Arizona is acclaimed as “The Grand Canyon State.” Its diverse canyon landscapes are breathtaking, complemented by other landscapes such as mountains and deserts. There are attractions and abundant outdoor tourism resources everywhere you look, making it worth visiting for sightseeing and tourism.
Arizona Self-Driving Tour Route Planning
In the summer of 2023, I scheduled a 4-day self-driving tour of Arizona, starting from LA, first to Phoenix, then to Sedona, and then heading to Monument Valley-Page-Grand Canyon-Seligman/Kingman-Lake Havasu City, before returning to LA. The entire route forms a circular loop around popular attractions in Arizona. Of course, if there’s still time, you can explore around Tucson and even delve deeper into experiencing more attractions, such as arranging a tour of Zion NP/Bryce Canyon NP on the Utah border. So, I’ve summarized the following 7-day self-driving tour route in Arizona, which seems more suitable.
Los Angeles (California)-Phoenix-Tucson-Sedona-Monument Valley-Page-Grand Canyon-Seligman/Kingman-Lake Havasu City-Los Angeles (California)
Las Vegas (Nevada)-Zion NP-Bryce Canyon NP-Page-Monument Valley-Grand Canyon-Seligman-Sedona-Phoenix-Tucson-Lake Havasu City-Las Vegas (Nevada)
Transportation/Accommodation/Dining
Tourism in Arizona mainly revolves around desert/mountain/canyon landscapes, requiring traveling by car. Regarding accommodation, local hotels are generally scattered in small towns near attractions, which are quite dense. Except for holidays, prices are relatively cheaper at other times. Fast food restaurants are also densely distributed in various small towns.
Weather/Climate
It’s very hot in summer, and in winter, it’s very cold. Generally, spring and autumn are the best seasons for traveling. When traveling in summer, try to leave early in the morning, and start applying sunscreen or sunblock spray around noon to prevent heatstroke. Before traveling in winter, check if there is snow blocking the roads or if you need to install snow chains, and pay attention to keeping warm.
Real-time road conditions map for Arizona:
Attraction Recommendations
Phoenix/Tucson
1. Desert Botanical Garden
In the desert botanical garden, there are distinctive saguaro cacti. If you come in the summer, it’s recommended to enter the garden in the morning as the weather will become particularly hot around noon.
2.Dobbins Lookout
There is a mountaintop viewpoint near the outskirts of Phoenix, where you can see the panoramic view of downtown Phoenix. Phoenix is surrounded by mountains, with the city in the middle, similar to the layout of Las Vegas.
3.Old Town Scottsdale
The old town area is now a commercial district.
4.Lost Dutchman State Park
A state park on the outskirts features desert vegetation landscapes and several hiking trails.
5.Saguaro National Park
A national park featuring giant saguaro cacti as its main attraction, located near Tucson.
6.Bisbee
Near the US-Mexico border, and some distance from Tucson, there used to be a gold mining town that has now become a distinctive tourist destination.
Sedona
1.The only “blue” McDonald’s in the world
It should be the only McDonald’s in the world with a blue logo on the exterior wall. Many people come here to take photos for social media check-ins and grab a quick meal at the same time.
2.Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout
Very close to the city center of Sedona, drive along a mountain road to a nearby paid parking lot, where you only need to pay a few dollars to park for a day. Typically, visitors come to this viewpoint to watch the sunrise or sunset. The sunlight shining on Sedona’s unique red rock mountains is exceptionally beautiful and perfect for photography.
3.Devil’s Bridge Trailhead
Sedona’s iconic trail features a naturally formed unique stone bridge.
4.Chapel of the Holy Cross
The church on the mountain, built on the mountainside, has a unique location, and the architectural style of the church is quite distinctive.
5.Jerome
A high-altitude town near Sedona, where buildings are situated on the edges of the mountains, and the mountain roads are winding and challenging, making it quite perilous. However, due to its location on the mountainside, the panoramic view from above is spectacular. If you have time, it’s worth going up the mountain or passing by to see when traveling to Sedona via the mountain road.
6.Verde Canyon Railroad
Train tour of the canyon.
Monument Valley
1.Coal Mine Canyon
A site on the way to Monument Valley, featuring expansive yellow canyons.
2.Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center
The visitor center of Monument Valley, where the observation deck provides a clear view of the iconic sandstone buttes. Alternatively, you can drive to the base for a closer look.
3.Monument Valley Overlook
The viewpoint provides a clear view of the iconic sandstone buttes.
4.Goosenecks State Park
Heading towards Utah on HWY-163, the scenery resembles Horseshoe Bend, but the rock formations are slightly lighter in color.
Page
1.Antelope Canyon X
The famous Antelope Canyon is one of the must-visit attractions in Page town, requiring reservation through local tour groups for visiting. The canyon is currently divided into multiple tourist areas, with the main ones being Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Antelope Canyon X. The canyon landscapes are similar, with the main differences being the depth of the trails or the shape of the canyon affecting the penetration of light, thereby influencing the photography effects. Upper Antelope Canyon is said to be the most visually stunning but crowded and expensive to book. Lower Antelope Canyon is next in popularity, while Antelope Canyon X is the least crowded and cheaper to book, making it easier for visiting and photography. I visited Antelope Canyon X, where there were fewer people, allowing for leisurely exploration and free photography. The photo results were also quite good, so I would recommend Antelope Canyon X.
2.Horseshoe Bend
Another must-visit attraction in Page town is formed by long-term erosion and weathering by river water. This unique landscape reveals thousands of years of exposed rock layers, which is truly breathtaking.
There are no guardrails at the edge of the rocks, so please be careful when taking photos at the edge for your safety.
3.Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
A dam near the town of Page.
4.Wahweap Overlook
A viewpoint near Lake Powell, close to the town of Page, where the scenery is spectacular during sunrise and sunset, making it perfect for photography.
5.The Wave
A trail that is almost 7 miles long, requiring a permit for entry, where you can see wave-shaped small hills.
Grand Canyon/Seligman/Kingman
1.Desert View Watchtower
A highly recommended viewpoint with a large parking lot and uncrowded crowds, where you can easily find a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery.
2.Navajo Point
A viewpoint.
3.Grandview Point
Another recommended Grand Canyon viewpoint. Here, you can walk outside and stand on the rocks to take photos, and there are plenty of trees around, so you don’t have to worry about direct sunlight.
4.Mather Point
A popular Grand Canyon viewpoint, basically where you see most of the Grand Canyon photos online, even the cover of official brochures is often taken at Mather Point. It’s located in the middle of the canyon, offering a great shooting angle.
5.Havasu Falls
A famous trail near the Grand Canyon, with a total length of nearly 14 miles, features stunning, colorful waterfalls. Entry requires a permit, and the trail is of moderate to high difficulty.
6.Classic Cars Seligman
Seligman is a quaint town near the Grand Canyon along Route 66. There are many restaurants here themed around Route 66, like this one, with plenty of vintage cars outside for tourists to take pictures with.
7.Arizona Route 66 Museum
A Route 66-themed museum located in Kingman.
Bullhead City/Lake Havasu City
1.Casino and coastal sightseeing around Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City
Along the Colorado River, there are many cities, among which the tourism resources around Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City are relatively abundant. There are many casinos/resorts and opportunities for sightseeing cruises to explore the river and mountain scenery along the coast.
2.London Bridge
A landmark in Lake Havasu City, this London Bridge was transported from the old London Bridge in England and reconstructed here. Around the bridge is a small commercial area.
Journey
Date: July, 2023
Day 1 – Phoenix
Departing from LA in the early morning, take I-10 and stop for gas in Blythe on the way, then head straight to Phoenix. The temperature difference between morning and evening in summer is quite significant, ranging from around 24 degrees Celsius at night to 44 degrees Celsius at noon. You can already feel the first wave of heat hitting you just after sunrise.
When we arrived in Phoenix, we visited the Desert Botanical Garden before it got too hot around noon.
The giant saguaro cactus is a local feature, typically standing 3 to 4 meters tall. With their massive size, they also provide excellent habitats for birds.
After visiting the botanical garden, it’s nearing noon, and outdoor temperatures have reached extremely high levels. At this time, the skin may experience an intense sensation of baking, so it’s highly recommended to avoid outdoor activities. Therefore, it’s better to have lunch afterward and then drive straight to Dobbins Lookout to enjoy a panoramic view of Phoenix from the mountaintop.
Afterward, we set off for Sedona. Due to excessively high temperatures, part of I-17 NORTH was temporarily closed. We had no choice but to take the 89A mountain road from Cottonwood, passing through the Mingus Mountain area before reaching Sedona. The uphill road was relatively easy to drive, but the downhill section became steeper and more challenging. Along the way, we passed through Jerome town, where besides steep mountain roads, there were also pedestrians crossing, making this part of the journey really difficult.
As sunset approached, we finally arrived in Sedona. First, we stopped by the famous McDonald’s with the blue logo for a quick photo, then we had dinner. Afterward, we hurried to the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout to catch the sunset. There were many tourists on-site, but there was still enough space to watch the sunset. When the golden glow of the sunset spread across the red rock mountains, it was so beautiful that it seemed unreal (although every day in Arizona feels this way—the sunrise and sunset mountain views in Arizona are truly spectacular).
After watching the sunset, we went back to rest, and early the next morning, we prepared to hit the road to Monument Valley and the town of Page.
Day 2 – Monument Valley/Page
Early in the morning, we immediately set out on a long drive. It takes about three and a half hours to drive from Sedona to Monument Valley, covering a distance of around 200 miles. As we transition from lush green grasslands to vast red desert terrain, we know we’ve entered the Monument Valley area.
The unique sandstone mountains in Monument Valley are shaped like elongated boxes or long columns. Standing tall in the vast desert are several “totem poles,” which are quite spectacular.
Classic photo spot.
Afterward, we hit the road again non-stop, heading to the town of Page. It’s important to note that Arizona is generally divided into two time zones. Most places use the MST time zone year-round, but the northeast Navajo land uses MDT from March to November (one hour ahead of MST). If you’re traveling to Monument Valley/Page in the summer, pay attention to the actual time at your location. This is especially crucial if you have scheduled a visit to Antelope Valley, so be mindful of the time.
Upon arriving in Page, we went to visit Antelope Canyon X. We arrived at the meeting point in advance, checked in, and when the reserved time arrived, a local Navajo resident acted as our driver, using a van to transport us to the front of the canyon, which took about 15 minutes. Our tour guide, also a Navajo resident, greeted us and led us on a tour while narrating the formation process, interesting stories, and Navajo history and culture related to Antelope Canyon. Besides witnessing the beauty of Antelope Canyon, we also gained fascinating historical insights, making this trip extremely worthwhile.
Afterward, we proceeded to Horseshoe Bend. There is a distance to walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint, and if you come around noon, it can be quite strenuous, so it’s important to take precautions against heatstroke and sunburn.
Horseshoe Bend has been shaped over thousands of years by water erosion and weathering, forming the horseshoe-like shape we see today. It’s truly amazing to witness the magnificent creative power of nature. Looking at the exposed ancient rock layers, it’s clear how insignificant human history is in comparison.
Next to the observation deck, there are some rock edges without guardrails where taking photos can yield better visual effects, but safety precautions should be observed.
After dinner, it’s time to watch the sunset. The Glen Canyon Dam Overlook is a convenient viewpoint located right in Page. Additionally, there are some wave-shaped rock formations similar to The Wave Trail nearby, so if you have time, I recommend checking them out.
The most recommended sunset viewpoint is the Wahweap Overlook, not far from Page. Here, you can stand at the mountaintop and enjoy a panoramic view of the vast expanse of Lake Powell, which is truly spectacular.
Day 3 – Grand Canyon/Seligman/Kingman/Lake Havasu City
The itinerary for the third day is slightly more relaxed. Half of the time is allocated for visiting the Grand Canyon. If you arrive early, there are fewer tourists, making the visit more convenient. Coming from Page, we enter and explore from the eastern entrance of the park’s south rim. We first arrive at the Desert View Watchtower area, where we can see the scenery of the Grand Canyon South Rim near the eastern direction. This area is very spacious and can accommodate many visitors, so it’s relatively easy to find a secluded spot to enjoy the view.
The Grand Canyon is generally divided into the North Rim and the South Rim, with the South Rim being considered the main tourist destination due to its high accessibility and concentration of attractions.
The second recommended viewpoint is Grandview Point. It’s a bit narrower here, but you can walk outside and stand on large rocks to observe and take photos. Plus, there are more trees for shade, making it cooler.
The last recommendation is Mather Point. This is probably the most popular viewpoint, where most of the photos of the Grand Canyon and the covers of official publications are mainly taken. There are a lot of tourists here, but the space is relatively narrow, so it may take more time to find a suitable viewing spot.
After visiting the Grand Canyon, we headed towards California. Along the way, we passed through Seligman and Kingman, both famous towns that were once stops along the historic Route 66. These towns now have many unique restaurants or museums themed around Route 66, so if you’re passing by, it’s worth checking them out.
This buffet restaurant in Kingman stands out, as it’s rare to find buffet restaurants in remote areas of Arizona. After enjoying a high-calorie buffet meal, much of the fatigue from the day is instantly alleviated, making it quite worthwhile in my opinion.
Area 66, is a distinctive alien-themed building seen along FWY I-40.
After a long journey, finally arrived at the last stop of the Arizona trip, Lake Havasu City. Here, there are no major highways connecting, but there are plenty of residential and commercial areas, with beautiful scenery, resembling a hidden town. Around the London Bridge, you can see fluttering British flags and signs adorned with the British flag logo everywhere. For a moment, it feels like being in London, but then the surrounding mountain scenery brings you back to reality.
It’s not advisable for tourists to visit Lake Havasu City in the summer. The mountains surrounding Lake Havasu City are very close, trapping heat in the town, and personally, the summer temperatures here feel much hotter than in Phoenix. Just looking at the weather forecast, there’s not much temperature difference between morning and evening, both around 40 degrees Celsius, which is quite extreme. The best time to visit should be in spring and autumn.
Here, you can enjoy the view of the London Bridge, explore the surrounding commercial area and casinos, and engage in water activities such as taking sightseeing cruises. In the evening, standing on the London Bridge watching the sunset, with waterfront buildings, the Colorado River, and the mountains across the California border forming a picturesque sunset scene, is truly breathtaking.
Day 4 – Back to LA
The scenery along the Colorado River during the daytime is also spectacular.
The canyons and mountain landscapes of Arizona are truly awe-inspiring, showcasing the miraculous wonders of nature. It’s worth spending some time to come and admire them.