Arizona is home to remarkable natural places, from sprawling national parks with ancient forests and soaring peaks to hidden canyons and creeks dotted with waterfalls.
It’s no wonder why millions of tourists are drawn to the state – its natural wonders are like nothing else on Earth. If you find yourself ready for a trip to Arizona soon, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to visit.
The state is filled with canyons, caves, forests, and volcanic peaks. In other words, there are all kinds of different places you can go to get away from it all and take in the wonders of nature.
Moreover, the state is filled with friendly locals, delicious food, a good environment, and warm weather around the year.
If you plan to visit Arizona, these 17 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Arizona will benefit you. You will not feel happy to miss any of these locations if you find yourself exploring this great state.
1. Saguaro National Park
If you want to visit a genuinely unique place, Saguaro National Park, just outside Tucson, is a great choice. The park is known for its giant, otherworldly saguaro cacti, which grow here in incredible numbers.
These cacti are unique worldwide and can only be found in Arizona and the Sonoran Desert. Saguaro National Park also features desert landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world.
Visitors can get up personal and close to this beautiful desert environment on foot, bike, or horseback. The park also has several cultural sites, including the Rincon Indian Reservation.
2. Havasu Creek
Havasu Creek may be your place if you want an impressive desert landscape. This creek runs through the Havasupai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon and is famous for its turquoise color.
Minerals cause this turquoise color in the water to mix with sunlight. It’s beautiful and a sight to behold!
There are several ways to visit Havasu Creek. Still, the most popular but expensive way is to take a helicopter ride from the Hualapai Indian Reservation to the canyon floor below.
3. Chiricahua National Monument
Another excellent desert location is Chiricahua National Monument, located in southeastern Arizona. This area’s desert landscapes and ancient rock formations make it an ideal location for photographers.
Chiricahua National Monument is also home to various wildlife, including wild turkeys, javelinas, and coyotes.
Chiricahua National Monument also has a rich cultural history and is home to many Native American archaeological sites.
4. Hoover Dam
With more than 7 million annual visitors, Hoover dam is a perfect destination for tourists in Arizona. Several yearly events make Hoover dam more attractive and encourage tourists to visit.
In addition to being a great photo opportunity, these events are a great way to learn about the Dam’s history and appreciate the engineering behind this incredible feat of modern architecture.
Hoover Dam is located just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, so you can easily visit it as a vibrant part of a road trip through Arizona and Nevada.
5. Sycamore Falls
Sycamore Falls, a small oasis in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, is one of the most scenic places in Arizona. With the trailhead located just outside of Phoenix, this spot is an excellent choice for anyone visiting the region looking for a day hike.
The trail follows a creek and leads to a beautiful, secluded waterfall. Sycamore Falls is one of the few waterfalls in the state that runs all year. The trail is easy to follow, but bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
6. The Wave
The Wave is situated in the Coyote Buttes North section of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness. The Bureau of Land Management protects this area, and you’ll need a permit to visit.
The Wave itself is a sandstone formation that looks like a vast field of dunes frozen in time. The sandstone was deposited by the river millions of years ago.
Over time, the surrounding rock eroded faster than the sandstone, so the sand dunes became “frozen” in place. When the bright sun shines on the sandstone, it reflects a bright orange color, making this place truly unique.
7. Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is one of the most attractive destinations in Arizona for hiking. The trailhead is located in Phoenix, and there are several different trails to choose from.
The scenery along the trail is unique to this area and has been called the “High Desert Alpine” ecosystem. This ecosystem is a mix of Sonoran Desert plants and California Alpine plants.
The trails on the mountain are well-maintained and easy to follow, but there are some steep areas, so be sure to wear proper foot gear. In addition to hiking, Camelback Mountain is a popular spot for rock climbers, trail runners, and mountain bikers.
8. Sedona vortexes
Sedona is a dream location for photographers, as it’s filled with stunning landscapes and beautiful sunsets. Sedona is famous for glorifying red sandstone formations, unlike any other in the world. If you’re visiting Sedona, you can’t miss the famous “red rocks,” which are a must-see. The red rocks and surrounding forests make for a breathtaking landscape.
But there’s more to Sedona than its amazing views. This area is known for having unique healing properties.
There are several vortexes in Sedona where the energy of the Earth can be felt more strongly. Vortexes are places where the energy of the Earth is more powerful.
People who visit these vortexes report feeling a sense of calm and relaxation. There are more than six main vortexes in Sedona, but a few of the most popular ones include Diamondback Gulch, Airport Mesa, and Bell Rock.
9. Desert Botanical Garden
If you love desert plants and wildlife, visiting the Desert Botanical Garden is a must. Founded in 1939, this garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Arizona.
It is a 140-acre botanical garden that is perfect for a visit during spring wildflower season as most of the colorful flowers and plants are in full swing.
Since the desert botanical garden was established in 1934, the park has been getting more and more attention. Due to this, the variety and quality of plants are beyond comparison.
Today, it’s home to more than 10,000 species of plants from the Sonoran Desert and around the world. Here, you’ll find desert plants such as saguaro cactus, barrel cactus, ocotillo, prickly pear, and many more.
Desert animals such as Gila monsters, desert tortoises, and prairie dogs call the garden home as well. The Desert Botanical Garden is open all year long, and it only costs $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids 3 to 17. It’s also wheelchair accessible, making it an excellent choice for travelers with disabilities.
10. Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon is one of Arizona’s highest mountains. At an elevation of 2,795 m, it’s also counted as one of the highest mountains outside Arizona. The mountain is located in the Coronado National Forest, near the city of Tucson.
The mount also has various beautiful trails, including Sutherland #6, Romero #8, Lemmon Rock Lookout #12, Wilderness of Rock #44, and West Fork #24 routes. You can visit any of these and make your adventure trip more challenging.
The mountain has three main trails: one that runs a few miles, another that runs many miles, and a third that is used by mountain bikers and off-road vehicles. The scenic drive to the top is also top-rated.
If you plan to go there, pack yourself with essentials, and you will remember the trip for life.
11. Hunts Mesa and Monument Valley
Hunts Mesa and Monument Valley are both located in the Navajo Tribal Park. Both places are stunningly beautiful but with different landscapes. Hunts Mesa is a small mesa with a forest of pinyon pines and junipers, whereas Monument Valley is famous for its stunning buttes.
You might also be able to witness the beautiful wildflower bloom that takes place in the valley in the spring. These are the two most visited spots in the Navajo Tribal Park, and there’s a reason why.
Both places are simply stunning and are picture-perfect desert landscapes. Visitors to these places can also go on tours of the Navajo Tribal Park to learn more about the region’s history.
12. Jerome Arizona Ghost Town
The town of Jerome is located in central Arizona and is known as a ghost town. It was once a thriving mining town but fell into disuse in 1953 when the mines shut down.
Now, the town is a state-run historical park, where visitors can explore the remains of the old mining buildings and take in the beautiful desert landscape that surrounds the town.
There are also a few special events that happen at the ghost town from time to time, including Halloween and Wild West events. There is also a hotel in the town that you can stay in if you want a truly unique Arizona experience.
Visiting Jerome is a great way to explore the history of Arizona. The town is loaded with history and is a fascinating look into the past. If you want to experience more about Arizona’s history, visiting Jerome is a great way to do it.
13. Coal Mine Canyon
Coal Mine Canyon is located in the northern part of Arizona, on the edge of the Colorado Plateau. It’s a stunning riparian canyon with a rushing creek that runs through it.
The canyon is narrow and deep, making it a truly stunning place to visit. It’s the sort of place where you can truly get away from it all and take in the quiet serenity of the desert.
Visitors can hike the trails that follow the canyon or take a boat ride down the creek. It’s an excellent place for families, nature lovers, and photographers.
Coal Mine Canyon is one of those places that’s so stunning that it’s hard to believe it’s real. It’s one of Arizona’s most scenic tourist spots and an excellent spot for photographers to capture some stunning shots. This beautiful canyon is a must-visit for anyone who loves exploring the natural world.
14. Grand Canyon National Park
While the Grand Canyon is one of the most famous places in all of Arizona, most people don’t realize that it’s part of the state of Arizona.
The Grand Canyon is considered among the most famous national parks and one of the oldest national parks in the world. The park is home to one of nature’s greatest marvels – the Grand Canyon, a mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River.
You can tour the canyon on foot or take a scenic flight ride that soars above it. There are also guided tours by various local tour operators that take you down into the canyon by boat or raft, where you can experience mighty Colorado up close and personally.
If you only have time to visit one place in Arizona, make it the Grand Canyon National Park. This natural wonder is as impressive as it is beautiful and a must-see for every visitor to the state.
If you want to hike in a completely different part of the Grand Canyon, try walking the Guano Trail. This challenging trail descends from the South Rim into the Grand Canyon’s rugged north end. This trail is excellent for adventurous hikers who want to see the Grand Canyon from a different perspective.
Shortly, you can experience the canyon in a number of different ways, from hiking through it to taking a boat ride down it. No matter how you visit, the canyon is one of the most unique and impressive places on Earth.
15. West Fork Trail
Counted in the top 10 trails in the United States, West Fork Trail has a visible sign for adventure heads.
West Fork Trail is a short trail that leads to the beautiful Havasupai Falls. The trail is only 6.4 miles long, but it’s a challenging hike that takes you down a narrow river canyon.
The trail leading to the falls is challenging, but it’s an incredible adventure for those who like taking challenging hikes.
The West Fork Trail is a great place to start if you’re looking for a challenging hike. The trail is difficult, but it’s also one of the most beautiful places in Arizona and an excellent destination for any nature lover.
16. Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is located in the southern part of Arizona, just a drive of 118 miles from the city of Las Vegas, NV. The Bend is part of the Colorado River, where the river has naturally formed a horseshoe shape as it flows towards the Gulf of California.
The Bend is a popular destination for tourists visiting the area and a must-see sight for anyone visiting Arizona. There are two ways you can experience Bend: walk over a pedestrian bridge or walk to Bend from the parking lot.
Horseshoe Bend is one of the most well-known landmarks in Arizona and a great place to visit for anyone visiting the state. The Bend is beautiful and a must-see for anyone interested in natural wonders.
17. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a famous sandstone canyon in the northern part of Arizona. The canyon is notable for its beautiful geometric rock formations and color, ranging from orange to red.
Antelope Canyon is open to the public, and you can visit the canyon by taking a guided tour. Tours to the canyon depart from the nearby town of Page, Arizona, where you can stay overnight.
It’s a great place to visit for families, photographers, and anyone who loves exploring the beautiful desert landscape of Arizona. Antelope Canyon is known as one of the most popular in Arizona and a great place to experience the natural goodness of the desert.
It’s a great place to visit for families, photographers, and anyone who loves exploring the desert landscape of Arizona.
The Bottom Line
Arizona is one of the most crucial states in the country. It’s no wonder why millions of people visit each year.
Arizona is a state filled with natural wonders, and there are many places where you can experience these wonders on your own. If you’re looking for an adventure, visiting one of these places is a great way to experience the beauty of Arizona and learn more about the state’s history.
All these locations are easily accessible and beautiful for tourists. You will not have any trouble reaching or finding these beautiful places.
However, you may have noticed that these places are spread across the state. That means that you’ll need to plan a long road trip if you want to visit them all.
But don’t worry – that’s what we’re here for! If you’re visiting Arizona, consider building a customized itinerary. This way, you can prioritize the sights you really want to see and avoid wasting time at attractions that aren’t your style.