This Scenic Highway Is One Of America’s Most Spectacular March Drives
I’ve driven countless roads across the American West, but few have left me as breathless as this one. This 68-mile ribbon of asphalt winds through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Southwest, connecting Flagstaff to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon and continuing north through Jerome to Prescott.
March transforms this highway into something truly magical, when the desert begins its spring awakening and the weather strikes that perfect balance between winter’s chill and summer’s scorching heat.
The red rocks glow with an intensity that photographers dream about, wildflowers start dotting the hillsides, and the crowds haven’t yet descended in full force.
I found myself pulling over constantly, camera in hand, trying to capture vistas that seemed too stunning to be real.
This drive isn’t just about getting somewhere; it’s about experiencing Arizona at its most spectacular, when nature puts on a show that reminds you why the Grand Canyon State earned its reputation for jaw-dropping scenery.
Oak Creek Canyon’s Towering Red Walls
Sandstone cliffs soar nearly 2,000 feet above the road as you descend into Oak Creek Canyon, creating one of those driving experiences where you’ll want a passenger to handle the camera work. I kept my hands firmly on the wheel through the switchbacks, but my eyes constantly wandered to those rust-colored walls glowing in the morning light.
The canyon earned its designation as Arizona’s first scenic highway back in 1912, and a century later, it still delivers on that promise.
March brings perfect visibility, with crisp air clearing away any summer haze. The creek runs strong with snowmelt, adding a soundtrack of rushing water to your journey.
I stopped at one of the many pullouts to stretch my legs and truly absorb the scale of these formations. The contrast between the red rocks and the blue March sky at Arizona’s State Route 89A creates colors so vivid they almost seem digitally enhanced.
Oak trees line the creek bed, their branches just beginning to show signs of spring’s arrival, adding touches of green to the predominantly red and orange palette.
Slide Rock State Park’s Natural Water Slides
Located about seven miles north of Sedona, Slide Rock State Park offers one of nature’s most entertaining geological features. Smooth slickrock chutes carved by Oak Creek have created natural water slides that have delighted visitors since the 1930s.
While March might be too chilly for most people to take the plunge, I enjoyed exploring the park without the summer crowds.
The historic Pendley Homestead sits within the park boundaries, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century Arizona life. Walking through the old apple orchards, I could imagine the hard work required to farm this canyon paradise.
The original irrigation systems still channel water through the property, testament to the ingenuity of those early settlers.
Even if you’re not swimming, the park rewards visitors with excellent hiking trails that wind along the creek. I spent an hour photographing the water flowing over the smooth red rocks, creating patterns that shifted with every passing minute.
March’s moderate temperatures make hiking comfortable, and the apple trees were just beginning to show tiny buds that would soon burst into bloom.
Sedona’s Red Rock Formations
Sedona announces itself long before you arrive, with those iconic red rock formations rising from the desert floor like ancient monuments. I’ve visited in various seasons, but March offers something special: the rocks seem to radiate an inner fire in the slanting spring light.
Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte create a skyline that’s instantly recognizable to anyone who’s seen Arizona postcards.
The town itself sits nestled among these geological wonders, making it impossible to take a wrong turn aesthetically. Every street offers frame-worthy views, and I found myself constantly reaching for my camera.
March brings wildflowers to the lower elevations, adding splashes of yellow and purple to complement the red rocks.
I hiked several trails during my visit, including the popular Cathedral Rock Trail. The moderate difficulty and spectacular payoff make it perfect for March conditions when the weather cooperates beautifully.
From the saddle, I watched clouds cast moving shadows across the landscape, creating an ever-changing light show. The vortex sites scattered around Sedona attract spiritual seekers, but you don’t need metaphysical beliefs to feel something profound standing among these ancient formations.
Jerome’s Historic Mining Town Perch
Clinging to Cleopatra Hill at 5,000 feet elevation, Jerome defies logic and gravity in equal measure. This former copper mining town produced over a billion dollars worth of ore before the mines closed in 1953, and today it’s reborn as an artists’ colony and tourist destination.
I drove the steep, narrow streets wondering how anyone navigated them in Model T Fords.
The town’s vertical geography means spectacular views come standard with every turn. Looking out over the Verde Valley from Jerome’s hillside perch, I could see for miles across the high desert landscape.
Historic buildings cling to the slope at improbable angles, some propped up with supports after years of mining subsidence shifted the ground beneath them.
I explored several art galleries housed in century-old structures, their brick walls and original fixtures providing character that new buildings can’t replicate. The Jerome State Historic Park preserves the Douglas Mansion, offering insights into the mining era’s boom times.
March’s mild weather made walking the steep streets manageable, though I still worked up a sweat climbing from one level to another. Every elevation change revealed new perspectives on both the town and the valley below.
Mingus Mountain’s Elevation Changes
Route 89A climbs over Mingus Mountain between Jerome and Prescott Valley, gaining nearly 3,000 feet in elevation through a series of curves that demand your full attention. I started in high desert scrubland and emerged in ponderosa pine forest, experiencing multiple ecosystems in just a few miles of driving.
The road reaches 7,023 feet at the summit, where patches of snow still lingered in shaded areas during my March crossing.
This section of highway showcases Arizona’s incredible biodiversity. Vegetation zones shift as you climb, from juniper and pinyon pine at lower elevations to tall ponderosas near the top.
I pulled over at several scenic overlooks, each offering different perspectives on the Verde Valley spreading out below. On clear March days, visibility extends for dozens of miles across the high desert.
The descent toward Prescott Valley provides equally dramatic scenery, with the road carving through granite boulder fields that look like giants’ playthings scattered across the mountainside. I encountered minimal traffic, making the drive feel like a private tour through Arizona’s geological diversity.
March’s moderate temperatures meant my vehicle’s engine and brakes handled the elevation changes without complaint, unlike summer when overheating becomes a real concern on these grades.
Verde Valley’s Desert Vistas
Spreading out between the Red Rock Country and Mingus Mountain, the Verde Valley offers a different kind of beauty than the dramatic formations elsewhere along 89A. This broad basin stretches for miles, filled with high desert vegetation and small communities that seem tiny against the landscape’s scale.
I found myself appreciating the openness after the enclosed feeling of Oak Creek Canyon.
The Verde River winds through the valley, supporting cottonwood groves that create ribbons of green through the otherwise muted palette. March brings fresh growth to the desert plants, with new leaves appearing on creosote bushes and ocotillos preparing for their spring bloom.
I stopped at a pullout to simply absorb the vastness, watching hawks circle on thermals rising from the warming valley floor.
Several historic sites dot the valley, including Tuzigoot National Monument with its ancient pueblo ruins. The Sinagua people thrived here centuries ago, and standing among their stone structures, I gained perspective on how humans have long been drawn to this valley’s resources.
The agricultural lands around Cottonwood and Clarkdale show that farming continues today, with vineyards now complementing traditional crops.
From the highway’s elevated vantage points, the valley’s patchwork of land uses creates an interesting human geography lesson spread across the desert floor.
March’s Perfect Weather Window
Timing matters enormously when driving Route 89A, and March hits the sweet spot between winter’s unpredictability and summer’s brutal heat. During my drive, daytime temperatures ranged from the mid-60s to low 70s at lower elevations, perfect for stopping to explore without breaking a sweat.
Higher elevations stayed cooler, but nothing that required more than a light jacket.
Summer transforms this route into something more challenging, with temperatures in Sedona and the Verde Valley regularly exceeding 100 degrees. Your vehicle works harder, you drink more water, and the rocks lose some of their luster under the harsh overhead sun.
Winter brings its own complications, with snow and ice possible on Mingus Mountain and occasionally even in Oak Creek Canyon. I’ve driven 89A in July and December, and neither compares to March’s comfort.
The light quality in March deserves special mention. The sun’s angle creates longer shadows and warmer tones than summer’s direct overhead glare.
Photographers call this the golden hour, but in March it seems to last most of the day along this route.
I shot hundreds of photos, and the natural lighting made even my quick snapshots look professionally composed. Crowds remain manageable too, with spring break traffic noticeable but nothing like the summer crush of tourists.