Ultimate Guide to Arizona Parks
Posted: March 28, 2024 | Hanna Muth
With crimson rock formations, a rich Native American history, and expansive canyon views, Arizona is among the most beautiful places in the United States. You could spend months in Arizona and still not experience all of its incredible landscapes.
If you’re looking for an Arizona vacation package or ideas for your next trip, keep reading to learn where to stay, what to do, and how to maximize your time in this gorgeous southwestern state.
When To Visit Arizona National Parks
Fall is the best time to visit Arizona – the weather is warm but not too hot, and you won’t run into snow if you’re in the northern part of the state. If you’re here in the summer, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees, so if you want to enjoy hiking and outdoor activities, visiting in the autumn is best.
How To Get To Arizona
Most visitors can fly into Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas or Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. From Las Vegas, it’s just a five-hour drive to many of the main attractions.
Likewise, if you fly into Phoenix, it’s just 4 hours to Antelope Canyon, 5 hours to the Grand Canyon, or 3.5 hours to Petrified Forest. If you’re flying in, renting a car while you’re here is the best option!
The Best Arizona National Parks and Things To Do
Grand Canyon South Rim
It’s no secret that the Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most spectacular places in the world. This protected national park in Northwestern Arizona attracts millions of visitors annually.
The best part of the Grand Canyon is the South Rim, about a five-hour drive from either Phoenix or Las Vegas. Perched 7,000 feet above sea level and directly above the Colorado River, this area of the canyon boasts expansive, postcard-worthy views – two dozen of them, to be exact.
While you’re here, you can hike beneath the rim on Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail. As you descend closer to the canyon, you’ll notice ancient rock formations in colorful hues. You can also hike along the South Rim Trail to enjoy incredible canyon views.
Grand Canyon guided tours are the best and most efficient way to experience everything in this area of the park. Our Grand Canyon + Beyond 5-day trip is easily the best Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas!
Grand Canyon West
If you’re traveling from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West is the most accessible portion of the Grand Canyon. However, this area is not part of the larger Grand Canyon National Park – but it is the second-most visited area of the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the most popular attraction in this area. This all-glass skywalk juts out 70 feet over the canyon, so you can experience the thrill of looking down to see nothing but the canyon floor below!
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is one of the most photographed places on Earth, and for good reason! With sandstone formations towering over the desert at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet, surrounded by shrubs, trees, and buttes, this landscape is a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors.
You can drive this park’s 17-mile dirt loop to view the incredible rock formations. Hike the Wildcat Trail, an easy 4-mile loop around Mitten Butte, or enjoy a jeep tour to catch a glimpse of natural arches and ancient cliff dwellings. It’s definitely worth booking a Monument Valley sunset jeep trip – the sunsets in this park are out of this world!
This park is also a great place to learn more about Navajo history. You can shop for traditional Navajo artwork at the Trading Post, where you’ll find concho belts, squash bottom necklaces, and hand-woven baskets.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon has been shaped by years of water and wind, sculpting its iconic sandstone walls. The hike through the canyon is only about ¼ of a mile, but along the way, you’ll encounter some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.
Lower Antelope Canyon
While Lower Antelope Canyon is more physically demanding than Upper Antelope Canyon, those who venture into this area will be rewarded with fewer crowds, sculpted sandstone passageways, and otherworldly rock formations, meaning that the photo ops are endless! As the sun’s rays filter through the cracks above while your Navajo guide shares secrets and stories of this land, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a different dimension.
It’s worth noting that you must be on a guided Antelope Canyon hiking tour to venture into the canyon. Because Navajo Parks and Recreation protects this canyon, only authorized tour companies can take visitors into this area.
Petrified Forest National Park
Located in northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park has no shortage of things to do. You can start at the Rainbow Forest Museum, showcasing paleontology exhibits, and then embark on one of the many trails that start from the museum.
Explore the village ruins of Puerco Pueblo, then check out the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock, located in the center of the park. In the north of the park, you’ll find the Painted Desert Inn, an adobe building dating back to the 1930s.
Saguaro National Park
If you love desert scenery, then Saguaro National Park will not disappoint! Located in Tucson, this park is named after the Saguaro Cactus, the largest cactus in the world – and the only place where this plant grows is in the Tucson area!
You can walk among the towering cacti on the Valley View Overlook Trail or check out the Signal Hill Petroglyphs, created by the Hohokam people around 800 years ago.
Parting thoughts
If you’re looking for Las Vegas hiking adventures, making the short drive to Arizona is likely your best option! Whether you’re on a Monument Valley sunset jeep trip or an Antelope Canyon hiking tour, there’s something for everyone in this region of the United States.
In just five days and four nights, you can experience the majestic Grand Canyon, explore the beauty of Antelope Canyon, and witness Monument Valley’s incredible scenery. And luckily this tour also visits Zion National Park! Book a tour today to experience the best Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas!
