The 13 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In Arizona
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Monica Spencer
Author
We don’t know about you but I’ve been getting an itch for adventure recently. Maybe it’s the time of year, but I’d like to think that it’s because Arizona is a pretty exciting place! If you’re also looking to head out on an adventure but can’t leave home for extended periods of time, you’ll want to check out these incredible day trip ideas. Each one will take you to an awe-inspiring place in Arizona that will remind you of our state’s beauty and history. Here are our picks for some of the best day trips in Arizona:
Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
This slot canyon is hidden in the northern Arizona desert and embodies the beautiful, mysterious nature you can only find in this region of the country. Formed by rushing water, you’ll find a trek through the canyon to be an intriguing way to spend an afternoon. Antelope Canyon is absolutely one of the best day trips in Arizona!
Take a look at this video by @milosh9k:
Take a look at this video by @milosh9k:
Sycamore Falls, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
Tucked away in Sycamore Canyon, Paradise Forks (also known as Sycamore Falls) has beautiful basalt rocks that jut from the canyon floors, as well as pools of cool water, and a seasonal waterfall. You’ll find rock climbers, hikers, and campers enjoying this space throughout the year.
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3969 AZ-82, Sonoita, AZ 85637, USA
Just imagine this: the sun is setting, a warm breeze is blowing through the desert grass, and it’s just you and a beautiful glass of wine, your pick. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? Rune Wines
has a tasting room like no other: it is located outdoors with a perfect view of the desert and nearby mountains, offering a nice retreat from everyday life. Doesn't this sound like one of the most relaxing Arizona day trips you can take?
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233 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
Visiting the Grand Canyon is on everyone’s bucket list, and one of the best ways to make that experience even more special is by riding a historic train through the woods, right up to the park’s entrance. It's one of the most magical day trips in Arizona and is going right to the top of my bucket list!
Ajo, AZ 85321, USA
Why, yes, Ajo was named by U.S. News as the Best Southwestern Small Town, and we have to agree! This former mining community is home to some gorgeous Spanish Colonial architecture and has recently begun a new life as an art town. You’ll find galleries, colorful murals, and plenty of beautiful desert scenery surrounding Ajo.
5025 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Construction began on this wedding-cake-like building in 1929 and it has stood like a monument in east Phoenix ever since. The mansion recently opened for tours, where you’ll get to visit parts of it and learn about the families who once called it home. Don’t forget to wander through the desert garden, too! It’s lovely, especially when the flowers are blooming. Tours are limited and must be booked in advance, but if you can get tickets, it will be one of the most memorable day trips in Arizona you can take.
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Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Marble Canyon, AZ 86036, USA
Located in the secluded Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon, this national monument has some spectacular natural areas that look like they came from a dream. The Wave is just one example. Formed by centuries of wind erosion, you’ll have the opportunity to hike the delicate sandstone and see some of the most unique rock formations in the world. You'll be absolutely awestruck when you visit Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on one of the best day trips in Arizona.
Take a look at this video by @milosh9k:
Take a look at this video by @milosh9k:
Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
This boomtown-turned-ghost-town-turned-tourist destination is one incredible place that lives in infamy. A visit to Tombstone, Arizona these days will take you to the historic Allen Street (set up just like it would have been in the 1880s), plenty of historic reenactments, and you might even encounter a ghost or two!
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Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
Grasslands, badlands in just about every color of the rainbow, tons of petrified wood, and centuries-old Native American dwellings can all be found in this national park/gem. It also happens to be located right along Route 66, and today, it has a small monument to the Mother Road. A visit to the Petrified Forest is one of the best day trips in the state.
6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756, USA
Located on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, this is the largest airplane boneyard in the world. It houses more than 4,000 old military and NASA planes to be used for storage or scrap. If you enjoy seeing old military planes, like B-20s, then you’ll love an informative visit!
32540 S Biosphere Rd, Tucson, AZ 85739, USA
This experimental facility dates to the 1990s and was a bit controversial for its time. The attempts made at people living long-term within the secluded facility were pretty unsuccessful, with oxygen depletion, filtration systems not working, and problems with management in and outside of the dome all contributing to the failure. These days, it is owned by the University of Arizona, and it's operated as both a museum and a research facility. There's no doubt that a trip to Biosphere 2 will be one of the most memorable day trips in Arizona.
Take a look at this video by @TucsonArizona:
Take a look at this video by @TucsonArizona:
Interstate 40, I-40, Winslow, AZ, USA
The world’s best-preserved meteor crater, this is one of the largest in the world and is actually a pretty cool spot to visit. While you may not get to see the meteorite sticking out of the earth, you will get to see the unique pattern that dates to a time when giant sloths and woolly mammoths were still roaming the planet! A trip to the Meteor Crater is one of the best family-friendly day trips in Arizona.
West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead, W Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
This trail is mega-popular for a reason! It takes you through the lush landscape that surrounds Oak Creek in the Sedona area, where you can see a canyon of red rocks, and towering trees, and even learn a bit of history along the way. The West Fork Trail measures about 6.6 miles overall and is worth every minute of walking!
When the warmer months are approaching, you might be interested in finding some fun outdoor activities that you can enjoy despite the temperatures. Read some of our suggestions in Things You Must Do Underneath The Summer Sun in Arizona.
Have you ever visited any of these amazing wonders on one of the best day trips in Arizona? Tell us about your favorite in the comments.
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Best Day Trips in Arizona
What are some fun road trips in Arizona?
Some fun road trips in Arizona to take include:
- Driving the 89A from Prescott to Flagstaff, and beyond. The 89A-North between Sedona and Flagstaff is easily one of the most beautiful drives in the country, let alone the entire state.
- Driving along the famous Route 66, where you'll encounter tons of old gas stations, historic buildings, and more.
Where can I have outdoor adventures in Arizona?
Outdoor adventures in Arizona can be had just about anywhere in the state including:
- The Grand Canyon where you can spend an entire day hiking, sightseeing, and learning about the fascinating history of the area.
- In Flagstaff, Arizona where there are hundreds and hundreds of ridiculously beautiful hiking trails that are open year-round.
- In southern Arizona, Saguaro National Park beckons guests with its incredibly unique landscape (Arizona is one of the only places in the world where Saguaro cacti grow).
- Adventure awaits even in metropolitan areas like Phoenix; the Desert Botanical Garden is perfect for a low-key outdoor adventure that you can bring the whole family on.
What are some amazing Arizona parks?
Arizona has 31 state parks to choose from. Here are some of the most amazing Arizona parks:
- Picacho Peak State Park, which was once the site of the only Civil War skirmish Arizona ever saw. The geology here is intriguing, as Picacho Peak is an unusual mountain sticking up out of the southern Arizona desert. The wildflowers there in the spring are nothing short of heavenly.
- Tonto Natural Bridge is beautiful and home to a natural bridge with a minor waterfall trickling over the edge year-round.
- Slide Rock State Park is another park with notable beauty and is located on the 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.