50 Mesmerizing Attractions in the Southwest
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.
41. Buffalo Park
Buffalo Park is a beautiful year-round recreational park in Flagstaff, Arizona. From hiking in the cool summer months, to spring bike riding, to cross country skiing after a big winter storm, this park is the picture-perfect destination for any outdoor lover. Both locals and tourists flock to this park for the amazing views of the San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Elden.
There are a number of trails here including an easy 2 mile loop which is great for jogging, bike riding, or snowshoeing after a big winter storm. Buffalo is a picture-perfect winter wonderland after a huge storm, of which Flagstaff sees plenty of as one of the snowiest cities in the US (At 7000 ft, Flagstaff sees over 200 inches of snow per year!).
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
42. Tumanoc Hill
Hiking Tumanoc hill is the iconic must-do experience in Tucson. This laid-back desert city is home to so many wonderful hikes. The best-of-the-best involves a steep 700 foot climb up Tumanoc Hill – owned for research use by the University of Arizona. After all your hard effort, you will be treated to a bird’s eye view of the city and surrounding mountains.
Note that there is no shade, so you will want to get up early for this one! Fortunately, it is open to the public for hiking from 4am-10pm. Setting your alarm clock super early will ensure that you beat both the crowds and the heat! And definitely stop by nearby Seis Kitchen for the most amazing breakfast tacos!
Location: Tucson, Arizona
43. Honeybee Canyon
Honeybee Canyon is a gorgeous hiking area in Oro Valley, a suburb located just north of Tucson. Although located in the midst of a sprawling suburb, the hiking here is very desolate and the views are outstanding. A short loop of just over 2 miles will take you through strands of cacti and eventually onto an overlook of the stunning Catalina Mountains range.
Location: Oro Valley, Arizona
44. City of Rocks
City of Rocks is a really strange and fascinating place which basically appears out of nowhere in the middle of the barren New Mexico desert. Located in between the small cities of Deming and Silver City, City of Rocks is a great daytrip if you find yourself traveling near either of these cities. The erosion from a volcano which erupted 34.9 million years ago created the unusual rock formations which stand today. These rocks are only found in about 6 places worldwide.
The uniquely shaped rocks really standout in contrast to the flat surrounding desert. Some of these rocks are 40 feet tall so they really pop out against the desert landscape. The rocks are found in groups and separated by paths which resemble city streets, thus the decision to name this national monument the City of Rocks.
Location: Deming, New Mexico
45. Teacup/Sugarloaf Summit
Hundreds of miles of gorgeous trails can be enjoyed in Sedona. The Teacup/Sugarloaf combined 2 mile loop is one of the most scenic and convenient as it is located just minutes from the touristy Uptown section of town. This one is the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in town considering the relatively easy terrain in exchange for otherworldly views from atop the Sugarloaf summit. If you are looking to keep it relatively easy without sacrificing the jaw dropping red rock views, look no further than the Teacup trail, named as so for its’ unique standout rock formation.
Location: Sedona, Arizona
