Road Trip Must Sees: Arizona

Of all the beauty that the Southwest has to offer, Arizona really is a different breed. With an incredibly diverse landscape and miles of expansive scenery, you really need to see it by car so you can take it all in. Here are some of the must-sees for your road trip. 

Horseshoe Bend

Page, AZ

You may have recently seen images of Horseshoe Bend flooding your newsfeed - and for good reason. Carved out for millennia, a horseshoe shape was formed by the waters of the Grand Canyon. This places takes "up close and personal" to a whole new level with no guardrails for the 1,000 foot drop off the side of a cliff. 

Saguaro National Park

Tucson, AZ

Saguaro National Park is in Southern Arizona on either side of Tucson. On the western side, you will find ancient petroglyphs of the Hohokam people and on the eastern side you will find sweeping views of the desert landscape. Fun Fact: Saguaro cacti take 100 years to grow their arms! 

Grand Canyon

Lake Powell, AZ to Lake Mead, AZ

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is an hour and a half north of Flagstaff, the closest major city. the canyon is 277 miles long and estimated to be 5 million years old - that's how much geological history is here. Some of the best lookout points are as follows: Mather Point, Lipan Point and Yavapai Observation Station.

Superstition Mountains

Apache Junction, AZ

"The Superstitions" is a range of mountains east of Phoenix. The cursed mountains are said to drive men crazy while searching for a hidden fortune of gold left behind by a man known as the "Lost Dutchman". There are several trails through the mountains that provide gorgeous views if you dare to enter... 

Antelope Canyon

Page, AZ

Few geologic formations are as beautiful and inspiring as Antelope Canyon. The slot canyon is divided into Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and is owned and operated by the Navajo. The canyon was created by the erosion of Navajo Sandstone from flash flood waters giving the canyon an otherworldly appearance. 

Monument Valley

Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ

Monument Valley is a red-sand desert region at the border of Arizona and Utah; it also one of the most photographed places on Earth. Its towering sandstones buttes have been depicted in many films over the years, including Westworld. Although the Navajo have occupied the area for hundreds of years, the first people to mark the area were the Anasazi in 1200 BCE.  

Sedona Vortexes

Many locations, Sedona, AZ

Beyond the iconic red rocks and evergreen vegetation, Sedona is internationally known for having several hotspots of powerful and transformational energy. Whether you believe in the metaphysical or not, these vortexes provide some of the best views in Sedona. The best hotspots are as follows: Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock and Chapel of the Holy Cross. 

Painted Desert 

Four Corners, AZ

The Painted Desert is a diverse landscape of badlands near the Four Corners (where Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico meet). The Painted Desert was born out of layers of clay and sandstone stacked on top of each other for millions of years. The Navajo and Hopi have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years. 

Safe travels,

V.