This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Arizona Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
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Monica Spencer
Author
Inspired by one of our previous posts about scenic road trips in Arizona, we decided to create a natural wonders road trip in Arizona that you won’t soon forget. You can find amazing scenic views all over our beautiful state, so to make it a little easier, we decided to take a look at some of the iconic spots found in Arizona’s northern half that qualify as a definite must-see and are, for the most part, pretty easy to access. Here are nine fantastic spots to stop along the way!
If you want to check out the map we created, just click this link for a guide on how to get to each stop. However, feel free to create your own itinerary and directions; this is merely a guide on how to get started.
Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
What better way to get this list started than with a look at some of the landscapes that help define Arizona? Sedona's red rocks greet thousands upon thousands of visitors each year and this spot is just one of many to experience here. Be sure to take a short hike and enjoy Oak Creek for a couple of hours!
Take a hike with the Backyard Hiker in Red Rock State Park in Sedona Arizona. Some of the trails you'll see include the House of Apache Fire trail, the Coyote Ridge Trail, and the Eagles Nest Trail:
Take a hike with the Backyard Hiker in Red Rock State Park in Sedona Arizona. Some of the trails you'll see include the House of Apache Fire trail, the Coyote Ridge Trail, and the Eagles Nest Trail:
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Lava River Cave, 171B Forest Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Our next stop really steps up the scenic views and is also known as Government Cave. This lava tube is found a reasonable distance from Flagstaff and was formed through a lava vent in the nearby volcanic field. It measures about 0.75 miles long, making it the longest of its kind! Just remember to bring a jacket and a couple of light sources with you!
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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
The most well-known natural wonder on our list, the Grand Canyon is not just limited to views from the South Rim. The lesser traveled areas are in some cases even more incredible. There's the North Rim, the numerous trails down inside the canyon, the Colorado River, and other pretty amazing spots. While you could easily spend weeks exploring each of these areas, we recommend sticking with a couple of well-known spots for a shorter trip. Check out the Desert View Watchtower, the Visitors Center, and a few viewpoints. Or, take a hike to some of the best waterfalls in the Grand Canyon.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
There are several touring companies that will guide you safely through Antelope Canyon, a gorgeous slot cave that was carved by water. The curved walls, waves, and sliver of an opening create a unique lighting situation that forces most photographers to figure out how to best play with available light. Most tours take an hour or less, so bring yourself, bottled water, and a camera. We recommend bringing a tripod so that you can try out longer exposures without risking a shaky image.
When you get past the crowds of a typical tour of Antelope Canyon the sense of wonder and magic this ancient canyon holds is breathtaking. Enjoy some incredibly scenic views of the iconic Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in this video from Amazing Places on Our Planet:
When you get past the crowds of a typical tour of Antelope Canyon the sense of wonder and magic this ancient canyon holds is breathtaking. Enjoy some incredibly scenic views of the iconic Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in this video from Amazing Places on Our Planet:
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Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Next up, is an incredibly photogenic location that has been featured in more photos, movies, and television shows than we could possibly name. Arizona shares Monument Valley with Utah, but guess what? We’re lucky enough to have the visitors center, the famous mittens, and even a hotel with a spectacular view of the famous formations. There's nowhere else you can see that view!
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ, USA
Don’t let the name here fool you: Canyon de Chelly is actually made up of three different canyons and stunning vistas. While hiking through most of the canyon will require a guide, you should make time to walk the White House Ruins Trail for an up-close look at the canyon and ancient cliff dwellings.
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
How many spectacular natural phenomena and other Southwestern imagery can you find here? Petrified logs, uniquely colorful badlands, mesa, fossils, and even quite a few archaeological sites. Definitely make time to see the Painted Desert and the Crystal Forest for the more iconic scenes.
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Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Interstate 40, Exit, 233, Winslow, AZ 86047, USA
Located about 18 miles outside Winslow, Meteor Crater is widely known as the best-preserved meteor crater in the world thanks to the area’s dry conditions. The crater is approximately 50,000 years old and was formed by a 150-foot meteorite, of which a large surviving chunk sits in the visitor’s center today. If you’re an astronomy lover, you definitely have to make a special trip here!
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Nf-583A, Pine, AZ 85544, USA
The final natural wonder on our list is Tonto Natural Bridge, the world’s largest travertine bridge. Found just 10 miles north of Payson, Tonto Natural Bridge is a great spot to visit through fall but especially when the nearby creek and seasonal waterfall are flowing, which makes a visit here even more special.
Check out this beautiful footage around the Tonto Natural Bridge area from Explore More. You can really get a feel for how inspiring this area is to hike as they travel along the Pine Creek Trail to see the Natural Bridge:
Check out this beautiful footage around the Tonto Natural Bridge area from Explore More. You can really get a feel for how inspiring this area is to hike as they travel along the Pine Creek Trail to see the Natural Bridge:
These are just a few of the many incredible scenic views you can discover when you jump in your vehicle and take one of many possible road trips in Arizona. Want to see our (almost) complete list of Arizona natural wonders? You won’t want to miss out on these 13 most incredible natural wonders in Arizona!
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More to Explore
More places to visit in Arizona
What are some affordable parks to visit in Arizona?
When going on road trips in Arizona it's easy for expenses to climb pretty quickly, so finding inexpensive activities is crucial. While Antelope Canyon is pretty stunning, it gets a bit pricey to see if you have a large family. Here are some affordable parks in Arizona to explore that won't break the bank:
- Canyon de Chelly: This park is free to visit, and offers you incredible scenic views and plenty of hiking trails down to the canyon floor. You'll also be able to explore the White House Ruins completely free.
- Colossal Cave Mountain Park: This large cave about 40 minutes from Tucson is another relatively affordable attraction. Tickets for the Classic Cave Tour will run for adults in the low 20s with a pretty good discount for children ages 5-12. Tours these days are even more fascinating because they are done with lanterns and backlights to help pressure the delicate cave system.
- Monument Valley: You'll recognize these iconic buttes from photos all over the internet, but for only $10 per person or $20 per vehicle you can see them in person. Everybody loves a nice butte in person.
- Tumacácori National Historical Park: If you love old Spanish architecture you'll dig the Tumacácori Mission and the ruins of the town around it. The park entrance fee is $10 per person over the age of 16 and is good for seven days. There are also free annual passes for active military and their dependents. As with all national parks, you can take advantage of the 4th Grade Annual Pass which gets them into all national parks for free during their 4th grade school year and the following summer. (Although children of that age would be free at this park anyway)