20 Incredible Free Tourist Attractions in the West
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
From the beautiful Pacific Coast beaches of California, to the stunning Saguaro desert of Arizona, to the mesmerizing red rock formations of Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, natural wonders are abundant throughout every Western state. Fortunately for those on a budget, free tourist attractions in the West are easy to come across. After living in Arizona for many years, as well as Idaho, California, and Nevada, I can definitely say that the West is the most beautiful region of the country. There are endless natural treasures to explore for free including incredible national monuments, jaw dropping hikes, dazzling waterfalls, ancient ruins, and so much more.
Assuming you find a cheap flight and hotel, a trip out West can actually be pretty budget friendly if you focus on all the breathtaking natural wonders populating the region. Although there are many fabulous paid attractions i.e. Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park, this list will focus on wonderful free tourist attractions to take advantage of. For those seeking a budget friendly Western vacation destination, this list serves as a great starting point.
1. South Mountain Park
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
The beautiful cacti studded Sonoran desert is one of the most unusual & mesmerizing places in the country. South Mountain Preserve in Phoenix is a massive 16,000 acre desert oasis offering more than 50 miles of trails. It’s one of the largest urban parks in the country, offering endless opportunity for exploring the rare desert landscapes. Here you can enjoy a range of outdoor activities including mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. If you are not up for a vigorous hike in the hot desert (winter hikes are much more comfortable!), consider a scenic 5 mile drive up to the summit. This slow drive will allow you to take in the gorgeous cacti and mountain scenery without breaking a sweat! As for which hike to choose, start with the short, easy, yet beautiful 2 mile Kiwanis trail which features a great lookout of the mountains.
For tips & safety precautions, check out my guide to hiking in the desert
2. Boise Greenbelt
Location: Boise, Idaho
Boise is a wonderful vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. One of the city’s best assets is the 25 mile long Boise Greenbelt which runs a scenic course along the Boise River. The majority of the path is tree-lined with convenient access to many great city parks and attractions along the route. You will want to check out Zoo Boise, Julia Davis park, and the Anne Frank Human Rights memorial. The best time to plan your ride, jog, or walk is during the beautiful fall foliage season. This time of the year the trees will be alive with golden hues, wildlife is active (so many deer sightings!) and the path much less congested!
3. Multnomah Falls
Location: Cascade Locks, Oregon
With more than 2 million visitors per year, breathtaking Multnomah Falls tops the list of most visited recreation sites in the Pacific Northwest. In an area loaded with natural beauty, this is saying something! It is the tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge (one of the most concentrated waterfall regions in the country) at a whopping 620 feet! A moderate 2.4 mile hike will take you to the top of the falls. Note that the falls will be at their strongest during the winter and spring season. However, you can simply walk 0.2 miles to a footbridge to enjoy a decent view of the falls without working up a monster sweat.
More beautiful waterfalls near Portland
4. Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
Location: Southern Idaho
One of the most scenic drives out West is an underrated gem in Southern Idaho known as the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. The 29 mile drive starts at the junction of US 20 and Idaho 47 in Ashton. The byway follows a scenic course through the Caribou-Targhee National forest. Lower Falls is 65 feet while Upper Falls is 114 feet, 200 feet wide and very powerful. A short boardwalk trail will allow you to take in the beauty of Upper Falls, while Lower Falls is viewable via an overlook just off the byway. Overall, it’s a quiet and gorgeous drive with uninterrupted nature to enjoy all around. During the winter, the road is only open to snowmobiles and cross country skiing – a fun way to enjoy the scenery and get in a great workout! This was probably my favorite natural site in Idaho – a state loaded with natural beauty. Check out more of my favorite places in southern Idaho.
5. Coconino National Forest
Location: Northern Arizona
My favorite place to explore nature and hike is Northern ARizona. The exciting and geographically diverse region, home to the San Francisco Peaks (the highest mountain range in Arizona at 12,637 ft) is loaded with natural wonders. The Coconino National forest features a diverse range of scenery, from 200+ million year old towering red rock formations in Sedona to the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest in Flagstaff. There are so many scenic drives, hikes, biking trails, and winter sports to enjoy here every season. It would be hard to list all the marvelous wonders in this area as you could spend years exploring the beauty and never see enough. Here are a few of the best freebies in the Coconino:
- Aspen Nature Loop – 2 mile loop on the western slope of the San Fran Peaks. Gorgeous fall foliage.
- Cookstove trail – Steep 0.7 mile climb to an amazing overlook of Oak Creek Canyon.
- Devil’s Bridge – Iconic hike to the largest sandstone arch in Sedona.
- Inner Basin Trail – Amazing hard 1.7 mile climb through the heart of the San Francisco Peaks.
- Slate Mountain trail – Steady 2.4 mile climb to an 8215 foot overlook of The Peaks.
You can check out my guide to the best Flagstaff hikes for starters.
Another one for the bucket list – Oak Creek Canyon drive – a gorgeous 14 mile route beginning at 7000+ feet near Flagstaff and dropping more than 3000 feet in elevation near Sedona’s awe-inspiring red rocks. You can learn more about this drive and other red rock must-do’s on my full Sedona visitor guide.
