The state capital Phoenix has plenty to keep you busy with its museums and performing art venues. However, not too far from the city, you’ll find a smorgasbord of stunning locations to wow you. Picking one place as the best day trip from Phoenix won’t be easy though. Each of these amazing places has its own charm. So depending on what your interests are, you can choose from a wide selection of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ. Whether you’re looking for the best day trips from Phoenix in winter or throughout the year, you will undoubtedly find something that interests you on our list of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ.
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Flagstaff
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At 7,000 feet above sea level, one of the best trips from Phoenix, AZ, is to the sprawling city of Flagstaff. The town takes pride in its reputation of being a center of art and culture. As such, it attracts quite a number of visitors every year.
You’ll find plenty to do in Flagstaff to keep you busy. For art enthusiasts, the museums and art galleries are quite a delight. The historic Grand Canyon Railway is another top attraction here as well as the Lowell Observatory.
If you are in Flagstaff, you could also explore the Hopi culture and heritage on a full-day tour of Hopi country. The tour will take you to the oldest permanently inhabited village in North America. You’ll also get to visit the Hopi Museum and Art Gallery before heading off to the village of Walpi.
- Tour duration: 10 -11 hours
- Distance from nearest city/town: 144.4 miles or 2 hours 20 minutes From Phoenix to Flagstaff
- Transportation: Private vehicle/Greyhound bus or flight from Phoenix
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Saguaro Lake
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The best day trip from Phoenix for adventure seekers is to Saguaro Lake. This man-made lake formed by the drainage from the Stewart Mountain Dam is a sight to behold. An oasis in the midst of the Sonoran Desert, the lake attracts a multitude of birds and animals. It has the perfect setting, too, nestled between the Superstition Mountains and the towering Four Peaks.
The lake is less than an hour’s drive from Phoenix. On the Saguaro Lake Kayaking Tour, you’ll get to marvel at the enchanting scenery. That’s not all you’ll enjoy on this tour. You can be sure you’ll be whipping out your camera to capture bald eagles or bighorn sheep too. And yes, you will get a chance to take a dip in the cool desert water if you’re up for it!
- Tour duration: 3 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 50 minutes drive or 43.6 miles from Phoenix
- Transportation: Kayak
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Tombstone and Bisbee
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For a step back in time, the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ, are to the historic mining towns of Tombstone and Bisbee. The day tour of Tombstone and Bisbee is definitely worth your time.
Once a prosperous mining town, Tombstone is now a living museum. Imagine life in the Wild West as you witness staged gunfights and people in period costumes. There is more to see in the town where you will spend about two and a half hours. From Tombstone, you will then head to another mining town, Bisbee.
Once the largest copper mining community in America, Bisbee sits on the Mexican border. Situated in the mountains, the scenic town offers excellent views of the surrounding region and a peek into history. Marvel at historical buildings and preserved copper workshops as you stroll the streets. With so much to see and do at these two places, it’s no wonder they rank among the best day trips from Phoenix in winter or summer.
- Tour duration: 11 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: About a 3-hour drive to Tombstone from Phoenix and about 25 minutes from there to Bisbee.
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van
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Box Canyon and Pinal Mountains
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Another of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ, for outdoor enthusiasts is on an ATV Tour to Box Canyon and Pinal Mountains. Situated at the extreme northeast corner of Florence, Arizona, between Tucson and Phoenix, a trip here is the perfect day out.
And what better way to explore this side of the country than on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)? You’ll have plenty to explore as you navigate along the dirt trails of the Pinal Mountains with a guide in tow. Indian petroglyphs, an old adobe building, and other attractions are visible on the trail. However, the highlight of the tour is Box Canyon.
Riding through the steep-walled canyon is an experience in itself. The middle three miles are extra special with a slot canyon. Here the walls are just about 10-20 feet apart and rise 900 feet high on both sides!
- Tour duration: 4 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: The meeting point is Florence which is about an hour’s drive from Phoenix
- Transportation: All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
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Fort McDowell Reservation
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The Fort McDowell Reservation is another of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ, for those interested in the history of the land. Formerly the ancestral territory of the once nomadic Yavapai people, the 40-square-mile reservation is currently home to 600 community members. In the early 1970s, the construction of the Orme Dam was proposed. The construction of this dam would result in the loss of the communities’ homeland, so it was opposed and eventually overturned. Another small victory for the community was the opening of Indian gaming in Arizona, with several tribal casinos being given the ‘go ahead’ to function.
For someone looking for a bit of adventure, the Off-road Segway Tour is a great way to discover the Sonoran Desert. The tour takes place off the beaten path at the base of Four Peaks Mountain. While you will experience the desert quite differently, you will also get a private tour of the Fort McDowell Reservation.
- Tour duration: 2 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 36.3 miles or 45 minutes from Phoenix to Fort McDowell
- Transportation: Private car, tram, bus, or taxi. By segway in Fort McDowell.
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Sonoran Desert
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The Sunset Jeep Tour with Tonto National Forest is not a full-day trip, but worth your time. On this tour, you’ll get to experience a world-famous Arizona sunset. Although this is not among the most spectacular sunset locations in the world, it definitely ranks right up there.
As you bump along the off-beaten track, your certified off-road driver will fill you in on details about the Sonoran Desert flora, wildlife, and history of Arizona. The drive will take you past the Pass by Pinnacle Peak Park. This 3,169-foot granite summit will surely wow you, along with the saguaro cacti. You’ll stop at the panoramic lookout point that overlooks the historic Great Western Trail to capture one of the best sunsets you’ll see.
- Tour duration: 2 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 127 miles or 2.5 hours from Phoenix to Fort McDowell
- Transportation: Jeep/SUV
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Jerome
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There is a lot of history to discover, not too far from Phoenix. For those interested in Arizona’s mining history, the old mining town of Jerome is one of the best day trips from Phoenix in Winter. Located at the top of Cleopatra Hill, the town provides stunning views of the Verde Valley.
With a small population of about 500 residents, the town has become something of a tourist attraction. You’ll find charming restaurants and quaint stores sharing space with some historic buildings. Touted as the largest ghost town in America, the town has pleasant weather and a great ambiance.
However, since there isn’t all that much to do in town, we recommend the Sedona, Jerome & Montezuma Castle Day Trip. By joining this tour, you’ll also see other remarkable places in the area. Beginning from Phoenix, the tour stops at a Sinagua Indian cliff dwelling before moving on to Sedona and then to Jerome.
- Tour duration: 10 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 93.3 miles or about one and a half hours from Phoenix
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van
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Apache Trail
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Learn about Arizona’s local culture on an informative tour along the Apache Trail and into the Sonora desert. Named after the Apache Indians, The Apache Trail was a stagecoach trail running through the Superstition Mountains. What makes this one of the best day trips from Phoenix in winter or summer is the novelty of driving along an unpaved road. It becomes a dirt road just before the town of Tortilla Flat, the last stage stop on the trail.
The quaint town boasts a population of only six people today. It sprung up in the early 20th century due to the construction road leading to Roosevelt Dam. Another reason why the Apache Trail & Dolly Steamboat Day Trip is one of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ, is its combination of water and desert.
From Tortilla Flat, you will then relax on a 90-minute cruise on Dolly Steamboat along the picturesque Canyon Lake. The steamboat, which has been running tours since 1983, provides you with the perfect platform to take in some stunning views. You can be sure you won’t run out of stunning landscapes to capture on your camera. It’s next to the Sonora Desert with your local guide, who will update you on the flora.
- Tour duration: 7 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: Less than an hour and a half drive from Phoenix to Tortilla Flat
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van/ Steamboat
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Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
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Choosing the best day trip from Phoenix can be quite confusing from the plethora of options available. However, one of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ, is undoubtedly, to the stunning Antelope Canyon. Known for its ‘twisted’ sandstone walls, the canyon is a photographer’s delight.
On the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour, you will also be given a deeper insight into the history and geology of this spectacular site. There is no better way to understand all the secrets of the canyon than with a Navajo to guide you. After a delicious lunch, you will then head to Horseshoe Bend.
The horseshoe shape, formed over thousands of years by erosion of the Colorado River, is another sight worth taking in. One of the most photographed sites in northern Arizona, it also makes it to our list of the top 25 things to do in Arizona. You’ll get about 80 minutes to soak in the stunning landscape and discover whatever else you would like to do in the area.
- Tour duration: 13 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 275.5 miles via I-17 or about four and a half hours
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van
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Verde Valley
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Overlooked by Mingus Mountain and the Mogollon Rim, the Verde Valley embraces many hidden beauties. It’s one reason the area is considered one of the best day trips from Phoenix in winter or summer. Whether you’re looking to explore beautiful Sedona or Native American monuments, you’ll find them here.
However, rather than another road trip, why not see the area in style on the Verde Canyon Rail Day Tour? The tour allows you to explore two of the best-preserved Native American monuments – The Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle. The Tuzigoot National Monument showcases a pueblo that consists of over a hundred rooms. Home to a large number of people, the site was abandoned sometime in the 1300s. It was rediscovered in the early 1930s when archeologists excavated it. Montezuma Castle is also a well-preserved dwelling built by the Sinagua people.
As part of the tour, you will also visit the old mining town of Jerome. The grand finale of the tour is the historic Verde Valley Railroad. The 3.5-hour train ride will provide you insights into the area while you indulge in a glass of champagne in first class.
- Tour duration: 12 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 93.3 miles or about one and a half hours from Phoenix
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van/ Train
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Montezuma Castle
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A trip to Montezuma Castle is usually combined with other iconic destinations along the way. You could either club it with a tour of Sedona and Jerome or with the ruins at Tuzigoot National Park. Located at Camp Verde, the Sinagua people built well-preserved dwellings.
For history buffs, one of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ, is to the Montezuma Castle National Monument. Tracing its origins to the 12th century, the main structure that was built over the course of three centuries has five stories and about 20 rooms. An interesting fact about the monument is that its name is incorrect. It was named for the famous Aztec emperor Montezuma who had no connection to the structure at all since the Aztecs didn’t build it. Additionally, the structure was not a traditional castle but more like a high-rise dwelling.
- Tour duration: 10 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 93.3 miles or about one and a half hours from Phoenix
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van
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Sedona
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Another drive that is considered the best day trip from Phoenix is to the town of Sedona. Lying within the Coconino National Forest, the town is a sight for sore eyes! Sedona’s biggest attraction is the stunning array of red sandstone formations. The formations change color with the rising sun, leaving you awestruck.
You’ll find a range of activities to explore here, from hiking and biking trails to spiritual pursuits. So if you are looking for the best day trips from Phoenix in winter, this is one place to consider. One of Sedona’s claims to fame is the nationally recognized McDonald’s that flaunts turquoise arches instead of the traditional Golden Arches.
The day tour to Sedona gives you an opportunity to explore the rich culture and history of the area’s Native American civilizations. Apart from visiting Sinagua Indian ruins, you could also explore the ruins at Tuzigoot National Monument or Montezuma Castle National Monument.
- Tour duration: 11 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: 115.9 miles or about 2 hours from Phoenix
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van
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Grand Canyon
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One of the best day trips from Phoenix in winter, spring, or summer is a trip to the Grand Canyon. Arizona’s most distinguishable landmark ranks high among the most breathtaking canyons in the world. Estimated to have formed over five million years ago, this gorgeous canyon is sure to take your breath away. With its vast expanse of gorges, rock formations, and ridges, you’ll be quite confused about where to point your camera. It’s no wonder a trip here is considered one of the best day trips from Phoenix, AZ.
On this day tour of the Grand Canyon, you’ll get to see two iconic Arizona destinations in one day. Not just the Grand Canyon but Route 66 as well. The tour begins at Route 66, where you will also experience the historic highway and the town of Williams. From there, you will travel to one of the most amazing national parks on earth. You will have a leisurely three hours to take in all that you can and explore many of the park’s iconic formations. You could also consider a helicopter ride for an additional fee.
- Tour duration: 13 hours
- Distance from nearest town/city: About 230 miles from Phoenix, which is a 3-hour 40-minute drive
- Transportation: Air-conditioned van
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Just So You Know
- Phoenix is located near one of the greenest deserts in the world – the Sonoran Desert. Unlike many of the biggest deserts in the world, this one receives a good amount of rainfall. Hence, the desert is home to a good variety of endemic plants and wildlife.
- Touted as one of the sunniest cities in America, Phoenix sees a good footfall of visitors around the year. As such, you will find plenty of things to do in Phoenix for the entire family.
- Since the hospitality industry is one of the major industries in Greater Phoenix, you definitely won’t run out of places to stay. Whether it’s the best family hotels in Phoenix or the most romantic hotels in Phoenix, Arizona, that you’re interested in, you’ll be quite dazzled by the large number to choose from.
