Arizona is one of the most rewarding states for a road trip. Within a single drive, you can experience deserts, red rock cliffs, pine forests, historic towns, and national parks. Whether you are looking for hidden gems in Arizona or the best places to visit in Arizona, this guide will help you plan your journey. From Phoenix to the Utah border, Arizona offers unique places for every traveler.
If you are creating a road trip itinerary, these epic places to visit in Arizona include everything from canyons and natural wonders to ghost towns and cultural landmarks. This is your ultimate guide to things to do in Arizona, the best places, and bucket list destinations.
1. Queen Mine Tour (Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum)
Why it’s epic: Underground mining experience and authentic Old West history.
The Queen Mine Tour is one of the most unique historical attractions in Arizona and a standout stop in Southern Arizona. Located in Bisbee, this guided underground tour is an incredible experience. You get firsthand insight into the state’s mining heritage. Visitors ride mine carts, explore tunnels, and learn how mining shaped Arizona’s economy and culture.
Top highlights:
Underground mine tour, mining carts, historic tunnels, Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
2. Grand Canyon National Park
Why it’s epic: Stunning scale, layered rock formations, and panoramic views.
The Grand Canyon is a true natural wonder and one of the best places to visit in Arizona. The South Rim offers dramatic vistas, while Grand Canyon Village features historic landmarks and visitor centers. Driving along the rim, you can experience the Grand Canyon in multiple ways—hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and guided tours. This is an essential stop for anyone planning to visit Arizona.
Top highlights:
South Rim scenic drive, Mather Point, Grand Canyon Village, Desert View Watchtower, Rim Trail
3. Sedona
Why it’s epic: Iconic red rock formations, spiritual energy, and vibrant hiking trails.
Sedona is one of the best places to visit in Arizona for breathtaking scenery. Famous for Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, Oak Creek Canyon, and wellness retreats, Sedona blends red rock landscapes with small towns full of art galleries and local charm. The hiking trails and scenic drives make it a perfect place to explore the outdoors. Sedona is also known for its spiritual energy and unique desert flora.
Top highlights:
Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Oak Creek Canyon, Devil’s Bridge
4. Antelope Canyon
Why it’s epic: Smooth sandstone walls, vibrant light beams, and incredible photography.
Antelope Canyon is a hidden gem in Arizona and a must-see canyon on a northern Arizona road trip. Guided tours showcase the wave-like walls carved by centuries of water and wind. Sunlight filtering into Upper Antelope Canyon creates patterns that change throughout the day, making it one of the most photogenic places to see in AZ.
Top highlights:
Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, guided photography tours, and nearby Lake Powell
5. Horseshoe Bend
Why it’s epic: Dramatic Colorado River curve framed by towering cliffs.
Horseshoe Bend is a short day trip from Page, AZ, and offers one of Arizona’s most iconic sights. The beautiful view of the river bending around a massive cliff is unforgettable, especially at sunset. Combine your visit with a tour of Glen Canyon Dam or a boat tour on Lake Powell for a complete Northern Arizona experience.
Top highlights:
Sunset viewpoints, panoramic photography, nearby Page attractions, Lake Powell excursions
6. Monument Valley
Why it’s epic: Majestic sandstone buttes and classic Old West scenery.
Monument Valley is one of the best places to visit in Arizona along the Utah border. Its towering sandstone formations, wide desert vistas, and Old West atmosphere make it an unforgettable stop. Drive the Valley Drive or take a Navajo-guided tour to see the most iconic formations. This national monument is perfect for photography and road trips through northeastern Arizona.
Top highlights:
Valley Drive, sunrise and sunset viewpoints, guided Navajo tours
7. Petrified Forest National Park
Why it’s epic: Fossilized trees, colorful badlands, and prehistoric history.
Petrified Forest National Park stands out as a hidden Arizona treasure, featuring striking Painted Desert scenery and ancient fossilized wood over 200 million years old. It is one of the most unique places to explore along I-40 in eastern Arizona. Hiking trails and scenic viewpoints provide ample opportunities for nature photography, while the Crystal Forest area is especially remarkable.
Top highlights:
Painted Desert, Blue Mesa Trail, Crystal Forest, prehistoric petroglyphs
8. Saguaro National Park
Why it’s epic: Towering cacti and iconic Sonoran Desert landscapes.
Saguaro National Park, near Tucson, is a must for anyone planning to visit the desert. Thousands of massive saguaros create one of the most recognizable sites in Arizona, making it a perfect place for photography and desert exploration. The park’s trails, scenic drives, and sunsets provide a quintessential Southern Arizona experience.
Top highlights:
Cactus Forest Loop Drive, sunset hikes, Sonoran Desert views
9. Jerome
Why it’s epic: Historic hillside town with panoramic desert vistas.
Jerome, an old mining town, is a hidden gem in Arizona, perched on a hillside with sweeping views of the desert below. Its narrow streets, preserved buildings, and local art galleries offer a mix of Old West charm and cultural exploration. Jerome is one of the small towns that make Arizona road trips memorable.
Top highlights:
Jerome State Historic Park, local art studios, panoramic viewpoints
10. Tucson
Why it’s epic: Cultural richness and desert-mountain landscapes.
Tucson combines centuries of history with the Sonoran Desert setting, making it one of the best places to visit in Southern Arizona. The city offers historic sites, such as Mission San Xavier del Bac, as well as botanical wonders like the Tohono Chul Gardens. You can find haunted hotels to stay in. Tucson is perfect for exploring culture, desert flora, and mountain vistas in one stop.
Top highlights:
Mission San Xavier del Bac, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Why These Are the Best Places to Visit in Arizona on a Road Trip
From the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the forests of Flagstaff, Arizona offers unique places that make it ideal for a road trip itinerary. You can explore national parks, small towns, botanical gardens, ghost towns, hidden gems, and natural wonders along highways like Highway 89 or Route 66. Arizona is home to breathtaking landscapes, historic Old West towns, and epic red rock formations, making it a bucket list destination.
Planning Tips for Your Arizona Road Trip
- Bring water and plan for long stretches without services.
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass for multiple parks and monuments.
- Break your trip into regions: Northern Arizona (Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Antelope Canyon) and Southern Arizona (Tucson, Saguaro, Bisbee).
- Include day trips to Watson Lake, Havasu, or Canyon de Chelly.
- Don’t skip small towns like Jerome, Prescott, or Old Town Scottsdale for local culture.
- Hiking trails like Cathedral Rock or Oak Creek Canyon are perfect for exploring the natural beauty.
Conclusion
Arizona is a state full of contrasts, from the towering cliffs of the Grand Canyon to the serene deserts of Saguaro National Park, from historic Old West towns like Jerome to vibrant small towns like Sedona. Whether you’re chasing natural wonders, exploring hidden gems in Arizona, or simply seeking the perfect road trip itinerary, the state offers something unforgettable at every turn. By planning your journey around these 10 epic places to visit in Arizona, you can experience a mix of breathtaking landscapes, cultural history, and outdoor adventures. From hiking Cathedral Rock to photographing the light beams in Antelope Canyon, Arizona, is a bucket list destination that promises adventure, beauty, and memories that last a lifetime.