USA Road Trip: The Best of Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona Road Trip
Northern Arizona boasts the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, vibrant Sedona with its red rock formations and the charming mountain town of Flagstaff. Visitors can marvel at Horseshoe Bend's picturesque meander, explore the unique slot canyons of Antelope Canyon, and witness the impact site at Meteor Crater. The region also hosts part of the Navajo Nation, offering a rich cultural experience. Petrified Forest National Park, Montezuma Castle, and the Painted Desert add to the diverse charm of this destination, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Top Things to Do In Northern Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is a mile-deep gorge that was formed millions of years ago in northern Arizona. You can find many great trails, including the Grandview Trail, South Kaibab Trail, North Kaibab Trail, and Bright Angel Trail. This national park is an hour and a half outside Flagstaff, Arizona, or less than two hours from Page, Arizona. The best viewpoints of this national park are at Mather Point and Yavapai Observation Station.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is a vast and stunning spot to spend time hiking, exploring or camping. I stayed in the Monument Valley area for two days and one night. I stayed at the View Hotel, which is the only hotel on Monument Valley land. I highly recommend staying one night in this hotel to experience a sunrise over the most famous rock formations in Monument Valley. You can also drive the 17-mile loop in Monument Valley, where you will see spectacular rock formations. There is only one hiking trail on Monument Valley land, Wildcat Trail. This four-mile trail was my favorite thing to do when I was visiting. I went in February and only saw a few other hikers on the trail, such a peaceful and adventurous hike. Monument Valley is less than three hours from Flagstaff, Arizona, or two hours from Page, Arizona.
As a bonus, you are only 20 minutes from the spot where they filmed the famous running scene in the movie Forrest Gump. This is technically in southern Utah, but if you’re in Monument Valley, it’s worth the short drive to see this magnificent spot.
Check out my recommendations for places to visit in southern Utah
Antelope Canyon
Located near Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the more famous slot canyons you can visit in the southwest. You can only visit the canyon with a designated tour guide company, and depending on the time of year, I’d recommend booking your tour a bit further in advance because it's a very popular slot canyon to visit. A lesser-known but similarly beautiful canyon you can visit is Waterhole Canyon, located just outside Page, Arizona, close to Horseshoe Bend.
Skylight Arch Trailhead
This short but sweet trail is a great hike to do when you need a chance to get some steps in your day if you are on a long road trip. Once you reach the end of the trail, you are greeted with a beautiful scenic view of a unique rock formation.
Havasu Falls
Located near the Grand Canyon, the Havasu Falls is a magnificent aqua-blue waterfall that you can hike to and admire its beauty. However, it is noted on their website you can’t do this trail in one day but requires an overnight stay at a campground or the Havasupia Lodge. You can find more information about the trek to this waterfall on the US National Park Service’s information page.
Navajo National Monument
Navajo National Monument is home to three pueblos dating back to the 13th century C.E. This park is free and open year-round to visitors. I only spent about an hour here because the trails were pretty snowy at the time in February, and it was just a quick stop for me on my way to Monument Valley, but I was able to hike the 0.8-mile hike that lets you see one of the pueblos from afar. I highly recommend this park for those wanting to learn more about these pueblos and the history of this part of the U.S.A. Like me, you could easily spend an hour or two checking out a few trails, or you can spend a few days exploring more of the surrounding parts of the park.
Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park
Colorful badlands and the vast Arizona desert collide at the Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park. It can be more easily accessed from the north portion of Petrified Forest National Park. The Painted Desert Rim Trail is one of the top ways to get out on foot to see the area.
Coconino National Forest
This 1.856-million-acre forest is located right outside Flagstaff, Arizona. The top hikes to do in Coconino National Forest are Devil’s Bridge Trail, Arizona Snowbowl Loop, Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop, and Cathedral Rock Trail.
Horseshoe Bend
Located in Page, Arizona, Horseshoe Bend is one of those natural wonders that is a must-see in your life. I arrived at Horseshoe Bend right before sunset and spent time walking around the viewpoint looking for the best spot to shoot photos. The path from the parking lot is less than a mile to get to and is considered an easy hike. There is a small entrance fee to park, but seeing Horseshoe Bend up close and personal is well worth it.
The Wave
Only a few visitors per year are able to hike the Wave, a natural sandstone rock formation. You have to apply for a permit to hike the Wave a few months in advance of when you are hoping to go.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is the largest city in northern Arizona and is home to almost 80,000 residents. There are a lot of great things to do in Flagstaff, including checking out Northern Arizona University, exploring the historic downtown area, walking around Buffalo Park, or hiking the many nearby trails.
Check out my recommendations for places to visit in southern Utah
Page
This small town in northern Arizona has many great things to offer for visitors, including Horseshoe Bend, slot canyon tours, Lake Powell, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon Dam, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
