16 Best Vacation Spots in Arizona

Lake Powell, one of Arizona's most popular lakes, is located among the steep gorges, rocky outcrops, and breathtaking beauty of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Every year, millions of people visit this lake on the Arizona-Utah border to participate in a variety of water activities. Boating, water skiing, tubing, paddle boarding, and wakeboarding are popular activities on Lake Powel.

Glen Canyon was the name that people gave to the calm part of the Colorado River that previously flowed through red rock canyons and became the gorgeous blue waters of Lake Powell. The lake was named after explorer John Wesley Powell, who was the first person to float the Colorado River.

Lake Havasu is an outdoor paradise. There are 60 miles of navigable canals and 1800 miles of off-road paths to explore. Lake Havasu was formed when the Colorado River was dammed, and it is now a lovely area to enjoy the water at the beach, in a pleasure boat, or on a lakeside patio.

You'll find 27 replica lighthouses and Arizona's largest skatepark on the lake, all alongside a white sand beach.

A stroll over London Bridge is a must-do on any trip to Lake Havasu. This bridge, some of which date back to 1831, was carried from London, England, and placed at its current site in 1971. You may now receive a walking tour of a bit of London's history right here in the United States!

The Coconino National Forest is unique, and one of the most diversified in the country, with scenery ranging from the iconic red rocks of Sedona to Ponderosa pine woods, southern desert to alpine tundra. With approximately 2 million acres of mountain, lake, and creek-covered territory, this vast forest is one of America's most diversified.

The Coconino National Forest is located immediately south of Flagstaff, Arizona, and is surrounded by numerous other national forests. It is a paradise. Deserts climb mountains to become forests, with wonderful recreational options, a diverse terrain, and volumes of natural and cultural heritage.

Explore the mountains and valleys, go fishing in little lakes, and wade through sluggish rivers and streams. Don't forget to take the best photos ever!

Phoenix, sometimes known as "LA without the Pacific," mixes high-end shopping, a thriving food scene, and resort life in the Sonoran Desert. Arizona's capital is no shortage of enjoyable activities. It's no surprise that the Greater Phoenix Area is known as the Valley of the Sun: this region in south-central Arizona receives more than 300 days of sunlight every year.

Camelback Peak, a mountain around 12 miles northeast of downtown famed for its expansive vistas of the city, is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Museums are some of the greatest sites to visit in Phoenix, and two fan favorites are the Musical Instrument Museum, which has 8,000 instruments from over 200 nations, and the Heard Museum, which is dedicated to the promotion of Native American art. Papago Park, located near downtown, also has a golf course, zoo, and desert botanical garden, as well as several hiking and bicycling routes.

Phoenix became the sixth most populous metropolis in the United States. With the construction of opulent resorts, hundreds of golf courses, a thriving bar scene, and affordable accommodation rates, it's easy to understand why this city has become a favorite retreat for snowbirds, families, and 20-somethings alike.

You may be interested in: Top 9 best places for day trips from Phoenix

Havasu Falls, also known as Supai Falls, is certainly a remarkable place in the Grand Canyon. The Havasu Cavern, located deep inside the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai reserve, is home to a sequence of stunning blue waterfalls that give the Havasupai people their name. The most renowned of these waterfalls is Havasu Falls, which has turquoise cascades that are so vibrantly colored that it's difficult to believe the water pouring over them isn't transparent.

The Havasu has produced a series of waterfalls and hollowed-out basins in the travertine rock that provide lovely swimming pools in this paradisiacal valley. Day hikes are not permitted here. Reservations must be made, a permit obtained, and a fee paid. A hard trek, horseback or mule ride, or helicopter ride are the only ways to get there.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is located near Payson in central Arizona. It is thought to be the world's biggest natural travertine bridge.

The bridge is 150 feet wide and rises more than 180 feet over the glistening Pine Creek. The inspirational environment produces dramatic contrasts to the world around it, surrounded by pines, gushing springs, and grottoes wrapped by ferns. Climbing over the bridge is the most popular activity in the park, but there are four additional hiking paths to discover the natural wonder that is Pine Canyon.

The park provides habitat for animals, insects, and birds, as well as interpretive exhibits such as items from the Tonto Natural Bridge's history and information on travertine, prehistoric residents, and the historic Goodfellow Lodge.

Prescott is an excellent day trip location for tourists who wish to explore the historical city center and have lunch or for those searching for some outdoor activities. It is the former capital of the Arizona Territory. Prescott is the place to go for lovely lakes where you can kayak among rocky canyons and camp beneath the stars. It takes less than 2 hours to get from Phoenix to Prescott.

Prescott boasts a charming downtown area with historic structures such as the Elks Theater and the old courthouse. The surrounding region has beautiful scenery, good hiking paths, and camping options. Watson Lake's boulder-strewn shoreline is a great place for a stroll or a bike ride.

This Native American cliff home, built into a limestone rock wall, is one of the most remarkable of its kind near Phoenix. The five-story-tall residence is set a good hundred feet above the canyon bottom and is divided into twenty rooms that may be explored in person.

It's also really simple to get to. The location is just off Interstate 17, roughly 1.5 hours north of downtown Phoenix. There is a tourist center and a picnic area with huge trees that give lots of shade near the monument. This location looks out over a little lake that is a sinkhole fed by an underground spring. A lovely walking track surrounds the monument. A visit to Montezuma Castle National Monument might be combined with a visit to neighboring Sedona.

Jerome, a former mining town, is perched on a mountainside to view the valley below and distant mountains. Jerome, which had been abandoned and become a ghost town, has regained new life via tourism.

Many of the wrecked structures still exist on steep slopes, serving as a somber reminder of the town's inhabitants and past. Today, you may tour the renovated buildings' historic businesses, cafés, and museums. Or simply enjoy the still-standing collapsing facade. The town has been renovated enough to make it appealing to tourists while yet retaining some of its Old West charms.

The drive to Jerome, over a paved road with switchbacks, adds to the allure of this day excursion. The one-way travel from Phoenix takes roughly two hours. A full-day excursion may be made by traveling to Sedona, then up to Jerome, and finally over the mountain behind Jerome to the historic town of Prescott before returning to Phoenix.

Horseshoe Bend is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is one of the most famous views in the United States. The Colorado River performs a remarkable 270-degree U-turn around a sandstone cliff here, and it's a popular photo location for visitors to Arizona. The image of the river's emerald water combined with tan sandstone in an incredible natural creation is just magnificent.

To get to the viewpoint, plan on a 1.5-mile round-trip trek along a rock walkway. Except for a fence-enclosed viewing area, there are no significant safety barriers here. You are welcome to walk straight up to the edge but do so at your own risk.

Monument Valley is perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you think of typical southwest USA beauty. The red sandstone mesas and buttes located in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which spans both Arizona and Utah, have been featured in several films.

The valley is classified as the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, and access to it is restricted since it is Navajo territory. You may drive yourself on one route, a 17-mile circle known as the Valley Drive. You may also take a guided sightseeing trip to learn more about the area.

From the visitor center, take the 17-mile-long Valley Drive to see some of the most prominent vistas on the Arizona side, including the East and West Mitten Buttes, Elephant Butte, and John Wayne Point. You may stop at John Wayne Point and get your picture taken while riding a horse and looking out over the surroundings, much like John Wayne.

Sedona is a famous tourist destination and one of America's most unique and beautiful spots. It is a scenic town situated along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, one of the most stunning roads in the country. It is one of the best spots in the world to witness vortexes, or energy convergences, which are supposed to leave you feeling rejuvenated and invigorated.

Sedona is a terrific addition to any vacation to Arizona and is especially popular with hikers and nature enthusiasts, and those looking for a peaceful and relaxing environment. While you're here, make sure to take in the views of Cathedral Rock and the other incredible red-hued rock formations. There are over 100 hiking routes in the area! Jeep excursions, which are one of the most popular things to do in Sedona, offer an even easier way to explore the area.

Antelope Canyon, located west of Page, has been featured in innumerable images in galleries around Arizona. As you go into the canyon, the carved, twisting sandstone walls rise around you, with light shafts from the tight entrance above. Photographers will be pleasantly surprised!

Antelope Canyon's meandering, twisting fractures are captivating to explore as sunbeams enchantingly slither their way down the sandstone walls, lighting and bathing the delicate red tones in brilliant light.

The canyon is named for the pronghorn antelopes. They used to roam the area, and it is divided into two parts: upper and lower canyon. While both are stunning, you should go for the upper canyon if you are a casual visitor looking for a good time. The Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons are only accessible via guided tour since they are located in a Navajo Tribal Park.

The Giant Saguaro is an indisputable emblem of the American West. It's a relatively uncommon plant that thrives in just a few chosen spots. One of these places is a park in the Sonoran Desert, 2,400 feet above sea level. Saguaro National Park is a terrific site to observe the iconic saguaro cactus up close and explore the desert scenery near Tucson.

Both sides of the park provide excellent possibilities to view desert vegetation and animals along roads and hiking routes. There are several hiking paths for both novice and experienced hikers and riding tracks if you want to put your new mountain bike to the test. Alternatively, you may go camping and gaze at the beautiful night sky instead.

The Kings Canyon / Gould Mine Loop trek is a short but challenging climb that offers breathtaking views of the saguaros and Tucson.

The Petrified Forest National Park comprises 146 square miles in northern Arizona, encompassing Navajo and Apache counties. The park was designated a national monument in 1906 and contained some spectacular landscape that is difficult to locate anywhere else.

The Blue Mesa Trail is a must-do hike. The straightforward 1-mile circle leads you through blue-infused clay to a big patch of petrified wood. The Crystal Forest and the Painted Desert Rim Trail are two of the recognized paths.

Many of the attractions are visible from the park's approach road, and short interpretive trails provide close-up views of distinctive sites. The Visitors Center is a wonderful location to start before setting out on the trip since it gives information about the park's ecology and geology.

Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations, especially in Arizona. It's difficult not to be impressed by the Grand Canyon when standing on the rim and looking out over the unending ridges of multicolored canyon walls and deep ravines.

The word "grand" is perfect for this canyon. This area, which is large enough to be seen from space, is ranked among the top ten finest Arizona tourism locations for a good reason.

You can try rafting down the Colorado River or marveling at the Earth's history on display on the canyon's walls. There are also mule rides available if you don't want to walk!

Most people visit the Grand Canyon's South Rim, where lookouts along the road and walkways running along the canyon's edge provide breathtaking vistas.