Arizona attractions

Situated on Navajo land in the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the United States. This natural wonder was formed by water rushing through rock over the course of millions of years. It’s made up of two separate sections: the deep (but narrow) Upper Antelope Canyon (also known as Spiral Rock Arches) and the Lower Antelope Canyon (Hasdeztwazi).

Originally built as a copper trade route, the Apache Trail now guides travelers past steep desert mountains, cliff dwellings, lake shores, eroded canyons, and old mining towns. This scenic road winds 120 miles (193 kilometers) through Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, from the outskirts of Phoenix to the vast Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

Bell Rock is a colorful bell-shaped red rock formation set in the desert outside of Sedona. The area is home to popular hiking trails, wildlife—keep an eye out for coyote and fox tracks—and vista points overlooking the surrounding valley and rock formations. The site is also known as an energy vortex and is a popular meditation destination.

Set in the arid landscape just outside Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum showcases the desert’s flora, fauna, and history through live-animal and multimedia exhibits. The museum spreads across 98 acres (39.7 hectares) of natural desert landscape and contains more than 230 species of animals and 1,200 kinds of plants.

The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government aerospace museums in the world. Spread across 80 acres (32 hectares) and five indoor hangars, the grounds display some 125,000 artifacts and 300 aircraft, including the world’s smallest biplane, presidential planes, MiGs, a German buzz bomb, and an SR-71A Blackbird.

Eagle Point, a popular stop in Grand Canyon West, is the site of a Native American village, amphitheater, and the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet (21 meters) over the canyon for views of the Colorado River 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) below.

Coconino National Forest occupies 1,856,000 acres (751,000 hectares) in northern Arizona. Within its boundaries are the red rocks of Sedona, the city of Flagstaff, fishing lakes, epic hiking, ponderosa forests, volcanic peaks, alpine tundra, and classic Southwestern desert. Its diverse landscapes make it an epic outdoor playground for skiers, hikers, boaters, fishing enthusiasts, horseback riders, and rock climbers.

One of the most well-preserved ruins in North America, the 1,000-year-old Montezuma Castle was once home to ancient farmers known as the Sinagua Indians. Although the majestic ruins were given a “castle” title, they were actually a multi-family cliff dwelling. In 1906, the site was declared one of the United States’ first national monuments.

The National Geographic Visitor Center is both a gateway to the Grand Canyon and a destination in its own right. Conveniently located near the South Rim entrance, the center makes a logical first stop at Arizona’s iconic landmark. Visit the center for guidance on your trip, and to experience its IMAX Theater, cafe, and exhibits.

Founded by Robert E. Maytag in 1962, the Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the United States—home to some 3,000 animals living across 125 acres (51 hectares) of naturalistic exhibit space. Thirty of the zoo’s resident species are considered endangered or threatened.

Featuring some of the area’s top boutiques and shops, Scottsdale Fashion Square is Arizona’s largest shopping destination with more than 200 stores, some of which cannot be found elsewhere in the state. In addition to a range of different retailers, including luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., Prada, Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo, and Burberry, there are plenty of dining options and a movie theater.

Lake Powell is a reservoir—the second-largest man-made reservoir in the United States, actually—in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the border of Arizona and Utah. Known for its many sandy beaches, sparkling blue water, and red-rock landscapes, this fun vacation spot is one of Arizona’s top attractions. Some of the lake’s famous features include the Glen Canyon Dam (located in Arizona) and the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world’s longest natural bridges (located in Utah).

Surrounded by the cacti-dotted valleys of the Sonoran Desert, the jagged peaks and sheer cliffs of the Superstition Mountains are one of Arizona’s most photographed natural wonders. Hugging the southern borders of the Tonto National Forest and reaching heights of 6,266 ft (1,910 meters, the mountains are a firm favorite among hikers and rock climbers.

From pine-clad valleys to lakeside beaches; rocky mountain canyons to cacti-dotted desert—the Tonto National Forest boasts a diversity of natural landscapes to tempt any adventurer. Stretching over 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares and reaching altitudes of up to 7,900 feet (2,408 meters, it’s the largest national forest in Arizona.

Get away from it all in the breathtaking Sonoran Desert, a 100,000-square-mile (260,000-square-kilometer) region that spans Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico. Though it’s the hottest of four deserts in North America, its two rainy seasons sustain unique animals and plants, including the only remaining jaguar population in the United States.

A popular stop en route to the Grand Canyon, the historic Cameron Trading Post combines American Indian art and culture with a modern travel stop. Browse the expansive souvenir shop, eat at the restaurant, or even stay overnight in the hotel—all while experiencing the traditional food, crafts, and decore of Navajo and Hopi tribes.

With panoramic views of the desert, Airport Mesa is a rock formation where you’ll find Sedona Airport and a popular hiking area. According to some it’s also a vortex, an area of high electromagnetic energy. Whether you see Airport Mesa as one of Sedona’s spiritual highlights—or just a scenic one—it’s certainly a gorgeous spot.

Sedona is known for its red-rock views, desert life, and spiritual aura, but there’s a solid golf game here too. The Seven Canyons Golf Course is one of the top private courses in the area, offering a luxury setting skirting the edge of the Coconino National Forest. What’s more, the course houses Rachel’s Knoll, a scenic viewpoint and meditation spot said to overlook multiple energy vortexes.

Boynton Canyon Trail’s red-rock surroundings and easy passes make it one of Sedona’s most popular hikes. Visitors find panoramic views early during the 6-mile (9.6 kilometers) trek, where red buttes, pine forests, and canyon expanses mix. It’s a relatively easy hike with optional stops at Sinagua ruins, a “secret” cave, and, according to sages, one of Sedona’s major energy vortexes.

If there’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts near Phoenix, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve might be it. Just beyond the city limits to the northeast, the preserve comprises more than 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares) of protected Sonoran Desert habitat around the McDowell Mountains, with trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

On the historic 43-acre (17-hectare) Pendley Homestead, just north of Sedona, Slide Rock State Park is considered one of the top swimming holes in America—it’s most famous for its 80-foot (24-meter) natural water slide. The park, set in Oak Creek Canyon, is also home to an apple orchard, historic sites, picnic areas, hiking trails, and volleyball courts.

With its snow-white adobe bell towers and ornate facade rising out of the cacti-studded Sonoran Desert, Mission San Xavier del Bac embodies its nickname—the “White Dove of the Desert.” Founded by Jesuit missionaries in 1626, it’s among the oldest Catholic sites in the US, renowned for its unique architecture and rich iconography.

Grandview Point’s scenic overlook offers views of the Grand Canyon from the tallest and southernmost point on the South Rim. It’s location a mile off the main road between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Visitor Center means fewer crowds a new vantage point overlooking the canyon’s majestic layers. The nearby trail provides views of the Colorado River far below.

One of the largest pueblos built by the pre-Columbian Sinagua people, the Tuzigoot National Monument crowns a desert ridge above the Verde Valley. Less known than Montezuma Castle, a similar monument built by the Northern Sinagua, Tuzigoot holds some of the largest ruins in the area, highlighted by petroglyphs and pithouses once accessed via ladders through doors cut into the roofs.

Bright Angel Point is the most popular viewpoint on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, offering views of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and Roaring Springs some 3,000 feet (914 meters) below. The easy paved Bright Angel Point trail leads to the spot, with panoramic views of Grand Canyon National Park unfolding along the way.

Occupying one of the oldest residential areas in Phoenix, Heritage Square comprises 10 fully restored Victorian buildings dating back to the original townsite in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can tour house museums, dine at award-winning restaurants, or even catch a ballgame at Chase Field next door.

With views of ruddy cliffs everywhere you look, Red Rock State Park is a sight to behold. Trails slice through this 286-acre (116-hectare) nature preserve, winding through manzanita juniper shrubs toward the banks of Oak Creek. The visitor center offers numerous daily activities for guests, including nature walks and naturalist activities.

In 1964, the Colorado River’s roaring waters needed to be harnessed, so the towering 710-foot-tall (216 meter) Glen Canyon Dam was built. The resulting 186-mile-long (299 kilometer) Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the US, took 17 years to fill to capacity. Today, the dam provides hydroelectric power to the American West.

One of the largest urban parks on the planet, South Mountain Park straddles a swath of south Phoenix from South Mountain Village to Ahwatukee Foothills Village. A local point of pride, the park and desert nature preserve has popular hiking, biking, and horseback trails. Inside the park, visitors will find multiple lookouts, the Mystery Castle stone mansion, and an environmental education center.

Combining the mystique of the Wild West with the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Railway has been delighting riders since 1901. As you make the two-hour trip to the canyon from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim, you’ll be entertained by authentic characters and musicians who bring the Old West to life, all the while soaking up the unforgettable scenery of Grand Canyon National Park.