20 Most Spectacular Places in Arizona
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Arizona is one of the most beautiful states in the entire country. While thoughts of dry barren landscapes and sagebrushes tumbling in the wind may come to mind, the desert offers so much more. The Sonoran Desert truly is enchanting with exotic plant life not found anywhere else in the world. And, it’s not all just desert. While the mesmerizing Saguaro cactus dots the entire Southern Arizona region, breathtaking pine forests and red rock formation comprise much of the high altitude regions of Northern Arizona. There really is not a single section of Arizona which is not spectacular!
Where else can you go from hiking in the desert to skiing, all within a 2 hour drive?
From hiking in the 70 degree Phoenix sunshine, to snowshoeing in a winter wonderland in Flagstaff…all in the same day!
Seemingly, in every single direction throughout this diverse state, lies a natural wonder more spectacular than the one before it. The Grand Canyon is just one in a long list of breathtaking sights to see during your time out here. Starting with the Grand Canyon, here is a list of 20 of the most stunning natural wonders to add to your must-see list.
1. Grand Canyon South Rim
- Location: A few miles outside of Tusayan
- Address: S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023 (Visitor’s)
- Highlight: One of the country’s grandest natural wonders
- Where to stay: El Tovar Lodge
- More info on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Many do not know that there are 2 separate entrances to the Grand Canyon. Visitation is much heavier at the South Rim due to the convenient access from nearby tourist destinations like Flagstaff and Sedona. However, if you are up for a lengthy drive, the serene isolated nature of the North Rim makes it more than a worthwhile daytrip destination. At an altitude of 8297 feet, the North Rim stuns with shear natural beauty, far away from any civilization.
As one of the country’s most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is usually first on everyone’s Western bucket list. This is not simply a stop and go attraction. On the contrary, there is so much to do and see here including fabulous hikes, incredible overlooks, scenic drives, even whitewater rafting and mule rides. The South Kaibab hike is one of the best trails you will ever come across. If you are up for an incredible challenge, you will be rewarded with insane views of the Canyon. And better yet, you get to enjoy the scenery all to yourself as most do not complete the entire wearisome journey.
Views from the stunning South Kalibab hike
2. The Inner Basin
- Location: Flagstaff
- Address: Take US Hwy 89 to FR 552 and follow the sign to Lockett Meadow
- Highlight: Incredible fall foliage
- More info on Inner Basin
Flagstaff’s 4 season climate leads to diverse year-round recreational fun. The Inner Basin is one of the top leaf peeping destinations in the state. In fact, it’s probably one of the best fall color hikes anywhere out West. The striking yellow foliage covering the heart of the San Francisco Peak draws autumn lovers from around the country. Who would guess that Arizona sees some of the most incredible fall foliage in the country? While you may have seen lovely foliage before, you have never seen anything this incredible.
As you embark on the steep 1.7 mile climb up to the Inner Basin of this ancient volcano, the bright colors of the season surround you via colorful aspens lining the entirety of the forest. The weather is crisp and refreshing. The aspens are shimmering in the wind. The golden hues are straight out of a painting. It’s a wonderful experience and the number 1 thing to do while visiting Arizona in the fall. Nothing says fall quite like a stroll through the uninterrupted Flagstaff wilderness.
A leaf peeping wonderland!
3. Wupatki National Monument
- Location: Flagstaff
- Address: 25137 N Wupatki Ln, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
- Highlight: One of the largest pueblos on the Colorado Plateau
- More info on Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki is an ancient 100 room pueblo located about 20 minutes north of Flagstaff. Sinagua tribes lived here from the early 1100s until 1182 or so. It’s crazy to think of what the people had to endure to survive in an area with so little water. The name Sinagua actually translates into “mountains without water.” A half mile trail will take you around the now abandoned pueblo, which still stands strong today as one of the best preserved pueblos in the country. Although the area is now completely remote, the Hopi believe that their people live on as spiritual guides.
Modern Hopi tribes trace their ancestry to the Sinagua. Wupatki in the Hopi language translates into “Tall House.”
Wupatki is a really interesting sight, not just for history buffs, but also for photographers and nature lovers. The area is totally isolated, so much so that it feels a bit eerie walking around. In fact, Wupatki is the only building for miles and miles. Wupatki is a mesmerizing sight to see today amidst all our modern conveniences.
A look at a few of the ancient pueblo ruins
4. Devil’s Bridge
- Location: Sedona
- Address: Take Dry Creek Rd to FR 152. Unless you have a high clearance vehicle, you will need to walk about a 1/2 mile to the trailhead.
- Highlight: The largest sandstone arch in Sedona
- More info on Devil’s Bridge
Sedona aka “Red Rock Wonderland” due to the incredible colorful red rock formations which surround the town, is a nature lover’s dream destination. If you are seeking a prime hiking/nature vacation destination, look no further than Sedona. Although getting more crowded by the year, and thus, no longer a hidden gem, Sedona is still a nature oasis like no other.
Hundreds of miles of hiking trails are located in or within close proximity to town. The most stunning (and resultantly, most popular) is Devil’s Bridge. On this trail, you will be able to take a walk across Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch. While it looks scary from the pic, walking the bridge is an exhilarating experience. And, in person it is not nearly as narrow as it looks.
Otherworldly red rock vistas motivate you to push forward on this fairly easy 2 mile out-and-back trek. While the hike is no struggle, finding parking is another story. Save this one for a weekday or visit outside of prime season (fall/winter). And be sure to check out more stunning hikes in the Sedona area.
A few views from this incredibly scenic trail
5. Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway
- Location: Tucson
- Address: From Tanque Verde Rd. take Catalina Highway up 30 miles to the town of Summerhaven.
- Highlight: Incredible diversity of scenery in just 30 minutes
- More info on Mt Lemmon
Out of all the scenic drives in Arizona, the 30 mile long Mt. Lemmon Byway is the most unexpected and mesmerizing. As you begin your drive near the exotic Saguaro cacti in Tucson, you cannot not imagine anything besides 100+ degree temps and desert surroundings. Fast forward about 30 minutes and all of the sudden you are surrounded by dense green pines. The temps all of the sudden drastically drop to a much more comfortable level – often times 30 degrees cooler! You may even need a sweatshirt!
At an altitude of 8000 feet, the “Sky Island” of Mt. Lemmon is a very popular summer destination for desert dwellers. Up this high, there are lots of pretty pine trails to enjoy far away from the desert heat. You will find a scenic chairlift ride and restaurants where you can dine outdoors without overheating. But that’s not all. Come autumn, Mt Lemmon is a leaf peeper’s dream. And, come winter, you can ski at one of the only resorts in the state. The 8000+ altitude lends to a rare 4 season climate, providing both relief and fun to desert dwellers throughout the year.
Check out the diversity of scenery, all within a 30 minute drive!
