Arizona
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Flagstaff, Arizona
Ponderosa pines surround Flagstaff, which serves as a stopover for the Grand Canyon, offers Route 66 nostalgia, night skies at Lowell Observatory and mountain trailheads for hiking and winter skiing.
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Phoenix, Arizona
Cactus-studded suburbs and low-slung mountains surround Phoenix; hikers climb Camelback, golfers hit desert courses, and visitors use city galleries and flights out to Sedona or the Grand Canyon as day trips.
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Tucson, Arizona
Tucson hangs at the edge of the Sonoran Desert: saguaro-studded vistas, Saguaro National Park trails, Mission San Xavier del Bac, lively Sonoran-Mexican food and year-round outdoor pursuits from cycling to rock climbing.
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Grand Canyon
Layered rock shelves and a plunging gorge keep visitors returning for rim viewpoints, mule trails and Colorado River whitewater trips.
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Mesa, Arizona
In the East Valley, Mesa offers Sonoran desert hikes at Usery Mountain, the Pueblo Grande archaeological site and a surprisingly active arts calendar at the Mesa Arts Center, with golf courses and reservoirs nearby.
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Scottsdale, Arizona
Desert hiking and golf dominate Scottsdale: McDowell Sonoran Preserve trails, cactus-studded ridges and gallery-lined Old Town.
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Glendale, Arizona
Pro sports arenas, a restored Old Towne and desert parks draw visitors to Glendale.
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Chandler, Arizona
Chandler pairs tech campuses and suburban plazas with desert access: golfers and hikers head to San Tan Mountain Park, downtown hosts food trucks and craft breweries, and it’s an easy hop to Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Arizona at a Glance
Arizona is a Southwestern desert state defined by the Grand Canyon, red-rock country and the saguaro-studded Sonoran Desert.
Known for: the Grand Canyon, red rocks, and the Sonoran desert
Don’t miss: the Grand Canyon, red-rock Sedona, Monument Valley, and Phoenix/Scottsdale
When to go: spring and fall; winter in the low desert
About Arizona
Arizona stretches across the U.S. Southwest from sun-baked desert basins to forested mountain high country, a state of towering saguaros, red-rock cliffs and wide canyon rims. The landscape moves quickly from the low, hot Sonoran Desert in the south and west to pine forests and ski-topped peaks around Flagstaff in the north.
City life and frontier history sit side-by-side: sprawling Phoenix and cultural Tucson offer museums, resorts and dining, while relics of the Old West survive in places like Tombstone; natural highlights include Grand Canyon National Park, the iconic columnar cacti of Saguaro National Park and the colorful badlands of Petrified Forest National Park.
Outdoor options are endlessly varied - hike red-rock trails around Sedona, raft or kayak through canyon rivers at Lees Ferry, chase waterfalls and slot canyons, or head up to higher elevations for cooler temperatures and alpine lakes. Summers bring a dramatic monsoon season with intense afternoon storms that photographers love; winters deliver snow for downhill and cross-country skiing on Arizona’s northern peaks.
Food and drink blend Southwestern, Mexican and Native American traditions: try Tucson’s celebrated regional cuisine (the city is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy), Sonoran hot dogs, Navajo fry bread and hearty New Mexican flavors; small wineries in Sonoita - Elgin and craft breweries in Phoenix/Scottsdale round out the local scene.
Why Visit Arizona
Arizona is a study in dramatic contrasts - from the vertiginous rims of Grand Canyon National Park and the sculpted red rocks of Sedona to the towering saguaros of Saguaro National Park and the cool pines of Flagstaff - offering epic scenery, year-round outdoor adventure and a rich mix of Indigenous and frontier history.
Best Things to Do in Arizona
Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Vast Colorado River canyon and eroded desert landscape
Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Desert reservoir and recreation area around Hoover Dam
Park
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Cliff-side prehistoric dwellings preserved as national monument
Park
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Canyon landscape containing Navajo cultural sites and ruins
Park
Saguaro National Park
Desert park preserving iconic saguaro cactus forests
Park
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Volcanic cinder cone preserving recent eruption landscapes
Park
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Protected desert park preserving organ pipe cactus habitat
Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Desert park preserving petrified wood and fossil-rich badlands
Arizona Bucket List
Don't Miss
Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim) - Take classic rim viewpoints and short hikes for the most accessible, iconic canyon vistas.
Sedona Red Rock Country - Explore scenic trails, vortex viewpoints and striking sandstone formations around town.
Antelope Canyon (near Page) - Book a Navajo-guided slot-canyon tour to see the famous light-filled, sculpted sandstone passages.
Tombstone - OK Corral - Step into Wild West history with reenactments, restored saloons and mining-town atmosphere.
Great Outdoors
Saguaro National Park - Walk or drive among forests of towering saguaros at sunrise or sunset for classic desert scenes.
Petrified Forest National Park - Hike through colorful badlands and see extensive deposits of fossilized wood and painted layers.
Havasu Falls (Havasupai) - A remote, permit-based hike rewards visitors with spectacular turquoise waterfalls and pools.
San Francisco Peaks / Arizona Snowbowl - Ski or snowshoe in winter and hike alpine trails with expansive views in summer.
Local Flavor
Tucson - UNESCO City of Gastronomy - Sample regional Mexican and Sonoran cuisine, from street food to upscale farm-to-table dining.
Sonoran hot dog - Try this Tucson and Phoenix favorite - a bacon-wrapped, toppings-loaded take on the classic hot dog.
Sonoita - Elgin wine region - Visit small vineyards and tasting rooms in one of Arizona’s cooler, high-desert wine-producing areas.
Navajo and Hopi arts and markets - Buy handcrafted rugs, jewelry and pottery while learning about Indigenous cultures and traditions.
National Parks in Arizona
Best Time to Visit Arizona
Arizona’s climate varies sharply: the lower Sonoran Desert is hot and dry while northern highlands around Flagstaff are cooler and snowy in winter, so the best time to visit depends on whether you want desert heat or mountain relief.
Spring
Mild days and cool nights make spring ideal for canyon hikes, wildflower displays and visiting desert parks as saguaros bloom and trails are comfortable.
Summer
Expect very hot conditions in the low desert with monsoon thunderstorms in July - August - head to higher elevations like Flagstaff for cooler hiking, or enjoy river rafting and early-morning outings.
Autumn
Cooling temperatures and clear skies make autumn a pleasant season for outdoor activities, scenic drives and catching fall color in the northern forests.
Winter
Winters are mild in the low desert - great for sightseeing and golf - while the mountains get snow, offering skiing and cozy alpine retreats around Flagstaff.
Getting Around Arizona
Most visitors rent a car to explore Arizona - long distances and limited rural public transit make driving the most practical way to get around.
Major Highways
Major interstates include I-10 (east - west across southern Arizona connecting Tucson and Phoenix to New Mexico and California), I-17 (north - south between Phoenix and Flagstaff), I-40 (east - west across northern Arizona through Flagstaff), I-8 (a southern corridor toward Yuma and California) and I-19 (from Tucson south to Nogales and the Mexican border), with US highways and state routes linking scenic and remote destinations.