Arizona always somehow seems to manage to look a little more gorgeous than usual when the fall season has started to settle in. The trees and their leaves begin to warm into tones of yellow, orange, and (eventually) red. If you’re looking for a scenic drive that will take you into some of Arizona’s more rural areas to see the colors of fall, take notes because we’re going to show you a few routes to consider if you think 89A will be too crowded for you. Due to the secluded and often rough nature of these roads, you may want to consider driving a high clearance vehicle. Here are our picks for the best scenic drives in Arizona for the fall season:

1. Alpine to Blue Vista Outlook, US-191

The best spot to see the fall colors along this highway is between Blue Vista Outlook and Hannagan Meadow! This is by far one of our very favorite country roads in Arizona.

Link: Google Maps

2. Grand Canyon North Rim, State Route 67

The fall colors here are beautiful, making a trip to the Grand Canyon even more special. Keep in mind that after October 15th, the official visiting season is over, and hours change to day use only. When it comes to beautiful places in Arizona, this one is super hard to top.

Link: Google Maps

3. Mogollon Rim, Forest Road 321

Also known as Dane Ridge, this area provides some pretty incredible views of the rim’s forest areas and the fall colors are simply to die for. Always make sure to double-check for any fire restrictions or road closures before driving to this area; when fire season gets particularly bad, it may be shut down entirely.

Link: Google Maps

4. Mogollon Rim, Rim Road (Forest Road 300)

This is one pretty sight with plenty of multicolored trees scattered along the road and peppered just beyond the rim. As with the previous road, double-check for any fire restrictions before driving to this area. Fall in Arizona really doesn't get much more incredible than this.

Link: Google Maps

5. San Francisco Peaks, Hart Prairie Road

If you want to see the west side of the Peaks without the hordes of tourists, take a short drive along Hart Prairie Road. The view is beautiful all year round, but it reaches peak awesomeness when the fall colors become richer. This is one of our favorite country roads in Arizona, and we're pretty sure you'll agree.

Link: Google Maps

6. San Francisco Peaks, Schultz Pass

Schultz Pass will take you around the southern and eastern sides of the Peaks, offering pretty incredible views along the way. Be sure to stop at Lockett Meadow for a spectacular view - but be ready to hike about three miles to get there. Trust us, it's one of the most beautiful places in Arizona.

Link: Google Maps

7. Tucson, Mount Lemmon Highway

Yes, you can find fall colors in the southern part of the state, too! One location for a fantastic fall-color drive is Mount Lemmon (or Catalina) Highway, which travels up the Catalina Mountains to Summerhaven. You'll pass through several different types of biomes on this drive, and it's quite the treat.

Link: Google Maps

8. White Mountains, State Route 260

No list of the best scenic drives in Arizona is complete without this one. The White Mountains are full of beauty and fall in Arizona only enhances it! The road between Show Low and Pinetop is especially breathtaking. Try visiting during golden hour, which is the hour just before sunset when the light is brilliant and golden, to see the leaves really shine.

Link: Google Maps

Those are some beautiful spots! If you want a drive that’s a little more populated, check out our recent article, Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip to See Arizona Like Never Before.

So, what do you think? Are these the best scenic drives in Arizona? Where do you like to do during the fall in Arizona? Tell us all about your picks in the comments!