An Epic 12-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide

Arizona, a state situated in the southwestern part of the United States, is best known for the unending attractions in the state that have made it one of the top tourist attractions globally, causing a lot of people to visit and spend time and have unlimited fun. Going on a road trip is much more interesting than flying, as every part of the state is an exciting sight to behold that can not be seen from the sky. This article is a guide on what to do and where to check out when in Arizona.

What Do I Do When In Arizona?

Many places can be visited and unending activities to engage in while in Arizona. Since we are talking about a road trip, the first thing on the list would be transportation. How do you plan on moving around in Arizona? Your best bet is to rent an RV in Phoenix, Arizona, which provides comfort and a bit of luxury as you travel to the fantastic sites and places in Arizona. You’ll also need to bring the following:

• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Hiking Boots/Shoes
• Hiking socks
• Water Reservoir.
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• First Aid Kit
• Day Pack to carry all your things
• Headlamp/Flashlight (headlamps are easier to carry)
• Leggings or Hiking Pants
• Breathable sweat-wicking shirts
• Mid Base Layer
• Sports Bra (for women).
• Jacket
• Rain Jacket
• Knife
• Trash Bags
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste & Toiletries
• Fire Starter

Once all the necessities are sorted out, you can spend the remaining days exploring various legendary attractions and activities. Such as:

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Experiencing the breathtaking scenery of the Deer Valley and the Sonoran Desert vistas from the sky is one out of the many things you should do during a visit to Arizona. The approximately 4-hour ride in a beautifully colored hot air balloon with all safety precautions duly follows takes place both at sunrise and sunset. This ride is a real sight to behold as you get to see an overview of the environment.

Scenic Sedona Tower

This tour includes driving through the incredible scenery of Oak Creek Canyon, which is one of the highlights of the excursion. Explore Bell Rock and Airport Mesa and Chapel of the Holy Cross, an architectural marvel carved into a tall spire of rock. You get to stalls with Native American jewelry, colored rock, colored and crafts. You also get to learn about the spiritual significance of some of Sedona’s most well-known sites on this fascinating tour.  The highlights of the tour around Sedona are getting to know about the history and geology of Sedona. At the same time, you admire the breathtaking vistas and quirky landmarks as you drive through the Oak Creek Canyon, which is one of the ten most scenic routes in the nation. The residential part of West Sedona is filled with cafes and casual American and international restaurants,  trendy boutiques, thrift stores, and the Sedona Artist Market, showcasing local crafts. There are also hiking trails around the rugged slope of Airport Mesa and the Sedona Airport Overlook, a popular sunset viewing spot. At the foot of Thunder Mountain are the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, which features several Buddhist shrines and meditation sites where you get to practice and meet people who practice yoga.

Grand Canyon Tower

Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is made up of layered bands of red rock that reveal geological history over a million years. The Canyon is vast in scale and averages about 10 miles across and a mile deep along its 277-mile length. Most of the area is a national park that isis a view to behold alongside the Colorado River white-water rapids and sweeping vistas.

Tombstone And San Xavier

Tombstone is a town located in the southeast of Arizona. It is widely known for its Wild West history. This location exhibits the Historical Park, which includes replica gallows. Situated on the historic Allen Street, the O.K. Corral outdoor theatre re-enacts an 1881 cowboy gunfight. Resident ghosts haunt the bullet-riddled Bird Cage Theatre with outlaws amongst the local townsfolk buried at the 1878 Boothill Cemetery Western second. This is your shot at what the true cowboys experienced.

Arizona Desert 

Most of the Sonoran Desert can be found in the southern third of Arizona, with other parts in Baja, California, and Mexico. This is a subtropical desert and the most complex desert in North America. It has great diversity in geological structures alongside a variety of plants and animals.

Many plants are growing, and animals are surviving the Sonoran Desert because it receives rainfall bi-seasonally. Unlike other desserts, there is adequate rainfall in this desert during the winter months and July and August; because of the rain that occurs twice a year. It’s easier for the plants to get water when they’re not waiting so long between drinks. Getting to walk on a desert that has animals and plants seems like fun yet educating idea.

Antelope Canyon And Horseshoe Bend

Ever tried imagining a horseshoe-shaped meander? You do not have to do much of that as it already exists. The horseshoe bend is situated in the Colorado River, located near the town of Page in Arizona.  This place is also referred to as the “east rim of the Grand Canyon. On the other hand, Antelope Canyon is a canyon in the American Southwest on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. The scenic slot canyon sections are referred to as Upper Antelope Canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon with two separate parts. It is a fantastic view and a beautiful sight to behold, with a depth of about 120 feet (37 m).

Kayaking Salt River Trip

Arizona’s Tonto National Forest is one of the largest in the country, and the Lower Salt River drains it. You get to admire the natural scene from the water on a thrilling kayaking experience on this tour. You set out from the Saguaro Lake, paddle gently yet consistently along the Salt River, and look out for the fascinating native wildlife. This also includes the park’s herd of wild horses. There is a spectacular view of the Tonto National Forest from the water. Incredible wildlife sightings, including the Salt Rivers wild horse.

Apache Trail And Dolly Steamboat

During the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, the Apache Trail was a stagecoach trail. Thus was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains that is nestled in the heart of the Superstition Mountains, where the spectacular Canyon Lake is home to the Dolly Steamboat. The Dolly Steamboat continues to cruise the stunning interior waterways of this beautiful lake, a tradition that dates back to 1925. On the way, you can see bald eagles, desert bighorn sheep, waterfowl, and other wildlife. As you listen to the sounds of the craft plying on Canyon Lake, you get to experience a unique ambiance. Listen to your captain to hear the recount of legends and more on the mysterious Superstition Mountains. The services are exceptionally outstanding, and personal attention is given to your every need. You are free to ask questions on anything that tickles your fancy, and you are allowed to move about and mingle with the crew. The lower and upper parts of the cabin are air-conditioned during the summer months as the weather is relatively hot.

Aquarium Arizona 

This is the largest aquarium of several aquariums in the southwest. It is located just off the 101 in Scottsdale, AZ. This aquarium houses over 30,000 animals. You can spend as long as you’d like with the marine creatures without any form of interruption.

Horseback Adventure 

This is a perfect opportunity to play cowboy and cowgirl. The Ranches in Arizona are open to tourists for them to have the highly fantasized cowboy experience. With reservations made for campfire cookouts, horseback riding, you get to experience ranch life. This is your chance to Cowboy Up!

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is about 1.5 hours away from Flagstaff, and it is a fascinating national park.  Despite its name, Petrified Forest lacks a living forest. Instead, the park’s name is derived from a large number of fossilized trees found around; Petrified Forest had a unique subtropical forest about 225 million years ago. Over time, the trees fell but were preserved.  At the park today, you will be able to find millions of fossilized logs. Petrified Forest’s northern section is where your adventure begins. A wilderness area with few hiking trails, this area is called the Painted Desert. Moving along the park road, the Painted Desert becomes more scenic. Stop by Painted Desert Inn and see the historic building. Take a look at Newspaper colored Rock and some petroglyphs in the park. There are short hikes to Blue Forest and Crystal Forest that are well worth your time. Both trails lead past famed fossils and are well-marked.

If you are ever in doubt of where to visit, Arizona is certainly the right place. With a rich blend of culture, tourism, fun, relaxation, adventure, and education, you get to make the most out of your trip. Of course, this list does not even cover half of the great places to visit. But, you can be sure of a moment of your life.

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