In Arizona, everything is on a colossal scale. These arid lands are home to the Hoover Dam on the Nevada border and the majestic Grand Canyon. Beyond the carved desert landscape, Arizona is also home to mysterious forests and thriving urban centres.
Grand views at the Canyon
The Grand Canyon is an essential stop on every Arizona road trip. This natural wonder is the most visited vacation spot in the United States – and it’s easy to see why. Steep, red ridges frame the Colorado River, with distinctive bands of rock revealing geological secrets spanning millions of years.
If you’re feeling daring, step on the Grand Canyon skywalk – a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge, with views between your feet to the canyon floor, some 4,000 feet below. For a more stripped-back adventure, the northern rim is a less developed part, offering a more rugged and peaceful experience. The winter snows close things down from October to May, but in the summer the burnt earth is rustic and wild.
Experience culture in Monument Valley
Deep in the Sonoran Desert lies a famous valley where red craggy rocks and giant Saguaro cacti decorate the arid landscape. Experience this destination to the full, enjoying a combination of desert drives and sandy walks with a camera.
To get under the skin of Monument Valley, you need to understand its history and culture. Head to the Monument Valley Tribal Park, home to the native Navajo people, to join a tour of the area courtesy of those who know it best. A Navajo guide will show you all the most important areas and treat you to samples of heritage cuisine.
Rise again in red-hot Phoenix
After your desert adventures, a city stop is a great way to refresh. Phoenix is the capital of Arizona – a sprawling desert city with sprawling shopping centers, leafy botanical gardens and world-class restaurants. Phoenix delivers everything you love about city breaks, right in the heart of the US desert.
Western chills at Fort Bowie
If you love Western movies or simply want to delve into chilling local history, Fort Bowie is the place to go. This area was a site of military conflict for more than 30 years and you can still see the memorial sites after a century. Wander across the sloping landscape and you can imagine the sight of warriors out battling on the plains.
Get lost in otherworldly forests
Often imagined as a rusty, desert land, many are surprised to find the north of Arizona filled with deep green forests where mystical, pine clad mountains climb up through the leaf canopy. Head north into the Coconino National Forest to see clay-stacked cliffs along winding hiking trails. The Petrified Forest National Park offers something more haunting, as sandy mountains loom and twisted tree trunks speckle the gray sand wilderness.
Car rental in Arizona is the best way to adventure through the American south-west. Reserve your car online and start planning your dream trip.
