The Ultimate Arizona Travel Guide

Make no mistake, Arizona is set in the sweltering heat of the crossroads of four different deserts. It has a dry and sunny climate that can reach higher than 100 degrees in the summertime, and depending on where you step you may encounter rattlesnakes, scorpions, gila monsters, and so much more.

However, Arizona is a haven with beautiful, vibrant rock formations, starry night skies, and the famously tall saguaro cactus! Take a trip to Arizona on Route 66 and see just how grand the Grand Canyon is, explore its state and national parks, and try some cactus candy or a chimichanga! Arizona has something for everyone.

12 Epic Hikes in Sedona, Arizona (+ Stats, Photos & Map)

If you are looking for an epic hiking destination, it’s tough to beat Sedona, Arizona. With its red rock scenery,…

Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?

With its glowing, red canyon walls and beams of light shining through the dusty air, Antelope Canyon is a breathtaking…

Two Week American Southwest Road Trip: Grand Canyon & Utah’s Mighty 5

This is one of the best road trips in the USA. On this American Southwest road trip, you will visit…

Arizona Itineraries

If you are planning a trip to Arizona and don’t know where to start, here are a few travel itineraries to help get you started.

The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

On this Arizona road trip itinerary, you will visit three national parks, drive past the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley, walk through magical Antelope Canyon, and hike the desert hills of Sedona. Arizona is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the United States and this road trip is the perfect way to see them.

10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip

This itinerary includes some of the most popular places to visit in the American Southwest, such as the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. But you also get to go off-the-beaten-path, and explore lesser known by no less amazing places like Willis Creek and Spooky Gulch.

Two Week American Southwest Road Trip: Grand Canyon & Utah’s Mighty 5

This is one of the best road trips in the USA. On this American Southwest road trip, you will visit Utah’s Mighty 5, the Grand Canyon, and a handful of wonderful state parks and national monuments.

This is the itinerary I wish we had when we planned our first road trip to the American Southwest.

Grand Canyon Road Trip: 5 Itineraries from Las Vegas

Here are five sample itineraries, ranging from 5 to 10 days. All of these itineraries include Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Depending on the length of time of the itinerary, we also add in places like Zion National Park, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, Death Valley, and Monument Valley. Several of these itineraries can be done as a Las Vegas loop road trip.

Grand Canyon

From the top things to do in the park, to the best trails to hike, and sample itineraries to help you plan your time, here are our articles about Grand Canyon National Park.

In our Guide to Grand Canyon National Park, learn about the best things to do, the best hiking trails, where to eat, and where to stay.

11 EPIC Things to Do on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

For millions of years, the Colorado River has carved its way through the Colorado Plateau, forming this expansive, awe-inspiring landscape…

17 Breathtaking South Rim Viewpoints in the Grand Canyon

Epic, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping…these are all words that describe the Grand Canyon. But in all honesty, words, and even photos, cannot…

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour: Everything You Need to Know

A Grand Canyon helicopter tour can be a thrilling way to experience the awe-inspiring views and stunning beauty that the…

Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike: Planning Guide and Checklist

Hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim is a bucket list adventure. Over the course of nearly 24 miles, hikers descend below…

How to Hike the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim

Awe-inspiring, challenging, exhausting, unforgettable…these are all words to describe the trek across the Grand Canyon. If you are up for…

How to Hike the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trail in One Day

The South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails are two of the Grand Canyon’s classic hiking trails. You can combine these…

Is the Grand Canyon Skywalk Worth It?

Located on the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Skywalk is an easily accessible viewpoint from Las Vegas. It…

One Day in the Grand Canyon Itinerary: Things to Do, Map, Photos

If you only have one day in the Grand Canyon, what should you do? Grand Canyon National Park is enormous.…

Sedona

We have a long list of articles lots to help you plan your trip to Sedona. In our Sedona Travel Guide, learn about the best things to do, the best hiking trails, where to eat, and where to stay. You will also find sample itineraries, whether you are planning a very quick visit or even one wonderful week here.

12 Epic Hikes in Sedona, Arizona (+ Stats, Photos & Map)

If you are looking for an epic hiking destination, it’s tough to beat Sedona, Arizona. With its red rock scenery,…

15 Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona

What do you look for when picking the perfect vacation spot? Outdoor adventures? Shopping? Wineries? Great restaurants? Beautiful sunsets? A…

Complete Guide to the Soldier Pass Trail & Soldier Pass Cave

There are several reasons why so many hikers rave about the Soldier Pass Trail. For one thing, it is relatively…

How to Drive the Broken Arrow 4WD Trail in Sedona, Arizona

The Broken Arrow Trail is known as being one of the best 4×4 roads in Sedona. Not only is it…

How to Hike Boynton Canyon & the Subway Cave | Sedona, Arizona

Boynton Canyon is one of Sedona’s top hikes. This is a relatively easy hike, as you walk on a mostly…

How to Hike the Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona, Arizona

Bear Mountain is one of the tallest peaks in Sedona. From the top, you are rewarded with panoramic views of…

How to Hike the Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop Trail

If you are looking for an easy hike with great views of two of Sedona’s most iconic formations, Bell Rock…

How to Hike the Brins Mesa – Soldier Pass Loop in Sedona

The Brins Mesa and Soldier Pass Loop combines two scenic hiking trails into one awesome experience. Since this is done…

How to Hike to Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona

Hiking to Cathedral Rock is an essential experience in Sedona. This hike is short and sweet, and with some rock…

How to Hike to Devils Bridge in Sedona

Devils Bridge is a wonderful hike in Sedona. With an easy hiking trail, beautiful red rock scenery, and of course,…

How to Photograph Cathedral Rock from the Crescent Moon Picnic Site

The Crescent Moon Picnic Site is one of the best photography locations in Sedona. If you want to photograph Cathedral…

One Perfect Day in Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, with its short but thrilling hiking trails, scenic drives, shops, and restaurants, makes an epic road trip destination in…

Sedona Itinerary | Best Way to Spend 1 to 6 Days in Sedona

There are many different ways to piece together a Sedona itinerary. Your perfect itinerary depends on your traveling style. Whether…

Six 4WD Roads in Sedona…Which Ones are Worth It?

One of the best ways to explore the desert landscapes and red rock scenery is to drive the 4WD roads…

The Complete Guide to the Birthing Cave Hike | Sedona, Arizona

In Sedona, there are many hidden caves to hike to. The Birthing Cave is one of the fastest and easiest…

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is one of the USA's most iconic landscapes. Learn how to plan your visit and explore off-the-beaten-path places.

How to Visit Monument Valley: Ultimate Guide for First Time Visitors

With sandstone buttes, colossal mesas, and panoramic vistas, Monument Valley is one of the USA’s iconic landscapes. Sure, it’s possible…

Is Teardrop Arch in Monument Valley Worth It?

We are always on the lookout for interesting, off-the-beaten-path places to explore. In Monument Valley, that place would be Teardrop…

What to Expect on a Monument Valley Sunrise Tour

Are you considering a Monument Valley sunrise tour? If so, it is a great experience, but there are a few…

Antelope Canyon

Journey through Antelope Canyon in photos and learn how to plan your visit.

How to Visit Lower Antelope Canyon (+ Photo Tour)

Lower Antelope Canyon is a gorgeous place to visit. With its glowing red canyon walls and narrow, twisting passageways, this…

How to Visit Upper Antelope Canyon (+A Journey in Photos)

Isn’t it awesome when a new place completely astounds you? For me, that was Upper Antelope Canyon. A few years…

Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?

With its glowing, red canyon walls and beams of light shining through the dusty air, Antelope Canyon is a breathtaking…

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. A half day is all you need to see the highlights, but with more time you can tour the entire park, go on a day hike, or camp in the backcountry.

8 Amazing Things to Do in Saguaro National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park: Travel Guide & Itinerary

Petrified Forest National Park is small so you really only need one day to explore it. In this article, learn the best things to do in Petrified Forest National Park, how to manage your time, where to stay, and more.

More Information about Arizona

Here are a few more articles about things to see and do in and around Arizona.

10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore in the American Southwest

The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. Fun to explore and extremely photogenic, slot canyons provide…

15 Great Places to Work Remotely in the USA

The COVID-19 pandemic brought huge changes to how we live and work. With lockdowns and social distancing, employees of many…

Best National Parks in the USA: 15 Amazing Parks for Your Bucket List

Stretching from the South Pacific, across the United States and into the Caribbean, are 63 national parks. These national treasures…

Best USA Road Trips: 18 Ideas for Your Next Big Adventure

One of the best ways to explore the USA is on a good old-fashioned road trip. Cruise along Route 66,…

Ultimate US National Parks List for 2023 (+ Printable Checklist)

The US national parks are one of this country’s best ideas…land set aside for the preservation of the natural world…

Top Experiences in Arizona

Explore Antelope Canyon. This colorful slot canyon has two main parts, Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. The Upper Canyon is incredibly photogenic, with light beams, falling sands, and very high canyon walls. Lower Antelope Canyon is known for its fun to be had squeezing through twisted narrow passageways and climbing ladders.

Sedona. Sedona is a beautiful city in Arizona known for the red rock formations, evergreens and more than 400 miles of trails around it for hiking and biking. Sedona was regarded as sacred in the past, and even today people cite Sedona’s magnetic vortices as a source of inspirational and healing energy. As such, Sedona has many famous locations and is famous for psychic readings, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and its night sky.

Take a trip to Phoenix. Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona, and is known for lavish hotels, authentic Southwestern and Mexican cuisine, and rodeos. You can see yourself how the Sonoran Desert mingles with the city when taking a stroll in the Desert Botanical Garden or taking a swim in the beach around Lake Havasu.

Monument Valley. When picturing old American westerns, a view like Monument Valley’s is sure to come to mind. With sandstone buttes, colossal mesas, and panoramic vistas, Monument Valley is one of America’s iconic landscapes. While far away from Arizona’s major cities, this Navajo Tribal Park has plenty of things for everyone. Most hikes of Monument Valley require a tour guide, but allow you to explore petroglyphs, Anasazi sites, and caves.

Grand Canyon National Park. Walk up to it, fly above it, hike around it, or take a rafting trip. The Grand Canyon is one of the US’s most popular tourist destinations and is both larger than the state of Rhode Island and a mile deep.

Petrified Forest National Park. Visiting Petrified Forest National Park feels like taking a step back in time. Walking into this relatively small park you will be greeted with colorful, uniquely beautiful hills of the Painted Desert, giant, petrified trees that puzzle the mind, and the chance to walk backcountry trails without another person in sight.

Saguaro National Park. Located near Tucson, Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti.

Best Time to Visit Arizona

The best time to visit to get the most out of your trip is fall and spring, when the weather is most mild, often from mid sixties to mid eighties.

However, Arizona is good to visit any time of the year, as long as you are willing to wake up early to do your outdoor activities. Keep in mind that the summer, more specifically the middle of June to the end of September, marks Arizona’s monsoon season.

Arizona can have huge storms, including dust storms, called haboobs, that can be dangerous especially to people with respiratory conditions.

If you plan to fly to Arizona, the cheapest flights are during summer and winter.

US National Parks

The US National Parks make an excellent travel destination, whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway. In our guide to the national parks, get detailed trip planning information, advice on which parks to visit by season, and itineraries to help simplify your travel planning process.

Plan Your National Park Trip