The Best Day Trips From Phoenix, Arizona

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To cool off during the sizzling summer months, Phoenicians head to the Salt River, a meandering waterway east of the city in the Tonto National Forest. You can rent an inner tube to float down the calm waters – it’s the original lazy river – for hours, depending on how much time you have to spend. Remember to bring sunscreen, ample drinking water and snacks, and keep an eye out for the Salt River wild horses that roam the banks. This destination is a little more than two hours from Phoenix.

Take Interstate 17 north beyond the edge of suburban sprawl and find yourself in the high desert, characterized by open vistas and juniper scrubland. This is where you’ll find Arcosanti, an experimental, eco-friendly town made up of a cluster of angular structures along a bumpy dirt road. Paolo Soleri, an Italian-American architect and Arcosanti’s founder, envisioned a community where residents could enjoy the conveniences of urban life with minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Today, visitors can take a tour of the grounds and purchase a Soleri bell, which is made on the property; proceeds go to funding projects.

Around 50,000 years ago, a 160ft-long (49m) meteor crashed into the Earth’s surface, near present-day Winslow, Arizona (about three hours from Phoenix). The massive explosion was equivalent to 10 megatons of TNT and left an enormous crater on the ground. Because of the relatively recent event and Arizona’s arid climate, Meteor Crater is considered one of the best-preserved impact sites in the world. It’s a common destination for researchers, and astronauts trained at the site to prepare for the Apollo mission to the moon. Visitors can take guided tours around the rim of the crater.

Near the Mexico-Arizona border and two hours from Phoenix is a stunning example of a thriving desert ecosystem: the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. There are not only several organ pipe cacti (it’s the only place in the United States where the species grows wild), but also quintessential saguaros and hedgehog cacti, which bloom with bright pink flowers during the spring. Visitors can also find two natural stone arches. Many sites at the monument are sacred to the Tohono O’odham people, who have lived in the region for generations.

Prescott is a small town around two hours north of Phoenix along Interstate 17. It’s known for a picturesque Wild West downtown (complete with a collection of saloons) and its natural beauty. Watson Lake regularly attracts hikers and kayakers from across the state, with towering granite boulders and rich riparian habitats, brimming with waterfowl. Start at the Pea-Vine Trail, which winds itself around the perimeter of the lake and between boulders, for a scenic stroll or bike ride.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is a pristine example of cliffside dwellings constructed by the indigenous Sinagua people. Near Camp Verde and less than two hours from Phoenix, this place allows you to learn about the culture and customs of some of the region’s earliest inhabitants. While you can’t go inside this ancient structure, there are several unobstructed views from the trails below. An early version of a high-rise apartment, Montezuma Castle contains five stories and nearly 60 rooms, built over the course of 300 years.

Don’t let the Grand Canyon outshine other canyon adventures in Arizona. Oak Creek Canyon, two hours north of Phoenix and near Sedona, is worth visiting for smaller crowds and shaded trails along a sparkling creek. Accessed by winding and scenic Highway 89A, Oak Creek Canyon offers several campsites for weekend expeditions in addition to numerous picnic spots. In the summer and autumn, look for blackberry bushes heavy with ripened fruit.