Some places – like the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and the top of Mount Lemmon – are inaccessible during winter. Other iconic Arizona destinations, however, can be visited year-round! This 455-mile road trip leads to some of the most scenic places in Arizona, no matter the season. From ancient canyons to towering sandstone buttes, you’ll see a little bit of everything.
Click here for the customizable Google Map for the trip.
- Grand Canyon National Park
Nico De Pasquale Photography / Stone Collection / Getty Images Your adventure begins with Arizona’s most iconic natural wonder: the Grand Canyon. Spanning over a million acres, the world-famous national park boasts dozens of trails that meander through the ancient, red rock landscape. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Discover hidden waterfalls, caves, and so many other breathtaking sights as you explore this magical place.
Barbara Hughes / EyeEm Collection / Getty Images The most popular area of the park, the South Rim, is open year-round, so there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit. Plus, the canyon looks so gorgeous under a blanket of freshly-fallen snow. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
- Horseshoe Bend (Page)
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment Collection / Getty Images Next up is Horseshoe Bend, another of our state’s most well-known tourist attractions. Located just to the east of the Grand Canyon, this horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River is accessible in all four seasons. You can hike, float, or even take a helicopter tour! If you choose to hike, the trail is only about half a mile each way, so you get to reap the reward of a great view with virtually no effort. Horseshoe Bend, Arizona 86040, USA
- Lake Powell (Page)
Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ Collection / Getty Images Also near Page, Lake Powell is a manmade reservoir that stretches across the Arizona-Utah border. Known for its striking cobalt waters, the lake attracts roughly two million visitors each year - and for good reason. Between the jutting rocks that create a natural course for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and other watersports and the plethora of lodging and dining opportunities, it’s no secret why so many people choose to vacation here no matter the season. Lake Powell, AZ 86040, USA
- Antelope Canyon (Page)
Matteo Colombo / DigitalVision Collection / Getty Images Our final Page-area destination is Antelope Canyon, an ancient slot canyon that was recently named the most beautiful canyon in Arizona. Formed over eons by water erosion, Antelope Canyon is best known for its wave-like sandstone walls and eye-catching light beams that shine down through narrow openings at the top of the canyon. While summer is the most popular time to visit, as it’s when the light beams are at their most brilliant, visitors are welcome all year. A tour guide is required, however, and only a select number of people can enter the canyon at a time. Learn more here. Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Kayenta)
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment Collection / Getty Images Another destination shared by Utah and Arizona is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. One of the most photographed places on Earth, Monument Valley features a series of sandstone buttes that tower to heights of up to 1,000 feet. Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center, U.S. 163 Scenic, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Either take in the scenery on the 17-mile loop winding through the park or book a guided tour that takes you down into the canyon.
Cathy Grieve / EyeEm Collection / Getty Images Whether you visit in the summer, winter, or any time in between, rest assured you’ll be thoroughly amazed by this majestic, mystical landmark. Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center, U.S. 163 Scenic, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Chinle)
JLR / Moment Collection / Getty Images Tucked away near Chinle, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a sacred site located on Navajo tribal lands. The Navajo Nation and National Park Service work together to manage the land, carefully preserving ancient Pueblo villages and millennia of prehistoric rock art. The most notable feature in the park is Spider Rock, an 800-foot-tall spire that rises up from the canyon floor. From hikes to scenic drives, there are several ways to enjoy the monument and its many awe-inspiring sights. Canyon de Chelly, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona 86503, USA
- Petrified Forest National Park (Holbrook)
Photo by James Keith / Moment Collection / Getty Images Last - but certainly not least - we have Petrified Forest National Park, located near Holbrook. Nestled in the painted desert, the park is named for the large deposits of 200-million-year-old wood scattered throughout its 346 square miles. The colorful badlands are breathtaking to see year-round, and you can explore the desert landscape via hiking trails or scenic drives. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
Would you take this road trip to some of the most scenic places in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! For another incredible road trip that leads to some of Arizona’s best hidden gems, check out our previous article.
Nico De Pasquale Photography / Stone Collection / Getty Images
Your adventure begins with Arizona’s most iconic natural wonder: the Grand Canyon. Spanning over a million acres, the world-famous national park boasts dozens of trails that meander through the ancient, red rock landscape.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Barbara Hughes / EyeEm Collection / Getty Images
The most popular area of the park, the South Rim, is open year-round, so there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit. Plus, the canyon looks so gorgeous under a blanket of freshly-fallen snow.
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Next up is Horseshoe Bend, another of our state’s most well-known tourist attractions. Located just to the east of the Grand Canyon, this horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River is accessible in all four seasons. You can hike, float, or even take a helicopter tour! If you choose to hike, the trail is only about half a mile each way, so you get to reap the reward of a great view with virtually no effort.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona 86040, USA
Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ Collection / Getty Images
Also near Page, Lake Powell is a manmade reservoir that stretches across the Arizona-Utah border. Known for its striking cobalt waters, the lake attracts roughly two million visitors each year - and for good reason. Between the jutting rocks that create a natural course for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and other watersports and the plethora of lodging and dining opportunities, it’s no secret why so many people choose to vacation here no matter the season.
Lake Powell, AZ 86040, USA
Matteo Colombo / DigitalVision Collection / Getty Images
Our final Page-area destination is Antelope Canyon, an ancient slot canyon that was recently named the most beautiful canyon in Arizona. Formed over eons by water erosion, Antelope Canyon is best known for its wave-like sandstone walls and eye-catching light beams that shine down through narrow openings at the top of the canyon. While summer is the most popular time to visit, as it’s when the light beams are at their most brilliant, visitors are welcome all year. A tour guide is required, however, and only a select number of people can enter the canyon at a time. Learn more here.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USA
Another destination shared by Utah and Arizona is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. One of the most photographed places on Earth, Monument Valley features a series of sandstone buttes that tower to heights of up to 1,000 feet.
Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center, U.S. 163 Scenic, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA
Cathy Grieve / EyeEm Collection / Getty Images
Whether you visit in the summer, winter, or any time in between, rest assured you’ll be thoroughly amazed by this majestic, mystical landmark.
JLR / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Tucked away near Chinle, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a sacred site located on Navajo tribal lands. The Navajo Nation and National Park Service work together to manage the land, carefully preserving ancient Pueblo villages and millennia of prehistoric rock art. The most notable feature in the park is Spider Rock, an 800-foot-tall spire that rises up from the canyon floor. From hikes to scenic drives, there are several ways to enjoy the monument and its many awe-inspiring sights.
Canyon de Chelly, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona 86503, USA
Photo by James Keith / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Last - but certainly not least - we have Petrified Forest National Park, located near Holbrook. Nestled in the painted desert, the park is named for the large deposits of 200-million-year-old wood scattered throughout its 346 square miles. The colorful badlands are breathtaking to see year-round, and you can explore the desert landscape via hiking trails or scenic drives.
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
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