20 of the Best Outdoorsy Places to Visit in Arizona
Canyons, waterfalls, red rocks, blue lakes — these are some of the best outdoorsy places for your Arizona bucket list.
Deserts full of giant cacti, sapphire waterfalls, sweeping canyons as far the eye can see — these are just a few of the breathtaking places to visit in Arizona.
The state has three national parks and heaps more national monuments, state parks and hidden gems in landscapes that range from pine forests to red rocks to boulder-filled lakes. It’s the perfect destination to get outdoors and tackle new adventures or sightsee from the front seat on an Arizona road trip.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Arizona on your next vacation, these ideas will quickly fill your Arizona bucket list.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
On the border of Nevada and Arizona, Lake Mead National Recreation Area wraps in 1.5 million acres of reservoirs, canyons and mountains. In fact, it’s the largest and first national recreation area in the country.
You can go boating, fishing and swimming in the azure blue lake, or hit surrounding trails by foot or bike to take in the contrasting rocky landscapes.
The Hoover Dam is also nearby on the Colorado River.
Fees apply to visit the recreation area, but you can buy the annual America the Beautiful pass for $80 to get in to this and all other Federal Recreation Sites on the list.
Havasu Falls
By Kay of The Awkward Traveller
Havasu Falls is one of the most beautiful and recognizable waterfalls in the continental USA. It is actually part of a collection of waterfalls located on the Havasupai Reservation in the northwest region of the state near Grand Canyon National Park. Havasupai is the anglicized form of Havasu Baaja or “people of the blue-green water.”
To reach the waterfall, you have to get a Havasupai permit and hike a grueling 10-mile, one-way trek down dozens of switchbacks to the base of the canyon. You can also pay to take a helicopter down to the village of Supai, which has a lodge. From there, it is only 2 miles to the campground and waterfall.
While visiting, be respectful to the Havasupai Tribe and recognize the Indigenous land you travel on in Arizona, and across the Americas.
Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park tops many Arizona bucket lists and the South Rim is the most popular and accessible zone to visit. It’s easily one of the best places to go in Arizona.
Some of the top things to do at the Grand Canyon include walking the Rim Trail, hopping around to more than a dozen scenic lookouts, hiking into the canyon, and watching the sunset.
Passes to the national park are $35 per vehicle for seven days and include the South and North Rim. The annual national parks pass is also accepted.
Grand Canyon North Rim
By Meg of Fox in the Forest
If you want to experience the Grand Canyon without the crowds, the North Rim provides one of the best outdoor experiences in Arizona for those who love having epic views all to themselves.
Hikes here have breathtaking, barrier-free vistas and the highest rim elevations at the Grand Canyon.
Entrance fees for Grand Canyon National Park apply to the North Rim. You may also need a backcountry permit for certain campgrounds, including the Cape Final Trail campsite, one of the most exclusive in the USA.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
Near the Utah border north of the Grand Canyon North Rim, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument spans about 280,000 acres of canyons, buttes and cliffs with elevations up to 7,100 feet.
Parts of it, like Paria Canyon and the Wave in the Coyote Buttes, are so popular that you have to reserve a permit or even enter a lottery for a chance to visit.
Lake Powell
By Michelle of The Wandering Queen
Lake Powell is a stunning man-made reservoir located near Page, Arizona, with breathtaking bright orange canyons jutting out of the water.
One of the most popular things to do is explore the lake by renting a houseboat, raft or powerboat. Lake Powell is well known for water recreation, and if you enjoy water sports, you will fall in love with this lake.
Another must-see here is the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest known natural bridges. It is accessible via boat with a short trail from the dock.
If getting on a boat is not your thing, you can easily walk and explore around the Lake Powell Resort. They have a beach, campsites and a restaurant with a view.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend’s dramatic U-shaped canyon is formed by the Colorado River wrapping around orange sandstone cliffs. It’s extremely popular and one of the best things to do in Page, a small town in northern Arizona.
You have to walk less than a mile from the parking lot to reach the incredible views at the rocky edge of the canyon. Admission is free but the city charges a fee to park.
Antelope Canyon
Another hot spot in Page, Antelope Canyon is known for its wavy reddish-orange sandstone walls that weave into slot passageways. Most people head to one of two popular sections, the Upper and Lower, but the lesser-known Antelope Canyon X is typically much less crowded.
Since the canyon is part of the Navajo Nation land, guided tours are required and varying fees apply depending on who you book with. Popular times in summer can sell out, so be sure to reserve a ticket ahead of your visit.
Monument Valley
By Jenessa of Destination Daydreamer
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a gorgeous area of stunning, sandstone spires and towering buttes along the border of Arizona and Utah. You may recognize the park from its famous appearance in the movie “Forrest Gump.”
The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle. However, most areas of the park are only accessible via paid, guided tours.
If you don’t want to spend money on a tour, the only self-guided path is Wildcat Trail, a 4-mile loop around the base of the Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. There’s also a 17-mile drive with 11 scenic viewpoints. Navajo stands along the way sell turquoise jewelry.
You can also pop by the visitor center to learn about the area and enjoy gorgeous, sweeping views of the valley.
You’ll find both hotels and campsites in the area. If you camp, be sure to check out this list of camping gear essentials for beginners!
Canyon de Chelly
By Rebecca of Whatever Packs Your Bag
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is located in the heart of the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona near the small gateway village of Chinle.
Two scenic drives go to 10 overlooks at different parts of the canyon. Many of the Navajo Artists will sell their handmade pottery, woven rugs and jewelry at these spots.
There is a 2.7-mile moderate trail to the ancient White House Ruin. The walk down into the canyon is easy but the hike back up is more strenuous. You must have a guide to enter other parts of the park and you can book horseback, hiking or vehicular tours in advance.
The welcome center is also worth a visit, as it tells the long history of the canyon and the people who lived there. Entrance to the park is free.
Petrified Forest National Park
Northeastern Arizona’s Petrified Forest is full of fossilized woods and desert landscapes perfect for wilderness hiking.
Popular areas to visit include the Rainbow Forest Museum, where you can follow paleontological trails, and the Painted Desert, full of hills and rock features in shades of red and orange.
Meteor Crater
By Lina of Bucket List Places
One of the most unique Arizona bucket list places is Meteor Crater. Nearly 50,000 years ago, a meteorite hit the earth leaving behind this massive crater more than 500 feet deep and 4,000 feet wide.
Located about 40 miles east of Flagstaff, this is one of the best-preserved and easiest to access asteroid craters in the world. It is a privately-owned landmark and admission is charged.
With several look-out points and a museum and theater on-site, you can learn about the history as well as marvel at the crater's interesting landscape.
Coconino National Forest
Coconino National Forest is a massive nature reserve in the middle of the state that wraps in mountains, lakes, pine forests, canyons and desert landscapes.
The Sedona area is the perfect hub for outdoorsy Arizona adventures in Coconino. You can hike seemingly endless trails in the red rock landscape to famous spots like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
This cinder cone of an extinct volcano is just 20 miles outside Flagstaff in northern Arizona.
A handful of trails in the park trace ancient lava flows, cut through ponderosa pine forests, and summit craters for panoramic views of the landscape.
Red Rock State Park
By Jumana of Planet Hopper Girl
Just outside of Sedona in central Arizona, Red Rock State Park features vast landscapes of rust-colored rock formations and brushy green meadows along Oak Creek. The park offers endless outdoor adventures, with diverse plants and wildlife in between the colorful, eye-catching geological formations.
The 286-acre park has 10 developed trails and areas available for hiking, biking and horseback riding. A visitor center hosts a theater and environmental exhibits. Daily admission fees apply.
Watson Lake
By Brittany of Travel by Brit
Watson Lake is a hidden gem in central Arizona that’s one of the best ways to spend a day in Prescott.
Although Watson Lake is less popular than others in Arizona, like Lake Powell and Lake Havasu, it certainly stands out in a unique way. Watson Lake is recognizable by the magnificent granite boulders that surround the lake’s deep, blue waters — making this location ideal for rock climbing and hiking.
You can access everything that Watson Lake Park has to offer for only a $3 parking fee. With options like kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, fishing, camping and picnicking, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Watercraft rentals are available or you can stick to hiking on the Peavine Trail along the lake for beautiful views at all angles.
Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden is a great way to discover thousands of cacti, wildflowers and other Arizona plant life without venturing far from the city. You can walk trails through the park to soak up the Sonoran Desert landscape.
Chiricahua National Monument
By Chantelle of Flannels or Flip Flops
Chiricahua National Monument preserves the remnants of a volcanic eruption that left enormous hoodoos, pinnacles and balanced rocks as far as the eye can see. Hiking between these ancient rocks is an experience that will take your breath away! There are also forests, valleys, mountain tops and a wide variety of wildlife.
Hikes here range from simple half-mile nature walks to strenuous 10-mile routes. You can also horseback ride or follow a gorgeous scenic drive to the top of the mountain with plenty of places to pull over and take photos.
Chiricahua National Monument is located in southeastern Arizona about two hours from Tucson.
It is part of the National Park System, but there is no entry fee.
Saguaro National Park
By Ale of Sea Salt & Fog
When you think of the West you probably think of the giant saguaro cacti — green, tall and covered in sharp spikes. Saguaros are the largest cacti in the United States and Saguaro National Park is their home.
Split into two sections, the park flanks the city of Tucson in southern Arizona. Rolling hills covered in saguaros dominate the landscape and the cacti seem to have a halo about them as they catch the light.
Saguaros are incredibly photogenic, and their prevalence throughout the park gives plenty of opportunities to snap stunning pictures. Hiking is one of the best things to do in Saguaro National Park. Trails include the King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop, which serves up picturesque views, especially at sunrise and sunset.
A $25 per vehicle entrance fee applies but admission is included in the America the Beautiful annual pass.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and International Biosphere Reserve is home to the very rare namesake cacti and 30 other species, including the towering saguaro.
A handful of scenic drives and connecting hiking trails are the best ways to experience the desert environment and discover the plant life here. There are also campgrounds, equestrian trails and bike paths.
About two hours from Tucson, the park borders Mexico in the Sonoran Desert. Entrance is $25 per car for a week but admission is covered with the annual national parks pass.
