8 Great Daytrips to Escape the Phoenix Heat
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.
5. Williams
Williams, a tiny town in Northern Arizona which sees a tremendous amount of tourist traffic each summer, is nicknamed “the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” The small town is just 1 hour from the canyon and also home to the very popular Grand Canyon Railway. If you would like to enjoy a stress free mode of transport to the canyon, the Railway is an option, although it is pricey and your time at the canyon will be limited. Thus, I believe driving is the better way to go. However, Williams is still worth visiting for several reasons.
Home to one of the country’s best drive-thru wildlife parks
First off, it’s home to Bearizona, frequently rated as one of the best drive-thru wildlife parks in the country. Second, the town was the last Rt 66 town to be bypassed by the new highway (I-40), and thus, retains a lot of historic RT 66 charm in the way of themed restaurants, memorabilia shops, and museums.
Rt. 66 Charm!
The main street is loaded with lots of unique Rt. 66 shops and nostalgia. This is because Williams was the last town to be bypassed by the new highway. If you are a fan of 50’s culture, you will love browsing in and out of these unique shops.
Lots of cute Rt 66 shops/restaurants/memorabilia
How much cooler is Williams?
Third, the weather here is much cooler during the summer months, barely ever exceeding the 80’s. There are a number of great trails within the Kaibab National Forest including the challenging, yet very scenic Kendrick Mountain trail. For an easier trek, check out the short stroll to Keyhole Sink, featuring a seasonal waterfall. You will also be able to explore some pretty cool interesting old pictographs here – they are a bit hard to find so bring binoculars if you have them.
Also while in Williams, be sure to check out the massive gift shop at the Railway depot. Even if you are not taking the train, this gift shop is worth a look – they basically have anything & everything Arizona related in here. It’s a great place to stock up on gifts!
Distance from Phoenix: 2.5 hours
Top things to do: Bearizona, Hiking the Kendrick Mountain trail, Strolling around downtown Williams, Rt 66 museums & gift shops
Where to eat: Pine Country Restaurant
6. Payson/Pine/Strawberry
Another great daytrip from Phoenix lies just a few hours away in the beautiful Mogollon Rim region of the state. The Mogollon Rim is a grand 2000 foot escarpment which stretches over 200 miles from Central Arizona (near Payson) all the way over to the New Mexico border. This region is most well known for its’ beautiful limestone and sandstone cliffs, leafy fall foliage, and many beautiful hiking trails within the Tonto National Forest.
The beautiful Mogollon Rim Drive
The picturesque Rim Drive begins near Payson and stretches on for 45 miles passing beautiful lakes and towering pine forests. There are numerous things to do along the way including scenic overlooks, hikes, and fishing. The drive is pretty desolate compared to other scenic drives in Arizona and you may possibly see some wildlife along the way. Black bears are frequently sighted, so keep your eyes peeled.
How much cooler is the Mogollon Rim?
Climate in the region varies based on the altitude (which ranges from 5000-7000+ ft), although temps usually do exceed the 90’s, so you are looking at a 20-30 degree drop from Phoenix.
Small town charm in Pine and Strawberry
Pine and Strawberry are 2 quaint tiny towns in the region, which are both popular during the summer months due to the mild climate and pretty pine scenery. Numerous cabin rentals fill up fast as Southern Arizona locals flock to the area to escape the desert heat. Both towns offer an abundance of antique shops (check out the gigantic Moose Mountain Gifts store). There is also a nice local honey stand on the side of the road offering all sorts of unique flavors – rude employees, but great honey!
Strawberry is home to the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona. Other than that, hiking & mountain biking are the main thing to do in this region and there are plenty of trails in the surrounding Tonto National Forest which are tolerable during the summer months due to the mild climate/hefty tree coverage. I recommend checking out the beautiful Horton Creek trail which takes you past a number of serene creeks. In terms of dining, The Randall House in Pine is a nice choice due to the cozy shady outdoor patio, homestyle menu, and friendly service.
The World’s Largest Travertine Bridge
The highlight of this region is Tonto Natural Bridge State Park which is home to the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. There are several trails here which take you to the same stunning endpoint right under the bridge where you will find a pretty little waterfall and natural pools: a rare & wonderful sight in Arizona. The trails are mostly shady and particularly scenic in fall due to the presence of many deciduous trees.
At just under 2 hours, the Mogollon Rim is a reasonably quick daytrip from Phoenix. If you are a hiker or antique shopper, this region should offer plenty enough to do in return for the 2 hour drive.
Distance from Phoenix: 2 Hours
Top things to do: Mongollon Rim Scenic Drive, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Horton Creek Trail, antique shopping
Where to eat: Randall House, La Sierra Mexican Restaurant, Gerardo’s Firewood Cafe
7. Saguaro Lake
Saguaro Lake is the most scenic of the 4 major lakes near Phoenix. It’s also one of the easiest to get to as it’s just a half hour or so outside of Mesa. While this daytrip technically does not offer a respite from the heat as the altitude is the same as Phoenix, you will have a big lake to cool off in. Also, the fantastic Desert Belle cruise operates a narrated, air conditioned cruise here. New tourists, especially those not keen on the idea of setting an alarm super early to hike in the desert (in still brutally hot 90+ degree conditions), can opt for a relaxing cool cruise as an alternative means to enjoy the unique desert scenery.
One of the most gorgeous & unusual lakes in the US!
Named after the majestic Saguaros which surrounds the lake, Saguaro is by far the most picturesque of the major Phoenix area lakes due to the exotic desert landscapes and terrific mountain scenery.
Cacti Heaven!
You will see so many exotic cacti on this cruise. Really, this cruise is a great alternative when it is too hot to hike or for anyone unable to complete a hike.
A Birdwatching Oasis
The cruise is quiet, relaxing, and very picturesque. The tour guides here are the most friendly and knowledgeable of all the guides in the Phoenix area. You will learn lots of new and interesting facts about the desert in general, as well as the plants and animals that call this unique habitat home.
Plenty of birdwatching opportunities and the possibility of seeing rare wildlife keeps the cruise even more interesting. Our cruise was limited to a bald eagle sighting, however, mountains lions, bobcats, and javelina are often sighted, especially on early morning cruises. Our tour guide even mentioned a very rare black panther sighting.
If you prefer, you can rent a pontoon for the day or go swimming at Butcher Jones recreation area. There is also a nice restaurant overlooking the lake called the Lakeshore Restaurant.
More fun in the Superstition Mountains
The drive over on the picturesque Apache Trail Scenic Drive is loaded with grand vistas of the Superstition mountains and the stately Saguaro, as well as many other diverse cacti plants. Along the way, you have the option of stopping at Goldfield, a recreation of a ghost town with lots of opportunities for fun including mine tours, gold panning, historic saloons, and Arizona’s only narrow gauge railroad.
Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour
Top things to do: Desert Belle Cruise, hiking at Lost Dutchman State Park, Visiting Goldfield Ghost town
8. Verde Valley
The Verde Valley is a picturesque region in North Central Arizona, which not only offers a respite from the heat, but also offers easy access to a number of natural attractions. Although Sedona is a part of this area, I wanted to signal it out as it is by far the top daytrip from Phoenix. Other towns in the Verde Valley which are less impressive but still worth a look if you have extra time include Jerome, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and Clarkdale.
Temps in the Verde Valley are considerably cooler than Phoenix in the summertime as most towns reside at an altitude of around 5000 ft or so. Expect summer temps to average in the mid 90’s. One of Arizona’s last free flowing rivers, the Verde River, flows though the area and provides a habitat for rare plant and wildlife. You may want to check out Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood or the Verde River State Natural Area.
Swimming Holes
Fossil Creek Wilderness, a very popular swimming hole with a waterfall, is one of the most popular attractions in the area, particularly during the hot summer months. The extremely rough 14 mile road to get to the falls (about an hour drive), lengthy hike, and hassle of getting to a very overcrowded place make it an easy skip for me, however, if you are interested in seeing a natural swimming hole and waterfall in Arizona despite insane crowds, you will now have to apply for a permit just to park.
There are much better things to do in this area including Montezuma Castle, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, various hiking trails & state parks, along with exploring the quaint historical communities of Cottonwood and Jerome.
Visit the best preserved cliff dwelling in the US
Montezuma castle is one of the area’s most interesting historical sights. This 1000 year old, 5 story ancient Singua dwelling, which was occupied between 1100-1435 AD, is known to be one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the country. The layout resembles modern apartment style living.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Out of Africa wildlife park is another nice place to check out if you have the time. This non-profit wildlife sanctuary is known for their great shows which includes a wonderful Tiger Splash program and an interesting hands-on snake program. A narrated bus safari tour takes you past zebras and giraffes roaming about in a setting mimicking their natural environment. The walk around section is a bit unattractive due to the barren desert scenery and honestly way too hot for the summer. Otherwise, the park is a great place to check out, especially during your birthday month when admission is free!
Small town historic charm in Cottonwood
If you are a wine lover, you will want to check out the small town of Cottonwood, located on the Verde Valley Wine trail. There are lots of tasting rooms here where you can sample all sorts of local Arizona wines. Burning Tree Cellars is one of the nicest options and they have a great outdoor patio too. The small downtown is home to numerous local restaurants and shops. Paradise Point Cafe is a cute little local business which serves delicious homemade treats (try the German chocolate cake!). Also check out the Old Cottonwood jail where Al Capone’s name is found carved outside an old cell.
Visiting “America’s Largest Ghost Town”
Jerome is another interesting place to visit if you happen to be in the area. This former copper mining town saw a massive population decline and almost became a ghost town at one point, however, now stands strong as a very popular tourist destination. Jerome is known as “the largest ghost town in America.” Today, the small town resembles anything but a ghost town as art galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and bars over flood the tiny downtown. Foodies and art lovers flock to the town particularly during the monthly art walk.
Like Cottonwood, Jerome is also part of the Verde Valley Wine trail, with numerous tasting rooms featuring Arizona local wines. Cellar 433 is the best choice due to the gorgeous scenery which you can enjoy via the patio.
Jerome has a long history of paranormal activity, so much so that at one point the town actually published a paranormal newspaper known as the Jerome Ghost Post. The ghost legends still remain and the same eerie hauntings from years past are still reported today. Ghost hunters regularly visit the area, attempting to communicate with these long standing spirits. The especially creepy Jerome Grand Hotel offers ghost tours through an eerie old building which used to be a mental institution. Not surprisingly, the hotel goes all out for Halloween, attracting Halloween lovers and ghost hunters from all over.
Dining at the appropriately named Asylum Restaurant is the best choice for lunch/dinner as the food is great and the views even better. This gorgeous restaurant has a decent sized patio which overlooks the beautiful Verde Valley region. Like the hotel, they also go all out with Halloween decor, both inside and out.
How much cooler is the Verde Valley?
Jerome is the coolest weather-wise of the 3 major Verde Valley cities, located at an altitude of around 5000 feet, and summer temps barely exceeding the 90’s. Sedona is the next coolest with an altitude of 4000 feet and temps typically hovering in the high 90’s and occasionally the low 100’s. Cottonwood and Camp Verde, which are located at about 3000 feet, are a bit hotter and see temps in the low 100’s, yet are still at least 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix! All areas within the Verde Valley are much cooler at morning and night than Phoenix, so try to plan any outdoor activities at dawn and dusk.
Best things to do around the Phoenix metro when it is over 100 degrees
These are some of my favorite daytrips within a 4 hour drive of Phoenix. If you are not up for a lengthy drive, there are still plenty of things to do around the Phoenix metro area during the hot summer season. There is simply much more to do when you add daytrips into the mix. Keep in mind that the weather is atrociously hot in the morning and evening hours too (not just during the heat of the day!), so you will be limited to indoor attractions, waterparks/pools, and super early morning hikes. Check out my list of the best things to do when it’s too hot.
Also be sure to take a look at my Arizona Travel Guide where I highlight all my adventures throughout the state. I have provided detailed guides to each fabulous national monument, hike, hidden gen, and attraction I’ve enjoyed throughout my 5 years living here.
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