!

Ah man! What I wouldn’t give to travel like this!!! Guys I thought all of you travellers probably have youtube channels and make money off there too. This course helped me create another income from youtube besides the normal “monetization” ways and creating your own videos… SO TIME CONSUMING!… This course showed me how to make money from youtube without all of that and I believe you guys will be interested in this too! https://bit.ly/2yPCzBt Thanks Dean, really great blog you have here!!!

This scenes are like out of the movie. Color of the rocks is incredible and I have never seen something like that. I hope I can come to Arizona one day.

A One-Week Arizona Road Trip with Something for Everyone

There’s a reason we travel with the people we do: We’re friends with them, are married to them, or are otherwise related to them. The trouble is, those traveling together might not all like the same things, so finding a destination that offers something for everyone is key to a successful vacation.

If you’re looking for a bucket-list-worthy escape to suit your entire group, consider a Southwest road trip, where you can explore charming small towns, shops, restaurants, hotels, national parks, and more.

One of our favorite road trip itineraries is the scenic drive from Scottsdale to Las Vegas (or the reverse), with stops in Sedona or the Grand Canyon. This works great as a girlfriend's getaway, a bonding trip with siblings or cousins, or a vacation with other couples.

This 450-mile drive is doable on a budget during the summer season, when room rates are low, and the weather is hot (temperatures are in the high 90s or low triple digits most days, and the occasional “monsoon” — Arizona-speak for a sudden heavy downpour — may dampen an afternoon). For cooler temperatures (and just slightly higher room rates), wait until October or November to visit.

From terrific art and design to great food and wine, to adventure activities, here’s how to explore the Southwest by car on a budget.

Days One and Two: Scottsdale

Getting Here : Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and pick up a rental car. Downtown Scottsdale is a 15-minute drive away.  

The Vibe : Old Town has so much charm — plus some seriously fun mid-century modern architecture  — along with sophisticated dining, an abundance of public art, and some surprisingly tasty Arizona wines. Away from the city’s commercial hub, you’ll enjoy hikes or 4x4 excursions amid dazzling desert vistas, especially at sunrise or sunset. To learn more about Scottsdale, check out our expert-approved  guide .  

Where to Stay:  Hotel Valley Ho offers a fun Mad Men ambiance, spacious rooms, two pools, and walkable access to Old Town’s fantastic happy hours and award-winning dining. The 1956-era property exudes a youthful vibe (especially at the main pool on Saturdays) plus a nostalgia-inducing allure.

If you prefer a desert resort setting, opt for The Boulders Resort and Spa , part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Here, you’ll find adobe casitas (with fireplaces for cooler nights), two golf courses, a 33,000-square-foot spa, hiking trails, resident wildlife (from rabbits to coyotes), and entrancing desert vistas on its 1,300 acres.

For Art & Design Lovers : Old Town Scottsdale is home to over 90 pieces of permanent public art  and dozens of galleries. Meanwhile, Frank Lloyd Wright fans can visit the architect’s home and school, Taliesin West . 

For Foodies:  Three spots not to miss are Postino Café Highland for great happy hour specials. For delicious Arizona whites, rosés, and reds, head to Merkin Vineyards . While in town, try to snag a reservation at FnB , where you’ll enjoy delicious dishes prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef Charleen Badman. 

For Adventurers : Get in a challenging early-morning hike up the 2,704-foot-high Camelback Mountain  or the more moderate Pinnacle Peak . Alternatively, explore McDowell Sonoran Preserve by foot or mountain bike, and beat the heat by stand-up paddle boarding on Saguaro Lake. Golf is another popular pastime here — there are dozens of course options.

For Shoppers & Relaxation Seekers: In addition to its art galleries, Old Town is home to many eclectic boutiques, along with top retailers and contemporary brands at Fashion Square . The VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho and The Spa at The Boulders are both top spots to rejuvenate — with the latter offering the bonus of an outdoor relaxation area (complete with a meditation labyrinth) plus stunning Sonoran Desert views.

Days Three and Four: Sedona

Getting Here : Sedona is a two-hour drive from downtown Scottsdale via I-17N and Highway 179N.

The Vibe : Prepare to be amazed as you round the bend and see Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte for the first time. The beauty of this red-rock landscape (and the feel-good effect of Sedona’s four vortexes, purported to be swirling energy centers conducive to meditation and healing) must be experienced to be believed.

Where to Stay :  The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock offers accommodations with stellar views of nearby Bell Rock. (The property also offers suites with connecting rooms for groups of friends and family members.) Here, you’ll also find two pools, a golf course, and convivial outdoor areas with fire pits.

For Art & Design Lovers : Sedona’s art galleries , mainly located along highways 179 and 89, offer a wide array of paintings, sculptures, and artisan jewelry. Architecture enthusiasts should visit the awe-inspiring  Chapel of the Holy Cross , which is built into Sedona’s beautiful red rocks.

For Foodies : It’s worth the wait to experience the modern Mexican cuisine at Elote Café , where you can find everything from goat cheese balls to white truffle corn soup. We also recommend ordering the elote appetizer, which is roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime, and cheese. Arrive hungry (and thirsty, since the margaritas are equally as delicious). Note that the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait.

For Adventurers: Sedona has miles of hiking trails at every level, from beginner to advanced, including the easy  Bell Rock Pathway and the more challenging Bell Rock Climb. Before you embark on your hiking adventures, make sure to buy the Red Rock Pass from a vending machine at the trailhead, and of course, stay hydrated. Pink Adventure Tours offers a range of fun off-road tours in its signature pink Jeeps that bump and bounce their way up to the panoramic vistas — our guide called it a “Jeep-tissue massage.” 

For Shoppers & Relaxation Seekers: The atmospheric Tlapaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village  (designed to resemble the colorful Mexican town after which it’s named), is worth a stroll. Wellness, the healing arts, yoga, and meditation are other specialties you can find in Sedona. Depending on your interests, you can do a yoga hike to a vortex or enjoy a few hours of pampering at a day spa.

Day Five: The Grand Canyon

Getting Here : It’s a two-hour drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim Visitor Center (via I-17 to Flagstaff, then 1-40 to Williams, and AZ-64 to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim Visitor Center). Note that you may sit in traffic as you near the entrance gate, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.

The Vibe : Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned visitor, you’ll definitely be dazzled by this magnificent natural wonder. Even on a bad day, it’s magical.

Where to Stay :  Hotels within the park — which include the historic El Tovar Hotel  and the more modern Kachina Lodge — book up months in advance for summer and autumn stays, so plan ahead for a room with a view. Another option is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites , which is located in nearby Grand Canyon Village. 

For Art & Design Lovers : Even if you can’t stay there, the retro log-cabin architecture of the circa-1905 El Tovar Lodge (which is located directly on the canyon’s rim), is worth a look, as is the Kachina Lodge for its beautiful midcentury exterior. For art and handicrafts, head to Hopi House , a Pueblo-style dwelling that has been open since 1905, located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

For Foodies:  This is a national park, after all, so don’t expect gourmet eats. The on-site hotels each have a restaurant — from the more formal and historic ambiance at El Tovar Lodge Dining Room to the flatbreads, tacos, and sliders of the Yavapai Tavern , to the pies and slices at the Maswik Pizza Pub in Maswik Food Court . 

For Adventurers: Outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers will love the Grand Canyon. From a two-hour walk along the Rim Trail to a whitewater rafting excursion on the Colorado River, there’s plenty to see, do, and explore. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary activity, partake in a mule ride adventure to the bottom of the canyon at the circa-1920s Phantom Ranch .  

For Shoppers & Relaxation Seekers : The park has the usual selection of souvenirs in its gift shops and general stores , where you can pick up mementos for friends and family. Also, if you’d rather sit back, relax, and admire the views from afar instead of hiking to the top of the vistas, you can sightsee by bus on a guided interpretive tour. 

Days Six and Seven: Las Vegas

Getting Here : Las Vegas is a four-hour drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on I-40 West from Williams, and then I-93 North to I-11/I515 North.

The Vibe : You’ll either feel energized or exhausted after two days here. If you suspect you’ll be the former, make this sensory-overload city your starting point. If you want to have the stamina to hike and explore while in Arizona, Las Vegas is the perfect place to end your Southwestern adventure.

Where to Stay :  Park MGM , a reinvention of the Monte Carlo property, offers millennial-tailored décor and amenities — check-in is by tablet, and room service is delivered in take-out style bags — with a lively pool and bar scene and easy access to neighboring properties, including ARIA Resort and Casino and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas .

If you’re craving a more sophisticated ambiance, stay at sister properties Wynn Las Vegas or Encore , where great dining options and two spas complement the eye-catching, art-centric decor. 

For Art & Design Lovers: Sophisticated design isn’t really the point here — it’s Vegas, after all — but cheerful replicas are everywhere, from the half-scale Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas to the recreations of Venice’s landmarks (the Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, and even the Grand Canal) at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas . Also, check out the art collection at The Cosmopolitan and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art . Alternatively, take a 10-mile drive into the desert to see Seven Magic Mountains , a brightly colored installation of painted and stacked boulders.

For Foodies:  Grazing on authentic Italian specialties at the new 40,000-square-foot Eataly at Park MGM is a fun group experience. Just buy a bottle or two of vino in the Wine Shop, grab a table, and then send various members of your party to order an array of wood-fired pizzas, pasta dishes, antipasto platters, and desserts (don’t miss the cannoli). For Sunday brunch, enjoy omelets and creative shareable plates paired with live jazz at The NoMad Bar in the NoMad area of Park MGM . Alternatively, head to Bardot at ARIA for a très Parisian brasserie ambiance.

For Adventurers: Head to Red Rock Canyon to hike on more than 25 trails amid the vividly colored formations that give it its name. (Again, be sure to pack plenty of water.)

For Shoppers & Relaxation Seekers : There are thousands of ways to max out your credit limit along the Strip — from high-end designer boutiques to department stores and national chain stores at the Fashion Show Mall  to bargains at Marshall’s and DSW (right across Las Vegas Blvd. from the Park MGM). 

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Perfect 7 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary | Local Recs

May 6, 2023

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I'm a travel creator and influencer coach based out of Arizona. This blog is where I share the best itineraries for US & beyond, 63 US National Parks , and influencer tips . Read More About Me ⟶

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Ready for the Southwest road trip of a lifetime? Embark on an unforgettable road trip through Arizona’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture! From the bustling city of Phoenix to the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon, this 7 day Arizona road trip itinerary will guide you through the state’s most iconic destinations and uncover its hidden gems. So get ready to experience the best of Arizona, filled with adventures, delicious food, and unforgettable memories!

As an Arizona native, I’ll be pulling from my local experience to make sure you have the best trip possible. Let’s dive in! We’ll start with some must-know trip planning details.

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How Many Days Are Enough for Arizona?

The ideal duration for an Arizona trip depends on your travel goals and attractions of interest. While a short trip of 3-4 days covers some highlights, I recommend at least 7 days for a deeper immersion in the state’s diverse landscapes, cities, and unique experiences.

A 7-day Arizona road trip itinerary includes Phoenix, national parks like Saguaro, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon, as well as Sedona , Monument Valley, and Antelope Canyon with Horseshoe Bend.

With 10-14 days, explore each location further, participate in activities like stargazing, river rafting, and off-roading, or visit additional attractions like Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Jerome. You can also use this time to do an Arizona Utah road trip !

At the end of the day, the length of your Arizona trip depends on your interests and preferred pace, but regardless of the duration, you’re sure to create lasting memories and discover unforgettable sights.

What is the Best Month for an Arizona Road Trip?

The best months for an Arizona road trip are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) , offering pleasant weather and moderate temperatures perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Spring brings mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, while fall provides cooler temperatures and stunning fall colors in higher elevations.

Summer (June-August) is scorching hot, limiting outdoor activities, while winter (December-February) can be cold in northern regions with snowfall and freezing temperatures at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. However, winters are milder in southern Arizona.

In conclusion, spring and fall are ideal for an Arizona road trip, providing favorable weather to explore the state’s diverse landscapes and enjoy outdoor adventures.

Where to Start and End Your Arizona Road Trip

Start in Phoenix, Arizona, home to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which offers numerous flight connections. In addition, Phoenix is an excellent base for exploring the city’s landmarks and the nearby Superstition Mountains!

Choose Phoenix or Flagstaff as your ending point, depending on flight options and travel preferences. Both cities have airports with connections to various destinations.

Ending in Phoenix completes an entire state loop and allows one to revisit the city before departure. Allow approximately 3.5 hours for the drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim.

Ending in Flagstaff, just 1.5 hours from the Grand Canyon South Rim, offers a charming city experience before departure. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport provides convenient flight options.

No matter where you start and end your Arizona road trip, plan your itinerary carefully and maximize your time exploring this beautiful state!

Arizona Road Trip Itinerary (7 Days) At a Glance + Map

Day 1: phoenix – city exploration and superstition mountains, day 2: saguaro national park and tucson.

• Day 3: Sedona – Red Rock Adventures and Spiritual Vortexes 
• Day 4: Petrified Forest National Park and Canyon de Chelly 

Day 5: Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods (optional)

Day 6: antelope canyon, horseshoe bend, and lake powell, day 7: grand canyon national park.

Below is a map of your itinerary and the stops you’ll make along the way. You can click here for a live version of the map to use on your trip!

Since you’ll be visiting national parks and Sedona, remember to grab your America the Beautiful Pass !

The best place to start your Arizona adventure is by flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which offers numerous flights from various destinations. Try to arrive in the morning or early afternoon to make the most of your first day in Phoenix.

Upon arrival, you can explore the nearby Desert Botanical Garden, only a 15-minute drive from the airport, or visit the popular Roosevelt Row Arts District for a taste of the city’s vibrant art scene.

If you’re hungry, head to Matt’s Big Breakfast, a local favorite serving delicious all-day breakfast dishes, or indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine at Barrio Café.

Begin your Arizona adventure in the heart of Phoenix. If you didn’t already, Start by visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, where you’ll discover the stunning beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Next, dive into the city’s thriving art scene with stops at the Phoenix Art Museum. I also recommend visiting Scottsdale where you can even take a bike tour around the waterfront (an Instagrammable Scottsdale spot ).

Coffee lover? Try Berdena’s or another Scottsdale coffee shop !

Old Town Scottsdale also has some greta places to eat if you’re hungry (I love Herbox for brunch)— you should read: The Best Day Trips from Scottsdale, AZ

After lunch, make your way east to the mysterious Superstition Mountains. This rugged wilderness area is perfect for an afternoon of outdoor adventure. Next, take on the Peralta Trail , a moderately challenging hike that rewards you with panoramic views of the desert landscape and unique rock formations.

Alternatively, you can head to Lost Dutchman State Park or the Apache Trail in the Supers — both are a great addition to your Arizona road trip 7 days! For lunch, head to one of the top-rated local eateries when hunger strikes for a delicious meal.

Consider trying the farm-to-table cuisine at FnB or the Caribbean-inspired dishes at The Breadfruit & Rum Bar.

As the sun sets, return to Phoenix for a night of delectable Southwestern cuisine. Sample the innovative dishes at Barrio Café , known for its unique take on Mexican food, or enjoy a memorable meal at Ocotillo, which offers a contemporary twist on American classics.

And of course, there are tons of food options and bars in Scottsdale that you can enjoy instead!

P.S. I recommend reading my guide on the most Instagrammable spots in Phoenix !

Accommodation

Rest up for the next day’s adventures at one of the area’s excellent accommodations. For an upscale experience, book a room at the historic Arizona Biltmore or the Cuban-inspired Scott Resort in Scottsdale.

However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider the stylish boutique hotel FOUND:RE Phoenix .

On your second day, head south from Phoenix to Saguaro National Park, an iconic desert landscape filled with the majestic Saguaro cacti. Split into two districts, the park offers a variety of trails for all levels of hikers. Consider hiking the Valley View Overlook Trail in the Tucson Mountain District (West), offering stunning vistas.

In the Rincon Mountain District (East), the easy Cactus Forest Loop Drive presents an opportunity for a scenic drive through the park.

Spend the afternoon exploring Tucson’s unique cultural attractions. Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combined zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum that showcases the region’s diverse flora and fauna. Then, step back in time at the San Xavier del Bac Mission, a beautifully restored 18th-century mission church.

After working up an appetite, head into Tucson for a well-deserved meal. El Charro Café, the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant, offers a taste of history alongside mouthwatering dishes.

Alternatively, try the innovative fusion cuisine at The Tasteful Kitchen.

As evening approaches, indulge in Tucson’s thriving food scene. Dine at the popular Mi Nidito , which offers a famous menu of Mexican cuisine.

For a more casual experience, head to the bustling Mercado San Agustín , a public market featuring a variety of food stalls and local vendors.

Rest for the night at one of Tucson’s comfortable lodgings. Consider booking a room at the Omni or the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa for a luxurious stay.

Budget-conscious travelers can choose the La Posada Lodge & Casitas .

Day 3: Sedona – Red Rock Adventures and Spiritual Vortexes

Begin the third day of your 7 day Arizona road trip itinerary with a scenic drive north to the enchanting town of Sedona. Surrounded by red rock formations, Sedona offers a variety of outdoor activities. Start by hiking the iconic Cathedral Rock Trail , where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

For this hike and many others in Sedona, you’ll need a Red Rock Pass .

If you need alternative hikes, I suggest ready my guide on easy hikes in Sedona, AZ !

Sedona is known for its spiritual vortexes, which are said to be areas of concentrated energy conducive to healing and meditation. Visit the Airport Mesa , Bell Rock , or Boynton Canyon vortexes for a unique, restorative experience. Alternatively, explore more of the area’s natural beauty by hiking the West Fork Oak Creek Trail or renting a mountain bike to tackle the trails.

After your morning hike, refuel with a delicious meal at one of Sedona’s excellent eateries.

Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at the ChocolaTree Organic Oasis, or indulge in creative Southwestern dishes at Elote Café.

As the sun sets, take a moment to appreciate Sedona’s vibrant arts scene. Browse the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village for local artwork, or catch a live performance at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. If you’re up for hiking, there are plenty of great Sedona sunset hikes to enjoy!

For dinner, try the Italian-inspired cuisine at Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano or the eclectic menu at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill .

Choose from Sedona’s wide range of accommodations to suit your preferences. For a luxurious experience, book a room at the Amara Resort or the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa (The Wilde Resort).

Budget-friendly options include the charming Southwest Inn at Sedona or the centrally-located Sky Ranch Lodge .

For more options, check out my guide on the best boutique hotels in Sedona !

Day 4: Petrified Forest National Park and Canyon de Chelly

Rise early and head east to Petrified Forest National Park , a fascinating landscape filled with colorful petrified wood, ancient fossils, and striking badlands. Begin your visit at the Rainbow Forest Museum, where you can learn about the park’s history and geology.

Then, explore the park’s main attractions, including the Giant Logs Trail, Blue Mesa, and the Painted Desert Inn.

Continue your journey to the remarkable Canyon de Chelly National Monument , home to towering sandstone cliffs, lush valleys, and ancient Ancestral Puebloan ruins. Take a self-guided tour along the North or South Rim drives, stopping at the many overlooks for stunning views of the canyon.

For a more immersive experience, consider joining a guided tour led by a Navajo guide, which will allow you to access the canyon floor and learn about the area’s rich history and culture. While options are limited inside the park, you can pack a picnic lunch to enjoy amidst the unique surroundings.

Alternatively, head to nearby Holbrook for a bite at one of the local diners, such as Joe & Aggie’s Café or Tom & Suzie’s Diner.

As you wrap up your day of exploration, dine at the Thunderbird Lodge Cafeteria, which offers a variety of Navajo and American dishes. Relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the canyon as the sun sets.

Tomorrow you’ll head closer to Utah!

Spend the night within the Navajo Nation at the Thunderbird Lodge , which offers basic but comfortable rooms. Alternatively, consider staying in Chinle at the Best Western Canyon de Chelly Inn or the Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly .

These options provide easy access to the park and a range of amenities for a restful night.

On day five, venture north to the iconic Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a mesmerizing landscape of sandstone buttes and mesas featured in countless movies and photographs. Start at the visitor center to learn about the area’s geology and Navajo culture. Then, embark on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a self-guided tour that winds past some of the park’s most famous landmarks, such as the Mittens, the Three Sisters, and John Ford’s Point.

Next up you have an optional adventure!

For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, consider heading to the nearby Valley of the Gods . This lesser-known destination features striking sandstone formations and a serene atmosphere, perfect for hiking or taking a scenic drive.

While it lacks the amenities of Monument Valley, the Valley of the Gods offers an opportunity to connect with the breathtaking beauty of the Southwest in a more intimate setting. Savor a meal at The View Restaurant, which offers a variety of Navajo and American dishes, along with stunning panoramas of the valley.

Alternatively, pack a picnic lunch to enjoy amidst the dramatic scenery.

Return to Monument Valley and take in the unforgettable sight of the sandstone formations glowing in the warm hues of the setting sun. For dinner, enjoy a traditional Navajo meal at one of the nearby trading posts, such as the historic Goulding’s Trading Post.

Tomorrow you’ll be exploring some of the nearby, photogenic attractions, so pack your camera !

Spend the night in Monument Valley for a truly immersive experience. The View Hotel offers comfortable rooms with unparalleled views of the iconic landscape.

Alternatively, opt for a unique stay at a traditional Navajo hogan, like those offered by Tear Drop Arch Bed & Breakfast or Monument Valley Tipi Village.

Begin day six with a drive to Page, Arizona, home to the mesmerizing Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon, famous for its smooth, flowing sandstone walls and dramatic shafts of light, can only be visited via guided tours . Choose between the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon , each offering a unique experience.

Be sure to book your tour well in advance, as spots fill up quickly!

Continue your day of exploration by visiting the breathtaking Horseshoe Bend . A short hike from the parking area leads you to an overlook with awe-inspiring views of the Colorado River as it winds around the distinctive rock formation.

Afterward, head to Lake Powell , a vast reservoir offering endless opportunities for water-based activities, such as boating, fishing, and swimming. After your Antelope Canyon tour, head to one of Page’s local eateries for a satisfying meal.

Big John’s Texas BBQ and the Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge are popular options, offering a variety of flavors to suit any palate.

As the day comes to a close, dine at one of Page’s delicious restaurants. Enjoy a hearty meal at the State 48 Tavern or savor Italian cuisine at the family-owned Bonkers Restaurant .

Tomorrow, you’ll be driving down to Grand Canyon National Park for the next part of your 7 day Arizona road trip!

Rest up for your final day of adventure at one of Page’s comfortable lodging options. For a touch of luxury, consider the Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell or the Lake Powell Resort .

Budget-conscious travelers can choose the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page at Lake Powell or the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Page – Lake Powell Area.

On the final day of your Arizona road trip, set out early for the grand finale: the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon National Park. Enter the park through the South Rim , where you’ll find the visitor center, numerous overlooks, and trailheads. While you’re here, I also recommend reading my Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon itinerary blog!

Make sure you have your America the Beautiful Pass !

Start your day with a stroll along the Rim Trail , which offers unparalleled views of the canyon and is suitable for all fitness levels.

After lunch, explore more of the park’s natural wonders by hiking part of the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail . Both trails descend into the canyon, offering unique perspectives on its grandeur.

Remember to allow ample time for your return hike, as the ascent can be challenging. If you want to see a great view, stop at Ooh Aah Point on South Kaibab Trail!

If you prefer a more leisurely activity, take a scenic drive along the Desert View Drive, which features multiple viewpoints and the striking Desert View Watchtower. For a memorable dining experience, consider having lunch at the historic El Tovar Dining Room, which offers a variety of dishes and panoramic views of the canyon.

Alternatively, grab a bite at the Bright Angel Lodge or the Maswik Food Court.

As the sun sets on your unforgettable Arizona adventure, find a spot along the rim to take in the breathtaking sight of the canyon bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. Reflect on the incredible experiences and memories you’ve created throughout your journey.

Tomorrow, you’ll head to your departure location!

Spend your final night in Arizona at one of the South Rim’s lodgings. For a historic experience, book a room at the iconic El Tovar Hotel or the rustic Bright Angel Lodge . Other options within the park include the Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, and Maswik Lodge.

Alternatively, consider staying in the nearby town of Tusayan, which offers a range of accommodations, such as The Grand Hotel or the Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon .

On the final day of your adventure, plan to depart from either Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport , depending on your travel preferences and flight options. If you’re flying out of Flagstaff, consider exploring the charming downtown area and grabbing a bite at Tourist Home All Day Café or Diablo Burger before your departure.

If your departure is from Phoenix, make sure to allow enough time for the approximately 3.5-hour drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim . You can stop in Sedona or Flagstaff along the way for a meal and a chance to reminisce about your unforgettable 7 day Arizona road trip itinerary!

If you have more time, check out Edge of the World, Flagstaff before you leave!

And that concludes your trip!

Arizona Road Trip Add-Ons

If you want to extend your Arizona itinerary 7 days, consider adding these extra destinations and activities. From exploring neighboring Utah’s national parks on a road trip to discovering additional hidden gems within Arizona, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences to make your trip even more unforgettable.

By adding these extra destinations and activities to your Arizona road trip, you’ll be able to explore more of the region’s diverse landscapes and delve deeper into the rich history and culture of the area.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument: Located in northern Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a lesser-known gem with stunning sandstone formations, including the famous Wave. A permit is required to hike to the Wave, and it’s a challenging, off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Utah National Parks: Extend your road trip to visit Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks : Zion , Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. These parks offer breathtaking landscapes, unique geological formations, and thrilling outdoor activities such as hiking, canyoneering, and scenic drives.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Situated near the Arizona-Mexico border, this national monument showcases the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Drive the scenic Ajo Mountain Drive or hike one of the many trails to admire the diverse cactus species and desert landscapes.

Jerome: A historic copper mining town, Jerome offers a glimpse into Arizona’s past. Perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill, the town is filled with art galleries, museums, and eclectic shops. Don’t miss a visit to the Jerome State Historic Park for insights into the town’s mining history.

Kartchner Caverns State Park: Explore the fascinating underground world of Kartchner Caverns, an extensive limestone cave system with guided tours showcasing its stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park: Discover the world’s largest natural travertine bridge at this state park near Payson. Hike the park’s trails to witness the impressive natural bridge and surrounding lush vegetation, or enjoy a peaceful picnic in the park.

Whether it’s extending your trip to Utah or venturing into Arizona’s lesser-known attractions, these add-ons will create a truly unforgettable experience!

Final Thoughts on Arizona 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary

Embrace the beauty, culture, and adventure that this desert state has to offer in this epic 7-day Arizona road trip. From exploring the mysteries of the Superstition Mountains to marveling at the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, this itinerary will provide memories that last a lifetime.

As you journey through this breathtaking state, don’t forget to indulge in the local cuisine and immerse yourself in the spirit of the Southwest. Happy travels!

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I'm a burrito loving explorer who got fired from corporate America and turned that into my dream career as a photographer and blogger. Now I'm here to help you explore life's magic. Thanks for stopping by!

Epic 1 Week Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip

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Looking for an unforgettable road trip that showcases all of the best natural beauty of Arizona , one of the most beautiful places in the USA ? Take a Phoenix to Page AZ road trip!

This beautiful road trip through Arizona is brought to you by Kate from Kate Roams the World , a travel nurse by profession and a traveler, and a travel blogger by passion. Presently in Philly, she has been lucky to live in different states on the US West Coast – California, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington.

Arizona Road Trip: A Beautiful Drive from Phoenix to Page

270 miles separate Phoenix from Page and the drive nonstop takes about 4 ½ hours. But in a state like Arizona, you’ll find endless detours and things to do along the way.

This Arizona road trip takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the state, including towering red rock formations, deep canyons, serene lakes, and cacti larger than life.

Along the way, you’ll discover hidden gems like ancient Native American ruins and charming small towns. Whether you’re a nature lover or just seeking an adventurous road trip for your next vacation, this drive is one not to be missed.

In this post, I’ll share the best stops to make on a Phoenix to Page drive. All the best hikes, viewpoints, and art & cultural immersions along the way!

PS : If you’ve time, you can explore Arizona as a part of a bigger Southwest USA road trip .

Phoenix to Page Arizona Road Trip: Basics

Best time to visit arizona.

The best times to visit Arizona are the spring and fall months. These months don’t have the extreme temperatures and weather that the summer and winter months can bring.

The summer months of June- August can bring average temperatures as high as 107°F in Phoenix. Summer is also the monsoon season in Arizona’s desert, which can bring heavy rains, flash flooding, and high winds.

Winter months can be cool and comfortable in the lower elevation parts of the desert like Phoenix. But expect below-freezing temperatures in higher elevation destinations such as the Grand Canyon.

Although if you can brave the cold and some snow, a visit in the winter can offer more solitude. Places like Sedona and the Grand Canyon will have considerably fewer crowds and may make your experience more enjoyable. But do keep in mind some trails or activities may be closed during the winter season.

Spring and fall months are optimal since the temperatures in the desert and high elevations will be comfortable when most attractions are open. But since these are the peak tourist seasons, be prepared for more crowds.

How to Get to Phoenix, AZ

Fly into Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. You will need a rental car for this trip, so pick one up at one of the many car rental companies at the airport.

For this road trip we have listed below you can certainly stick to an economy car or sedan if you’d like with no need to upgrade to a 4×4 vehicle.

Best Stops on your Phoenix AZ to Page AZ Road Trip

Prescott & jerome.

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Marble Canyon

Phoenix to Page Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Phoenix to page az road trip day 1: phoenix.

With one full day in Phoenix, pick one or two of the many hikes around the city.

Some of the best hikes around Phoenix are:

• The Wave Cave (3.2 miles roundtrip & 870 ft elevation gain)
• Peralta trail to Weaver’s Needle (5.8 miles & 1560 ft elevation gain)
• Piestawa Peak- Best sunrise hike in Phoenix! (2.2 miles & 1150 ft elevation gain)
• Camelback Mountain (2.4 miles & 1320 elevation gain)

If you’re not up for hiking stop by the huge Desert Botanical Garden to see thousands of flourishing cacti and plant species.

Picacho Peak State Park and the Lost Dutchman State Park both offer jaw-dropping mountain views for you to simply walk up to. The Lost Dutchman State Park makes for a stunning sunset location.

Those wanting to soak in some art and culture – stop by Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. This is a walkable downtown art district with street murals around every corner. You’ll also find plentiful art galleries, museums, restaurants, and bars.

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 2: Drive from Phoenix to Sedona

On your second day in Arizona, drive to the red rock paradise that is Sedona. If you have a couple more hours to spare, consider taking a detour to the small towns of Prescott and Jerome.

This detour will take about 1 ½ more hours of driving time, plus any time you spend in the towns themselves.

In Prescott, you can stop by the stunning Watson Lake to go kayaking or paddleboarding. Whiskey Row , a historic section of the town, is full of Old West bars and saloons that will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

Next drive from Prescott to Jerome, a once flourishing mining town and the 3rd largest city in Arizona.

A huge amount of dynamite was set off in the 1930s which caused a large amount of the town to collapse. Because of this history, it is now known as a ghost town .

Today it is a tourist destination and art haven with many galleries and art shops. Or visit the creepy ruins of the Bartlett Hotel or the Sliding Jail . You can join a guided Jerome Ghost Walk .

If you’ve driven up to Sedona via the long route from Phoenix stopping in Prescott and Jerome, you’ll probably arrive in Sedona sometime in the afternoon.

Get something to eat at the Hideaway House to enjoy Italian fare with amazing red rock views.

End your day with a sunset hike.

Some of the best sunset hikes in Sedona are:

• Bell Rock (0.8 miles roundtrip & 200 ft elevation gain)
• Cathedral Rock (1.2 miles roundtrip & 740 ft elevation gain)
• Red Rock Crossing Viewpoint
• Doe Mountain (1.5 miles roundtrip & 510 ft elevation gain)
• Munds Wagon trail to Merry Go Round Rock – my favorite! (6.5 miles roundtrip & 1100 ft elevation gain)

Sedona, an International Dark Sky Community , has amazing stargazing opportunities . So stay up late and look up at the sky – you may even see the milky way!

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 3: Sedona

With one day in Sedona, you’ll want to get an early start as there is so much to do in this little town, a highlight of any Arizona bucket list !

A lot of the hikes in Sedona are rather short and many trailheads are near each other, so it’s easy to fit in a few hikes in one day.

Below are the best hikes in Sedona broken down into more popular and less popular. Do the more popular trails early in the morning or in the mid-afternoon for the least crowds.

Don’t assume that just because a hike is less popular that it is not as stunning- you really can’t go wrong with any trail in Sedona!

Most popular Sedona trails:

• Devils Bridge (4 miles roundtrip & 520 ft elevation gain)
• Soldier Pass trail to the caves and 7 sacred pools (4.5 miles roundtrip & 840 ft elevation gain)
• Birthing Cave (2 miles roundtrip & 300 ft elevation gain)
• Subway Cave via Boynton Canyon (6 miles roundtrip & 820 ft elevation gain)

Sedona hikes with fewer crowds:

• Keyhole Cave : one of my favorites! (2.2 miles roundtrip & 470 ft elevation gain)
• Shaman’s Cave via Robbers Roost trail (3 miles roundtrip & 460 ft elevation gain)
• Fay Canyon Arch trail (1.5 miles roundtrip & 245 ft elevation gain)
• Bear Mountain (5 miles & 2025 ft elevation gain)

Not up for hiking? There is plenty of easy access to beautiful views around Sedona.

Visit Airport Mesa , Slide Rock State Park , or simply enjoy the views from the shops in Uptown Sedona .

There are also plentiful tours and activities to do, such as the infamous Pink Jeep Tours that go off-roading to some of the best sights Sedona has to offer.

Or get an adrenaline rush by going off-roading and driving yourself on a guided ATV tour .

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon via Flagstaff

The next day you’ll want to wake up and start your scenic 2 ½ hour drive to Grand Canyon National Park !

You’ll drive through the beautiful and densely forested Oak Creek up to Flagstaff.

Stretch your legs and walk around downtown Flagstaff. Admire the San Francisco peaks , with Humphrey’s Peak being the tallest mountain in the state.

Arrive at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the afternoon. Pick from some viewpoints and hikes listed below.

Don’t forget to enjoy an unforgettable sunset to end your day!

Best viewpoints in the Grand Canyon:

• Mather Point
• Grandview Point
• Yavapai Point
• Mohave Point
• Desert View (views of the Colorado River!)

Best half-day hikes in the Grand Canyon:

• Ooh Aah Point via South Kaibab trail (1.8 miles round trip & 685 ft elevation gain)
• South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge (3.1 miles & 1,180 ft elevation gain)
• 1.5-mile Resthouse via Bright Angel trail (3.2 miles & 1,180 ft elevation gain)

I highly suggest booking a night at one of the lodges on the South Rim , you do have to book a room in advance but the prices are more reasonable than you’d expect.

Staying in the National Park itself is super convenient!

Recommended Read: The Most Beautiful National Parks in the USA The Most Beautiful National Parks in the World

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 5: Grand Canyon

Try to set an early alarm to wake up to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon- it is stunning and a big bucket list moment!

Spend a full or half day at the Grand Canyon on this day, depending on how fast you want to get to Page.

Hit up some more viewpoints or hikes in the Grand Canyon you didn’t get to the day prior and then head off to Page.

The drive from the Grand Canyon to Page will take you about 2 ½ hours. On the way to Page, you’ll pass through the stunning Marble Canyon .

If you’re not tired yet, stop and do the 1.3-mile round-trip hike to Horseshoe Bend for sunset!

Planning on camping while in Page? Go to Lone Rock Beach on the shores of Lake Powell for the dreamiest place to rest your head at night!

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 6: Page

With one full day in Page, you have a few options. If you want to get out on the water for a full day during the warmer months, I highly suggest renting a small boat for the day and cruising around Lake Powell.

Out of all of my Arizona memories, this is at the top. Being on the turquoise waters with the orange canyon walls towering above you is really spectacular.

You could also join a guided kayak tour and paddle a few miles into Lower Antelope Canyon and hike in the slot canyon. This is also a fantastic and truly unique experience!

On the Navajo Nation you can go on a walking tour of the famous Antelope Canyon , a slot canyon with walls so smooth they look like they were sculpted.

Buckskin Gulch , a one-hour drive from Page, AZ, is a hiking trail with amazing rock formations and another slot canyon.

Or hike to the ‘ New Wave ’ trail . At less than 1 mile round trip this hike features beautifully textured rocks that resemble the Wave, a trail that is notoriously hard to get a permit for.

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 7: Drive back from Page to Phoenix

Head back down to Phoenix on your last day. The drive direct from Page to Phoenix takes just over 4 hours.

Have more time? Pick another activity around Page in the morning or head down to Phoenix early to do some more sightseeing or hiking!

Conclusion: Phoenix to Page Arizona Road Trip

In conclusion, a road trip from Phoenix to Page, AZ offers an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty.

From exploring the stunning landscapes of Sedona and the Grand Canyon to hiking through the colorful slot canyons of Antelope Canyon, this journey is full of incredible sights and experiences that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

With plenty of exciting stops along the way, including scenic overlooks, historic landmarks, and charming small towns, this road trip is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in nature’s splendor .

So pack your bags, hit the open road, and get ready for an epic adventure on one of America’s most scenic routes !

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Southwest Adventure: One Week in Arizona with Kids in Tow

By Margot Weiss

Our last two Christmases have been spent, respectively, stuck in a snowstorm on the way back from Maine and in the emergency room, so when my husband suggested that we avoid family gatherings altogether over Thanksgiving and take our two boys to Arizona, I was thrilled. After a few disagreements (I wanted Tucson; he wanted Monument Valley) we settled on a week-long itinerary intended to cover a great deal of the state but that also allowed for strategic, kid-friendly driving breaks along the way.

As it turned out, November is a great time to visit Arizona. The weather is comfortable during the day and then cools off at night, but best of all, there are no crowds. Not at the Grand Canyon, and not on the roads.

Day 1: Arriving in Phoenix

The downside of spending only a week in Arizona is that you're going to be doing a lot of driving; if you've got restless kids, plan accordingly. I brought my laptop, and my youngest happily watched Dora the Explorer DVDs during most of our drives and on the five hour flight. (Not a peep out of him until the plane stopped on the runway and he started screaming "I DON'T LIKE THIS PLANE! I WANT TO GET OFF!")

Days 1 & 2: Sedona

We planned our trip so that the long drives came earlier in the week and at the end of the week we would have a few days in Scottsdale to relax in the sun. As soon as we arrived in Phoenix we took off in our rental car, heading north on Rte. 17 to Sedona. The drive isn't long, a couple of hours, but it's beautiful. Point out to your kids how the landscape changes as you rise from the deserts around Phoenix to higher, hillier Sedona. They'll be able to see the saguaro cacti giving way to trees as you drive. Make a game of who can be the first one to spot some red rocks.

We stayed at a wonderful new hotel in Sedona, the Sedona Rouge , 2250 West Hwy. 89A (tel. 928/203-4111 ; www.sedonarouge.com ). It's not one that I would ordinarily recommend for families, but the staff was so accommodating and the rooms so comfortable, that we had a terrific time. In truth, however, it's the kind of place where you long to be with your partner, curling up in front of the fireplace, snuggling in the incredibly comfortable beds, enjoying the oversize showers (seriously, this shower was bigger than my bathroom at home) or, in my favorite room, number 225, soaking in the Jacuzzi tub with a wonderful view of those fire-red rocks just outside.

The helpful concierge recommended a couple of hikes, and the next day we set out early for Bell Rock , an easy loop (ok, to be honest we didn't make it around the whole thing) that gets you up close to one of those gorgeous rocks. If you're interested in serious hiking, look elsewhere; we did some serious meandering. My older son couldn't resist a bit of spontaneous rock climbing, while the younger treated the sand underfoot as a natural sandbox, picking it up and rolling in it until he looked like a miniature Pigpen, with clouds of fine, red dust puffing out of his clothes as he walked.

In the afternoon we headed to the open-air Out of Africa Wildlife Park , Route 260, three miles west of Interstate 17 at Exit 287 in Camp Verde (tel. 928/567-2840 ; www.outofafricapark.com ), getting there just in time for the feeding (Sun. Wed. & Fri. at 3pm). Following a truck with a galvanized tin bathtub overflowing with various carcasses, we watched the zookeepers as they heaved 20-pound turkeys into the air for eagerly waiting lions, wolves, bears and other assorted carnivores. My favorites were the hyenas, all slouchy hindquarters and scruffy fur. The beasts were well aware of the crowds; one lion neatly caught his turkey, and then struck an attitude with it for photographers, head high, his brownish-black mane waving majestically in the breeze.

While by no means on a par with zoos like the Bronx Zoo, whose strengths lie in their ability to make you feel as though you've entered into the animal's world, the Wildlife Park does offer an unusual opportunity to get close to the primal nature of these hunters (which, face it, is the real reason we all enjoy watching National Geographic specials). Kids under 14 in particular will enjoy this place, but even our 17-year-old was entertained.

Day 3: The Grand Canyon

It's another easy drive up to the Grand Canyon from Sedona. Since we were traveling in the off-season we took more popular U.S. 180 and barely saw another car. If you come in the summer you may want to take U.S. 89 to Ariz. 64 which approaches the park from the east; this route has less traffic in summer. We took Ariz. 64 out of the park--it's absolutely spectacular and well worth driving at any time of year.

Now, at the risk of sounding like a spoilsport, the Grand Canyon was my least favorite part of our Arizona vacation. Yes, it's spectacular, but when you're traveling with an extremely restless, active three-year-old, a giant hole in the ground is just not what you're looking for. We spent most of our time picking up pinecones and riding the free trail shuttle. Xanterra ( www.xanterra.com ), the company that manages the hotels and transportation along the canyon does a nice job. Information centers abound, the cafeterias are basic and very kid friendly and the hotel we stayed in right on the South Rim of the canyon, Maswik Lodge (tel. 928/638-2631 ; www.grandcanyonlodges.com ), perfectly comfortable. Also good fun if you're traveling with little children, seeing the peaceable kingdom of deer that congregates around the El Tovar Hotel . Kids can also take part in the Junior Ranger Programs (ages 4-14) run by the park; note that some portions of the program are only offered in summer.

With just one morning with which to really explore the canyon, my husband and older son set off on the South Kaibab Trail , which has some of the most spectacular views of the canyon of any day hike. It's a steep trail with no water available.

Day 4: Driving through Indian Country to Canyon de Chelly

The drive out of the canyon and then east across the state to Canyon de Chelly was to be our longest stretch in the car, and I was dreading it. But to my surprise, it turned out to be one of the very best parts of the trip. (Thanks again to Dora the Explorer .) First of all, the landscapes were astonishing, like nothing I've ever seen before. Wild, vast spaces, tortured twisting rocks, deep crags and furrows, and again, almost no cars. The drive took about 5 hours (gas up before you start out as you won't find many places to stop along Ariz. 264) but we broke it up with stops along the way, the first of which was at the Watchtower in the Grand Canyon. Designed by architect Mary Colter and built of local materials, it simultaneously blends in with the rocky landscape and challenges it, jutting symmetrically toward the sky and offering dramatic slices of views from its tiny windows.

Dinosaur Tracks

Our next stop was possibly my favorite of the whole trip. Just outside Tuba City on U.S. 160 you pull off the road onto an unpaved driveway with a shed manned by some Native Americans. Our self-appointed guide was Jennifer; there's no admission fee, but you are expected to tip your guide. (We paid $15.) The vast expanse of flat, red rocky land underfoot was once a swamp -- and despite some obvious signs of neglect (broken glass underfoot) it's easy for kids to imagine dinosaurs striding about this mysterious plain. Jennifer showed us footprints left by a tyrannosaurus and by a raptor; the imprint of dinosaur skin, a skeleton still half buried in rock, and best of all, piles and piles of oddly rounded, smooth rock that she told us were dinosaur poop. Tall tale or no, my toddler was thrilled. We go to the American Museum of Natural History at least once a month and the complete, reassembled skeletons there are awesome, but there was something very special about standing where dinosaurs once walked, literally in their footprints.

I've never seen such a beautifully maintained, empty road in my life as Ariz. 264. And I've never seen such great, empty expanses of land. We started crossing Indian country (homeland of both the Navajo and Hopi peoples) at around 4pm and while we saw maybe two other cars on our long drive, we passed at least 15 school buses. As we drove we tried to imagine what it must be like to live on this land that looks so little touched by humans. We saw few houses, even fewer stores. No strip malls, movie theaters, drug stores or supermarkets. We didn't even see many gas stations. Nothing but that inky black strip unwinding behind us and a evocative, crumpled landscape of mounds and crevices that gradually slipped into darkness as the sun set. We were trying to get to Canyon de Chelly before it got too late, but this would be a marvelous drive to make during the day, perhaps stopping off at some of the Indian villages along the way (for more information on this, see Frommer's Arizona 2006 , page 270.)

Day 5: Canyon de Chelly, Petrified Forest & Painted Desert

By the time we arrived in Chinle we were starving. Because our hotel, the Thunderbird Lodge , which is right in Canyon de Chelly, (tel. 800/679-2473 or 928/674-5841 ; www.tbirdlodge.com ) had a rather sad looking cafeteria, we decided to head over to the Holiday Inn on Indian Rte. 7 instead for some dinner. It was well worth it; try the Indian fry bread sandwich.

We woke the next morning to some of the cleanest, crispest air I've ever breathed. You can visit the canyon is a couple of different ways, with a guided tour or on your own. It's perfectly simple to do the drive and stop at all the lookouts, but you have only one opportunity for getting inside the canyon, a 2.5-mile round-trip walk to White House Ruins , which takes about two hours; do it if you have the time. It's an easy hike, manageable for kids ages 7 and up. Also well worth it is one of the "shake and bake tours" (arranged through the Thunderbird Lodge, see above) with an authorized guide that will get you in the canyon via six-wheel drive vehicle and up close to the ancient structures. From April 1 to October 31, 2006, the Thunderbird Lodge is offering a package deal that includes a two-night stay at the lodge, continental breakfast for two each morning, and a half or full-day canyon tour for two people (package with half-day tour $330; with full-day tour $375).

We decided to break up our drive back to Phoenix by stopping in Winslow for the night. On our way there, we stopped at the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert National Park ( www.nps.gov/pefo ). You can drive straight through this long park that stretches north and south between I-40 and U.S. 180 in either direction, but I recommend starting at the southern end in the Petrified Forest. Warn the kids in advance, yes, they're going to see trees that have been turned into stone, but these are stumps lying on the ground, not an upright forest where they'll be surrounded by towering stone trunks. Oddly, we thought the most striking section of this park were the petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock . There was just something completely human and relatable about these tiny drawings, so much like something you'd see scrawled in a kid's notebook today.

At the northern end of the park you'll come to the Painted Desert. Stop at as many of the pullouts as you can; the views change constantly, with blurred layers of colors fading into each other like delicate watercolors.

Our stay at the marvelous La Posada Hotel , 303 E. Second Street, Winslow (tel. 928/289-4366 ; www.laposada.org ) was a highlight of our trip. It's a fabulous place to take kids, with railroad tracks outside (so that train-obsessed tikes can watch the trains passing through) and seemingly endless public rooms filled with all manner of unusual art, books, and well, things (a suit of armor, an old birdcage) and plenty of nooks and crannies to curl up in. Families with older children should ask for one of the four suites, consisting of two interconnecting doubles--the perfect combination of privacy and proximity--for only $149 a night.

Days 6 & 7: Scottsdale

Our last drive took us back to Scottsdale via Ariz. 87. This was to be the relaxing part of our vacation, two days of luxury at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale , 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road (tel. 480/444-1234 ; www.scottsdale.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels ). This is hands-down one of the most kid-friendly hotels I've ever stayed in; we could have stayed the whole week and not gotten bored. For ages 3 to 12 Camp Hyatt offers daily activities; adults in need of pampering can visit the brand new spa.

While my husband and older son tried out the golf course, my younger son and I headed to one of the ten pools, this one a miniature sandy beach that sloped gently into a shallow fresh water pool, perfect for little ones who don't know how to swim yet, but love splashing around on their own. Poolside service of kid-friendly favorites like grilled cheese and hotdogs (plus a frothy drink for mom) was the icing on the cake. This was what I'd been looking forward to my whole vacation--sprawling on a lounge chair, in the sun, in front of a swimming pool, with a pina colada in my hand.

Now that's a family vacation.

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Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, the ultimate arizona road trip with kids.

• By Tanvi Chheda
• December 30, 2021

It’s no secret that road tripping through the Grand Canyon state is a family favorite, with stunning desert light, those unmistakable saguaro cacti and red rock landscapes. While there’s no right or wrong route to take, our recent weeklong itinerary gave us a variety of memorable family experiences and outdoor adventures through Arizona.

With direct flight service from several U.S. cities, Phoenix makes for a natural start to most Arizona road trip itineraries. And its upscale sister city-cum-suburb, Scottsdale, has innumerable family offerings (more on that later). From the Phoenix area, head first to the 277-mile-long Grand Canyon, carved out by the Colorado River some 5 to 6 million years ago. From there, it’s worth adding a stop in Page, Arizona, to visit the otherworldly Antelope Canyon on Navajo land. Next, head south to Sedona for breathtaking hikes and stargazing in red rock country. Then, finish with resort time in Scottsdale and tack on a few local activities such as a half day at the 200,000-square-foot Musical Instrument Museum.

Though this is an ideal spring break road trip, Arizona’s temperate climate also makes it possible to execute a plan like this during the fall or winter months, though you will need some warmer gear as you travel north in November and December. Below, we share our highlights for families in each destination.

Best Arizona Road Trip Itinerary for Families

Grand canyon national park.

It’s hard to fully comprehend the geology and time the Grand Canyon represents — layers of limestone, sandstone and shale deposited between 200 million and 2 billion years ago, with the Colorado River only cutting its path through 5 millions years ago — but it’s still possible to marvel at and be humbled by its vastness and grandeur.

For a bit of context (and also because kids often listen better to guides than their own parents), look into a tour with the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute. With the help of our guide, our kids spotted fossils in the rocks and picked their own pine nuts from the pinyon trees as we walked along. She also told us about wildlife in the park, from elk and California condors to bats and bighorn sheep.

We based ourselves at the South Rim, and both the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails (to Ooh Aah Point) were a great introduction to hiking in the canyon. Our kids, however, most loved riding bikes along the rim. In truth, we all did, since it was a more active way to see the park rather than walk or ride the shuttle bus to different vantage points. Spotting a bull elk while on our bikes was an exciting moment too!

Reserve bikes from Bright Angel Bicycles & Café, which is right inside the park. We were even able to get a tandem for our younger one, as we were nervous about him riding solo. It’s worth noting, however, that the designated bike path along the rim is quite wide and you’re never right at the edge (which does have a solid stone barrier wall).

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We split our stay at the Grand Canyon between the in-park Maswik Lodge, which is a stone’s throw from the South Rim, and a glamping-style tent at Under Canvas, about 40 minutes away. It was great to have both experiences: the convenience of being in the park as well as a more unconventional stay that our kids really loved. From stargazing and spotting a roadrunner to roasting marshmallows and showering in the fancy tent, we all were won over by glamping.

Antelope Canyon and Page

From the Grand Canyon, head to the town of Page, Arizona, which sits at the southern tip of yet another natural canyon: the 170-mile long Glen Canyon, carved out by the Colorado River millennia ago. The construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1965 created Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir popular for boating and water activities. These days, however, controversy surrounds Glen Canyon Dam, as longstanding drought and climate change are driving environmental groups to push for the dismantling of the dam and draining of the lake to restore native habitats along the Colorado River. Even as visitors, it’s important to keep this history and context in mind.

Along with Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend (a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River), the much-photographed Antelope Canyon is a major attraction in Page. Antelope Canyon actually compromises an upper and lower slot canyon, which can only be visited on a guided tour since it sits on sacred Navajo land. The slot canyons were formed over time as water ran through the rocks. As my family and I walked through the chambers of the Upper Canyon, with light pouring in from above and revealing gorgeous sandstone curves, we were in awe. Though this was our first visit, we were thankful to learn that the guided tours were all operating at half capacity compared to before the pandemic, making for a less crowded experience.

Tourism in Page is on the rise, with several new hotels opening in recent years. Luxury properties aren’t the norm here, but the 102-room modern Hyatt Place is a good option for families. The hotel also has partnerships with local outfitters such as Epic Adventure Rides, which offers customizable off-road UTV tours.

Synonymous with crimson monoliths, buttes and spires, Sedona’s panoramas are nothing short of astounding. Over millions of years, as water receded from the area, layers of volcanic rock were revealed and sculpted by erosion into the majestic formations we see today.

With 400 miles of trails for a variety of abilities, families will love hiking among these vermilion rocks. Our family loved Bell Rock for scrambling and scaling; the 1.9-mile Sugarloaf Summit trail, which paid off with 360-degree panoramic views for relatively little effort; and Devil’s Bridge for a bit more of a challenge. In truth, there are no bad trails. An early start is highly advisable, as parking spots are limited with Sedona’s rising tourism numbers (visitors have doubled from 5 million to 10 million in just the last few years). From hot air balloon rides to guided stargazing tours, there are multiple other ways to get outdoors and experience red rock country too.

A growing number of art galleries, shops specializing in Native American arts and crafts, and inventive restaurants in the Uptown district and Tlaquepaque village have also made Sedona a cultural and culinary destination. Come dinner, snag a table at one of local chef Lisa Dahl’s five restaurants across town, from the more casual Pisa Lisa pizzeria to fine dining at Dahl & Di Luca. Other delicious options include no-frills Tamaliza for great tamales and Oak Creek Brewery & Grill for craft beers and bites. During peak season and holidays, it’s best to make advance reservations.

There’s no shortage of hotels in Sedona, but top family-friendly options include the high-end Enchantment Resort with its Camp Coyote kids club, Amara Resort & Spa, and Sky Rock Inn, where the communal terraces offer breathtaking views. For a longer stay, consider a rental. Ours, through Marriott’s Homes and Villas division, was well located in West Sedona and proved to be very convenient, with a kitchen and laundry for all those hiking clothes. CB’s Family Travel Advisor team can work with you to select accommodations that are ideal for your family, in some cases with exclusive perks to pass along.

Phoenix and Scottsdale

From Sedona, head back south and unwind with a few days in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, where you can indulge in some downtime at a resort. A few family favorites include the recently renovated Arizona Biltmore (book one of the beautiful cottages); the Four Seasons at Troon North, which boasts a great spa and easy trail access to Pinnacle Peak; or the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which turns into a bona fide winter wonderland, complete with ice skating rink and train ride, through the holiday season.

Spend a day or two by the pool, sneak in a little spa time and explore the public art in Old Town Scottsdale at this final Arizona destination. Also worth visiting as a family is the Desert Botanical Garden, which incorporates Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures into its desert landscapes, or the massive Musical Instrument Museum, where kids can learn about musical instruments from around the world (have you ever heard a Korean kayagum?) and even play guitars, drums and gongs in the Experience Gallery. And if traveling with younger ones, don’t miss McCormick Stillman Railroad Park.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family vacation accommodations and ideas in Arizona on Ciao Bambino

Spring training season is a hit in family-friendly Scottsdale

10 unexpected family spring break destinations

Editor’s Note: Photos by Tanvi Chheda except where noted.

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One Week American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary – Arizona & New Mexico

American Southwest , Road Trips , Travel

To really explore the   American Southwest , you’d need weeks or months to see it all. Personally, I think breaking it into a 4-day weekend to a week-long and stretch it over a few trips is the best way to travel these days. There’s no need to quit your job or have huge savings, doing a road trip like this, I think, is the best way to explore America.

In this post, I will walk you through top things to do and places to go see along with a few hikes and easy nature spots in Arizona and New Mexico.

• Stay, Eat, & Shop in Phoenix, AZ
• Stay, Eat, Shop in Tucson, AZ
• Cactus Forest Drive, Saguaro National Park East, AZ
• Mica View Trail, Saguaro National Park East, AZ
• Bajada Loop Drive, Saguaro National Park West, AZ
• Gates Pass, Tucson Mountain Park, Tucson, AZ
• Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Tucson, AZ
• Stay, Eat, & Shop in Sedona, AZ
• Devil’s Bridge, Sedona, AZ
• Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, AZ
• Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ
• Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, Sedona, AZ
• Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ
• Drive through Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
• Desert Inn & Painted Desert Trail, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
• Blue Mesa Trail, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
• Crystal Forest, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
• Interdune Boardwalk, Playa Trail, Dune Life Nature Trail, White Sands National Park, NM
• White Sands Backcountry Trail , White Sands National Park, NM
• Alkali Flat Trail, White Sands National Park, NM
• Ship Rock, New Mexico

1. Stay, Eat, & Shop in Phoenix, AZ

We started and ended our trip at Phoenix. Phoenix has the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and is closed to well-known cities such as Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, and Mesa.

WHERE TO EAT IN PHOENIX:

Cocina Madrigal Tacos + Tequila   (4044 S 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85040):   This is by far the best Mexican restaurant that I’ve ever been to . I loved everything I ordered and still dream about the thin handmade tortillas. Chef and owner Leo introduced himself to us, and that explained a lot as to why the restaurant has gotten so many 5-star reviews on Yelp.

The Parlor Pizzeria   (1916 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016): Great atmosphere, service, and

Taco Boy’s   (620 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004): Taco Boy’s is only 7 minutes away from the airport. I love that they cook their meat in an Open fire of Mesquite Charcoal wood, full of tasty smoky flavor!

Jin Shabu   (2055 N Dobson Rd #C5,   Chandler , AZ 85224): All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu with great beef and seafood options and a veggie buffet. Hot pot or shabu-shabu makes a great place for groups and to satisfy any soup cravings. Note that this is in Chandler, 30-minute drive Southeast of Phoenix.

PLANT SHOPS IN PHOENIX:

I’m sharing my list of plant shops that I’ve visited during the trip since some of you have asked about it. I did purchase some cacti and brought them on the plane home. In case you’re curious, I got two big cacti on the plane without any questions asked. Plant shops in Arizona are not normal plant shops, and they’re huge nurseries, growers, and suppliers.

Plant Stand Arizona  (6420 S 28th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042): 10-acres, 4 greenhouses, and a huge pottery selection

Whitfill Nursery  (2647 E Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040): located next to plant Stand Arizona that it specializes in desert landscaping. They have some houseplants in-stock, so make sure to ask the staff.

Pueblo  (1002 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ 85006): Pueblo is a boutique plant shop that is just a few blocks from downtown Phoenix. Great houseplants and cute gift selection.

Dig It Garden  (3015 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016): They have a great variety of unique cacti and indoor plants. I bought 2 cacti here!

Phoenix Desert Garden  (3525 E Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040): Huge cactus selection at a great price.

WHERE TO STAY IN PHOENIX:

Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West   (860 N Riverview, Mesa, AZ 85201-3605)

2. Stay, Eat, Shop in Tucson, AZ

WHERE TO EAT IN TUCSON:

Serial Grillers   (5975 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712): They’re known for cheesteaks, pizza, burgers and calzones. I got a salad and a Vanilla agave drink, super refreshing!

Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue   (5250 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711): They were out of ribs since we stopped by right before they were closed for the day. Regardless, their   briskets and BBQ sauces are some of of the best I have ever had .

Ni Hao Tea   (4726 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711): A solid boba tea shop, highly recommend if you’re in Tucson.

PLANT SHOPS IN TUCSON:

Green Things   (3384 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718):   Green Things is the best nursery out of all of the nurseries I’ve been to in Arizona.

Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery   (8005 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85715): There are a lot to see here. I loved walking around and discovered lots of roses, citrus plants as well as cacti.

B & B Cactus Farm   (11550 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85748): 2-acre farm specializing in cacti and succulents.   Kind people working here, and I did buy a big cactus at a really good price!

WHERE TO STAY IN TUCSON:

Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites   (5151 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85712)

Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ

Saguaro National Park   has   2 districts :   Saguaro East   and   Saguaro West   that are geographically separated by the city of Tucson.   West District has a higher concentration of saguaro cacti , but I think exploring the East District is equally as fun.

West District, Saguaro West, or Tucson Mountain District

East District,  Saguaro  East, or Rincon Mountain District

Fun facts about saguaro cactus : Saguaro is pronounced as Sa – WAH – ro, and its scientific name is  Carnegiea gigantea . It’s native to the Sonoran Desert and has a long lifespan, up to 250 years. Inside Saguaro National Park, there is no specific saguaro recognized as the tallest, and in fact, lots of young and small ones. It’s a slow-growing cactus, and saguaro’s white waxy flowering season is late April through June.

TIPS TO EXPLORE SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK SAFELY & RESPONSIBLY:

Fees & passes

Avoid wearing sandals and watch out for the jumping chollas.

Make sure to bring plenty of water, food, have sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and wear proper clothing before venturing out or hiking.

Cellphone reception and wifi are limited in both districts, so download the map area in advance

Saguaro National Park East aka The Rincon Mountain District (RMD) 

Start your adventure at the Rincon Mountain Entrance Station/visitor center and follow the park map (available at the visitor center).   Saguaro National Park East   has an older saguaro compared to the West side.

3. Do the Cactus Forest Drive, Saguaro National Park East, AZ

8 miles , winding road but   paved , a combination of one- and two-way road with scenic vistas, pullouts, and trailheads

Stop at   Javelina Rock   if you want to view the sunset inside the park. It’s an easy stop and wander spot, located at the end of the Cactus Forest Drive.

Scenic drive map,   here

4. Hike Mica View Trail, Saguaro National Park East, AZ

Mica View Loop   Trail is a 3.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located in Saguaro National Park, East District.

It was a pretty hot sunny day, so we only did half of the trail and turned back. There is a good amount of cacti with cool interesting shapes and sizes. It’s a fun trail!

The   Red Hills Visitor Center  is a pretty nice place to start your Saguaro West adventure.   Saguaro National Park West has a higher density of saguaro than the East side   with a younger saguaro forest.

5. Do the Bajada Loop Drive, Saguaro National Park West, AZ

5 miles,   gravel   road with scenic vistas, pullouts, and trailheads.

Don’t miss the   petroglyphs   (prehistoric rock art) at the   Signal Hill Picnic Area   in the West district.

6. Catch the sunset on Gates Pass, Tucson Mountain Park, Tucson, AZ

Gates Pass is not a part or inside of Saguaro National Park, but it’s near Saguaro West district.   Gate Pass is a mountain pass. The road through the pass is a scenic drive with overlooks that are best known for sunset watching .

You can simply plug in Gates Pass on Google Map. Direction: Get on E Speedway Blvd, and follow West until it turns into W Gates Pass road. After about 3 miles, there is a parking lot as well as multiple viewing platforms with trails where you can walk up a small hill or hike down to the valley.  

7. Visit Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Tucson, AZ

Mission San Xavier Del Bac   is a historic Spanish Catholic mission church located 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Address: 1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746.

There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier . Church is open for visitors as well as the gift shop.

Learn about the history and architecture,   here .

8. Stay, Eat, & Shop in Sedona, AZ

WHERE TO EAT IN SEDONA:

If you’re planning a Sedona trip in advance and have a restaurant in mind, I recommend reserving a table at least a day in advance. Most places get a lot of hype on Google and reviews on Yelp due to such a large amount of tourists. If you want to come in anyway, you might get lucky or certainly feel free to put your name down for the table. There are tons of shops within walking distance, so have a plan.

• Hideaway House   (pizza, Italian): I decided to put my name down for a table and waited nearly an hour and a half for a table that night here. It’s t night, the restaurant looks normal, nothing really special except the sunflower logos seen everywhere. I had their famous Brick chicken, Peach pizza, French onion soup, and a margarita, and I enjoyed everything. Our waiter is also super nice!
• Layla’s Bakery-Cafe   (3190 W State Rte 89A #200, Sedona, AZ 86336): We went in for a quick coffee and bakery right after the Devil’s Bridge Trail because I was so hungry. I don’t recommend getting coffee here, and the bakery is just ok. It’s nice at least because of the location.
• Wildflower   (101 N, AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336): Ok, this place is surprisingly amazing and fresh! The place gives me the Panera Bread vibe, but it is way better! I love that they take orders at the counter or online, and food comes out pretty fast. The place is big enough, so people can get in line indoors. Think desert Sedona heat, and waiting outside is something you don’t want to do, especially when you’re hungry.

WHERE TO STAY:   We slept in our car for the night at the Devil’s Trailhead parking lot and started the hike at 4:30 am. Sedona is a very busy and popular town, so I’d say to pick a hotel or a place to stay in a nearby town so it’s cheaper.

9.  Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, AZ

• Chapel of the Holy Cross   (780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336)   Roman Catholic chapel   built into the buttes of Sedona, Arizona. Dramatic rock formations, views, and landscapes, and I had a nice peaceful time.
• Admission is   free   with plenty of parking available.

10. Shop at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, Sedona, AZ

Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village   is such a charming shopping area with restaurants and lots of unique shops, definitely one of the best I’ve been to. It’s designed after a Mexican village in the 70s, and Tlaquepaque means ‘best of everything.’ I love the stucco walls, cobble-stoned walkways, arched entryways, artsy doors, and live music.

TLAQUEPAQUE OUTFIT: jumpsuit & matching cardigan:   FREE PEOPLE   | sandals:   LUNA SANDALS Retro mono   | sunglasses:   CELINE   | watch:   NORDGREEN the Native |  ALL JEWELRY:   MEJURI

11. Hike Devil’s Bridge, Sedona, AZ

4. 2 miles round trip, easy but scramble at the top. Longline to take photos at the bridge, so WAKE UP AND HIKE early!

Parking without a 4×4: Devil’s Bridge Trail Parking Lot.   This is the route that we did! You’d be walking along the dirt road, Dry Creek Road, before reaching the devil’s Bridge Trailhead. That makes this hike a total of 4.2 miles.

Parking with a 4×4/ATV/truck rental is at the actual devil’s Bridge trailhead. This makes the hike 2 miles, round trip.

As I shared   here , I did start hiking at 4:30 am for sunrise. And in fact, I made it up with plenty of time to spare, witnessed an incredible sunrise, and headed down before the crowd of people showed up. Depends on the time of the year, you can time the trip and be there right at sunrise up to an hour after sunrise.

DEVILS’ BRIDGE OUTFIT: blanket I used for the morning sunrise hike:   RUMPL   | long-sleeved shirt:   LULULEMON Swiftly Tech | leggings:   LULULEMON Align leggings   | backpack:   FJALLRAVEN   | bra:   GIRLFRIEND Float Lola   | shoes:   KEEN

12. Hike Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ

• Length: 1.3 miles out and back, rated as moderate. Rock scramble and super crowded trail. Do not hike this if you’re afraid of height. Wear sturdy shoes and a mask!
• Parking at Cathedral Rock Trailhead: 500 Back O Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. You will have to pay a parking fee! Limited parking but high rate of turnover, so I’d recommend you to be patient and wait around for a spot
• The alternative trail, known as the “back way,” is the Red Rock crossing Trail/Templeton trail/Baldwin Trail, only hike this if you have extra time (because it is longer, 4 miles) and want a little bit more out of your day. There is a river in which a lot of people swim. I did half of this trail because the Cathedral Rock parking lot was full. But we then turned back since we ran out of daylight.
• This is my most favorite hike in the Sedona area. It is a busy trail, so you should either wake up early for a sunrise hike or hike in the afternoon. It will get super busy especially late morning and before sunset. The hike is challenging but fun at the same time. Views are incredible along the hike as well as at the top. It is best as an early morning hike, afternoon, and before sunset.

CATHEDRAL ROCK OUTFIT: tank:  LULULEMON  | bike shorts:  GIRLFRIEND  | shoes:  KEEN

13. Visit the Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ

Biosphere 2   is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona.

Self-guided tour tickets are $25 per person for   The Biosphere 2 Experience , and this will allow you to follow a one-way path around the exterior and portions of the interior of Biosphere 2.

BIOSPHERE 2 OUTFIT: sport bra:  GIRLFRIEND Float Juliet  |jeans:  LEVI’S Made & Crafted Column | linen jacket: thrifted | shoes:  DR. MARTENS  | mask:  GRAF LANTZ

Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Located in the Northeastern Arizona,   Petrified Forest National Park   (1 Park Road, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028) is known for expansive vistas, colorful badlands and moon-like landscapes. It’s named after the petrified wood found in the park. Part of the park also contains a segment of the   Historic Route 66   and the   National Old Trails Highway .

TIPS TO EXPLORE PETRIFIED NATIONAL PARK SAFELY & RESPONSIBLY:

Always bring water and food before taking on any hikes.

There are a few privately owned gift shops where you can purchase petrified woods/crystals if you’re interested. There is a small amount sold inside the park’s visitor centers as well. Please do not take anything the doesn’t belong to you. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff.

14. Drive through the Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

The best ways to enjoy and explore the park are to   drive from one end of the park to the other   and   take on a hike . The drive takes about   an hour , and there are plenty of pull-outs as well as historic stops along the way. Make sure to acquire the park map or ask a ranger for more information.

We started from the   North End   and exited the park at the South End. After learning about some must-stops at the   Painted Desert Visitor Center , we headed to the Painted Desert Inn and hiked the Desert Inn trail, entrance is right to the left of the Desert Inn. We then followed the park map and drove South. Most of the trails in the park are very short and easy, so I’d call it walking, not actual hiking.

15. Visit Desert Inn & Hike Painted Desert Trail, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

The original Desert Inn was made of petrified wood in the early 1920s. It’s been renovated with the adobe facade style and functions as a museum now. There’s a trailhead located right on the left side behind the Desert Inn where you’d get to hike down to the   Painted Desert , well only a small part of it.

Painted Desert   is known for its brilliant and vibrant red and purple badlands, and a large portion of it is easily accessed in the north portion of Petrified Forest National Park.

There’s a more flat and easy trail, called   Painted Desert Rim Trail,   and it is a 1.1 mile (1.6 km) round trip.

PAINTED DESERT OUTFIT: silk shirt: thrifted | bike 3″ shorts: NIKE thrifted, similar from   NIKE   &   ADIDAS   | water bottle:   HYDRO FLASK   | shoes:   KEEN

16. Hike the Blue Mesa Trail, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Length:   1 mile (1.6 km) loop , paved trail. Steep at the beginning of the trail!

Best and my most favorite trail in Petrified Forest National Park .

You’d be walking among badland hills of   blue/purple bentonite clay   as well as   petrified wood   deposits.

PETRIFIED FOREST OUTFIT: long-sleeved shirt:   LULULEMON   | hat:   LULULEMON   | shorts: same 3″ shorts from NIKE | sandals:   LUNA SADALS   | backpack:   FJALLRAVEN

17. Walk the Hike Crystal Forest, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Length:   0.75 mile (1.2 km) loop

The best trail that is known for having a high concentration of beautiful petrified wood deposits.

White Sands National Park, NM

White Sands National Park   is in the heart of the   Tularosa Basin . It is the world’s largest gypsum dune field that spreads   275 square miles of desert , located in   New Mexico .

Fees & permit.   We have the America the Beautiful pass.

Sunset at White Sands is the best sunset I have ever seen in my entire life! Camping is not permitted inside the park, so we stayed in   Alamogordo , a small but pretty established town nearby, and woke up early for sunrise in the park the next day.

Visitor Center: bathrooms, buy sleds, gifts, and ask for park hours

It’s a desert, so look up   Monthly Weather Average , wind, heat, storm, or dangerous weather warning.

Bring proper sun protection and clothing! White Sands is actually pretty cold in the morning and at night!

Always bring plenty of food and water, a portable charger, and do not wander by yourself!

Leave No Trace , except Footprints. It’s true that we did have to rely on our own footprints to get back to where we started while at White Sands.

Backcountry camping is available. Check   here   for status.

18. Take on a stroll at Interdune Boardwalk, Playa Trail, or Dune Life Nature Trail, White Sands National Park, NM

You can stop by Interdune Boardwalk to learn more about the science, geology, plants, and animals in White Sands National Park. Other easy trails include Playa Trail and Dune Life Nature Trail are great stops, kid-friendly and pet-friendly, too.

19. Hike the White Sands Backcountry Trail , White Sands National Park, NM

• Length:   1.8 miles   moderately trafficked easy loop trail. The trail is primarily used for walking, hiking and camping. It is   flat , and there is quite a good amount of vegetation.
• We watched sunrise here and didn’t have time to make it further before sunrise.

PENDLETON WHITE SANDS BLANKET

20. Hike the Alkali Flat Trail, White Sands National Park, NM

5 miles round trip , strenuous, but you do not have to finish the whole thing. Watch my IG stories   HERE

Trail markers: red color stick with a diamond symbol

This is the best trail for photos (if high dunes with no footprints   are what you’re looking for).

We did not to the full loop! In fact, we had to climb quite a few high dunes and walked off trail a little bit where there weren’t a lot of footprints on the sand. Our plan was to follow our own footprints back and head back right away at sunset since we were here early fall. Early fall means the sun would set much earlier! 8 pm was the time that the park was closed. Note that it wasn’t a windy day either, so we felt safe and decided to wander off trail for clean sand dunes.

ALKALI TRAIL OUTFIT: tube top, short, and shirt: thrifted | hat:   MUJI   | sandals: LUNA SANDALS

21. Ship Rock, New Mexico

• Ship Rock formation , the peak, is sacred to the Navajo Nation, so please be respectful to the people and the land. It is known as Tsé Bit’ A’í, or ‘the rock with wings’.
• Climbing Shiprock is prohibited.
• Road to get closer to the actual Ship Rock formation is a dirt road, very sketchy with lots of pot holes.   To reach the base of Shiprock, the entrance is on the right side of the dyke/tail south of the formation.   We didn’t drive a big truck or a 4×4, so we got as closer as we could and left after the sunset.

SHIPROCK OUTFIT: bra:   GIRLFRIEND Paloma   | sweater: thrifted | shorts:   PATAGONIA   | shoes:   KEEN

We did make a lunch stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and would love to come back and explore more of what the city has to offer next time.

Guava Tree Cafe   ( 118 Richmond Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 ):   The best Cuban sandwiches, highly recommend!

Watch my IG-stories for trip highlight,  HERE . Thank you for reading, and leave me a comment with any questions about the trip. I’d love to help you out. Have fun and be safe out there!

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Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, Style & Senses is my digital life and style journal of all things that inspire my senses and beyond. Hope you stay inspired, as always!

Adventurous One Week Arizona to Utah Road Trip

Published by sarah vaughan on december 30, 2020 december 30, 2020.

There may not be a better place in the world for an adventure-filled road trip than Arizona and Utah in the southwestern corner of the United States. Home to vast red rock desert, the indescribable Grand Canyon, endless hiking trails, and otherworldly rock formations, a road trip from Arizona to Utah is sure to leave you awestruck. We’ve lived in both Arizona and Utah and explored almost every corner of these two magnificent states. In this article, we’ve outlined the perfect one week road trip itinerary from Arizona to Utah.

Arizona to Utah Road Trip Itinerary | At a Glance

• Day One | Phoenix to Sedona

Day Two | Sedona

• Day Three | Sedona to the Grand Canyon

Day Four | Grand Canyon

• Day Five | Page, Arizona

Day Six | Zion National Park

Day seven | bryce canyon.

• Day Eight | Las Vegas

Arizona to Utah Road Trip Map

For this road trip through Arizona, fly into Phoenix and out of Las Vegas. You may also choose to reverse the order. The map shows each destination and activity included on this road trip:

Arizona to Utah Road Trip Details

In the section below, we’ll give you all the details about each day on this epic Arizona to Utah road trip!

Day One | Sedona

On day one, fly into Phoenix and drive 2 hours to Sedona , a charming desert town surrounded by magnificent red rock formations. Depending on how much time you have, you could try to squeeze in a short hike, or just grab a quick diner and watch the sunset.

On a clear night, Sedona is also a great place for stargazing. Sometimes you can even see the Milky Way!

Here are a few good places to see the stars:

• Two Trees Observing Area
• Crescent Moon Parking Lot
• Baldwin Trailhead
• Jordan Trailhead

Spend your second day in Arizona hiking among Sedona’s red rocks , ending with an afternoon of wine tasting on the Verde Valley wine trail.

Watch the Sunrise from Airport Mesa

Wake up early on day two to catch a Sedona sunrise – we promise it’s worth it! We recommend heading to Airport Mesa for a quick walk up to a 360-degree viewpoint that makes for an incredible spot to have a cup of coffee while waiting for the sun to rise.

Hike to Cathedral Rock

Now that you’re up, get an early start on one of Sedona’s most popular hikes: Cathedral Rock . This 1.3 mile roundtrip hike is short but steep, and although it would be beautiful at any time of the day, its best done in the morning when the sun casts stunning shadows of the rock formations onto the valley below.

Hike to Soldier’s Pass Cave

Next, drive about 15 minutes to the trailhead of Soldier’s Pass Cave , a 3.1-mile hike to a small cave carved into a red rock cliff.

P.S. We’ve put together a complete guide to hiking to Soldier’s Pass Cave , with all the details you need to know to plan your hike.

Verde Valley Wine Trail

After a busy morning of hiking, spend the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing with a few glasses of wine on the Verde Valley Wine Trail . We recommend the following:

• Javelina Leap Winery : closes at 6:00PM (also has good food options)
• Page Spring Cellars: closes 9:00 PM
• Oak Creek Vineyard: closes 8:00 PM

Day Three | Sedona to Grand Canyon

Hike to devil’s bridge.

Start day three with one last hike in Sedona. Devil’s Bridge Trail is a 4 mile roundtrip hike to a natural bridge carved out of the red rock that you can walk out on. A must do in Sedona!

Tip : Devil’s Bridge is very popular (for good reason) and becomes crowded later in the day. You may even have to wait in line to go out onto the bridge. Start early to beat the crowds!

The Grand Canyon

Once you finish hiking Devil’s Bridge, drive straight to the Grand Canyon. Expect long waits at the Grand Canyon National Park entrance which could add up to an hour to your drive.

Grand Canyon South Rim Trail

Once you arrive, head to the south rim to catch your first view of the Grand Canyon. Spend some time walking the South Rim Trail, a flat, paved path around the edge of the canyon.

Spend all day on day four exploring the Grand Canyon. If you’re up for a challenge, we highly recommend hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back via the South Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail . If you’re looking for something less strenuous, just hike a few miles down the South Kaibab Trail and back to the rim!

For more detailed information on hiking the South Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail , we’ve put together a complete trail guide:

South Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail: Best Day Hike in the Grand Canyon

Day Five | Page

Start the morning with a 3 hour drive from the Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona, and then spend the rest of the day in Page exploring Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Antelope Canyon

Schedule an Antelope Canyon tour for noon, and plan to drive straight to the tour agency. There are two Antelope Canyons: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. While they are both worth seeing, if you are pressed for time or on a budget (tickets are pricey – $89 per person), seeing just one of the canyons will suffice.

• Book your Antelope Canyon tour here .

Horseshoe Bend

After your Antelope Canyon tour, take a short 3/4 mile walk to Horseshoe Bend, an epic horseshoe-shaped canyon carved by the Colorado River. The entrance fee is $10 per car. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic with a view!

Lake Powell

In the afternoon, spend some time at Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made lakes in North America, accessible through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The red and purple mountains reflecting onto the crystal-clear lake is beautiful and definitely worth a visit.

For more details on how to spend your day in Page, we’ve put together a complete one-day itinerary featuring all the best sights:

Best Things to Do in Page, Arizona in One Day

Hike Angel’s Landing

With just one day in Zion National Park, we’d recommend tackling the famous hike to Angel’s Landing! Gaining 1600 feet of elevation in just over 4 miles, hiking to Angel’s Landing is no walk in the park. The final climb up Angel’s Landing is steep, very narrow, and can be tough if you are afraid of heights.

Starting in 2022, you will need a permit to hike Angel’s Landing in order to limit crowd sizes. For more information on how to get a permit, check out the Zion NPS website well in advance of your trip to make sure that you don’t miss the window for the lotteries.

Continue on the West Rim Trail

Nearly everybody who visits Zion hikes to Angel’s Landing, but significantly fewer continue on to experience one of our absolute favorite sections of the park: the West Rim! After reaching Angel’s Landing, you can continue along the West Rim Trail and the crowds will almost immediately disappear.

Figure 8 Loop Hike

Bryce Canyon is relatively small, so you will be able to see a decent portion of it with just a few miles of hiking. To make the most of your time in Bryce Canyon, we recommend the Figure 8 Loop , a 6.3 mile hike which combines three smaller trails: Queen’s Garden Loop, Peekaboo Loop, and the Navajo Loop Trail .

If you are looking for a shorter hike, you can do any of these three hikes on their own. If you have to pick just one, we’d recommend hiking the Navajo Loop Trail, featuring Bryce Canyon’s famous Wall Street.

To read more about the hike, we’ve put together a complete guide to hiking the Figure 8 Loop:

How to Hike the Epic Figure 8 Loop in Bryce Canyon

Evening in Las Vegas

Once you finish hiking, hop in the car and drive to Las Vegas . Alternatively, if you have no interest in a night in Vegas, stay in Bryce Canyon for the night and spend the afternoon exploring more of Bryce Canyon.

By the time you arrive in Las Vegas, you should have just enough time to reward yourself with a delicious meal .

On day eight, your epic Arizona and Utah road trip comes to an end. Catch a flight back home from Las Vegas or continue to your next destination.

Arizona to Utah Road Trip | FAQs

When is the best time to road trip from arizona to utah.

The best time to visit Arizona and southern Utah is between March and October. During the winter, some of the roads between the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Page close down due to snow.

If you want to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you should definitely plan your trip for spring or fall . This hike is not safe to attempt as a day trip during the summer, as extreme temperatures can cause heat exhaustion and dehydration. If you must travel during the summer, plan to do the hike as a two-day backpacking trip.

We went in March and it was the perfect weather for hiking in the Grand Canyon and Sedona . In Bryce Canyon, there was still snow on the ground, making the trails a bit more difficult to navigate, so I wouldn’t recommend going much earlier than March.

Be aware that weather near the Grand Canyon can be unpredictable in March-April and September-October, and snow is possible! However if you want cool weather for hiking and fewer crowds, it may be worth taking a risk on the shoulder season.

What kind of car do I need?

We navigated the roads on this itinerary with a small SUV, but you certainly don’t need 4WD for this itinerary – a sedan will do just fine.

Where should I stay?

We stayed in Airbnbs everywhere except for the Grand Canyon because we found that they were typically cheaper than hotels (especially in Las Vegas). For the Grand Canyon, you will want to stay inside the national park, as Airbnbs are not available.

If you plan to camp along the road trip, be prepared to book your campsites well in advance, especially at Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon, as these spots are in high demand.

P.S. Check out our complete list of camping essentials for road trips to help you pack:

Road trip tips

Our Road Trip Camping Essentials (plus Downloadable Checklist)

Tips for a great road trip.

• Book tickets for Antelope Canyon early. The Antelope Canyons are very popular and time slots fill up early, especially in the summer.
• If you want to camp in the Grand Canyon, you will need to make reservations and get a permit well in advance.
• Don’t forget your hiking boots. This trip involves a lot of hiking, and some of these hikes are not suitable to do in tennis shoes, especially in Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon.
• Check the weather . If visiting in spring or fall, be prepared for snow and colder than expected temperatures. You should be prepared with crampons and cold weather gear.
• Stop at the grocery store when you arrive in Phoenix to stock up on snacks and lunches for hiking. It’ll save you time and money!

Other useful resources

Below we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you plan an epic Utah to Arizona road trip!

• How to Plan the Best Utah National Parks Road Trip
• Complete List of Road Trip Camping Essentials + Excel Checklist
• The Ultimate 3 Day Zion and Bryce Canyon Itinerary
• Four Incredible Easy Hikes in Sedona
• Best Things to Do with One Day in Page, Arizona
• How to Hike to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon
• 10 Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

Questions about planning your Utah to Arizona road trip itinerary? Comment below and we’re happy to help however we can!

Sarah Vaughan

Hello! I'm Sarah, one half of the couple behind Two Outliers! In 2023, I quit my job as a Data Scientist to travel around the world on an epic 15-month journey in search of the world's greatest hikes and outdoor adventures. Matt and I started Two Outliers in 2021 as a place for visitors to find concise, accurate, and honest information to plan their own adventures. We hope our experiences inspire you to hit the trail! Happy Hiking! Sarah

Miriam · October 18, 2022 at 10:28 pm

Hi – Do you take your cat on these trips?

twooutliers · October 30, 2022 at 3:58 pm

We don’t take him on the hikes but he’s usually road-tripping with us. You can check out our article filled with tips for bringing your cat on a road trip here: https://twooutliers.com/taking-a-cat-on-a-road-trip/ . And happy to answer any questions!

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Former President Donald Trump to speak at Valley political town hall event Thursday

PHOENIX — Former President Donald Trump will be making a trip to Arizona later this week.

The presumptive GOP nominee for president will appear at a town hall in north Phoenix.

I am honored to announce that Turning Point PAC with @TPAction_ will be hosting “Chase the Vote: A TOWN HALL with Special Guest President Donald J. Trump” this Thursday, June 6, in Phoenix, AZ. President Trump will be taking questions directly from AZ voters in the heart of… pic.twitter.com/Xv6d3kjAlz — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 3, 2024

The town hall is being held at Dream City Church on Cave Creek Road north of Cactus Road.

Trump was scheduled to be in Arizona at the GOP Freedom Fest back in January.

The event was cancelled, however, after Trump had to back out of his planned appearance .

This will be Trump's first appearance in Arizona after he was convicted on 34 felony crimes in New York last week .

For those who would like to attend, you can register for tickets by clicking here . You can only register for two tickets per phone number, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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Your Road Trip Close to Home adventure guide for June 6

Here's a look at all the great spots to hit from this week's episode of road trip close to home..

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Taurasi goes lights out from 3-point range to lift Mercury over Sparks

Jun 2, 2024, 5:31 PM

Diana Taurasi hit 7 of 9 from 3-point range and finished with a season-high 31 points to help Phoenix beat the Los Angeles Sparks 87-68 on Sunday and snap the Mercury's four-game skid. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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PHOENIX (AP) — Diana Taurasi hit 7 of 9 from 3-point range and finished with a season-high 31 points to help Phoenix beat the Los Angeles Sparks 87-68 on Sunday and snap the Mercury’s four-game skid.

Taurasi made 9 of 14 from the field, hit 6 of 6 from the free-throw line and added two steals. Natasha Cloud scored 21 points with 12 assists, her third double-double of the season, and Kahleah Copper added 12 points and Sophie Cunningham 10 for the Mercury (4-5). Natasha Mack grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds.

The Sparks made just 3 of 13 from the field and scored seven points in the second — their lowest-scoring quarter of the season — and Phoenix used a 15-0 run to make it 31-17 when Liz Dixon hit a jumper with 3:36 left in the first half and the Mercury led by double figures the rest of the way.

Dearica Hamby finished with 23 points and four rebounds and Kia Nurse scored 12 for the Sparks (2-6). Hamby, who went into the game sixth in the league in scoring (20.6 per game) and leading the WNBA in rebounds per game (12.7), had her league-record streak of seven consecutive regular-season games with at least 17 points and nine rebounds snapped.

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Planning Oregon hiking road trip for August - Oregon Forum

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Planning Oregon hiking road trip for August

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We’d value input on tentative plans for early August. We are experienced hikers now in our 70s and enjoyed a few days in the Northern Cascades WA last year doing 2 magnificent all day hikes.

Our plans from then are flexible, with 5 night available before return to Portland for our last night in Portland before train travel to Vancouver BC the next day.

We’d like to include H26 to Government Camp for one night?, not the Gorge because of crowding, traffic and what looks like fire damage from pictures. Any advice re fire damaged areas to avoid will be welcome. If we start with the above we’d like to then include The West Cascades Scenic Byway recommended on the Scenic Byways website plus Silver Falls, and the McKenzie Bridge Santiam Pass Byway circuit with a 2 night base in Sisters to complete the circuit in a day.

We would like to have longer to visit Crater Lake but think our choice to exclude there and the coast are better suited, given the distances involved, the closure of the Eastern lake road and the holiday traffic to be expected.

Among the things people may be able to comment on are best directions and sequence to follow and if staying at Silver Falls or Silvertion would be better, assuming the Silver Falls Cabins are available. Any recommendations about specific hikes to include also welcome, with our enjoyment of forest plus mountain view in mind, hopefully avoiding extreme heat as much as practical. Given our choice of Portland International Guesthouse reflects our preference re accommodation any further suggestions on our route will also be welcome.

We gather we will need both parking passes and trail permits at some locations so any advice on which passes will be best and how best obtained will also be very helpful

We look forward to you sharing your wisdom as much as time allows. Given the wide choice of craft breweries in Oregon we’d also like any advice on any recommended to include in our trip, along with advice on drink driving law enforcement

5 replies to this topic

Do NOT miss the gorge!!! Yes, there are areas with fire damage, but you have to actually look for that as when you are there, you just see the sheer beauty of the area.

Two great hikes in the gorge are Hamilton Mountain and Dog Mountain. Dog is busier, but Hamilton is just as good. Wildflowers will be gone by then, but the views are stunning. You will need a permit for Dog, depending on the day/time you arrive. The only problem with the gorge is that you have so many options for hiking, which is a good problem to have;)

There is the Timberline Trail at Mt Hood, but I am not suggesting the whole thing. If you want a great full day hike though, go to Paradise Park and back (12 miles r/t). Be very careful crossing the Zigzag river on this. Make sure it is doable, and if you are too early, then just turn back. With our low snowpack, I am guessing it will be good by your dates. There will be very few people on this trail, aside from a few that will be doing the entire 40 mile circuit.

Silver Falls has the Trail of 10 Falls which is only about 7 miles. It is beautiful, but if you need to skip anything, this would be it. Only because in August the. falls are not what they are like in the spring or after big rains. Don't get me wrong, I adore SF, but compared to other hiking areas with limited time, this would probably get cut for me.

As for drinking and driving, the law is .08, which of course means a different amount of alcohol for each person. Yes, the police are sticklers for this and have a heavier presence in certain areas, especially around wineries and breweries where they know people are partaking. So all that said, my advice is to have a designated driver, who may have a sip or sip and spit.

Mtngirl provides very good hiking advice.

Since you seemed focused on mountain hikes- i would not look past the Gorge so easily. it is quite beautiful and has mountainous hikes. Hamilton and Dog Mtns are stunning with expansive views. These two hikes were not at all affected by the wildfires and do not require extra permits outside the wildflower season(April-June). For the gorge look at hte Society Hotel- which has bunks/hostel like accommodations.

I agree w/ Mtngirl-Silver Falls is awesome but summer there is quite crowded(tho with better parking facilities) and water is a bit low-. Its a bit more intimate experience vs the expansive views of the Gorge. Getting lodging will be a factor too- i would absolutely inquire about the cabins at Silver Falls(both the State Park and Conference Center) but at this late date its not a sure thing that youll be successful. That may be a deciding factor on where to go,

Lots of hiking on MT Hood and Paradise Park is probably the 'epic' hike on Mt Hood. another option is Gnarl Ridge.

If you go to the Japanese Garden be sure to stop by the Rose Garden across the street- its a free public park.

Chinookgrrrl--I will be at Silver Falls tomorrow and am already dreading the crowds. Another great place to stay not too far from the Society Hotel is up in White Salmon, off of 141, is the Strawbale Cottage from Airbnb. They have two other private sites there, but we loved the cottage.

From there you can overnight in Hood River /Bingen and then head south on OR-35 to Mt Hood area. Hwy 26 i would continue down to Redmond (hwy 26 &97) and then connect back over to the Cascade area via 126 and Sisters . The east side is completely different landscape than western Oregon- you can hike at Smith Rock State Park on your way down. Spend time in Sisters/Santiam/McKenzie area and then loop back to the West Cascade byway. or you could reverse this loop as well.

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🏆 Oklahoma wins record fourth WCWS title in a row

👀 Previewing the DI baseball super regionals

⚾️ DII baseball semis

🏃‍♀️ DI outdoor T&F finals

NCAA.com | June 7, 2024

2024 ncaa baseball bracket: men's college world series scores, schedule.

The 2024 NCAA DI baseball tournament is in the super regional round. Games continue through the Men's College World Series from June 14-23/24. Tournament selections were made  on Monday, May 27.

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS: Every conference tournament winner and automatic bid

The 2023 Men's College World Series came to a close when LSU routed Florida 18-4 in the decisive game of the finals to win its seventh national championship.

The complete NCAA regional, Super Regional, 2024 Men's College World Series schedules and results are below. 

• Selection show: Monday, May 27 at Noon ET | ESPN2/ESPNU
• Regionals: Friday-Monday,   May 31-June 3
• Super Regionals: Friday-Monday, June 7-10
• First day of MCWS games:  Start   Friday, June 14
• MCWS finals:  Saturday-Monday, June 22-23/24

2024 NCAA DI baseball tournament bracket

👉  Click or tap here for the interactive 2024 bracket   |  Printable MCWS bracket  | Regional brackets

All times in ET

2024 DI baseball tournament super regionals schedule

Dates : Friday-Monday, June 7-10

Knoxville Super Regional

• Game 1: (1) Tennessee vs. Evansville | June 7, 3 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 2: (1) Tennessee vs. Evansville | June 8, 11 a.m. | ESPN2
• Game 3 (if necessary): (1) Tennessee vs. Evansville | June 9, 6 p.m. | ESPNU

Tallahassee Super Regional

• Game 1: (8) Florida State vs. UConn | June 7, noon | ESPN
• Game 2: (8) Florida State vs. UConn | June 8, 11 a.m. | ESPN
• Game 3 (if necessary): (8) Florida State vs. UConn | June 9, noon | ESPN2

Charlottesville Super Regional

• Game 1: (12) Virginia vs. Kansas State | June 7, 7 p.m. | ESPNU
• Game 2: (12) Virginia vs. Kansas State | June 8, 3 p.m. | ESPNU
• Game 3 (if necessary): (12) Virginia vs. Kansas State | June 9, 3 p.m. | ESPNU

Chapel Hill Super Regional

• Game 1: (4) North Carolina vs. West Virginia | June 7, 6 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 2:  (4) North Carolina vs. West Virginia | June 8, 8 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 3 (if necessary): (4) North Carolina vs. West Virginia | June 9, 3 p.m. | ESPN2

Lexington Super Regional

• Game 1: (2) Kentucky vs. Oregon State | June 8, 6 p.m. | ESPNU
• Game 2: (2) Kentucky vs. Oregon State | June 9, 9 p.m. | ESPNU
• Game 3 (if necessary): (2) Kentucky vs. Oregon State | June 10, TBD | TBD

Athens Super Regional

• Game 1: (7) Georgia vs. NC State | June 8, noon | ESPNU
• Game 2: (7) Georgia vs. NC State | June 9, noon | ESPNU
• Game 3 (if necessary): (7) Georgia vs. NC State | June 10, TBD | TBD

Clemson Super Regional

• Game 1: (6) Clemson vs. Florida | June 8, 2 p.m.| ESPN
• Game 2: (6) Clemson vs. Florida | June 9, 2:30 p.m.| ESPN
• Game 3 (if necessary): (6) Clemson vs. Florida  | June 10, TBD | TBD

Bryan-College Station Super Regional

• Game 1: (3) Texas A&M vs. Oregon | June 8, 2 p.m.| ESPN2
• Game 2: (3) Texas A&M vs. Oregon  | June 9, 7:30 p.m.| ESPN2
• Game 3 (if necessary): (3) Texas A&M vs. Oregon | June 10, TBD | TBD

2024 Men's College World Series schedule 

Brackets for Men’s College World Series games won’t be determined until Monday, June 10.

• Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 2:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 4:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 6:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 7: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 8:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 9: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 10:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 11: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 12:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | TBD
• Game 14 (if necessary):  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | TBD
• MCWS Final Game 1 : TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
• MCWS Final Game 2 : TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ABC
• MCWS Final Game 3 (if necessary) : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN

2024 DI baseball tournament regionals schedule

Here are the regional schedules for Friday, May 31 through Monday, June 3:

Knoxville Regional

• Game 1: Indiana 10, Southern Miss 4
• Game 2:  Tennessee 9, Northern Kentucky 3
• Game 3: Southern Miss 6, Northern Kentucky 0
• Game 4:  Tennessee 12,  Indiana 6 
• Game 5:  Southern Miss 15,  Indiana 3  
• Game 6:  Tennessee 12,  Southern Miss 3

🏆 Tennessee advances

Lexington Regional

• Game 1 : Kentucky 10, Western Michigan 8 
• Game 2:  Illinois 4,  Indiana State 1
• Game 3:  Indiana State 6 , Western Michigan 4
• Game 4:  Kentucky 6,  Illinois 1
• Game 5:   Indiana State 13,  Illinois 2 
• Game 6:  Kentucky 5,  Indiana State 0

🏆 Kentucky advances

Bryan-College Station Regional

• Game 1:   Texas A&M 8, Grambling 0 
• Game 2:  Texas 12,  Louisiana 5
• Game 3:  Louisiana 12,  Grambling 5 
• Game 4:  Texas A&M 4, Texas 2
• Game 5 : Louisiana 10, Texas 2
• Game 6:   Texas A&M 9,  Louisiana 4

🏆 Texas A&M advances

Chapel Hill Regional

• Game 1: LSU 4, Wofford 3
• Game 2: North Carolina 11, LIU 8
• Game 3:  Wofford 5 , LIU 2
• Game 4:  North Carolina 6,  LSU 2
• Game 5:  LSU 13, Wofford 6 
• Game 6:  LSU 8, North Carolina 4
• Game 7:   North Carolina 4,  LSU 3  (10 inn)

🏆 North Carolina advances

Fayetteville Regional

• Game 1:  Arkansas 17, Southeast Missouri 9 
• Game 2:  Kansas State 19 , Louisiana Tech 4 
• Game 3:  Southeast Missouri 9, Louisiana Tech 3
• Game 4:  Kansas State 7, Arkansas 6
• Game 5: Southeast Missouri 6. Arkansas 3
• Game 6:   Kansas State 7,  Southeast Missouri 2

🏆 Kansas State advances

Clemson Regional

• Game 1: Coastal Carolina 13, Vanderbilt 3
• Game 2:  Clemson 4, High Point 3
• Game 3:  High Point 10 , Vanderbilt 9
• Game 4:  Clemson 4, Coastal Carolina 3
• Game 5:  Coastal Carolina 6, High Point 5
• Game 6:  Clemson 12,  Coastal Carolina 5

🏆 Clemson advances

Athens Regional

• Game 1: Georgia 8, Army 7
• Game 2:  UNC Willmington 9, Georgia Tech 0
• Game 3:  Georgia Tech 4 , Army 2
• Game 4:  Georgia 11,  UNC Wilmington 2
• Game 5: Georgia Tech 3, UNC Wilmington 1
• Game 6:  Georgia 8,  Georgia Tech 6  (10 Inn.)

🏆 Georgia advances

Tallahassee Regional

• Game 1: Florida State 7, Stetson 2
• Game 2:  UCF 8,  Alabama 7
• Game 3:  Stetson 4, Alabama  0
• Game 4:  Florida State 5, UCF 2
• Game 5:  UCF 5, Stetson 2 
• Game 6:  Florida State 12,  UCF 4

🏆 Florida State advances

Norman Regional

• Game 1: UConn 4, Duke 1
• Game 2:   Oklahoma 14, Oral Roberts 0 
• Game 3:  Duke 6,  Oral Roberts 2
• Game 4:  UConn 4, Oklahoma 1
• Game 5: Oklahoma 4, Duke 3
• Game 6:  Oklahoma 6, UConn 4
• Game 7:  UConn 7,  Oklahoma 1

🏆 UConn advances

Raleigh Regional

• Game 1:   South Carolina 8,  James Madison 7  
• Game 2:   NC State 9, Bryant 2 
• Game 3: James Madison 8 , Bryant 1
• Game 4:  NC State 6,  South Carolina 4
• Game 5:  James Madison 2,  South Carolina 0 
• Game 6:  NC State 5,  James Madison 3

🏆 NC State advances

Stillwater Regional

• Game 1:  Florida 5,  Nebraska 2 
• Game 2:  Oklahoma State 19, Niagra 7
• Game 3:  Nebraska 7,  Niagara 5
• Game 4:  Oklahoma State 7,  Florida 1
• Game 5 : Florida 17, Nebraska 11
• Game 6:  Florida 5, Oklahoma State 2
• Game 7:   Florida 4, Oklahoma State 2

🏆 Florida advances

Charlottesville Regional

• Game 1: Virginia 4, Penn 2
• Game 2:  Mississippi State 5, St. John’s 2 
• Game 3:   St. John's 10,  Penn 9
• Game 4:  Virginia 5,  Mississippi State 4
• Game 5:  Mississippi State 13, St. John's 5
• Game 6:   Virginia 9,  Mississippi State 2

🏆 Virginia advances

Tucson Regional

• Game 1: West Virginia 4,  DBU 1
• Game 2:  Grand Canyon 9,  Arizona 4
• Game 3:  DBU 7,  Arizona  0
• Game 4:  West Virginia 5, Grand Canyon 2
• Game 5 : Grand Canyon 12, DBU 10 
• Game 6:  West Virginia 10,  Grand Canyon 6

🏆 West Virginia advances

Santa Barbara Regional

• Game 1:  Oregon 5,  San Diego 4
• Game 2:  UC Santa Barbara 9, Fresno State 6
• Game 3:  San Diego 7,  Fresno State 5
• Game 4:   Oregon 2,  UC Santa Barbara 0
• Game 5 : UC Santa Barbara 4, San Diego 2
• Game 6:  Oregon 3,  UC Santa Barbara 0

🏆 Oregon advances

Corvallis Regional

• Game 1:  UC Irvine 13, Nicholls 12 
• Game 2:   Oregon State 10, Tulane 4 
• Game 3:  Tulane 3, Nicholls 0
• Game 4:  Oregon State 5, UC Irvine 3
• Game 5 : UC Irvine 17, Tulane 7
• Game 6 : Oregon State 11, UC Irvine 6

🏆 Oregon State advances

Greenville Regional

• Game 1: Evansville 4, East Carolina 1
• Game 2:  VCU 1,  Wake Forest 0 
• Game 3: East Carolina 7 , Wake Forest 6
• Game 4:  Evansville 17,  VCU 11
• Game 5: East Carolina 10, VCU 7
• Game 6:   East Carolina 19, Evansville 6
• Game 7: Evansville 6,  East Carolina 5

🏆 Evansville advances

Baseball  Championship: Future dates

MCWS HISTORY:  Winningest coaches  |  Most titles  |  Most appearances   |  Conferences most represented

Here is more on how the tournament works:

What is the difference between the Division I baseball tournament and the College World Series?

The NCAA Division I baseball tournament is a 64-team tournament that starts in May. After two rounds of play (which each consist of multiple games), there are just eight teams left. These eight teams then head to Omaha, Neb. for the College World Series. The CWS is the culmination of the DI tournament, where the teams compete in two brackets, with the winners of each meeting in the CWS finals, a best-of-three series to decide the NCAA champion.

When did the College World Series start?

The first-ever NCAA Division I baseball tournament was in 1947, and would barely be recognized as the same tournament nowadays. The 1947 tournament featured just eight teams, which were divided into two four-team, single-elimination brackets. The two winners — California and Yale — then met in a best-of-three final in Kalamazoo, Michigan. California would go undefeated through the inaugural CWS and beat Yale to capture the first title.

How are teams selected for the NCAA Division I baseball tournament?

Since 1954, the NCAA Division I baseball tournament field has been split into two qualifying groups: The automatic berths, and the at-large selections. Since 2014, that in a typical year split sees 31 conference champions receive automatic berths, and 33 teams receive at-large bids, decided by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee. 

Men's College World Series champs since 1947

California defeated Yale in the first-ever Men's College World Series, the first of two played in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Texas put itself on the map as the first back-to-back champions in winning the only MCWS ever played in Wichita, Kansas in 1949. The following season Texas won its second championship, opening Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.

Here's a complete list of all the College World Series finals in the 73-year history of the event. Ole Miss won the 2022 Men's College World Series in two games over Oklahoma.

*Indicates undefeated teams in College World Series play.

• Every 2024 college baseball super regional, previewed

• The 16 college baseball super regional teams, re-ranked

• Storylines to watch in the 2024 NCAA baseball super regionals
• Championship Info
• Game Program

Men's College World Series

• 🗓️ 2024 schedule
• 🔮 Future dates
• 🤔 How the MCWS works
• 🏆 Programs with the most MCWS titles
• 💪 Coaches with the most MCWS wins
• ⚾ Every champion in tournament history

Everything you need to know about how the Men's College World Series works

Di baseball news.

• 2024 NCAA baseball bracket: Men's College World Series scores, schedule
• All 16 DI baseball super regional teams, re-ranked

College baseball career home run leaders

Here are the baseball programs with the most Men's College World Series titles

The 7 longest home runs in MCWS history (that we know of)

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