Best Weekend Trips from Phoenix, Arizona
Whether you’re visiting the city, just moved into town, or you’re a long-time local, most people are surprised to learn about all the different weekend trips from Phoenix. Phoenix is a great starting point to check out some of the best of America’s southwest. There are many hot spot destinations within an hour to six hours of Phoenix. Buckle up because it’s time to plan your weekend road trips!
Map of Weekend Trips from Phoenix
Grand Canyon National Park
4 hours north
Did you really visit Arizona if you didn’t visit the Grand Canyon?! I’m just kidding, but seriously – it’s one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and there’s certainly a reason for that.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is just under 4 hours from Phoenix. The South Rim offers the most access to Grand Canyon National Park. Once you park your car you can walk for miles along the paved pathway along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Look out onto this expansive wonder. It’s hard to take in everything you’ll see.
At certain viewpoints, you can even see down into the Colorado River, over 4,000 feet below the South Rim! Both the Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail go all the way down to the Colorado River. The South Kaibab Trail is the steepest but shortest option to reach the river. The Bright Angel Trail is a bit longer but slightly more gradual. Along the way 1.5 and 3 miles down are rest huts and bathrooms. I’d recommend just hiking a short way along either trail.
If you plan to hike to the river you should be a very experienced hiker. They say “Going down is optional but coming up is not”. Getting stuck in the canyon is tough.
Sedona
2 hours north
Sedona is a small, vibrant city famous for its red rock sandstone buttes, spires, and mesas. A place known for its spiritual wellness, dining, shopping, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, and more.
Walking among the red rocks can be enjoyed by all visitors as there are many easy hikes in Sedona. If hiking isn’t your thing but you still love the outdoors then join a Pink Jeep Tour led by an experienced guide to take you into the beautiful desert landscape. There are also plentiful opportunities to rock climb and mountain bike throughout the area.
Downtown Sedona offers opportunities to shop for apparel, local and native art, crystals, and more. There are also a ton of restaurants from fine dining to casual eats to multiple ice cream and gelato parlors.
Tucson
2 hours south
Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona and is famous for its Saguaro cacti covering the landscape as well as Mexican-American culture. If you’re going to get Mexican food anywhere in Arizona, Tuscon is the place.
Some city highlights include downtown, the Pima Air & Space Museum, the Bac Mission Church, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Mount Lemmon.
Tuscon is also located right next to Saguaro National Park so make sure you check it out on your visit!
Flagstaff
2 hours north
A great option for a short weekend getaway, Flagstaff is only 2 hours north of Phoenix. Located at 8,000 feet in elevation, temperatures are much cooler in Flagstaff making it one of the best summer weekend trips from Phoenix.
Relax among the Ponderosa pine forests that top off the desert and mountainous landscape. Flagstaff is home to Humphrey’s Peak, the highest peak in Arizona standing 12,633 feet tall. It’s a great spot for a challenging hike in the warm months or a spot to ski in the winter! Check out the Arizona Snowbowl as the snow begins to settle.
Flagstaff also has a cute downtown with cafes, boutiques, and restaurants located right alongside the railroad tracks.
Saguaro National Park
1 hour 45 minutes south
Famous for the Saguaro Cactus, Saguaro National Park protects many of these magnificent plants, being the largest cacti in the United States. Part of the Sonoran Desert, the environment of Saguaro National Park includes many desert flora and fauna surrounded by rugged Southern Arizona mountain peaks.
Saguaro National Park offers many hiking opportunities as well as educational opportunities at the visitor center and throughout.
Petrified Forest National Park
3.5 hour drive northeast
Petrified Forest National Park is located in east-central Arizona, about 3.5 hours from Phoenix. While there isn’t much around the national park, there’s plenty to explore within making it one of the best short weekend trips from Phoenix.
Donning colorful badlands make up the Painted Desert, Triassic fossils of mammal-reptile-like species, and most famously, the petrified wood. Petrified wood is fossilized wood containing remains of terrestrial vegetation. Much of the petrified wood looks like yellows, reds, oranges, and greens mixed in a marble pattern. It’s beautiful and one of the most popular occurrences in Petrified Forest National Park.
Petrified Forest National Park is open from 8 am to 6 pm. There is one road through the park that can be entered from the north or south. Along the park road are many hiking options and sites. Make sure you stop in at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and check out park highlights including the Crystal Forest, Blue Mesa, the Painted Desert, the Tepees, and the Giant Logs Trail.
Prescott
1.5 hours northwest
Known for its historic mining and cowboy history, Prescott is one of the perfect Arizona weekend getaways. The cute and historic downtown is most famously known for Whiskey Row because of the large number of saloons on the block. Downtown also has original shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes.
Outside of downtown are plentiful outdoor opportunities. Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and climbing are popular activities in Prescott. Spend the day relaxing around Watson Lake or wander among the Granite Dells, large rock formations.
Joshua Tree National Park
3.5 hours west
Famous for its unique granite boulders, rugged mountain peaks, and large yucca Joshua Trees, Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wonder located in southern California. Joshua Tree is one of the best winter or spring destination weekend trips from Phoenix.
Summer in Joshua Tree National Park is very hot. Winter brings cool and comfortable temperatures, and occasionally snow. Springtime is also. a great time to visit for a chance to see the rare Joshua Tree flower blooming.
While visiting Joshua Tree don’t miss a few famous sites and walks. Check out the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail, Skull Rock, Ryan Mountain, Barker Valley, and Oasis of Mara to name a few. Joshua Tree has many hikes of varying difficulties as well as a variety of scenic road pull-offs and viewpoints.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
4 hours northwest
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located just east of Las Vegas. It’s the large lake dammed by the Hoover Dam that the Colorado River flows into, ending the Grand Canyon. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the largest national recreation area and is home to striking views, of mountains, canyons, valleys, and beaches.
The most commonly visited area is just north of the Hoover Dam. Spend your weekend hanging out at the beach and swimming when the water is warm enough. Or rent a boat to explore some of the canyons. Fishing, hiking, and cycling are also popular activities around the Lake Mead area. While in the area head over to the Hoover Dam to learn about the history of the dam and how the river has drastically changed since dammed in 1936. Or go kayaking beneath the dam in some of the many coves where the water is bright green!
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
5 hours northwest
Monument Valley is one of the iconic landscapes when you think of the Wild West, the backdrop of Forest Gump’s running scene. Located at the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is one of the best long weekend trips from Phoenix at just under 5 hours away.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located on Navajo land and is protected and regulated by the Navajo Tribe. It costs $8 per person to enter the tribal park.
The park is accessible via a 17-mile loop drive. Spend an hour or a few driving the loop. You’ll likely want to give yourself a good chunk of the day as there’s no point in rushing the scenic views. Also stop by the visitor center to learn more about the culture, history, and environment of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.
There are many activities in and around Monument Valley. Check out one of the many tour operators for guided hiking or historic tours, stargazing tours, horseback riding, and river trips. If you plan to venture into the backcountry on your own you must obtain a backcountry permit.
Page
4 hours north
Page, Arizona is located right on the border of Utah and is home to many Arizona wonders including Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell. Page easily one of the best weekend trips from Phoenix. And if you get the chance to spend a long weekend here, you’ll have ample places to explore.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend, located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is one of Arizona’s most iconic photos, featured on many Arizona signs and decals. It’s where the Colorado River meanders 270 degrees, a geological formation among any river.
It’s located just below the Lake Powell Dam. The hike out to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is a 1.5-mile out-and-back walk. The trail is relatively flat with some loose gravel.
Social media has made Horseshoe Bend very popular so expect large crowds at the site. Avoid the biggest crowds by visiting early in the morning. Horseshoe Bend is open year-round from sunrise to sunset with the busiest times from 9 – 11 am and 4:30 – 6:30 pm. Entrance for passenger vehicles costs $10. Motorcycles are $5. The America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is not accepted at Horseshoe Bend.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is another famous Arizona bucket list destination. Formed over millions of years by wind and water erosion, the narrow canyon with a wave-like structure is one of the most popular spots to photograph in the state.
You must take a tour to visit Antelope Canyon. There are two parts of Antelope Canyon, upper and lower. Upper Antelope Canyon is by far the most internationally recognized. It’s the most famously photographed. Access to Upper Antelope Canyon is easier and more spacious than Lower Antelope Canyon. For the elderly or physically limited, I’d recommend visiting Upper Antelope Canyon.
Lower Antelope Canyon offers a more adventurous experience. The canyon is narrower and requires climbing some stairs. While Lower Antelope Canyon offers incredible views of the unique geology of the canyon, photographers generally choose the upper canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon does offer cheaper tours.
Book tours well in advance for your preferred time slot. Certain times of day are better for photographing, but that often means these tours are more crowded and expensive.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell was formed on the Colorado River with the Glen Canyon Dam was completed. It’s a popular spot for outdoor recreation including boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Lake Powell is also home to many houseboats.
Lake Havasu City
3.5 hours west
Lake Havasu City is located right on the Arizona-California border, separated by the Colorado River. This tourist destination is one of the popular weekend trips from Phoenix as it hosts opportunities for outdoor exploration, dining, and history. Stroll the historic London Bridge containing blocks from London’s original London Bridge. Or check out the Lake Havasu Museum of History to learn more about the bridge and native history.
Or spend the day kayaking or relaxing at the beach in Lake Havasu State Park. Hop on a jet boat tour or venture out to a local brewery on your weekend road trip.
Puerto Peñasco, Mexico (Rocky Point)
4 – 6 hours southwest
Puerto Peñasco is the closest beach to Phoenix. At just about 4 hours away without traffic, if want to take in Mexican culture and practice then this is one of the best weekend trips from Phoenix. Of course, Puerto Peñasco is fairly Americanized and you can get away with not speaking Spanish, but
The biggest challenge in getting to Puerto Peñasco is the border crossing. Expect the border crossing to be crowded on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. While the drive may show up as 4 hours on Google Maps it could take between 6 – 8 hours depending on how busy the border is.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
San Diego
5.5 hours west
Known for its long beaches, city parks, and comfortable Medeterrain climate year-round, San Diego is a lovely option for a weekend getaway from Phoenix. As summer temperatures rise in Phoneix, the ocean brings comfortable temperatures to the coast. And San Diego offers the closest American beaches to Phoenix.
As a large city, there is plenty to do from downtown dining, brewery hopping, and park visiting to outdoor activities such as hiking, relaxing at the beach, and viewing wildlife.
Don’t miss the highlights in San Diego including Sunset Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, and Balboa Park.
Las Vegas
4.5 hours northwest
If you’re looking for a weekend of entertainment, gambling, cocktails, and crowds then it sounds like a weekend in Sin City is what you’re looking for.
Whether you’ve been to Las Vegas before or it’s your first time, there’s something for everyone. Of course, most know it as a place of partying debauchery but there’s much more beyond that. The live entertainment showcases talented singers, dancers, and performers. The strip offers plenty of shopping and dining under the lights of the city. Even if you don’t gamble, strolling through different casinos you’ll end up in a different country along the way.
If you can’t handle too many nights of big city lights then head over to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, just 30 minutes from the strip to enjoy the beautiful desert landscape. Or head to Lake Mead to swim and relax. Or head to Valley of Fire State Park, 45 minutes northeast of downtown Las Vegas for more desert landscape sites.
Gila National Forest
4.5 hours east
Gila National Forest in New Mexico covers almost 3 million acres of land, making it the 6th largest national forest in the continental US. Waterfalls, mountains, hills, and forests make up the landscape across this expansive environment.
Hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and mountain biking are just a few of the activities enjoyed here. Made up of volcanoes, Gila National Forest has hot springs spread around. There are also ancient cliff dwellings at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. A sight enjoyed by both archeologists and laypersons alike.
Kanab
5.5 hours northwest
Utah’s town of Kaban is a great weekend getaway from Phoenix. Just under 6 hours, I’d recommend a long weekend to visit Kanab. It’s also a great option to combine with Page as you pass through Page on your way.
Kanab is nearby to many beautiful sites including Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon, Moqui Cave, Wire Pass, and many other desert hiking options. Downtown Kanab is a cute western-themed town with shopping and dining. Kanab is also the gateway town to the east entrance of Zion National Park and a popular stopover on a Utah National Parks Road Trip.
Palm Springs
4.5 hours west
If you’re looking for a weekend of stylish hotels, golf courses, hot spring resorts, fine dining, and boutique shopping then Palm Springs is the perfect weekend trip destination. Beyond the luxurious entertainment, the Greater Palm Springs and Coachella Valley Area is home to many outdoor activities.
Go hiking, biking, or horseback riding while visiting the Palm Springs area. Palm Springs is also only an hour from Joshua Tree, a perfect day trip option. Palm Springs is one of the best winter weekend trips from Phoenix. From mid-spring through late fall Palm Springs is very hot so it’s more enjoyable to visit during the cooler months.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
4 hours west
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge of the Sonoran Desert was established to protect bighorn sheep. The refugee spans over 660,000 acres and includes a rugged desert mountainous landscape. Hiking in the Kofa Mountains is a popular activity but trails are limited and only semi-established.
Expect steep hiking. Disperse camping is plentiful throughout Kofa National Wildlife Refuge but don’t expect any amenities in this remote Arizona desert environment.
