This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Arizona Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
Inspired by one of our previous posts about natural wonders in Arizona, we decided to create a natural wonders road trip in Arizona that you won’t soon forget. Natural wonders can be found all over our 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.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
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 hours!
More information:Red Rock State Park website
Our next stop really steps up the natural wonders 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!
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, and 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.
More information:Grand Canyon National Park website
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, a bottled water, and a camera. We recommend bringing a tripod so that you can try out longer exposures without risking a shaky image.
More information:Antelope Canyon website
Next up, 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!
More information:Monument Valley Tribal Park website
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 of the canyon and ancient cliff dwellings.
More information:Canyon de Chelly website
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.
More information:Petrified Forest National Park website
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 to have to make a special trip here!
More information:Meteor Crater website
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.
More information:Tonto Natural Bridge State Park website
Address: Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: 171B Forest Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Address: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Address: Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
Address: Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Address: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ, USA
Address: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
Address: Interstate 40, Winslow, AZ 86047, USA
Address: Highway 87, Pine, AZ 85544, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Natural Wonders Road Trip In Arizona
December 04, 2020
Leah
What are the best road trips through Arizona?
With so many places to visit in Arizona, it can be hard to take the time to visit them all individually. Luckily for you, we’ve put together some nifty road trips that will take you to some of the best spots all on convenient routes that take a weekend at most to complete. These trips include everything from a Haunted Arizona Road Trip to the state’s spookiest places, to a Picturesque Small Town road trip that visits Arizona’s cutest little towns. If you’re interested in taking any of these road trips, check out this article that lists some of the many we’ve put together.
What places in Arizona should I see before I die?
There is a lengthy list of the most beautiful places in Arizona that you should see within your lifetime. Of course, places like the Grand Canyon and Sedona are on the list, but here are a few others you may not have thought of. A visit to the Kartchner Caverns is a must for some truly cool cave sights. If you enjoy the look of the wild west or simply want a fun day trip to take with the family at least once, stop by Oatman, Arizona for a blast from the past and a memorable experience. We can’t forget to mention a drive out to Monument Valley to see the famous Mittens and other expansive views unlike any other.
What are the best outdoor adventures in Arizona?
Arizona is the perfect place for an explorer. With warm weather year-round and plenty of space to see, it’s full of opportunity for adventure. People enjoy hiking through the Grand Canyon, whether it be along the rims or down into the red canyons. A trip to the Vermillion Canyons is a must, too, even for more than just a visit to the iconic “The Wave” formation. Speaking of neat geological formations, you can’t go wrong with a day trip to the Chiricahua National Monument near Wilcox, Arizona. The hoodoos and balancing rocks there are a sight to see, almost unbelievable.
Address: Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Address: 171B Forest Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
Address: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Address: Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
Address: Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Address: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ, USA
Address: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
Address: Interstate 40, Winslow, AZ 86047, USA
Address: Highway 87, Pine, AZ 85544, USA
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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.
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