These 5 Road Trips In Arizona Will Lead You To Places You’ll Never Forget
By Monica Spencer|Updated on November 07, 2020(Originally published November 01, 2020)
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Enjoy a cruise through Arizona to check out what our beautiful state has to offer! Check out some of the best road trips in Arizona to see some of the unforgettable sights in our state – any time of the year.
The Mother Road introduced so many people to the gorgeous sights that we Arizonans enjoy and helped others to see that a desert could truly be beautiful. Although a good portion of the highway was remapped during the construction of Interstate 40, parts of Route 66 still exist, as do the many little towns that thrived along the road. Since the road spans the northern portion of the state, you can start from either side and still get a historic experience. Holbrook, pictured above, is one of the first stops eastern visitors made into the Grand Canyon State.
All of Arizona has some amazing landscape views but a unique collection of them exists in northern Arizona. Picturesque and colorful, these areas, like the rest of Arizona, hold a rich history. Let’s start with the red rocks you will find in the Sedona area, like Red Rock State Park.
Canyon de Chelly is another area that features sweeping desert views and its rather easy accessibility makes it one of the most visited national monuments in the US.
Not only will you find a large collection of petrified wood at Petrified Forest National Park but also painted desert badlands, a Route 66 monument, and wildlife.
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3. Discover a part of Arizona’s history along Apache Trail.
This scenic drive not only looks pretty but also has plenty of great places to stop and explore. It's named after the trail some Apache groups used to travel through the region; it was later used as a wagon route. If you’re driving from the Phoenix area, starting the trip at Lost Dutchman State Park (pictured above) gets you ready in the right mood for the rest of the trip.
If you haven’t yet visited a ghost town, Goldfield is a good place to start. It has a large collection of attractions, food, and plenty of history as well.
Between Goldfield and Tonto National Monument, don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful, rugged landscapes along Apache Trail. The road is much less scary than it was when I first saw it in the early ‘90s.
Round out the trip with a visit to Tonto National Monument, where the cliff dwellings of the Salado people sit. The area was first recorded by a schoolteacher named Angeline Mitchell.
4. Get a taste of the Old West in southeast Arizona.
Can’t get enough of that old timey, Wild West feel? Consider taking a trip to the southeastern portion of our state to really dwell in that nostalgia that was probably considerably more dangerous than it is today. A great starting point (if you’re coming from the eastern portion of the state) is the remains of Fairbank, a ghost town along Highway 80. Once a bustling town with a population of 15,000, Fairbank today only just barely remains in our historical view.
Don’t forget to stop at the town that refuses to die, Tombstone. Allen Street is the place you want to visit but a trip to the old courthouse and north to Boothill are essential stops.
Unless you’re from out of state, there’s no way you would be tired of hearing how beautiful Arizona is. The changing leaves this time of year makes it even more so. Here are a few key areas to visit if you want to spend a weekend spotting the fall foliage. Your first stop? Oak Creek to see some amazing foliage like this.
And, don’t forget the collection of small towns and wilderness areas along the Mogollon Rim in the central part of the state. You'll find plenty of viewing options here!
What do you think are the best road trips in Arizona? What favorite road trips have you taken across our amazing state? We would love to hear your suggestions on our Facebook page or by nominating them here. We’ve also put together more great Arizona road trips for you to take.
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Best Road Trips In Arizona
Leah|November 06, 2020
What are the best road trips through Arizona?
With so many scenic drives in Arizona, it can be hard to pick which one you want to do next. We've put together many great road trips through this beautiful state, it just depends on what you want to go see the most. Are you interested in small towns? We have a road trip that'll take you to the most charming small towns in Arizona. What about something a bit spookier - like a haunted places in Arizona road trip or an abandoned places drive. And if you love the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon State, here is a natural wonders road trip that'll take you to some of the prettiest places this state has to offer. You can find all of these road trips and more right here.
What places in Arizona should I see before I die?
There are many things to do in Arizona in every corner of the state, but some are definitely worthy of being on your bucket list. Don't miss out on must-see attractions like the iconic Mitten Buttes in Monument Valley. We couldn't leave out a visit to the Grand Canyon, of course, or an underground exploration of the Kartchner Caverns. It's also a must to visit some of the many local Mexican restaurants in Arizona - if you know any locals, they'll be sure to have a favorite and direct you as to where to go. Exploring lesser-known parks like the Chiricahua National Monument or the Lost Dutchman State Park are also worthwhile experiences to have.
Which hidden gems in Arizona should I visit?
With so many popular Arizona attractions, some other places can get a bit overshadowed. These hidden gems aren't quite as well known, but they are equally as deserving of attention. For example, everyone knows about the Grand Canyon, but how many people also know about the Grand Canyon Caverns? This cave system near the famous attraction is fun to explore and you can even spend the night in it. Speaking canyons, have you heard about Sycamore Canyon? It's one of the largest in Arizona, yet not often visited. It's part of the Verde Valley and it's stunning, making it a perfect place for hiking and appreciating the views.
