The Most Picturesque Arizona Day Trips You Can’t Miss
Arizona is packed with jaw-dropping landscapes that look like they jumped straight out of a postcard. From rust-colored rock formations to sprawling desert vistas and hidden canyons, this state offers adventures perfect for a single day of exploration.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets over dramatic cliffs or wandering through ancient tribal lands, these unforgettable destinations will leave you speechless and your camera roll overflowing.
1. Sedona & the Red Rock Scenic Byway
Picture yourself cruising along a highway where every turn reveals another postcard-worthy view. The Red Rock Scenic Byway winds through Sedona’s most spectacular landscapes, treating you to towering crimson cliffs that glow like fire at sunset.
Artists and photographers flock here year-round to capture the magic. Instead of Oak Creek Canyon, which is on a different route, you can explore scenic stops along SR-179 or continue separately to Oak Creek Canyon via Highway 89A.
Pack a picnic and make a day of exploring the quirky shops and galleries downtown. This route proves that sometimes the journey really is better than the destination—though in Sedona, both are pretty unbeatable!
2. Horseshoe Bend & Glen Canyon
Ever seen a river do a perfect U-turn? Horseshoe Bend will blow your mind with its dramatic 1,000-foot drop and emerald-green Colorado River carving through orange sandstone.
A short three-quarter-mile hike from the parking lot brings you to the edge of this natural wonder. Just remember to bring water—the Arizona sun doesn’t mess around, even on short walks.
Nearby Glen Canyon offers boating and kayaking adventures if you’re feeling adventurous. Sunrise and sunset paint the rocks in shades of gold and crimson that cameras struggle to capture. Fair warning: you’ll spend half your visit trying to get that perfect Instagram shot!
3. Grand Canyon South Rim
Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon makes you feel wonderfully small in the best possible way. The South Rim offers the most accessible viewpoints, with paved trails connecting multiple lookout spots that showcase different angles of this geological masterpiece.
Bright Angel Trail welcomes hikers of all levels—just remember that going down is optional, but coming back up is mandatory! The Rim Trail stretches for miles, perfect for a leisurely stroll with jaw-dropping views at every step.
Visit the historic El Tovar Hotel for lunch with a view that’ll make your sandwich taste even better. Pro tip: arrive early to snag parking and beat the crowds.
4. Antelope Canyon
Mother Nature turned into a master sculptor at Antelope Canyon, carving smooth, flowing walls that look like frozen waves. Light beams dance through the narrow openings above, creating an otherworldly glow that photographers dream about.
You’ll need a Navajo guide to explore this sacred land, and tours book up fast during peak season. The slot canyon stays cool even when the desert outside is sizzling, making it a refreshing escape.
Upper Antelope Canyon offers easier access at ground level, while Lower Antelope requires climbing some ladders for a more adventurous experience. Either way, prepare to have your breath stolen by swirling sandstone in shades of orange, pink, and purple.
5. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Recognize those massive rock towers from countless Western movies? Monument Valley delivers landscapes so iconic they’ve become symbols of the American Southwest.
The 17-mile scenic drive loops through the park, bringing you face-to-face with formations like the Mittens and Merrick Butte. Navajo guides offer deeper tours into restricted areas, sharing stories and legends that bring the landscape to life.
Sunrise here transforms the red rocks into glowing monuments that seem to touch the sky. Bring plenty of memory cards for your camera—you’ll want to capture every angle. The visitor center showcases beautiful Navajo crafts and provides cultural context that enriches the entire experience.
6. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Hidden within these dramatic canyon walls are ancient cliff dwellings that whisper stories from centuries past. Canyon de Chelly remains home to Navajo families who farm the canyon floor during summer months, making it a living landscape rather than just a historical site.
The rim drives offer spectacular overlooks where you can peer down at Spider Rock, an 800-foot sandstone spire that’ll make your knees weak. White House Ruin Trail has historically been the only self-guided hike, but it has been subject to intermittent closures—check current conditions before visiting.
For deeper exploration, hire a Navajo guide who can share the canyon’s rich cultural heritage and lead you to hidden petroglyphs.
7. Jerome & Cottonwood
Clinging to Cleopatra Hill like a stubborn barnacle, Jerome transformed from a booming copper mining town into an artist haven that’s equal parts quirky and charming. Wander through galleries, antique shops, and restaurants housed in buildings that once served rowdy miners.
The town’s elevation provides knockout views of the Verde Valley below. Ghost stories abound in this former “wickedest town in the West,” and several spots offer paranormal tours for brave souls.
Just down the mountain, Cottonwood offers wine tasting rooms and a more relaxed vibe. Together, these towns make a perfect day trip mixing history, art, and Arizona’s growing wine scene.
8. Saguaro National Park
These giant cacti with their upraised arms look like they’re permanently waving hello to visitors. Saguaro National Park protects thousands of these iconic desert dwellers, some standing over 40 feet tall and weighing more than a car!
The park splits into two districts flanking Tucson, each offering scenic drives and hiking trails through cactus forests. Spring brings spectacular wildflower blooms that carpet the desert floor in purple, yellow, and orange.
Sunset turns the whole landscape golden, with saguaros casting long shadows that stretch across the desert. Fun fact: these slow-growing giants can live over 200 years and don’t grow their first arm until they’re about 75!
9. Kartchner Caverns State Park
What happens when two explorers keep a secret for 14 years? You get one of the world’s best-preserved cave systems, protected until it could be properly developed for visitors.
Kartchner Caverns stays a constant 68 degrees year-round, making it Arizona’s coolest escape—literally! Guided tours lead you through chambers decorated with delicate soda straw formations, massive columns, and flowstone draperies that took millennia to form.
The Throne Room features Kubla Khan, a 58-foot column that’s one of the world’s tallest. Photography isn’t allowed inside to protect the formations, so you’ll just have to commit these underground wonders to memory. Reserve tickets ahead because tours fill up quickly!
10. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Named for cacti that grow in clusters resembling pipe organs, this remote monument showcases the Sonoran Desert at its wildest. You’ll find plants here that exist nowhere else in the United States, making it a botanist’s dream destination.
Two scenic drives loop through the park: Ajo Mountain Drive offers mountain vistas, while Puerto Blanco Drive ventures deeper into the backcountry. Spring transforms the desert into a flower show that rivals any formal garden.
The monument sits right along the Mexican border, about 2.5–3 hours from Tucson, depending on route. Pack plenty of water and snacks, services are limited in this wonderfully remote corner of Arizona that rewards adventurous spirits!