9 Of The Greatest Destinations Most Arizonans Overlook

There’s no doubt Arizona is a seriously underrated tourist destination. As much as we like to dismiss how great our state is to outsiders—”visit but don’t stay,” Arizonans often say—tourist dollars are pretty vital to our economy. However, that doesn’t mean you need to just stick with the popular destinations like Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Take the time to see the often overlooked places because these are true hidden gems!

Please note, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is temporarily closed.

Alan English CPA/Flickr

This expansive canyon in southern Arizona is a gorgeous location that is perfect for those looking to escape crowds and modern life for a few days. Only 50 people are allowed in the canyon at any given time to best preserve the canyon’s beauty and to keep the area safe for wildlife. For more details, check out the Recreation.gov website. Click here for a map with directions.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum/Facebook

Want to see all the beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert without trekking through rugged trails or risking a rattlesnake bite? You can bring the entire family to this place in Tucson that is part museum, part botanical garden, and part zoo. For further details, check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum website here.

Address: 2021 North Kinney Rd., Tucson.

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Rennett Stowe/Flickr

Located on the Navajo Nation, this sprawling canyon is one beautiful sight you need to see for yourself. Check out the vistas from the rim, hike down the White House Ruin Trail, or book a guided tour to see more of the canyon for yourself. For more information, check out the National Park Service website here. Click here for a handy map and directions.

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Pam Falcioni/Flickr

If you’re looking for a slow drive with beautiful views and tons of curves, then try out this byway in eastern Arizona. Extending from Morenci and Clifton up to Alpine, you’ll see some beautiful deserts and forests that not enough people take the time to see. We recently featured this incredible drive and you can find further details in the article here.

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Lake Havasu State Park/Facebook

Western Arizona is a gorgeous, rugged place that is often taken for granted. Pay a trip to this state park in Lake Havasu City and enjoy the white sand beaches. For more info, head over to the Arizona State Parks website. Here's a handy map to help get you there.

Jordan/Flickr

This gorgeous canyon is located in the Santa Rita Mountains in southern Arizona and is always a surprising find for those who visit for the first time. Enjoy an afternoon of hiking or bird watching and the quiet surroundings. For further details, check out the U.S. Forest Service website. Click here for a map with directions.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook

Have a child who absolutely loves trains? You’ll want to check out this Scottsdale museum and park dedicated entirely to locomotives. Check out the models, ride a few scaled versions of historic trains, and let the little ones run around the train-themed playground. For details, check out the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park website.

Location: 7301 East Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale.

Alan English CPA/Flickr

We actually just featured part of this historic site, and it will show you Arizona’s ancient history and beautiful desert. Take a hike to see the ancient cliff dwellings and spot wildlife lurking nearby. The National Park Service website has tons of helpful information for planning your visit. Here's a map with directions for how to get here.

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Joe Hackman/Flickr

Located in northern Arizona just south of Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon is another hidden gem that shows off a hidden cliff dwelling. You’ll get to hike through a portion of the canyon and past the dwellings. For details, head over to the National Park Service website.

Location: 3 Walnut Canyon Rd., Flagstaff.

These places look incredible! How many have you visited? Do you plan to visit any for your next vacation this year? Be sure to let us know which of these places you have marked as “to-visit” for 2018!