12 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Arizona That Won’t Break The Bank
Traveling has become one of my favorite things to do. Here in Arizona, new experiences, new food, and new people are less than a day away. Plus, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy them! Since gas money can get expensive, we’re taking a look at some fantastic inexpensive road trips in Arizona with low-to-free admission prices yet are amazingly fun. Hopefully, this gives you some ideas for things to do during your next adventure!
We’ve talked about this urban laboratory before and it’s a truly unique spot that is worth a visit! Here, you’ll find one architectural example that strives to exist in harmony with the desert while still providing creature comforts for everyday living. Take a walking tour of the area, grab a bite to eat in their cafeteria, and you can even spend the night in one of the rooms.
Admission is $15 for a guided tour. Visit the Arcosanti website for more information.
This expansive canyon in Chinle is free to visit and offers both historic and scenic views. Take a drive on the rim for an overall view of the area or hike down to the canyon’s floor to check out the White House Ruins that date back nearly 1,000 years.
Visit the Canyon de Chelly webpage for more information.
Located about 40 minutes southeast of Tucson, this large cave is a hidden gem! Take a walking tour of the cave to learn about its history and geology in a cool, 70-degree environment. If the weather allows, enjoy a hike on one of the trails.
General admission is $18 for adults and $9 for children. Discounts are available to military personnel. Visit the Colossal Cave Mountain Park website for more information.
Choose your favorite weather-appropriate hiking trail and head out for an inexpensive, yet fun adventure through Arizona’s beautiful wilderness. Some areas do require a day pass but these often cost less than $10. Check in advance for fees and weather.
This ghost town turned tourist destination is full of history and intrigue. Reportedly one of the most haunted towns in Arizona, Jerome has a wide range of activities to keep you occupied. A walk through the hillside town will cost you nothing (except your leg muscles, perhaps) and a tour through the Mine Museum is a mere $2 for history of the area. Visit the AZ Jerome website for more information.
This tribal park is located on the Navajo Nation and sits right on the border of Arizona and Utah. Here, you’ll find some of the most stunning landscapes in the world with easily recognizable buttes that look incredible no matter the season or time of day. While most people tend to grab a quick photo in front of the mitten buttes, you’ll want to spend some time here to hike on Wildcat Trail and check out other viewpoints seen in iconic movies.
Located at the top of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, this is a wonderful destination no matter the season. In the summer, it’s a great escape from the sweltering desert heat and the day temperatures reach the low 80s most days. In the winter, you can drive here for skiing and playing in the snow in just one hour from downtown Tucson.
This lovely little town sits on the Mogollon Rim and is a nice respite from the busy city life. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy antiquing, spotting wildlife, and even going for a hike or two. There are plenty of attractions nearby—such as Fossil Creek, Verde Hot Springs, Shoofly Indian Ruins, lakes, and the Strawberry Historical Schoolhouse—that will keep you busy without wreaking havoc on your wallet.
Known as the "White Dove of the Desert," this historic mission in Tucson is one of the most stunning examples of Spanish Colonial architecture still standing. The free tours will introduce you the history of the mission and give you a chance to take a peek at the beautiful details both inside and out.
Visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission website for more information.
Located just north of Flagstaff, these two national monuments sit a short distance from each other and are the perfect destination if you want to learn more about Arizona’s early history. Sunset Crater will introduce you to the geology of the area and Wupatki is where you will learn more about Arizona’s Indigenous peoples.
Admission is $25 per vehicle for up to seven days. Visit the Sunset Crater webpage for more information.
When the temperatures are cool and you’re in the mood for a nice drive, consider driving through Tortilla Flat. This little destination sits on Apache Trail, the notorious highway with sharp curves and narrow lanes right along canyon walls. Here, you can grab a bite to eat at the saloon, the occasional reenactment, and a chance to purchase your favorite goods in the mercantile.
Visit the Tortilla Flat website for more information.
Another old Spanish mission of southern Arizona, this historical park preserves what is left of the Tumacácori Mission and its grounds. Take a self-guided tour, watch cultural demonstrations, and, when the weather is accommodating, enjoy a brief hike through the area.
Admission is $10 per person ages 16 and older. Visit the Tumacácori webpage for more information.
How many of these inexpensive road trips in Arizona have you had the opportunity to travel to? Be sure to let us know your favorite places and if there are any others you would add to this list!
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Address: Arcosanti, AZ 86333, USA
Address: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ, USA
Address: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641, USA
Address: Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
Address: Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Address: Mount Lemmon, Mt Lemmon, Arizona 85619, USA
Address: Pine, AZ 85544, USA
Address: San Xavier del Bac Mission, 1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746, USA
Address: 6082 Sunset Crater Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA
Address: Tortilla Flat, AZ 85119, USA
Address: Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ 85640, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Inexpensive Road Trips In Arizona
September 11, 2020
Leah
What are the most unique things to do in Arizona?
There are many great day trips in Arizona that you won't find anywhere else. A guided tour to Antelope Canyon, one of the most stunning photographer's favorites in the state, is a must-do. The naturally carved walls of red stone are almost too perfect to seem natural. You can visit an airplane boneyard in Tuscon where thousands of old planes lie in rest. There's no other spot with quite the scope and size of that particular airplane resting place, with many of the planes having been used in WWII and the Vietnam War.
What are the coolest attractions in Arizona?
If you loved these cheap things to do in Arizona, here are more fun attractions to visit in the state. The price ranges a lot more on these, but they can be totally worth it. Experience Arizona's beautiful landscapes on the rails by taking a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad or the Grand Canyon Railway. They offer multiple types of excursions throughout the year. A cool scientific attraction to visit is the Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona. This unique-looking series of domes and man-made biomes were part of experiments that ran in the 80s and 90s, seeing how humans coped with living and sustaining enclosed environments. You can visit it for yourself and check out the rainforest, ocean, desert, grassland, and other areas of the terrarium-like structures.
What places in Arizona should I see before I die?
There are great Arizona attractions that should be on everyone's bucket list. It's no secret that the Grand Canyon is a worthy visit, being one of the most well-known natural wonders in the world. Another place that may be kind of cheesy to some, but worth having on your Arizona travel list is Tombstone, the wild west town. It'll take you back in time to the days of the outlaws and cowboys in a fun, family-friendly way. There are plenty of shows, stores, restaurants, and more there that make for a great day trip everyone should experience at least once.
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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.
