Natural wonders in Arizona aren’t exactly few and far between. After all, our state is home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. For those of us who have lived here a long time, however, it’s easy to take the Arizona scenery and natural beauty for granted. If you’re in need of a reminder, embark on this unforgettable road trip to five of the most scenic natural wonders in Arizona. From ancient slot canyons to turquoise waterfalls, this 7.5-hour trip will make you fall in love with the Grand Canyon State all over again.
Feel free to adjust the Google Maps route for the trip as you see fit.
Google Maps
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Kayenta)
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment Collection / Getty Images Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park has a certain mystique that one must experience to fully understand. Among the most photographed places in the country, this enchanting destination on the Arizona-Utah border features three iconic rock formations, known as buttes, that tower up to 1,000 feet into the sky. You can take a scenic drive around the valley in your own vehicle, but actually going down into it (which we highly recommend doing!) requires a local guide. You can get more information on the Navajo Nation Parks website. Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
- Antelope Canyon (Page)
Matteo Colombo / DigitalVision Collection / Getty Images No scenic road trip in Arizona would be complete without a stop at Antelope Canyon. Also a photographer’s paradise, Antelope Canyon is tucked away in the small town of Page, known for its abundance of outdoor activities. Openings at the top of this ancient slot canyon allow sunbeams to stream in, creating pillars of light that dance like shadow puppets. You’ll also need a tour guide to enter Antelope Canyon, and only a small number of people are allowed in each day. Visit the Navajo Nation Parks website for a list of tour operators. Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
- Horseshoe Bend (Page)
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment Collection / Getty Images Page is also home to Horseshoe Bend, another of Arizona’s most recognizable natural wonders. Named for its striking resemblance to a horseshoe, this meander of the Colorado River boasts deep blue waters and amazing sunsets. Plus, all it takes to get there is a quick, 3/4-mile hike! Learn more on the National Park Service website. Horseshoe Bend, Arizona 86040, USA
- Grand Canyon National Park
Steven Yelverton Photography / Moment Collection / Getty Images It’s almost insulting to even include the Grand Canyon because it so obviously deserves a spot on the list. There are no words to describe her all-encompassing beauty, so rather than make a futile attempt, we’ll just take this time to bask in her glory. Living in Arizona, it’s easy for us to take the Grand Canyon for granted, but people travel from all over the world to visit the park and gaze out into its vast expanse. You can get more information on the National Park Service website. Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USA
- Havasu Falls (Supai)
Gilles Baechler / 500px Prime Collection / Getty Images If you have ever thought, ”Where is Havasu Falls located?” the answer is in the northwest part of the state not far from Grand Canyon National Park. One of the most grueling hikes you’ll ever take pays off in a big way, leading to this nearly 100-foot waterfall that spills down a mossy cliffside into a turquoise pool below. Havasu Falls is the most famous here, but it isn’t the only waterfall on the trail - there’s also Beaver Falls, and the even taller Mooney Falls, which towers at a height of almost 200 feet. You must make a reservation to visit the Havasupai Indian Reservation to embark on the hike. Permits typically sell out upwards of a year in advance, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Visit the Havasupai Reservations website to learn more. Havasu Falls, Arizona 86435, USA
Would you take this road trip to some of the most scenic natural wonders in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Google Maps
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park has a certain mystique that one must experience to fully understand. Among the most photographed places in the country, this enchanting destination on the Arizona-Utah border features three iconic rock formations, known as buttes, that tower up to 1,000 feet into the sky. You can take a scenic drive around the valley in your own vehicle, but actually going down into it (which we highly recommend doing!) requires a local guide. You can get more information on the Navajo Nation Parks website.
Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Matteo Colombo / DigitalVision Collection / Getty Images
No scenic road trip in Arizona would be complete without a stop at Antelope Canyon. Also a photographer’s paradise, Antelope Canyon is tucked away in the small town of Page, known for its abundance of outdoor activities. Openings at the top of this ancient slot canyon allow sunbeams to stream in, creating pillars of light that dance like shadow puppets. You’ll also need a tour guide to enter Antelope Canyon, and only a small number of people are allowed in each day. Visit the Navajo Nation Parks website for a list of tour operators.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
Page is also home to Horseshoe Bend, another of Arizona’s most recognizable natural wonders. Named for its striking resemblance to a horseshoe, this meander of the Colorado River boasts deep blue waters and amazing sunsets. Plus, all it takes to get there is a quick, 3/4-mile hike! Learn more on the National Park Service website.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona 86040, USA
Steven Yelverton Photography / Moment Collection / Getty Images
It’s almost insulting to even include the Grand Canyon because it so obviously deserves a spot on the list. There are no words to describe her all-encompassing beauty, so rather than make a futile attempt, we’ll just take this time to bask in her glory. Living in Arizona, it’s easy for us to take the Grand Canyon for granted, but people travel from all over the world to visit the park and gaze out into its vast expanse. You can get more information on the National Park Service website.
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USA
Gilles Baechler / 500px Prime Collection / Getty Images
If you have ever thought, ”Where is Havasu Falls located?” the answer is in the northwest part of the state not far from Grand Canyon National Park. One of the most grueling hikes you’ll ever take pays off in a big way, leading to this nearly 100-foot waterfall that spills down a mossy cliffside into a turquoise pool below. Havasu Falls is the most famous here, but it isn’t the only waterfall on the trail - there’s also Beaver Falls, and the even taller Mooney Falls, which towers at a height of almost 200 feet. You must make a reservation to visit the Havasupai Indian Reservation to embark on the hike. Permits typically sell out upwards of a year in advance, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Visit the Havasupai Reservations website to learn more.
Havasu Falls, Arizona 86435, USA
Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more jaw-dropping places in Arizona’s great outdoors
and if you’re interested in hiking, you might enjoy embarking upon the Havasupai Falls hike as shown in this video:
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Adventures in Arizona February 04, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where can we go camping off the grid in Arizona?
The Blue Ridge Campground is a no reservation, 10 campsite spot offering gorgeous views and not many people. The Hazlett Hollow Campground is for those who really want to get away, due to the need for a high-clearance vehicle to navigate the roads to this 15 campsite campground. Aravaipa Canyon is one of the most remote campsites in Arizona and the number of people who can come here at one time is limited to only a few dozen by The Bureau of Land Management.
Read on and learn more about great spots to go camping off the grid in Arizona. What are some of the best hiking trails in Arizona?
The Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Loop is an iconic trail in Sedona offering spectacular views. The Echo Canyon Trail in Phoenix on Camelback Mountain is a popular and unique hiking option in right in the middle of an urban setting. The Hunter Trail in Picacho Peak State Park is definitely for the more advanced hiker but the views along the way are worth the effort.
Read on and learn more about some of the best hiking trails in Arizona. Where are the best places to go boating in Arizona?
Ashurst Lake south of Flagstaff offers great boating as well as awesome fishing. Lake Havasu which borders California is one of the most popular places in the state to go boating. Lake Mead sits right on the Nevada border about 30 min from Henderson, NV and is one of the largest lakes in Arizona.
Read on to learn more about the best places to go boating in Arizona.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Adventures in Arizona
February 04, 2023
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Where can we go camping off the grid in Arizona?
The Blue Ridge Campground is a no reservation, 10 campsite spot offering gorgeous views and not many people. The Hazlett Hollow Campground is for those who really want to get away, due to the need for a high-clearance vehicle to navigate the roads to this 15 campsite campground. Aravaipa Canyon is one of the most remote campsites in Arizona and the number of people who can come here at one time is limited to only a few dozen by The Bureau of Land Management.
Read on and learn more about great spots to go camping off the grid in Arizona. What are some of the best hiking trails in Arizona?
The Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Loop is an iconic trail in Sedona offering spectacular views. The Echo Canyon Trail in Phoenix on Camelback Mountain is a popular and unique hiking option in right in the middle of an urban setting. The Hunter Trail in Picacho Peak State Park is definitely for the more advanced hiker but the views along the way are worth the effort.
Read on and learn more about some of the best hiking trails in Arizona. Where are the best places to go boating in Arizona?
Ashurst Lake south of Flagstaff offers great boating as well as awesome fishing. Lake Havasu which borders California is one of the most popular places in the state to go boating. Lake Mead sits right on the Nevada border about 30 min from Henderson, NV and is one of the largest lakes in Arizona.
Read on to learn more about the best places to go boating in Arizona.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
- The Blue Ridge Campground is a no reservation, 10 campsite spot offering gorgeous views and not many people.
- The Hazlett Hollow Campground is for those who really want to get away, due to the need for a high-clearance vehicle to navigate the roads to this 15 campsite campground.
- Aravaipa Canyon is one of the most remote campsites in Arizona and the number of people who can come here at one time is limited to only a few dozen by The Bureau of Land Management.
Read on and learn more about great spots to go camping off the grid in Arizona.
What are some of the best hiking trails in Arizona?
- The Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Loop is an iconic trail in Sedona offering spectacular views.
- The Echo Canyon Trail in Phoenix on Camelback Mountain is a popular and unique hiking option in right in the middle of an urban setting.
- The Hunter Trail in Picacho Peak State Park is definitely for the more advanced hiker but the views along the way are worth the effort.
Read on and learn more about some of the best hiking trails in Arizona.
Where are the best places to go boating in Arizona?
- Ashurst Lake south of Flagstaff offers great boating as well as awesome fishing.
- Lake Havasu which borders California is one of the most popular places in the state to go boating.
- Lake Mead sits right on the Nevada border about 30 min from Henderson, NV and is one of the largest lakes in Arizona.
Read on to learn more about the best places to go boating in Arizona.
