This Epic One-Day Road Trip Across Arizona Is Full Of Adventures From Sunrise To Sunset
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
A full day of exploring the Grand Canyon State? Sign us up! This epic Arizona day trip starts with watching the sunrise at Tumamoc Hill and ends with a mountaintop dinner and a sunset hike at Picacho Peak State Park. If you just got goosebumps at how amazing this adventure will be, you are in the right place for one of the best day trips in Arizona. Let’s not dawdle any longer – get ready for a day to remember!
Visit Google Maps for a customizable trip itinerary.
Feel free to customize the road trip to make it your very own. Ready to put the pedal to the metal and embark on one of the best day trips in Arizona? Let's go.
Tumamoc Hill, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
Tumamoc Hill is one of the only trails in the area that you can hike in the dark, with hours running from 4 am until 10 pm. As such, it's quite popular among Tucsonans - especially during the warmer months. Clocking in at three miles round-trip, this steep ascent offers some of the best sunrise views in Arizona. Remember to stay on the paved path, as the hill is located on a fragile ecological reserve of the University of Arizona.
Tumamoc Hill is one of the most scenic places in AZ that everyone in the city can enjoy. Listen to the stories of those who love walking Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ, as you watch the beautiful views you'll find on this amazing trail in this video from Arizona Public Media:
Tumamoc Hill is one of the most scenic places in AZ that everyone in the city can enjoy. Listen to the stories of those who love walking Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ, as you watch the beautiful views you'll find on this amazing trail in this video from Arizona Public Media:
Advertisement
Catalina Highway, Catalina Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
After watching a gorgeous sunrise, it's time for a quick drive. Catalina Highway is less than 30 miles long, but it really packs a punch when it comes to scenery. Beginning in the desert lowlands of Tucson and climbing over 6,000 feet to the peak of Mount Lemmon, this epic adventure is the ecological equivalent of traveling from Mexico to Canada!
Advertisement
Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA
Our final stop in Tucson is the famed Saguaro National Park, where you'll see more than two million Saguaro cacti growing wild. There are a number of different ways to explore this vast desert oasis, from hiking trails to scenic drives to wildlife viewing.
Take a hike through Saguaro National Park starting out with one of those amazing Arizona sunrises as Adventures of A+K set out to Wasson Peak, then join them for a cactus-inspired meal of cacti tacos. Continue the day-trip journey with the Bajada Loop Drive, Signal Hill Petroglyphs, and finally the Valley View Overlook trail with a gorgeous sunset over the valley:
Take a hike through Saguaro National Park starting out with one of those amazing Arizona sunrises as Adventures of A+K set out to Wasson Peak, then join them for a cactus-inspired meal of cacti tacos. Continue the day-trip journey with the Bajada Loop Drive, Signal Hill Petroglyphs, and finally the Valley View Overlook trail with a gorgeous sunset over the valley:
Related Stories
Straddling The U.S.-Mexico Border, The Town Of Nogales, Arizona Is One Of The Most Unique Places You'll Ever Visit
11 Out Of This World Summer Day Trips To Take In Arizona
Here Are 8 Unique Day Trips In Arizona That Are An Absolute Must-Do
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
The second half of the trip takes us to Phoenix, with our first destination being the iconic Desert Botanical Garden. Here, you can wander through 140 acres of native Chihuahuan Desert flora, with the total number of plants estimated to be around 50,000.
Different Pointe of View, 11111 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA
What a fun-filled day! By now, you've probably worked up quite an appetite, so dinnertime finds us at Different Pointe of View. Located at the Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort, this AAA Four-Diamond restaurant sits atop North Mountain, allowing you to watch the sunset in stylish surroundings.
On the menu, you'll see elevated fares such as foie gras, tenderloin tartare, and a variety of beef, poultry, and seafood entrees. There is also an extensive drink list featuring handcrafted cocktails perfect for sipping while you take in the panoramic vistas.
On the menu, you'll see elevated fares such as foie gras, tenderloin tartare, and a variety of beef, poultry, and seafood entrees. There is also an extensive drink list featuring handcrafted cocktails perfect for sipping while you take in the panoramic vistas.
Picacho Peak State Park, 15520 Picacho Peak Rd, Picacho, AZ 85141, USA
Why not keep the sunset magic going? Last, but certainly not least, our trip ends at Picacho Peak State Park. Surrounding its namesake mountain, this expansive park is renowned for its sunset views. There is even a trail called the Sunset Vista Trail that provides an especially scenic vantage point - it's rated moderate to difficult, with some cable climbing required, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
Experience the Sunset Vista Trail in Picacho Peak State Park in this video from Adventure Endeavor:
Experience the Sunset Vista Trail in Picacho Peak State Park in this video from Adventure Endeavor:
Beautiful botanical gardens, scenic drives, ancient Saguaro cacti hikes, and a good meal with stunning views pretty much epitomize one of the best day trips in Arizona you can imagine. What do you think about this epic Arizona day trip? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
More scenic places in Arizona
What are the best day trips in AZ?
Arizona has so many wonderful areas to enjoy outdoors from glowing red sunsets over Bell Rock to the epic Antelope Canyon. Let's take a day trip in AZ with these scenic places to explore. Here is a list of some of the best day trips in Arizona:
- Antelope Canyon, Page, AZ: You've seen photos of this mesmerizing canyon in Navajo country Arizona. But in person, they are simply magical. Only guided tours are available to this protected canyon, but it is certainly worth adding this stunning day trip to your bucket list.
- Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction), AZ: Experience what it would have felt like to live in the 1800s in this replica ghost town. Be sure to pack your six guns and spurs, because you might need to head off some wranglers at the pass.
- Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, AZ: This amazing ancient five-story, 20-room cliff dwelling dates back over 900 years when the Sinagua people made this area their home. For over 300 years they occupied these dwellings cut directly into the limestone cliff.
- Meteor Crater, Winslow, AZ: Can you imagine what it must feel like to stand in a 50,000-year-old meteor crater as the wind whips through your hair and sand stings your eyes? The epic proportions of the world's largest meteor crater, and the fact that at the time of impact, wooly mammoths roamed the earth, make this day trip one to remember.
If you are looking for even more day trip ideas in Arizona, check out this list where we present one idea per month for an entire year.