Arizona is a southwestern US state renowned for its dramatic desert landscapes, ancient Native American cultures, and iconic natural wonders. Home to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most visited natural sites, Arizona offers visitors a stunning contrast of red rock formations in Sedona, towering saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert, forested mountains around Flagstaff, and the otherworldly mesas of Monument Valley.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Grand Canyon South Rim
Arizona's crown jewel — the Grand Canyon — is an unmissable day trip from Phoenix. The South Rim is open year-round with multiple viewpoints, the famous Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails, and Mather Point for sunrise and sunset views. Allow a full day to do it justice.
Highlights: Mather Point panoramic viewpoint · Bright Angel Trail (hike 1.5-3 miles down for non-hikers) · Desert View Watchtower (Mary Colter design, 1932) · El Tovar Hotel lunch · Grand Canyon Village historic district
Sedona Red Rock Country
Sedona's dramatic red sandstone formations, arts galleries, and spiritual energy make it one of Arizona's most popular destinations. A day trip from Phoenix allows time for a jeep tour, hike to Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock, lunch at Elote Café, and exploration of Tlaquepaque arts village.
Highlights: Cathedral Rock hike or overlook · Elote Café lunch (arrive early — opens at 5pm for dinner; better for lunch at SaltRock) · Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village · Old Town Sedona galleries · Red rock jeep tour ($60-90 per person) · Chapel of the Holy Cross
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ)
Page, Arizona is home to two of the state's most photographed sites: Antelope Canyon (a stunning Navajo-guided slot canyon tour) and Horseshoe Bend (the Colorado River's dramatic 270-degree meander). A long but extraordinarily rewarding day trip.
Highlights: Upper Antelope Canyon guided tour (light beams, 11am-1pm) · Horseshoe Bend overlook at sunset · Lake Powell views along US-89 · Navajo Bridge over the Colorado · Glen Canyon Dam viewpoint
Jerome and Verde Valley Wine Country
This day trip combines the artistic ghost town of Jerome (a 1890s copper mining town perched on Cleopatra Hill) with the Verde Valley's emerging wine country. Visit Caduceus Cellars, Pillsbury Wine Company, and Page Springs Cellars before dinner in Cottonwood or Jerome.
Highlights: Jerome State Historic Park (Douglas Mansion) · Jerome art galleries and haunted hotels · Caduceus Cellars winery (Maynard James Keenan's winery) · Pillsbury Wine Company in Cornville · Verde Valley wine tastings · Old Town Cottonwood restaurants
Tombstone and Bisbee
This double-destination day trip combines Tombstone — the legendary Wild West town of the O.K. Corral — with Bisbee, a beautifully preserved Victorian copper mining town now an arts community. Both towns offer exceptional historical atmosphere and dining.
Highlights: O.K. Corral gunfight reenactment (noon and 2pm daily) · Boot Hill Cemetery (Tombstone) · Big Nose Kate's Saloon (Tombstone) · Bird Cage Theatre (Tombstone) · Bisbee Queen Mine Tour · Bisbee's Brewery Gulch galleries · Dinner at Cafe Cornucopia (Bisbee)
Prescott and Watson Lake
Prescott is Arizona's first territorial capital and one of the state's most charming historic towns, with Victorian architecture, the famous Whiskey Row, and the stunning granite boulders of Watson and Granite Dells. The nearby Lynx Lake and Prescott National Forest offer excellent hiking.
Highlights: Courthouse Plaza and Whiskey Row · Sharlot Hall Museum · Watson Lake and Granite Dells photography · Thumb Butte Trail hike · Granite Creek Brewery · Goodwin Street restaurants
Kartchner Caverns and Tucson Day Trip
Combine the extraordinary living cave system of Kartchner Caverns with Tucson's excellent culinary and museum scene on this southern Arizona day trip. The caverns are one of the US's most spectacular caves, and Tucson offers the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, El Charro Café, and the Barrio historic neighborhood.
Highlights: Kartchner Caverns guided cave tour · Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson Mountains) · Saguaro National Park West drive · El Charro Café lunch (oldest Mexican restaurant in US) · Barrio Histórico neighborhood walk
Petrified Forest and Painted Desert
The Petrified Forest National Park preserves the world's most extensive deposit of petrified wood along with stunning Painted Desert badlands in brilliant purples, pinks, and whites. The 28-mile scenic drive connects both areas, and the historic Painted Desert Inn (1924, now a museum) adds architectural interest.
Highlights: Painted Desert Visitor Center and overlooks · Painted Desert Inn (Mary Colter design) · Puerco Pueblo (ancestral Puebloan ruins) · Newspaper Rock petroglyphs · Crystal Forest petrified wood · Blue Mesa badlands trail (short easy loop)
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Under 2 Hours
2 To 3 Hours
3 To 4 Hours
From Tucson
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Car Rental
- Essential for most day trips from Phoenix; $45-80/day from PHX airport
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Leave early — Phoenix to Grand Canyon takes 3.5+ hours; aim to arrive before crowds (by 9am in summer)
Book Antelope Canyon tours 4-8 weeks in advance online — they sell out especially in spring and fall
Carry extra water in the car for any day trip — summer temperatures can exceed 110°F roadside
Download offline navigation maps before heading to Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, or remote canyon areas where cell coverage is poor
Gas up before entering Navajo Nation lands — gas stations are scarce and expensive on the reservation
Check road conditions and temporary closures at AZ511.gov especially after monsoon storms (July-September)