This Cozy Yurt Is The Best Home Base For Your Adventures In Arizonas Sonoran Desert, With A Farmers Market And A Vineyard, Theres Nothing Like A Summer Weekend In This Arizona Town, 7 Amazing Playgrounds In Arizona That Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again, This Arizona Luxury Home Is A Secluded Retreat That Will Take You A Million Miles Away From It All, This Scenic Road Trip Takes You To All 7 Wonders Of Arizona, This Hidden Spot In Arizona Is Unbelievably Beautiful And Youll Want To Find It, The Story Behind This Evil Place In Arizona Will Make Your Blood Turn Cold, Heres Arizonas Top Outdoor Attraction And Youll Definitely Want To Do It. Found near Page, this one is much less crowded since the touring company that drives people to the location limits visitors to just a few per day. Take your pick from hundreds of possibilities! This is especially true when you look at the ancient lodgings in Walnut Canyon National Monument. This story was created in partnership with Visit Arizona. Good to know: Scottsdale Old Town is easy to get around on foot, but rideshares are plentiful and affordable, too. Good to know: Theres a small entrance fee at the moment of writing, $10 per car, and your National Park Pass isnt valid here. Had to stay in overflow camping Ringtail, but it was beautiful, especially for overflow. There is a lot to see and do in Page and around Lake Powell. The town sits at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, and you can even go skiing in the winter just outside of town! 11 Must-Do Things In Southern Arizona - Only In Your State Concealed inside the Coconino National Forest, the Lava River Cave is a mile-long lava tube cavern. Great adventure, very good trail, take the bus to the highest and walk down the paved trail, cactus. " Find all kinds of roadside sightsodd, unexpected and one-of-a-kind across Arizona. In addition to its exhibits, Bearizona also organizes live animal presentations, the most popular of which is the birds of prey show. Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. I am open for any ideas or suggestions good or bad. Often, a real-life cowboy fully equipped with a couple of horses, cowboy hats, and 1870s Winchester rifles hangs out here and you can take some great pictures with all the props. There is also a Visitor Center offering a Junior Rangers program and other information about the site and its history. The forty miles of varied terrain on the Apache Trail is not a fast journey. Its common to take breaks in shallow areas of the river to cool in the water. Those who wish to discover the state beyond its most popular natural wonders, flock to luxurious spas and enticing hiking trails in and outside Sedona. Monica is a Din (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Soon one of the best-kept secrets in Arizona was on the verge of complete disappearance. So also here, you can visit various Route 66 attractions: old buildings, gift shops, and Route 66 Gas Station Museum. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com. In that case, dont miss the Kaibab National Forest as well. But to reach this paradise requires preparation and fitness. Later when it wasnt able to accommodate ever-growing traffic of the city, it was sold to American businessman Robert P. McCulloch, dismantled, and shipped to Arizona. TIP: On a short visit, dont miss a view from the Mike OCallaghan Memorial Bridge. How much time to spend. 1. Corral and the nostalgia of the American Old West. To give you a better idea of where all these places are located, we created a map indicating all the main landmarks and attractions mentioned in this article (see below). In high season, its a must and tours sell out long upfront, but also in the lower season, you never know if there will be any walk-in spots left when you arrive. The hike, as you would call it, stops at this point. The centuries-old structure connected the banks of the River Thames in London for more than a century. But what about those lesser-known and often hidden locations? Monica is a Din (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Have a great trip! READ MORE: The 6 Best Ancient Stand-Alone and Cliff Dwellings in Arizona. There's also the bizarre ghost town of Santa Claus, out in the middle of the Mohave desert, which was once an attempt at a tourist attraction but is now eerily derelict (but great for photos). Its a unique chance to stand in Nevada and Arizona at the same time and also a great photo opportunity. 1. Another fun thing to do in Flagstaff is checking out the thriving brewery culture. Its also a surprising place to find cool air and pines in southeastern Arizona. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tdich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). To protect what was left from the first settlers, in 1915 the area was declared a national monument. Their houses remained some of the most unreachable hidden gems in Arizona for nearly 600 years. Once the sheriff has taken down the outlaw, its time to go underground at the silver mine or discover the real story at the infamous shootout at the O.K. This natural hot spring is only accessible via hiking into the Lake Mead Recreational Area. The visitors hike for six, often more, miles a day to get a chance to walk on and photograph the Wave. Continuing on, thetrail is mostly flat with a gradual descent, but youll need to watch out for loose rocks and gravel. Thanks. Of course, theres more to see and do in Tombstone! The closest town, Williams, is only 15 miles away from here. The area near Camp Verde is packed with some ancient hidden gems Arizona is famous for. Most people visit Monument Valley for a day from Flagstaff, Page, or other bigger towns in Arizona or en route to/from Utah or Colorado. The main activity here is driving the 15-mile Scenic Drive that takes you through the area and close to the majestic buttes. What's to keep you motivated as you trek through more than 28 miles of desert terrain? This U-shaped turn in the Colorado River with 1,000-foot sheer rock drops has become extremely popular in the last decade, mostly due to the jaw-dropping images that probably everyone has seen on social media at one time or another. This is a huge nature reserve in Northern Arizona, at the border with Utah, and its jam-packed with many incredible natural features. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hall of Flame Fire Museum Daniel Greene/Flickr This unassuming place sits in the same neighborhood as the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden, and is a hidden treat for adults and children alike. This is definitely an adventure and only suitable for experienced campers and hikers. Antelope Canyon is one of the most striking slot canyons in the United States, carved in the red sandstone from floods and wind over thousand of years. While far from secret, this remote hot spring is typically a quiet retreat thanks to its off-the-grid location near Lake . There are also some nice scenic trails in this area check out the Hanging Gardens, a 1-mile hike north of Page. Where to stay. Truth be told, Arizona is not even the original home of the London Bridge. If you look at Arizona on a map, you might wonder why Scottsdale is getting called out on its own in this list. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument connects to Wupatki National Monument by loop road about 10 miles away. Home to word-famous Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona enjoys a steady influx of visitors every year. This 20,000 acre state park is Utah's newest and well renowned for its 6,000 acres of ATV and OHV off-road trails that take you to 3,500 ft in elevation. As already mentioned in the Horseshoe Bend section above, there are also amazing air tours in this area. Recommended by a Phoenix local, Sam from My Flying Leap. In the town itself, dont miss the Chapel of the Holy Cross, with its modernistic architecture and even more unique location perched between the red rocks overlooking the area. There is not one, but several slot canyons here that all have been carved by fast-flowing flash flood waters and sandstone erosion. Southern Arizona travel - Lonely Planet | Arizona, USA, North America 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. Whether you like history (it is the oldest city in the US, after all), shopping, or the outdoors, it's perfect and there is plenty to do. Set in the northeastern part of Tucson, Arizona, this museum exhibits a collection of over 500 miniature sets, from antiques to contemporary dollhouses. Hualapai Mountain Park has a far greater neighbor that steals the show again and again, leaving the humble park underrated and unexplored. There are several other amazing places at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument that you can easily visit with organized tours. Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy ComplexThe University of Arizona, Tucson1704 E. Mabel St. (520) 626-1427Explore the history of pharmacy in the 19th and 20th centuries through this museum's collection that includes thousands of old-timey medical curiosities. A real hidden gem even back then, the region provided protection and abundance of food. Keep in mind that some of these places require more time while others can easily be seen as a short stop when passing by. Both sides of Saguaro National Park are excellent for families visiting with young children or visitors with limited mobility. So whether you are only visiting the best places in Arizona, or are making a bigger trip in the Southwest, its well worth coming here. And if its not enough, the color of the cascading water resembles the shades of milk chocolate. Flagstaff is best known for being along Arizonas stretch of Route 66. One of the largest canyons in Arizona, Sycamore Canyon sits in the Verde Valley and is a large, not often visited spot. The Coconino Lava River Cave is exactly what it sounds like - an ancient passageway carved out of the earth by a literal river of lava, which eventually emptied out and left a "tube" cave, where the temperature remains the same year-round. Here you can find a suggested 1-day itinerary for Sedona. It got to that point that the favorite Sunset Crater Trail started alluring more adventure seekers than it could safely accommodate. There are two more interesting places to check out in Arizona Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument. The Arizonas largest hidden waterfall puts on a dazzling show thorough the year. Therefore, many first-time visitors simply visit Sedona as a day trip from Phoenix, Grand Canyon, or from Flagstaff. This activity, however, started gaining popularity. Located on Ruby Road, Arivaca.Head south from Arivaca on a partial dirt road for 12 miles.What was once the largest mining camp in Southwest Arizona has become the best-preserved ghost town in Arizona. You can find it at the end of this article. You can also opt for a very similar tour in the evening and enjoy the amazing colors of Monument Valley at sunset. Wonderful trails for biking, hiking and horseback. Your email address will not be published. Besides historic Route 66 (the section between Oatman and Kingman is breathtakingly beautiful), there are many other interesting things to see in Oatman. The most prominent ancient hidden gems in this region of Arizona can be found along the Wupatki Pueblo Trail, Wukoki Pueblo Trail, and the Citadel Pueblo. This area is best known for its stunning scenery and impressive red rocks that will take your breath away. Depending on your travel itinerary, the season when you visit, and how much time you have, there are three main areas you can visit at the Grand Canyon South Rim, North Rim, or Grand Canyon West. Also, bring water, wear comfy shoes, and be careful around the edge! Located mere 17 minutes from Flagstaff, Arizona, the area is home to some 25 ancient dwellings hidden in a cliff. If you are mostly interested in sightseeing, in addition to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you can easily see Glen Canyon Dam and Wahweap Overlook. So by that time, it became clear that we had missed one of the first hidden gems we were about to explore in the northeastern corner of Arizona. There are also walk-through exhibits where you can observe smaller animals such a beaver, porcupine, red fox, and many others. Paper maps for Sussex. South Rim is the best-known and the most popular place attracting the biggest majority of Grand Canyon visitors. The mine closed in 1975 and today you can take a tour via minecart with a retired miner to learn more about what it was like working here. LEARN MORE: Phoenix itinerary recommendations for any trip. It has nice facilities to enjoy a picnic, water fun, and even some water sports. You can take a 15-mile round trip hike to the ruins and see some of the rooms up close. Good to know: Most of the tours do not include an entrance fee to the Monument Valley Tribal Park, so you need to pay for that separately. Here you can read more about me, my family, and our trips all over the world 2015-2023 https://fullsuitcase.com All Rights Reserved. Plan to spend a few days so that you can see all of the top sights in and around the city. Alternatively, the best town to stay nearby isHolbrook, AZ, where youll find several hotels, shops, and restaurants. Take your family to enjoy the music, food, entertainment, and carnival rides that truly make this the most magical time to visit Lake Havasu. Where are some off-the-beaten-path places to visit in Arizona? Bisbee. too. How much time to spend. There are a couple of hotels in Chinle, just at the entrance of the park. The most popular (and easiest) way to experience the monument is to hike the self-guided Sandal Trail. If you plan to hike Keet Siel, you need to make a reservation and then attend a mandatory orientation in the afternoon on the day before your hike. Sand Hollow State Park is just outside St George in Southern Utah and is the perfect recreational area for ATV adventures as it offers some of the best Utah ATV trails around. Allow at least three days to relax and see the sites of Lake Havasu. Good to know: Remember Tucson has dry desert weather and the best time to visit is from October to May. Im Jurga, a traveler with a camera, a mom of three boys, and the founder of Full Suitcase, one of the world's leading family travel blogs. South Las Vegas. The trail meets the canyon floor once again. Recommended by Melissa from The Family Voyage. 56 E. Folklore Trail, Hereford(520) 378-6165Listen to local legend at the Arizona Folklore Preserve, where songs, poetry and myths are played, performed and retold to keep the state's culture vibrant. The Wave is one of the best places to go hiking in Arizona, and an Arizona bucket list destination known for its beautiful red and orange wave-like sandstone formations. Suddenly, the locals are scrambling to hide behind barrels and peeking over saloon doors. No matter how you visit on your own or with a guide be sure to carry plenty of drinking water with you! For more info, please see their website. If you love the outdoors, youll also want to be sure to visit the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a 30,500-acre nature preserve where you can see impressive saguaro cacti up close. Also, Boynton Canyon and Airport Mesa are not to be missed. In the shops, you can buy food to feed them. While the Lava River Cave is still regarded as one of the most protected hidden gems in Arizona, more adventurers strive to see it in person. Nevertheless, its very impressive and well worth a visit. Tell us about your favorite hidden gems in the Copper State below. The first thing youll notice when you arrive is the large number of wild burros that wander through town. Antelope Canyon. And our map at the end of this article will also help you group the places together so that you can make the most of your time. 12716 Alamo Road, Yucca(928) 592-5200What's more impressive: that flying saucer aliens allegedly crashed outside of Kingman in 1953, or the golf-ball-shaped museum dedicated to the event?