60+ Best Day Trips from Phoenix for 2024

Did you know, the best day trips from Phoenix are all within one to four hours of the sprawling valley of the sun? After living in Phoenix for a few years, I became an expert on day trips in Arizona and I’ve got more than 60 fun road trips for you to choose from!

Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country and the largest city in Arizona (with Tucson close behind). It’s pretty much an urban sprawl with a bunch of cities connected to the boundaries of Phoenix proper. That means there are tons of things to do in Phoenix, but there are also an amazing amount of day trips to get you out beyond the city.

And guess what? There’s a lot more than the majestic Grand Canyon – although that’s on the list too! So let's dive in and see all the places to visit near Phoenix! I have organized them by the distance from the city to help you plan how much time you will need for that particular day trip from Phoenix, plus you can bundle them if you have extra time!

From quick day trips from Paris to some that take all day, I've got you covered!

At the end of the post, I have a free printable checklist with all these awesome things to see around Phoenix, so don't forget to download that as well!

Best day trips from Phoenix between 1 and 2 hours

Jump to:

• Day trips from Phoenix between 2 and 3 hours
• Day trips from Phoenix between 3 and 4 hours

Jump to these day trips between 1 and 2 hours from Phoenix: Drive Along the Apache Trail | Saguaro Lake | Lake Pleasant Regional Park | Wickenburg | Hassayampa River Preserve | Sonoran Desert | Casa Grande Ruins National Monument | Montezuma Castle National Monument | Coconino National Forest | Wine Tasting in Cottonwood | Tonto Natural Bridge State Park | Saguaro National Park | Mission San Xavier del Bac

Drive Along the Apache Trail (Tortilla Flat)

When we had our RV, we spent a month at an RV Park in Gold Canyon which is about 45 minutes from Phoenix (weeks 7, 8, and 9). During that time we explored the Apache Trail and the surrounding area. It's a really unique day trip as it covers a lot of different activities.

There is fantastic hiking in Lost Dutchman State Park. A good time can be had at Goldfield, a former gold mining town (and largest ghost town in Arizona) turned tourist attraction with western shows, historic buildings, and shootouts. Boating on Canyon Lake is one of the best day trips from Phoenix, including taking the 4-hour Dolly Steamer boat.

And don't forget to stop at the smallest town in Arizona, Tortilla Flat, with a population of 5! It's a good place to stop for a bite to eat and a bit of music.

The best part of Apache Trail is the actual trail – a death-defying primitive dirt road that hugs the canyon walls! If you make it to the end you’ll see Roosevelt Dam and cross the Roosevelt bridge. It’s an easy all-day outing.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

Check out my whole post on visiting the Apache Trail area.

Get Your Swim on at Saguaro Lake

This man-made lake on the Salt River has tons of water-based activities for the whole family. A great place to cool off! And a quick day trip in the summer to cool off!

Saguaro Lake is surrounded by beautiful rocks typical of the region and forests of Saguaro. The lake is pretty deep too, with an average depth of 90 feet. There are over 20 miles of shoreline, enough to share when it comes to fishing, boating, kayaking, and swimming.

If you want someone else to do the work for you, there is a narrated tour on Desert Belle Paddleboats. Just like the Dolly Boat tour on Canyon Lake, you have the opportunity to spot eagles and bighorn sheep.

You can camp around the lake, but the sites are only accessible by boat (you can rent one if you are visiting). There are shaded picnic areas for enjoying a meal by the lake, but there is also a restaurant in the marina.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park

Another day trip in Arizona where you can hike, bike, boat, camp, fish, swim, plus lots more outdoor activities, is in and around the water at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. We actually lived fairly close to this large outdoor recreation area and have enjoyed seeing wildlife like birds and burros along with exploring some awesome 4×4 trails in the area. 

The lake was created by damming part of the Aqua Fria River and it is a great spot for bass fishing! There is a marina with a restaurant, and you can rent boats or do a boat tour with Lake Pleasant Cruises with catered food from the marina restaurant.

It is amazing to have such a vibrant area full of water and life in the desert. It is a nice spot to spend the day with friends or family. Also, as it is a little further away from the city, it is a good spot for stargazing as the public, non-camping part of the park closes at 10 pm!

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

Learn a little Cowboy History in Wickenburg

We are in the middle of cowboy country. We've got cowboy towns, rodeos, ranches, artists, and museums, and while you can find some of these closer to Phoenix, it is a little more fun to actually get out of dodge for the day and experience it outside of the big city.

My favorite, cowboy-related, unique day trip from Phoenix is Wickenburg. I love the way this town honors its past with cowboy poetry readings, cowboy art, ranching, and more. They have a really good museum, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, dedicated to the west.

It is small but exceptionally well done. They have preserved much of the historic downtown including their “jail tree” where criminals arrested by the sheriff were chained up until the transport came to take them to Phoenix.

The town sits along the Hassayampa River, and there is a preserve with 280 species of birds and a large number of raptors. Or you could choose to check out some of the Sonoran Desert by hiking the Vulture Peak Trail. There are several dude ranches where you can really immerse yourself into the West.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

If you decide you want to stay in Wickenberg, I recommend Kay El Bar Guest Ranch or Rancho de los Caballeros.

Hassayampa River Preserve

Just before you enter Wickenburg you will pass the Hassayampa River Preserve which stretches for a cottonwood-lined 5 miles along the Hassayampa River. The river is an important wildlife corridor. The 730-acre preserve is a birder's paradise.

There are 280 different species of birds living and migrating through this area, including hummingbirds, red-shouldered hawks, yellow-billed cuckoos, vermilion flycatchers, and 30 dragonfly species.

This geological area is called a riparian (land that exists along rivers and lakes). In the case of this preserve, which is located in the high Sonoran Desert, it is quite phenomenal to see this spot where the subterranean river is forced to the surface of the desert, truly an oasis!

There are short hikes along the river and preserve that make for beautiful scenery and a peaceful outing. Parking can be hard to find, so go early!

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

Experience the Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert surrounding Phoenix is a fascinating ecosystem, with unique geology, flora and fauna, and cultural history. It's full of natural beauty.

Sure you can see it from your car window if you drive along Highway 85 (and that is a good way to see it without the surrounding towns obstructing your view), but you really can't get out into it. The best way to do that is via a day trip tour from Phoenix either motorized, by foot (hiking), on a bike, or by horse.

If this is the first time you have been to the desert, a tour is a great way to visit. You will be blown away by how much life is there and how fascinating the saguaro cactus is. Above and beyond the wide variety of cacti (watch out for those chollas!) there is a complex variety of plants that provide for a diversity of wildlife species.

In order to survive life in the desert, plants and animals have adapted by waiting for rain, by holding on to the rain when it does fall, or by using the space of time for a given rainfall. Above and beyond the plants and animals, the desert scenery is just gorgeous!

There are other places where you can get into the Sonoran desert with your own vehicle – Saguaro National Park and Pipe Organ National Monument (both further away, but on this list).

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

The town of Casa Grande sits almost in the middle of Phoenix and Tucson and has a really interesting history. It was a planned community built to support the Southern Pacific Railroad.

But the town itself was named for the ancient Pueblo ruins, the nation's first archeological preserve, and is one of the largest prehistoric structures ever discovered in North America!

The ruins sit amongst an area that had a complex system of canals, and historians do not know whether the “big house” was a gathering place or a marker. About 2000 ancient desert dwellers and prehistoric farmers lived on this site, and like a lot of similar sites in Arizona, researchers have no idea why or how they disappeared.

The ruins are large and well-preserved given that preservation activities began as early as 1883!

In the 1860s, Casa Grande actually became a tourist hotspot due to the fact that the railroad line had been completed (the town was originally called “Terminus!”) not too far from town with an adjacent stagecoach line to the Casa Grande.

With the increase in tourism, vandalism of the site became prolific (even graffiti!) and a custodian was hired to look after the site followed by President Harrison creating a prehistoric cultural reserve. Finally, President Woodrow Wilson made it a national monument.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

There are several well-preserved Sinagua settlements that are fascinating to visit… they do not build like they used to.

Scientists still don’t know why the Sinagua disappeared but these ancient people were inventive and advanced! There is a nice little trail that follows the cliffs and plenty of benches for sitting and contemplating how intelligent and industrious these ancient pre-Columbian people were.

Montezuma Castle National Monument, located near Camp Verde, is a quick stop on your way to Prescott, Sedona, or Cottonwood/Jerome day trip.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Cool off in the Coconino National Forest

One of the things I love most about living in the Phoenix area is that I can go from desert to mountains and forest in less than or around 2 hours (depending on where I go). The Coconino National Forest is just 90 minutes away and with its 1.8 million acres of land, there is plenty to do in the great outdoors.

This forest is diverse! Elevations go from 2,600 feet to 12,633 feet so you will find all types of ecosystems and environments. From red rocks to pine-covered plateaus, to deserts, canyons, and forests, you can literally see anything and everything in a day trip from Phoenix!

You can camp, hike, drive on forest roads, and see a wide variety of high desert vegetation. There is fishing in lakes, swimming in creeks and streams, and wildlife spotting throughout the 10 different wilderness areas that make up this forest. Winter is tough with snow conditions, but the rest of the year this is a great escape.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Go Wine Tasting in Cottonwood

Did you know there are wineries in Arizona? Yep! And a lot of them are near the small town of Cottonwood or at least their tasting rooms are. It's a unique experience to go wine tasting for the day in the desert! Visit this adorable town with an equally adorable downtown, some really good restaurants, shopping, and even a hotel.

Great for a meal and tasting and can be combined with a trip to Jerome, Tuzigoot, or a nice spot for dinner after the Verde Valley train.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge is the world’s largest natural travertine (a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs) bridge. It is 183 feet high, 150 feet wide, and 400 feet long with a cave beneath it and a small waterfall. This is a small park inside the Tonto National Forest but wow is it beautiful!

The bridge sits in a little valley surrounded by pine trees. It was created through erosion and discovered by a Scotsman in 1877 while hiding from Apache Indians (a lucky find!). There are three hiking trails in the area (Gowan Trail, Pine Creek Trail, and Waterfall Trail ) that bring you all the way down to the tunnel. The Pine Creek Trail takes you directly under the bridge. Bring good hiking shoes – the trails are wet and steep!

You can also swim in the water both upstream and downstream but not directly under the bridge. There are four viewing points from the parking lot if you don't feel like hiking, a historic lodge built in 1920 where you can hang out or have a picnic, and a visitor center as well.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Saguaro National Park

One of the things I love most about this area of Arizona is the saguaro cacti. They are strange and beautiful, mysterious and inconsistent, and only found in this part of the world. We see them all over while driving here and there, but they are actually a protected species and thankfully there is an entire national park dedicated to them and it is one of my favorite day trips!

There are two parts to the Saguaro National Park, each on either side of Tucson, and both are worthy of a visit. There is the west side of the park with a dirt road loop trail, short hikes with sites like petroglyphs, and a denser concentration of the saguaro cacti.

The east side of the park has a larger, paved driving loop, trails, and taller, more spread out saguaro since this part of the park is at a higher elevation and gets more rain. You can do both sides of the park on a single-day trip from Phoenix.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

Known as the “white dove of the desert” the Mission San Xavier del Bac is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. It sits on Tohono O’odham Indian land and the Tohono O’odham people were the labor force used to build the mission in 1783.

Franciscan missionary Father Juan Bautista Velderrain began construction of the church using money borrowed from a Sonoran rancher. It was completed in 1797, and has been called the “Sistine Chapel of the New World.” The brick walls are coated with a limestone-based plaster with a formula that includes the juice from prickly pear cactus pads – the Sonoran desert peoples were so inventive!

Throughout many wars, with Spain and Apache Indians, the Tohono O’odham people protected the mission. They even buried artifacts to protect them from being stolen. When the United States finally acquired the territory, the Franciscan Friars returned to the church and they still serve the community today. 

The mission is a National Historic Landmark but also a functioning church. If you are religious you can attend a mass or just appreciate the beautiful building and surrounding grottos. After your visit, you can try your hand at Native American food as there are usually food stands set up by the community.

Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Back to the Top

Best day trips from Phoenix between 2 and 3 hours

Jump to these day trips between 2 and 3 hours from Phoenix: Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm | Tonto Cliff Dwellings National Monument | Verde Canyon Railroad | Tuzigoot National Monument and Dead Horse State Park | Jerome | Prescott | Red Rock Formations in Sedona | Red Rock Scenic Byway | Slide Rock State Park | Mogollon Rim | Tucson | Pima Air & Space Museum | Tucson Mountain Park | Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum | Sabino Canyon Recreation Area | Titan Missile Museum | Biosphere 2 | Devil’s Bridge Trail | Pipe Organ National Monument | Flagstaff | Alamo Lake | Walnut Canyon National Monument | Montezuma Well National Monument | Kartchner Caverns State Park | Catalina Mountains | Sonoita | Heber Horses | Kitt Peak National Observatory | Meteor Crater Natural Landmark | Seligman | Tombstone | Sunset Crater National Monument | Wupatki National Monument | Mount Lemmon | Yuma | Bisbee | Wilcox Wine Country

Visit the Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm

You probably didn't realize this, but the dry and hot climate of Arizona makes it the perfect place to grow lavender. Lavender farms in Arizona are growing at an exponential rate as more people discover the benefits of this healing herb.

The aroma of lavender can be calming and relaxing but also has been shown to help with stress relief and headaches. Oh, and the farms are beautiful too!

One of my favorite road trips from Phoenix is Pine Creek Lavender Farm in Pine, Arizona. They've been around since the 1900s when they first homesteaded in Pine looking for fertile soil where they might plant crops. The farm has been renovated and is a great family outing. They also have a cooking school and store.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours

Tonto Cliff Dwellings National Monument

The Tonto Cliff Dwellings are located deep in the Superstition Mountains along the Salt River. Ancient Native Americans, the Salado, made their homes high in the cliffs above the life-giving waterway. Today, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam has created Roosevelt Lake in the valley below the Dwellings.

Tonto Cliff Dwellings National Monument is part of the National Park Service and requires a $10 entrance fee or the NPS Annual Pass. There are two sets of cliff dwellings, an Upper and a Lower. The Upper Cliffs require a guided tour that takes 3-4 hours and is available only from November to April.

I have met many people who take this to mean it is not worth visiting during the other times of the year. In fact, the Lower Cliff Dwellings and the Visitor Center are open year-round. The beautiful paved hike (0.5 miles) to the Lower Cliff Dwellings is still well worth the day trip.

Roosevelt Lake at 33 square miles is the largest reservoir entirely within Arizona. After driving through the arid Superstitions, Roosevelt Lake hits your vision like a sparkling mirage. Roosevelt Lake has very limited access and virtually no beaches. It has rocky cliffs for the shoreline and access is limited to a marina. Boating is really the only way to enjoy this body of water.

**Warning: Due to the 2019 Woodbury Fire, the Lower Cliff Dwellings are closed for repair. Be sure to check on the Tonto Cliff Dwellings National Monument website for current updates. **

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Contributed by Janet Frost of Go Learn Things.

Take a Ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad

This is an easy day trip from Phoenix or Flagstaff and can be combined with a trip to Cottonwood, Jerome, or Tuzigoot National Monument. In fact, I recommend hitting Tuzigoot at about 9 or 10 in the morning, spending 1-2 hours there, and then heading to the train.

The train departs at 1 pm and takes you on a 4-hour journey through mostly untouched Verde Valley. The canyons aren’t accessible by car so it’s a great way to see wildlife like eagles and to catch the other flora and fauna along the river.

In the fall check out the Verde Valley Wine Trail and Ales on Rails beer festival on the Verde Canyon Railroad!

If you don't feel like doing the drive, you can do a day trip tour from Phoenix/Scottsdale that will pick you up from your hotel and get you to the train.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Check out my post on my ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad

Tuzigoot National Monument and Dead Horse State Park

This is a beautifully preserved pueblo built by the ancient Sinagua peoples. At one time there were 110 rooms – an entire village! It was architected in the 12th century and sits on a ridge looking over the Verde River Valley.

To get a great view of the monument from a distance, visit Deadhorse State Park and follow Flycatcher Road until the end, and hike on the Marsch horse trail. The hike is beautiful and you will have amazing views. After your hike, have lunch in Cottonwood or Jerome!

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Shop, Eat, and get Spooked in Jerome

This former copper mining town in the Black Hills has a lot going on with numerous streets of preserved buildings transformed into antique shops, restaurants, wineries, and museums. There are hotels including one converted from an old mental hospital that is supposedly haunted!

There is also a mine that is haunted that you can visit if you dare. Don't forget the Jerome State Historic Park which includes Douglas Mansion.

This trip can be combined with a trip to Cottonwood, the Verde Valley train, or Tuzigoot.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

I recommend The Clinksale Hotel if you want to extend your stay.

Visit Watson Lake and Whiskey Row in Prescott

Prescott became one of my favorite towns in Northern Arizona before I was even officially a resident. Unlike Southern Arizona where I lived, Prescott has distinct seasons and cooler weather, making it the perfect day trip from Phoenix. Only 100 miles and you can be in a totally different climate!

Prescott is known as Arizona’s Christmas City because they make a big deal out of the holiday season. The courthouse lighting is a huge event kicking off weeks of caroling and Christmas decorations around the town square.

At other times of the year, there are also fun things to do in Prescott AZ. There are some great lakes scattered around town, which offer excellent hiking trails. Watson Lake is the most popular, with the granite dells offering a unique landscape with hiking and paddling opportunities. Lynx Lake and Goldwater Lake are two other nice lakes near Prescott.

Prescott also has some interesting museums. The Smoki Museum is super intriguing and has many native artifacts and art on display. It’s an eye-opening look at the history of Native Americans in Yavapai County. If you prefer art, the Phippen Museum has Western and Native American art on display and for sale. 

Prescott also has a great restaurant scene with lots of options. For an old-timey saloon experience on Whiskey Row, the Palace has pretty good food. Raven Cafe and the Barley Hound also have good food in a more modern atmosphere and Prescott Station is a good choice for more upscale dining.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours!

Contributed by Leigh Wilson of Campfires & Concierges, photo from Mr. Misadventures.

Prescott makes an excellent weekend getaway! If you love vintage or retro decor then you must check out The Motor Lodge!

Check out the beautiful Red Rock Formations in Sedona

One of the most popular day trips from Phoenix is undoubtedly visiting the town of Sedona. Sedona is on just about every visitor's bucket list because it is absolutely gorgeous no matter what time of the year you visit.

Located about a 2-hour drive from Phoenix along the I-17 highway, there is plenty to keep you occupied if you are spending one day in Sedona. You can also take a more scenic route up the state route 87/87 highway that allows you to enjoy a stop at Tonto Natural Bridge.

A great way to start your day is by tackling one of the many hiking trails that exist in Sedona. There are trails to suit all levels of experience such as the popular Devil’s Bridge Trail, Slide Rock Park, or the more challenging West Fork Trail that requires a number of river crossings. Alternatively, you can also my favorite hike to one of the many famous vortexes such as Cathedral Rock.

After hiking, take the time to explore central Sedona where there are plenty of interesting new-age shops selling items like healing crystals as well as a number of artisan shops with great products and a gift shop with souvenirs. In the evening, make sure to take the time to enjoy the stunning Sedona sunsets from a place like the Airport Mesa Viewpoint.

All in all, Sedona is one of the best day trips in Arizona that truly has something for everybody to enjoy! If you are heading from Sedona Flagstaff, don't miss the Oak Creek Canyon which many people refer to as a mini Grand Canyon.

If you don't feel like doing the drive, you can do a day trip tour from Phoenix/Scottsdale that will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Sedona and back.

Recommended tours: Sedona: Scenic Rim Pink Jeep Tour and Red Rock West 2-Hour Jeep Tour from Sedona. I also like the Canyons & Cowboys: 2-Hour Jeep Tour from Sedona.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Contributed by Michael Rozenblit of The World Was Here First, photo from Mr. Misadventures.

There are so many amazing hotels to stay in that it is really hard to recommend one! I have stayed at the L'Auberge de Sedona several times and it is dreamy!

Drive Along the Red Rock Scenic Byway

The Red Rock Scenic Byway in Arizona makes a perfect road trip from Phoenix. This impressive byway begins as you head north on Arizona Highway 179 towards the town of Oak Creek and finishes just south of the new-age town of Sedona. It's a short drive but this incredibly scenic road follows 7.5 miles on the southwest edge of the Colorado Plateau winding through Coconino National Forest.

It’s a byway you’ll want to stop and explore on foot as well as drive and there are many hiking and biking trails and famous Vortexes to discover within the iconic rust-red scenery. Cactus, yucca, and wildflowers grow throughout the landscape of towering red rocks and buttes and the creek at Oak Creek is a good place for a picnic and a cool down.

Highlights include Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Chapel of the Holy Cross as well as hoodoos, canyons, and natural bridges in the rock. Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock are known for their vortexes and many people visit to meditate and soak up the energies. Regardless of your views on Vortexes, Red Rock Scenic Byway has some fabulous trails to discover.

At some of the parking sites, you'll need to pay $5 per car for a Red Rock Pass but there are free weekends throughout the year. Don’t forget to take plenty of water, sunscreen and, of course, your camera.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Contributed by Suzanne Jones of The Travelbunny

Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park is centered around Oak Creek flowing through the park. As the name suggests, it is one giant natural water slide that becomes an extremely popular destination in hot months. Half a mile of Oak Creek within the Park’s boundaries is open for swimming and sliding.

This place is continuously being voted one of the top 10 swimming holes in the country. You just need to exercise caution as the surface of the boulders in the creek is very slippery. However, Slide Rock State Park is not just for water fun.

The area around the park is very beautiful with majestic red cliffs. There are a couple of short hiking trails in the area and it is a good location for wildlife encounters but I would say you have a better chance to see the wildlife in cold months when there are fewer people in the park. Trout fishing is also allowed upstream from the sliding area.

In addition, a visit to Slide Rock is a trip down history lane. This area used to be a homestead with an apple orchard a century ago so you can see the historic homestead house, cabins, and antique agricultural equipment in the park. Apples are still grown in the park by Oak Creek Apple Company and you can get yourself some apples while in the park. Harvest Time festival is a great opportunity to visit the area.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Contributed by Tatiana Sorokina of Family Road Trip Guru

Mogollon Rim

The Grand Canyon is amazing and a natural wonder of the world for a reason, but if you want to see stunning views across hundreds of miles of Arizona without the crowds, then you want to see Mogollon Rim.

The Rim, rising 2,000 feet from the desert floor to a pine forest, is striking. It is often referred to as an escarpment which is just a fancy word for a cliff at the edge of a plateau and while this spot is the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau, it is so much more than that! There are expansive views for miles rising from between 4,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation at the base to as high as 8,000 feet at the edge.

You can drive along the Rim Road and Forest Road 300 and look out into the blue sky for hundreds of miles to the south while taking in the intoxicating scent of forest pine. There is a paved Rim Vista Trail that winds about 2 miles along the edge of the rim which you can access the trail from the parking lot.  There is also the Railroad Tunnel Trail, a moderate trail that takes you along the East Verde stream.

There is lots of hiking, camping, and fishing in several small lakes on the Rim.  The area is home to large herds of elk and deer that can be seen on your drive.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Take on Tucson

One of my favorite spots in the state! And a frequent day trip from Phoenix as it is a short two-hour drive. I also highly recommend a weekend here!

You can spend the day visiting the city plus Tucson Mountain Park, Sonoran Desert Museum, and Xavier Mission. A little further away (maybe better to do if you are staying the weekend) are Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon, Titan Missile Museum, and Biosphere 2.

I love the combination of cultures in Tucson – Sonoran, Mexican, Western, and a lot more – and I find that the people of Tucson are extremely open and friendly. It's a college town full of students and academics, but also military and missile and space.

The city is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy – the first one in the US – so as you can imagine, the food scene is amazing! In my opinion, it has the best restaurants in Arizona! Don't miss checking out Picacho Peak State Park on the way to Tucson from Phoenix, a great spot to see wildflowers in the spring.

Here is a free printable checklist of things to do in Tucson.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

My favorite hotels in Tucson are the Downtown Clifton Hotel and the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort.

Prepare for Takeoff at the Pima Air & Space Museum

The best place to get your space and airplane geek on! Not only does the Pima Air & Space Museum have great interactive exhibits and films but you can climb on, over, and around planes! Real actual retired planes and spacecraft!

There are over 300 aircraft spread out over 80 acres. The site is actually bigger, a total of 127 acres, with the additional pieces accessible by bus only. But you get to see an airplane boneyard and more military planes.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

More on my visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum.

Tucson Mountain Park

Tucson Mountain Park is a lot of things. It is a scenic byway where you have an opportunity to see the Sonoran desert. It is a park with hiking (the 6-mile Brown Mountain loop trail is a favorite hike of mine), biking (lots of mountain biking trails here), camping, fishing, horseback riding, and even an archery range. But most people know it for Gates Pass, one of the best spots for seeing the sunset in the Tucson area.

People gather nightly to catch that orange glow and Mr. Misadventures and I have done it several times. Whether watching from the parking lot or on top of the hill, it is magnificent. We have also picnicked many times in this park, there are several nice shaded picnic areas.  The park covers 20,000 acres – lots of it with saguaro given its proximity to Saguaro National Park.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

This is another favorite of Mr. Misadventures and me, so much so that we became members on our first visit (of course single-day tickets are always available!) and we go back often. We love visiting this outdoor museum but we have also taken part in classes and excursions like a saguaro harvest with a Tohono Oʼodham family and a prickly pear harvest around the museum.

I never tire of this park. We always have a great time here. There is something to see every season, we particularly love visiting the hummingbirds, taking in the raptor flight, and the javelinas in the botanical gardens. My favorite time is in the fall when there are literally thousands of monarch butterflies migrating through the area.

They have a restaurant on site that prepares dishes from locally sourced and regional foods. If you take classes as we did, the lunch is usually catered by them and I have had the opportunity to taste really unique dishes with foraged ingredients.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Want an opportunity to see an owl in the wild? A day trip from Phoenix to Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is one of the best spots to do that! Whether it is a burrowing owl (like the photo below) or a great horned owl, this park has quite a community of these creatures. There are many feathered friends that make this area of ravines nestled into the Catalina Mountains home.

It is a great spot for hiking, and there are no vehicles allowed (except the tram which after being shut down for a while is back up and running) so you have to hike the 3+ miles in. You will feel like you are in a desert oasis given all the water and well, green, but you are most definitely still in the desert!

If you visit in the spring you will see a wonderful collection of wildflowers, and in the fall the waterfalls and swimming pools are flowing and brimming from the monsoon season. There are trails of all shapes and sizes.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Titan Missile Museum

The space geek in you will enjoy a visit to the Titan Missile Museum, a former ICBM missile site outside of Tucson. You can tour the facility (note, make reservations online ahead of time (even if you have a Southern Arizona attractions discount pass!), this is a very popular spot, we learned this the hard way!) and the missile silo along with getting a bit of history of what it was like to grow up or live in the U.S. during the cold war.

My favorite part is imagining Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard filming here for Star Trek: First Contact as the facility was used for scenes for the first warp prototype, the Phoenix!

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Biosphere 2

If you are part of Generation X or earlier you might remember the 1991 news item about 8 people living in a biosphere for two years. I certainly do! People now make fun of it, and it supposedly was the predecessor to Big Brother, but I think it is fascinating. And you can actually visit Biosphere 2, a science research facility run by the University of Arizona.

The 3-acre glass building and domes house seven model ecosystems that are part of active research projects. Besides being a research facility it is open for tours to educate people about Earth sciences. The tour is a little over an hour (both indoor and outdoor) with about 150 steps, so probably not something you want to do in the heat of the summer, but a nice visit during the other seasons.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours.

Take an Iconic Photo at Devil's Bridge Trail

The Devil’s Bridge has become one of the most iconic photo spots in Arizona. There are a couple of different trails to reach the bridge, but the most commonly used is the 3.6-mile return option which has an elevation gain of just over 100m. The trail itself is not the prettiest you’ll find in the Sedona area, but it still has those red rock views and pretty forested sections that make this area special.

The hike itself is easy and is mostly on a wide, flat dirt road (you can actually drive the majority of the trail if you have a 4×4 and can nab a space in the tiny car park) before you reach the final leg where you will start ascending. You will climb on a mixture of uphill slopes and rugged stairs, but you are rewarded along the way with the start of some sensational views.

Once you hit the top, you’ll be greeted with the scene you’ve probably seen in hundreds of photos and it’s every bit as amazing as you might imagine. Luckily the bridge is nowhere near as narrow as it looks in pictures so – unless you get vertigo – walking across it won’t be anywhere near as terrifying as it looks! You’re unlikely to have this spot to yourself, but everyone was great at allowing people to get their individual shots. Very early in the morning is the quietest time to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Contributed by Cat of Walk My World.

Pipe Organ National Monument

Pipe Organ National Monument is a great scenic drive from Phoenix. If you want to see classic Sonoran desert landscapes, take Highway 85. At this national monument, you’ll see the unique cacti that gave the park its name by the hundreds! Take a break in Ajo on your way in or out of the park.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Visit Flagstaff for the Day

There is so much to do in Flagstaff that I recommend at least a weekend but you can see some cool stuff in a day as well. It’s generally much cooler in Flagstaff and we escape here often in the summer!

Besides its proximity to the Grand Canyon (south rim), you’ve got Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, Lowell Observatory, Riordan Mansion, and much, much more including Route 66! There are tons of festivals – food, art, music – going on throughout the year to check out for the day.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Go Fishing, Swimming, or Boating at Alamo Lake

Alamo Lake State Park is nestled between the Alamo and Black Mesa Mountains and Alamo Lake lies at its center. Alamo Lake itself was created in 1902 when the Bureau of Reclamation began building a dam to provide water for irrigation systems as well as hydroelectricity.

It is now a popular destination for fishing, boating, and water skiing. It has two campgrounds that allow access to the lake. Alamo Lake State Park Recreation Area, which encompasses both Alamo Lake and Alamo River as well as a large expanse of desert wilderness surrounding the lake.

Recreational activities at Alamo Lake State Park include hunting, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and boating. There are two ways to get there from Phoenix: I-10 and Highway 60. Highway 60 is a little more scenic and you have the opportunity to stop in Wickenburg!

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument is located near Flagstaff and is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Phoenix making it one of the perfect day trips from Phoenix.

Walnut Canyon is probably one of the most underrated sites in Arizona. Not only is the canyon beautiful, but the history and culture of this area are very interesting to see. Walnut Canyon National Monument preserves some of the Native American culture's earliest history.

The incredible Native American ruins are surprisingly intact and preserved. Along the trails in the canyon, you can see the cliff dwelling of the Sinagua people dating back to around 1200 AD.

The most popular hike here is the one-mile Island Trail but be warned it is steep in some places and starts off going up 250 stairs. There is also an easy .7 mile hike called the Rim Trail.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Contributed by Nicole LaBarge of Travelgal Nicole, photo provided by me.

Montezuma Well National Monument

Montezuma Well National Monument is different and separate from the Montezuma Castle National Monument (people often get them confused) and is a natural limestone sinkhole near the town of Rimrock. The area is so green because more than 1 million gallons of water flow through the well, its source is still a mystery to scientists!

It is an ecosystem in its own right. There are species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world and thankfully it is protected as a national monument. Given its verdant nature, there are tons of wildlife including migrating birds along with the local residents.

To access the water there is a 1/2 mile loop trail from the parking lot. You will also see several stone cliff dwellings built by Sinagua.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Spelunk at Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns is a fun day trip from Phoenix with the most amazing discovery story ever. In 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts discovered Kartchner Caverns and kept it secret for nearly two decades. Finally, they arranged to sell it to the state so its beauty could be protected for generations to come.

The state did its job too. There's an elaborate entry tunnel and air circulation system, so the cave remains unchanged after becoming public.

The cave offers two tours, the Throne Room Tour and the Big Room Tour. The Throne Room Tour features Kubla Khan, the largest column formation in Arizona. Some purists don't like the synchronized sound and light show in the throne room, but I thought it was pretty cool. This tour is available year-round.

The Big Room Tour is only available from mid-October through mid-April because the passage is closed for migratory bats. This tour has colorful formations and a little more narration.

The Whetstone Mountains are home to another tourist cave — sort of. The Sonora Desert Museum cave is modeled after another secret cave somewhere in the mountains. Who knows if this one will ever become public?

There is a small campground at Kartchner and some short hikes too, but the real attraction is the cave. The park is just a little south of Benson off I-10. Cave tours are $23.00 per person.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Contributed by Ed Coleman of Coleman Concierge

Hiking the Catalina Mountains

You might not know this about Tucson, but there's a ski resort high in the mountains above town. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, you can climb up the backside through the village of Oracle. The more traditional route is up the paved road heading up from Tucson.

Once you reach the top, there is a fantastic little loop hike out Aspen Trail and Marshal Gulch. It's a 4.4-mile loop through the cool pine trees that leaves you plenty of time to get cookies or pie in Summerhaven.

The mountain tops also create one of nature's wonders, water flowing through the desert. There are two main hikes with water in Tucson, Sabino Canyon, and Romero Pools. Technically, both Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon have water in them and are part of the Sabino Canyon Park.

Hiking Bear Canyon to Seven Falls is actually a much nicer trail because Sabino Canyon has a tramway that runs the entire length of the stream. It's an 8-mile hike with 500′ of elevation gain, but you can take the tram and cut half the distance off.

Romero Pools is a 6-mile out and back with a little more elevation gain (900′) and less water, but you'll also have a lot fewer people. What's more, the trail goes through the natural desert the entire way instead of hiking alongside the tram road.

Also, the trailhead is about 1/2 hour closer to Phoenix since it leaves out of Catalina State Park. Hiking Tucson can be every bit as lush and green as heading north, with a lot better restaurants to eat in when you get back to your car.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Contributed by Ed Coleman of Coleman Concierge

Sonoita

Sonoita is known for 2 things: amazing birding and delicious wine. You can go winetasting in Cottonwood, but if you like to taste your wine at the source, Sonoita is where you want to be! They also produce hops for beer!

This wine region has been active for a little over 40 years with ranches and farms going back generations to the 1830s, a lot of them converted to lodging or wineries these days. The soil composition is similar to that of Burgundy, France.

This little area has more than 10 wineries producing really good wine. We have had the opportunity to try several at local Phoenix festivals and restaurants.

Besides wine, there are other interesting things to do including visiting the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area where you can see Empire Ranch historical buildings and landscape (something I was completely unfamiliar with), and the Sonoita Creek-Patagonia area which is a birding mecca.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Catch the Heber Horses

Before I moved to the Phoenix area I was completely unaware there were still wild horses in the U.S. When I first moved here, Mr. Misadventures and I happened upon the documentary, Unbranded about 4 friends who take wild mustangs on a 3,000-mile journey from Mexico to Canada.

When we moved to Phoenix we learned about the wild Salt River horses in the area and have sought them out there a few times (along with many adventures to see the wild burros), but I only recently became aware of another family of wild horses called Heber Horses which live in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests amongst the ponderosa pines near the White Mountains.

They are currently protected by several federal and state laws, but there is a debate on what the environmental impact is on land management issues, including competition for food with cattle and other animals.

For now, they are still protected and absolutely stunning, worth a trip to seek them out.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Kitt Peak National Observatory

Because of its Southern location, Arizona has more astronomical observatories than any other state. (It's one of the best things about Arizona!) And lucky for you, there are several open to the public including Kitt Peak. In fact, Kitt Peak has the largest accumulation of telescopes in the world, 24 in all!

They offer two or three different tours a day (depending on the day) and they are well worth the trip up the Quinlan Mountains. It is on Tohono O'odham Nation land and is an active site where professional astronomers work.

Besides the tours, they have a nighttime program that you can experience along with astrophotography weekends. If you don't do any of the tours you can still do a self-guided walk on the campus. There are picnic areas as well.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark

You can add this to a trip to Flagstaff or the Petrified Forest National Park. The crater was formed when an asteroid hit the Earth 50,000 years ago. It's also where some of the Apollo astronauts trained for moon landings.

Inside the building are a museum and theater. Outside, if the wind isn’t blowing like a hurricane you can do a guided rim tour which is pretty cool.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Seligman

Seligman is a fantastic little town along Route 66 with a history made for the movies. Literally. The 2006 animated Pixar film Cars got its inspiration for Radiator Springs from Seligman and the struggles endured when the Highway bypassed the town. It’s back on the map now though, with plenty of souvenirs for everyone!

From the moment you first enter the town, you’ll get a sense of its quirkiness. It’s like a blast from the past with nostalgic memorabilia everywhere you look. One of the best places to stop for a bite to eat is Delgadillo’s Snow Cap restaurant. You’ll find the usual menu of cheeseburgers, fries, and ice cream here, but it’s anything but normal.

It’s full of wackiness, from the crazy decor in front of the building to the real-life versions of the characters from the Cars movie out back. (Don’t be surprised if the employees pull a practical joke on you, either.)

When they say “Get your kicks on Route 66,” they definitely had Seligman, Arizona in mind!

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Contributed by Karee, Our Woven Journey

Fill up on Wild West History in Tombstone

All the Western greats can be found in Tombstone! Wyatt Earp and “Doc” Holliday became household names in this town. The rough and tumble O.K. Corral, Bird Cage Theatre, and lots of western paraphernalia are so fun to see and experience!

Check out a western shootout, and the court museum, and have lunch (and a whiskey!) at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon on the main street. Plus you can't miss spotting cowboys and criminals with some pretty strange names at Boothill Cemetery.

If you don't feel like doing the drive, you can do a day trip tour from Phoenix/Scottsdale that will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tombstone and back with a stop in Bisbee. Or combine Tombstone with San Xavier del Bac.

Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Sunset Crater National Monument

Sunset Crater National Monument is a 3,000-acre park of lava fields, cinder deposits, and archaeological ruins, oh, and the youngest of the Colorado Plateau volcanoes!

Sunset and a few other craters are just one part of the San Francisco volcanic field in the San Francisco Peak Mountains. The lava flows and cinder rocks are frozen in time with layers of greens and flowers covering many parts and pieces. It is a bit surreal to think that things this beautiful can grow on lava!

There are several trails you can walk to see some of the lava flows including some leading to caverns. You can drive through the park, there are even offroad trails (you need a 4×4) and lots of picnic areas under the trees – Mr. Misadventures and I often stop here for a quick lunch on road trips further north.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours.

Wupatki National Monument

As you exit the ponderosa highlands of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and start driving into the Painted Desert you will find Wupatki National Monument and its beautifully preserved Anasazi and Sinagua ruins.

This ancestral Puebloan site covers 5 sites spread out amongst the prairies. These mysterious but brilliant people are the ancestors of the Hopi and Zuni people and lived amid red rocks trading and farming. The monument is quite beautiful to see at sunset.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours.

Mount Lemmon

This is a favorite escape for many Tuscon residents, cool in the summer and skiing in the winter, but it is still within reach as a day trip from Phoenix. I particularly love it in the fall, not only for the autumn leaf-changing (late October) but also for the Monarch butterfly migration – there are thousands of them in September!

There are lots of hiking trails and campgrounds (book early!) and a little ski town with a hotel and restaurant, but the real beauty is the drive into the Santa Catalina Mountains and into the Coronado National Forest. Its elevation is 8,000 and is considered a dark sky site (there is also an observatory at the top that you can visit during very obscure times).

On the weekends it is a popular spot for biking – I personally think you have to be a little crazy to bike up a mountain and then coast down at crazy speeds, but if you are into that you will not be alone!

No matter what you choose to do on Mount Lemmon (named after the first woman to climb it) it will be an enjoyable day! (Pro tip: do not speed on this road, there is a super vigilant police officer who actually lives on the mountain and is very dedicated to making sure you obey the speed laws.)

Recommended tour: 4-Hour Guided Tour of Mount Lemmon.

There is also programming throughout the year at the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center Observatory.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours.

Experience some California Gold Rush Arizona-style in Yuma

Yuma is located in the southwestern corner of Arizona, just a few miles from the California-Arizona state line. Anyone who lives in San Diego or Phoenix knows Yuma as a halfway point between the two cities.

Yuma is a city with an interesting past and was a true Wild West town of cowboys, brothels, gambling, and gunfights during the California Gold Rush. Start in historic downtown where you'll find Lutes Casino, which is now a restaurant, but where gambling took place from 1912 to 1920. Today they are famous for their funky decor and potato tacos.

Visit Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park during your time in Yuma. It was actually built by its first prisoners and opened in 1876. It is now a museum and free to tour.

The Confluence of the Colorado and Gila Rivers happens in Yuma, which makes for great tubing! If you visit from late spring to early fall, a float down the Colorado River is a must. These are just a few of the things you can do in Yuma. Trust me, it's a great day trip in Arizona!

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours

Contributed by Alexa Meisler of 52 Perfect Days

Visit the Quirky Mining Town of Bisbee

Bisbee is a mining town located in the Mule Mountains. (You didn't realize there are so many mountains in Arizona, right?) You can check out the town's museum and exhibits to learn about its copper-and-silver-mining past.

While visiting retro downtown you'll notice a lot of “Lowell” signs along Erie Street. Lowell was a mining town incorporated into Bisbee in the early 1900s. There are a lot of vintage cars and a cute gas station, fun for photos, it's very Americana!

The town considers itself a “free-spirited place,” people come for the thriving arts/music scene and the up-and-coming hospitality with dining, lodging, and even cute Airbnbs.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours.

Wilcox Wine Country

The Willcox wine region makes for such a fun day trip from Phoenix. This up-and-coming wine region is responsible for producing 75% of Arizona’s wine grapes. Located in the southeastern part of the state, wine tasting here ranges from $8-$15. You can even bring your own glass for a discount.

To visit this area, you will need a car to get around. Also, do not visit in the summer as it will be very hot. The tasting rooms are mainly open on the weekend and some are reservation only, so make sure to double-check before you head out there.

One of the best wineries is Bodega Pierce Vineyard. Here you get 6 tastings for $12. In total, they make 12 different types of wine with the Pandora being one of their most popular. Another good option is Strive Vineyards. They make some very unique and less well-known varietals. The Picpoul Blanc was worth trying as well as their Aglianico.

Even if you are not big on wine tasting, you can head to a few of the National Park sites in the area for some hiking. Nearby are Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Chiricahua National Monument.

At Fort Bowie, you have to hike a 1.5-mile trail to get into the park and you will see an old outpost of the US army. The 12,000-acre Chiricahua National Monument offers a collection of hoodoos and balancing rocks. No matter what, a visit to Willcox makes for a fun day!

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours.

Contributed by Francesca, Homeroom Travel.

Back to the Top

Day trips from Phoenix between 3 and 4 hours

Jump to these day trips between 3 and 4 hours from Phoenix: Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town | Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Havasu | The Shady Dell | Red Rock Lavender Ranch | Petrified Forest National Park | Chiricahua National Monument | Imperial Sand Dunes | Verde River Hot Springs | Route 66 and See the Burros in Oatman | Grand Canyon National Park | Coal Mine Canyon | Page | Navajo Bridge

Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town

Next to Yuma Proving Ground and within Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is a piece of Arizona history. The Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town is a unique destination that gives visitors a taste of life in the 1800s.

Named for a prominent rock formation, Castle Dome City had been the site of the longest-running mines in Arizona. In its heyday, it was bigger than Yuma, with a population of more than 3,000 people. With about 300 mines, for a short time, there was plenty of work for everyone.

There are two parts to the museum: Castle Dome City and the Mining District. All told, there is about fifty buildings total, and there is so much memorabilia that the only thing missing is the miners, shopkeepers, and families. There are both original buildings and recreations, and the artifacts are authentic, although they may not have been found on-site.

There’s a hotel, a saloon, a blacksmith, and machine shops, a schoolhouse, an assay shop, and more. Since some of the mines were open until 1979, there’s even a 50s-era diner and a 1960 trailer. In the mining district, you can see some of the old Spanish mines, dug centuries before the settlers arrived.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Contributed by Theresa L. Goodrich of The Local Tourist.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park sits in the middle of two southern California deserts. Just under 4 hours from Phoenix to the southern park entrance, it's the perfect national park day trip.

The park is known for its namesake: the Joshua trees. These long-living, prickly trees are cousins of the agave plant. In Joshua Tree National Park, many of the trees are over 150 years old! But you'll find more here than just Joshua Trees. The national park is also home to unique desert cacti, enormous boulders, and bucket-list rock climbing and hiking.

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is in late fall or early spring. These shoulder months bring cooler temperatures, perfect for outdoor adventures and camping. Upon arrival, you'll need to pay a $30 park entry fee at the entrance station or use your national park pass.

One of the best ways to explore Joshua Tree National Park is on a hike. Don't miss popular trails like Hidden Valley, Ryan Mountain, and Barker Dam.

Other must-do activities include sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden and wandering amongst the Joshua Trees on Park Boulevard. The best way to end your day trip to Joshua Tree is with sunset at Keys View. From here, you can overlook the expansive valley and see Palm Springs in the distance.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Contributed by Julia of Well Planned Journey.

Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu City is a hidden gem in the west of Arizona, which is famous among retirees and for its London bridge, and the city setting matches the English culture in many ways. Lake Havasu is a perfect destination for a day trip from Phoenix or even a weekend staycation.

Lake Havasu also has lighthouses that give it an island vibe. The lake is on the border of California and has a counterpart lake in California called Havasu Lake on the other side.

Lake Havasu hosts a stunning California beach vibe where you can swim, take boat tours and enjoy a wide variety of watersports in almost any weather. Lake Havasu not only has lake and water attractions but also multiple hiking trails in the Sonoran desert.

Outdoor adventure sports like mountain biking are very popular here. There are two main state parks here as well- Lake Havasu State Park and Cattail Cove State Park.

Lake Havasu provides a mix of experiences from multiple places in one city – the English vibe, the island vibe, the Californian beach vibe, and last but not least the Arizonian desert vibe. Lake Havasu is a great destination to include in an Arizona to California road trip, which is almost equally distanced from multiple destinations like Grand Canyon, Sedona, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Contributed by Jumana, Planet Hopper Girl.

The Shady Dell

Step back in time—over 70 years in fact—at The Shady Dell is a vintage RV park in Bisbee, Arizona. Located about a three-hour drive southeast of Phoenix airport, The Shady Dell rents 13 vintage trailers from the 1940s and 1950s. Appropriate for an overnight stay for a couple (or solo traveler), the park would be a blast for a group of friends or as a wedding or event destination.

Each vintage camper is authentically decorated in original or appropriate reproductions—including record players (with appropriate vinyl discs), decor (dishes, curtains, bedding), and original fixtures (heaters, bathrooms, ovens, etc.).

It is actually fun to experiment with a heating unit that is 70 years old while playing a 78 record on the turntable. The campsite might be adorned with plastic pink flamingos, artificial grass, old-school lawn chairs, and/or other appropriate touches.

The 1947 Tiki Bus is one of the most popular units and just exudes funness. Other vintage RVs include a 1947 yacht, a 1955 Airstream, and ten other unique and interesting campers. Some have enclosed bathrooms but even the onsite community bathroom/shower area feels like a time warp. Look for the nuclear fallout shelter instructions sheet in the laundry area.

Each vintage trailer has a refrigerator but no cooking is permitted in any of them. A couple of grills are on the property. Dot's Diner serves up onion rings, burgers, omelets, milkshakes, ice cream floats, and other classic diner grub. The owners are also currently working on a historic boutique property called Gulch Hotel in the downtown Bisbee entertainment district.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Contributed by Charles, McCool Travel.

Check out the Red Rock Lavender Ranch

Arizona is often thought of as a desert state with cacti and prickly pear plants. However, there are many beautiful sights to see in this region that don't involve sand. One example is the Red Rock Lavender Farm located near Concho. Besides the farm, there is a vineyard too!

The ranch has a big festival in the summer so definitely add it to your itinerary if you are visiting during June. Red Rock Ranch was the first commercial lavender grower in the state. They began with their first field in 1998 and they now have over 35,000 plants!

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Petrified Forest National Park

This national park could be part of a weekend trip to Flagstaff or a solo trip. You’ll find amazing petrified wood and rocks in awesome shapes sizes and colors, some of them are truly unbelievable. Look and touch but don’t take!

There are nice easy walks and hikes at all levels and a historic piece of Route 66 runs through. Also, stop in at Winslow for some Eagles memories and a peek inside La Posada hotel, they’ve got great coffee!

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Check out my post on my visit to Petrified Forest National Park.

Chiricahua National Monument

Mr. Misadventures loves his rock formations and Chiricahua National Monument is known as the “Wonderland of Rocks” and “Land of Standing Up Rocks” because there are rocks on tops of rocks on top of rocks, a photographer's dream!

There are pristine monolithic rocks including Totem Pole, the Mushroom, and Big Balanced Rock. It also has 17 miles of day-use hiking trails beside the 8-mile scenic drive. It is a bit out of the way but that only means you have unspoiled views and tons of wildlife like javelinas, wild turkeys, deer, and maybe if you are lucky the elusive coatimundi.

There is a unique ecosystem here as the park sits at the intersection of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts, the southern Rocky Mountains, and the northern Sierra Madres in Mexico. If you are interested in learning more about pioneer life, there is a homestead, the Faraway Ranch, that offers daily tours of the house. There are campgrounds there and picnic tables as well.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Imperial Sand Dunes

If you love off-road vehicles like dune buggies, ATVs, or dirt bikes, then a trip to the Imperial Sand Dunes is well worth the drive. They are the perfect day trip from Phoenix or a great stop on your drive from San Diego to Phoenix. These are the largest sand dunes in California and stretch for about 40 miles through the desert.

The closest towns are Brawley, CA, or Yuma, AZ where you can rent a dune buggy for the day. If you’ve never been off-roading then you may want to take an ATV or dune buggy riding tour instead of heading out on your own. This will include all the equipment you need, permits, and you’ll have a knowledgeable guide showing you around while you’re there.

If you choose to go the DIY route then you’ll have to purchase your own permit. Currently, permits are required from October 1 to April 15. Purchase them ahead of time as they are much cheaper when you purchase in advance!

If the thought of off-roading makes you a little nervous then you can also explore the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness. No vehicle traffic is allowed in this section and you can walk among the tallest dunes in the area. There are no labeled trails though since these are shifting sand dunes. For a fun adventure outdoors the Imperial Sand Dunes are a must!

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Contributed by Chelsey from Chelsey Explores

Soak that body in the Verde River Hot Springs

Nothing better after a day of exploring than soaking those muscles in a mineral hot spring! The Verde River Hot Springs is an excellent place to soak up the sun and relax.

Around 20 miles east of Camp Verde, you will find a natural spring or hot mineral water source that has been preserved since ancient times. Also, you can see ruins left behind from a former resort built in 1884 by miners and American Indians as well as an old bathhouse that is now a historical landmark.

Distance from Phoenix: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Drive Route 66 and See the Burros in Oatman

There are some great pieces of Route 66 accessible as day trips from Phoenix, but one of my favorites is Oatman. It's a historic mining town in the Black Mountains (some curvy roads to get there!).

The unique thing about this town is its sense of humor. They have an annual Oatman Sidewalk Egg Frying Contest where – you guessed it – it's so hot they fry eggs!

And the other quirky thing is its burros. These prized but ornery citizens are sons and daughters of the original inhabitants – working mules that hauled loads from the mines. They hang around town and you can feed them and photograph them as you visit. The town is inhabited and the locals are friendly.

Recommended tour: Historic Oatman Mining Town and Route 66 Experience.

Distance from Phoenix: 4 hours.

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is Arizona’s main attraction and likely something you want to see in more than just a day. But it absolutely can be done as a day trip from Phoenix. It may be a long day but you can do it!

You can hike, bike, camp, and picnic or have a meal at the lodge. For longer visits, you can take the train from Williams, stay in the lodge, or river raft, and do longer hiking excursions. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and worth checking off the list.

For a longer trip with fewer people, think about visiting the North Rim, it is pretty spectacular as well.

I recommend having a National Park Pass to visit.

If you don't feel like doing the drive, you can do a day trip tour from Phoenix/Scottsdale that will pick you up from your hotel and take you back.

Distance from Phoenix: 4 hours.

Coal Mine Canyon

Coal Mine Canyon is located in the Painted Desert outside of Tuba City. Its remote, dirt-road location means you will have stunning rock formations – hoodoos and spires – all to yourself.

There are no real signs that point the way, you need to have directions and know where you are going. Since it sits within the Navajo Nation, you will need to get a permit before visiting the canyon (although I think the vast majority of people don't do this). You can get one off of the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation website or at the Visitor's Center in Cameron.

One of the best hikes is to hike down as long as you book a tour with a Hopi Guide (the site sits on the Navajo/Hopi border). The colors are phenomenal oranges, reds, and black from the coal – a lot of people attribute the colors and formations to Bryce Canyon. This spot has not been seen or experienced by very many people and is well worth the adventure to seek it out.

Distance from Phoenix: 4 hours.

Page – Gateway to Recreation

One of the best road trips from Phoenix is to the city of Page. This town is filled with incredible landscape views such as Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell. 

One of the most asked questions when it comes to visiting this region is if they should experience either Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon. I feel like everyone should experience both. Both canyons are different when it comes to shapes and lighting. Upper Antelope Canyon is narrow at the top while wider at the bottom, while Lower Antelope Canyon is wider at the top and narrow at the bottom. This provides two wonderfully different experiences. 

Another great area to explore is the world-famous Horseshoe Bend. People all over the world come to Page just to get a glimpse of this canyon. The trail is 1.3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 200 feet. The path is extremely easy and is very crowded. But luckily the area to view Horseshoe Bend is vast, so you won't feel like it is too crowded. A great way to enjoy this area is to watch either the sunrise or the sunset.

Distance from Phoenix: 4 hours.

Contributed by Michelle Stelly of The Wandering Queen, photo provided by me.

Cross the Historic Navajo Bridge over Marble Canyon

Take a stroll across the historic Navajo Bridge for spectacular views of Marble Canyon’s reddish limestone walls. The 9th highest bridge in the United States, Navajo Bridge consists of two steel arches spanning the Colorado River at a dizzying height of 470 feet.

Constructed in 1929, the first Navajo Bridge was eventually replaced with a more modern structure in 1995. Today, visitors can walk across the original bridge span while admiring the canyon views, as well as the majestic California Condors, soaring overhead.

Located 4 hours north of Phoenix on Highway 89A, the bridge is just one of many scenic wonders on the Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway. Stretching from Bitter Springs, Arizona to Kanab, Utah, this scenic road parallels a spectacular shelf of towering walls that form Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

After crossing the bridge, be sure to continue west along the scenic highway to get the best views of these impressive red cliffs.

For more information about the bridge and the area’s history, be sure to stop at the Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center on the western side of the canyon. Additional attractions in the area include Old Cliff Dwellers Lodge and Stone House as well as some unusual rock formations.

Lee’s Ferry is also located nearby on the banks of the Colorado River. It’s the only place in Marble Canyon where visitors can drive to the river’s edge. Lee’s Ferry provides swimming and fishing access as well as a campground and miles of hiking trails.

Distance from Phoenix: 4 hours.

Contributed by Katy Shaw of A Rambling Unicorn.

Get Your Cowboy on at Arizona Rodeos

Rodeos are a year-round activity in Arizona. Depending on the time of year you are in Phoenix, you can catch several truly entertaining, tried and true cowboy (and girl!) rodeos nearby or as a day trip. Catch the oldest in Prescott in June or the other oldest in Payson in May. Or Tucson in February or Scottsdale in March. Wild West is fun for everyone!

Distance from Phoenix: varies.

Not bad for 2 years of day trips (of course you'll notice I had a few friends share some of their recommendations for some spots that I haven't been to yet or don't have photos for) and can you believe that there are more to discover? I will keep adding to this collection as I find new spots and hopefully, you will help me add to this list as well!

Visiting the Valley of the Sun gives you plenty of opportunity for short day trips from Phoenix and this list of more than 60 proves it!

Here is my free printable checklist with these day trips from Phoenix.

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If you are planning any day trips or road trips from Phoenix, you may want to check out these posts as well. I am certain they will come in handy!

• Things to do in Phoenix – all the activities I didn't mention in this post as they are under 1 hour including trips to Camelback Mountain, the botanical gardens, and more.
• What to do in Phoenix in the Summertime
• Phoenix’s Best Ice Cream
• Best Tamales in Phoenix
• Hotel recommendations: Mountain Shadows Resort, The Hermosa Inn, and Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

And of course, here are 7 things to bring on any trip to Phoenix!

How about you? Have you taken any of these Phoenix day trips and have something to share? Do you have a new day trip from Phoenix that is between 1 and 4 hours away? Do share!