Explore Arizona Outdoors: Best Hikes, Parks, and Adventures in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon.
This Ultimate Arizona guide is the accumulation of spending 8 weeks living in the state and hours of planning and research. It includes an interactive map, directions of where to find hikes, 50 stops and things to do, hiking and restaurants and coffee shops we loved in each town. This is a mobile friendly itinerary so you can use it throughout your trip in real time. We recommend using it for whatever duration of time you're in each city.
Based on our exploration of Arizona this year, we've compiled a comprehensive guide infused with our experiences and insights, including the mishaps and lessons learned along the way. What makes this guide truly unique is its live updates feature. As we prepare for another adventure in Arizona this winter, you'll gain immediate access to our latest discoveries and tips.
With lifetime access and continuous updates, this guide ensures you're always equipped with the most up-to-date information, whenever and wherever you need it."
Take what you need for each city in this guide for a guaranteed amazing set of experiences and vistas!
Tag us in the photos you take - we'd love to see your experience! @evrexploring
We recommend spending at least a weekend in Tucson to explore the outdoors and see what the city has to offer. This was our first stop in Arizona - see below for our recommendations.
How Long Should You Stay?
If you're adding Tucson to a broader itinerary we recommend 3 - 4 days here.
We personally LOVED Saguaro National Park but don't be fooled, these other parks have so much to offer. Tucson also has watering holes which we didn't expect to find!
Try to find the rare crested saguaro cactus! These trails are great for spotting them:
Mica View Loop
This relatively easy trail offers a good chance of spotting a crested saguaro. The loop is around 3.7 miles and provides beautiful views of the surrounding desert.
Freeman Homestead Trail
This 1-mile loop trail is another good option. It's a shorter hike, which makes it accessible for most visitors, and offers scenic views of the saguaro forest.
Valley View Overlook Trail
This is a short, 0.8-mile round-trip hike. It's known for its panoramic views and occasional sightings of crested saguaros.
Wasson Peak via King Canyon Trail
While more strenuous, this trail offers a rewarding hike with the potential to spot a crested saguaro. The trail is about 7.9 miles round trip and takes you to one of the highest points in the park.
There is a small mountain town at the top with shops and restaurants (they close at 5PM). So try to get there early so you can see the ski hill and grab a bite!
PS: Expect a temperature change at the top! We went in April and there was still snow up top.
We stayed in the area for a month at the Mesa Sunset RV Campground in Mesa, AZ. This put us very close to the mountains and gave us a good starting to point to explore the rest of the city.
How Long Should You Stay?
Phoenix has so much to offer for any type of trip you're after. If you want to experience a little bit of everything we recommend at least 3 - 4 days here.
If you take anything from this section PLEASE abide by the NO TRACE POLICY! Sedona's nature gets trashed more than other parks so if you plan to visit please ensure you pack your trash in and out, stay on the trails, and follow the signs!..TY :)
How Long Should You Stay?
We recommend that you stay for at least 7 day to fully experience everything.
