Arizona Vacation & Travel Guide
Updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on
Discover the best places to visit in Arizona, from the spectacular Grand Canyon and Sedona's red-rock country to Phoenix, Tucson, the White Mountains and the scenic lakes of the Colorado River. Arizona Leisure is your statewide vacation and travel guide to attractions, outdoor recreation, scenic drives, historic towns, wildlife, maps and memorable things to do. Whether you're planning a family vacation, Arizona road trip, weekend getaway or outdoor adventure, explore our regional guides, destination information and travel-planning resources to find where to go, what to see and how to get there.
- Explore Arizona By Region
- Featured Arizona Destinations
- Things To Do In Arizona
- Best Time To Visit
- Arizona Maps & Directions
- Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
- Plan Your Arizona Vacation
- Arizona Travel FAQ
Explore Arizona By Region
Arizona's elevation ranges from low Sonoran Desert country to high mountain forests, so each region offers a different landscape, climate and travel experience. Choose a region to begin planning your Arizona vacation.
- Grand Canyon & Northern Arizona: Explore the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Williams, Route 66, Painted Desert and high-country attractions.
- Phoenix & Central Arizona: Discover Sonoran Desert scenery, museums, hiking, resorts, lakes and attractions throughout Greater Phoenix.
- Sedona & Verde Valley: Experience red-rock scenery, Oak Creek Canyon, hiking, historic sites and scenic drives.
- White Mountains & Eastern Arizona: Find pine forests, mountain towns, lakes, fishing, cabins and four-season outdoor recreation.
- Tucson & Southern Arizona: Explore saguaro country, Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee, historic sites and desert attractions.
- Western Arizona & Colorado River: Visit Lake Havasu, Parker, Bullhead City and river destinations known for boating and water recreation.
- Page & Lake Powell: Plan trips to Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and the Colorado River near Page.
Featured Arizona Travel Guides
Arizona Lakes
Arizona Lakes: Find lakes for boating, fishing, camping, kayaking, swimming and waterfront recreation throughout the state.
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Arizona: Plan a visit to Arizona's most famous natural landmark with South Rim, North Rim, weather and travel information.
Sedona - Oak Creek Canyon
Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon: Explore red-rock scenery, hiking, scenic drives, viewpoints and Verde Valley attractions.
Lake Powell - Page
Lake Powell & Page: Discover boating, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon and northern Arizona scenery.
White Mountains
Arizona White Mountains: Find mountain towns, lakes, cabins, fishing, hiking and cool-weather recreation.
Metro Phoenix
Phoenix Arizona: Explore Greater Phoenix attractions, Sonoran Desert recreation, museums, lakes and day trips.
Tucson
Southern Arizona's largest city, surrounded by Sonoran Desert landscapes, historic sites and mountain ranges.
Things To Do In Arizona By Interest
- Things To Do: Browse parks, attractions, scenic drives, museums, tours and outdoor adventures.
- Lakes & Water Recreation: Find boating, fishing, camping, kayaking and lakeside recreation throughout Arizona.
- Parks & Natural Attractions: Explore state parks, national parks, monuments, canyons and scenic areas.
- Archaeological & Ancestral Sites: Discover ancient pueblos, cliff dwellings, archaeological parks and Indigenous history.
- Arizona Wildlife: Learn about mammals, birds, reptiles and wildlife-viewing opportunities.
- Tours & Guides: Find sightseeing tours, boat cruises, fishing guides, rail trips and guided adventures.
- Maps & Road Trips: Use state, regional and destination maps to plan routes and day trips.
- Cabins & Lodging: Find mountain cabins, lodges and vacation accommodations across Arizona.
Best Time To Visit Arizona
The best time to visit Arizona depends on elevation, destination and planned activities. Phoenix, Tucson and southern Arizona generally offer the most comfortable outdoor conditions from fall through spring, while Flagstaff, the White Mountains, Rim Country and other high-elevation destinations are especially popular during summer. Spring and fall are excellent for scenic drives and statewide road trips. Winter travelers should check mountain weather and road conditions, while summer visitors should prepare for extreme desert heat and seasonal thunderstorms.
- Spring: Excellent for statewide road trips, desert hiking, wildflowers, lakes and outdoor sightseeing.
- Summer: Best for Flagstaff, the White Mountains, Rim Country, northern Arizona and high-elevation lakes; desert areas can experience extreme heat.
- Fall: Ideal for scenic drives, camping, fishing, mountain fall color and increasingly comfortable desert travel.
- Winter: Popular for Phoenix, Tucson and southern Arizona, while northern mountains offer snow sports and winter recreation.
Popular Arizona Maps & Directions
- Arizona State Map: Start with a statewide overview of cities, highways, regions and major destinations.
- Phoenix Area Map: Plan travel around Greater Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and nearby attractions.
- Sedona Area Map: Find routes to red-rock attractions, Oak Creek Canyon, hiking areas and scenic viewpoints.
- Lake Powell & Page Map: Explore Page, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and surrounding destinations.
- Vermilion Cliffs Map: Find routes and travel-planning information for Vermilion Cliffs country.
- Arizona Distance Guide: Compare driving distances between major Arizona cities and vacation destinations.
Arizona Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
Arizona offers memorable day trips and weekend getaways from Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff and other popular vacation bases. From Phoenix, explore the Superstition Mountains, Prescott, Sedona or nearby desert lakes. From Tucson, discover Saguaro National Park, Tombstone, Bisbee and the Santa Catalina Mountains. Flagstaff provides access to the Grand Canyon, Williams, Route 66 and northern Arizona's mountain scenery, while Sedona is an excellent base for exploring Oak Creek Canyon, Jerome and the Verde Valley. Use our destination guides and driving-distance resources to plan trips that fit your available time and interests.
- Scenic lakes and rivers for boating, fishing and waterfront recreation
- Mountain towns and pine forests for cooler-weather escapes
- Historic mining towns, Route 66 communities and Old West destinations
- State parks, national monuments and archaeological sites
- Scenic drives, overlooks, canyons and geological landmarks
- Wildlife areas and outdoor recreation destinations
Tips For Planning An Arizona Road Trip
Arizona's varied elevations and wide-open landscapes make advance planning especially helpful. Driving distances can be longer than expected, particularly when visiting remote desert areas, mountain communities and national parks.
- Check driving distances: Use the Arizona Distance Guide to estimate travel between cities and attractions.
- Plan for changing weather: Temperatures can vary considerably between desert cities and mountain destinations on the same day.
- Verify road conditions: Mountain snow, summer thunderstorms, flash flooding and construction can affect travel routes.
- Carry water and supplies: Bring drinking water, sun protection and appropriate clothing, especially when exploring remote areas.
- Confirm attraction access: Check park hours, reservation requirements, seasonal closures and recreation restrictions before departing.
Plan Your Arizona Vacation
Plan your Arizona vacation around the destinations, seasons and activities that interest you most. Start by exploring our regional travel guides, then use the Arizona State Map and Arizona Distance Guide to organize your route. Compare Arizona lakes, parks and natural attractions, things to do and cabins and lodging to build an itinerary. Before traveling, check individual destination pages and official recreation agencies for current access, reservations, seasonal conditions and operating hours.
- Choose the Arizona region that best matches the season of your trip
- Use maps and distance guides to organize day trips and road-trip routes
- Compare lakes, parks, attractions and outdoor activities
- Check individual destination pages for current access, hours and seasonal conditions
- Explore nearby attractions to create multi-day itineraries
For detailed freshwater fishing information, visit Arizona fishing at AA-Fishing.com.
Arizona Vacation & Travel FAQ
What Is Arizona Leisure?
Arizona Leisure is a statewide travel and vacation planning guide covering Arizona attractions, destinations, lakes, maps, scenic drives, outdoor recreation, historic sites, wildlife and things to do.
What Are The Most Popular Places To Visit In Arizona?
Popular Arizona destinations include the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Tucson, Prescott, the White Mountains and historic communities throughout the state.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Arizona?
The best season depends on elevation and destination. Phoenix and southern Arizona are especially popular during the cooler months, while Flagstaff, the White Mountains and other high-country areas are popular during summer. Spring and fall are excellent for statewide road trips.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Arizona?
Popular activities include visiting the Grand Canyon, hiking, scenic drives, boating and fishing, exploring historic towns and archaeological sites, wildlife viewing, museums, national monuments and desert sightseeing.
Does Arizona Leisure Include Maps And Directions?
Yes. Arizona Leisure includes statewide maps, regional maps, destination maps, driving-distance guides and directions to attractions, towns, lakes, parks and scenic destinations.
Where Can I Find Arizona Lake Information?
Arizona Leisure includes guides to Phoenix-area lakes, White Mountains lakes, Rim Country lakes, Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, Lake Mead and other boating and fishing destinations.
Does Arizona Leisure Cover Outdoor Recreation?
Yes. The site includes hiking, fishing, boating, camping, wildlife viewing, scenic drives, parks, lakes and outdoor recreation throughout Arizona.
Where Should I Go In Arizona During Summer?
Popular summer destinations include Flagstaff, the White Mountains, Rim Country, northern Arizona and high-elevation lakes where temperatures are generally cooler than Arizona's low desert regions.
Where Should I Go In Arizona During Winter?
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson and other southern Arizona destinations are popular for mild-weather winter vacations, while Flagstaff and Arizona's mountain regions offer snow recreation.
Can I Plan Arizona Day Trips With This Site?
Yes. Use the maps, distance guides, regional pages and nearby-attraction links to plan day trips from Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff and other Arizona travel bases.
