Arizona | Arizona Top 10 | Trains & Frogs

1. Grand Canyon National Park

This goes without saying. Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State, after all. Every corner of this national park deserves a visit. It is gorgeous in every light and every season, no matter how many times you have seen it. Hikes, viewpoints and scenic drives all add to its grandeur.

Woman sitting on a rocky ledge above the layered walls of the Grand Canyon

Gorgeous in every light.

2. Horseshoe Bend

Best seen at sunset. This view is one of the most beautiful in all of Arizona.

The Colorado River curving around a red rock horseshoe far below

Horseshoe Bend.

3. Saguaro National Park (West)

One of the best places to see saguaro cacti in Arizona.

A trail through desert scrub lined with tall saguaro cacti under a blue sky

Saguaros as far as you can see.

4. Sedona

Every part of this city is gorgeous. From anywhere in town, you get an amazing view of the towering red rocks. The quaint downtown and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village offer plenty of restaurants, shops and art galleries. Sedona is known for its healing energy vortexes as well. It was definitely one of our favorite cities for traveling with our dog.

Red rock buttes rising above green desert, seen over a road in Sedona

Red rocks from almost anywhere in town.

Patterned rugs hanging from a balcony over potted shrubs at Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

5. Birthing Cave hike

We were surprised by how peaceful and beautiful this area was. On our sunset hike, we did not come across anyone else. We had the entire cave to ourselves.

Man and dog scrambling up red rock toward the Birthing Cave, with a boy following and red buttes beyond

The scramble up to the Birthing Cave.

6. Canyon X tour (or any part of Antelope Canyon)

We chose the Canyon X tour as we were there in the middle of summer. The other Antelope Canyon tours may have less availability at the best time of day (around noon) and longer waits outside in the heat. Still, any Antelope Canyon tour is going to be simply stunning.

Family standing together inside a slot canyon of smooth, swirling orange sandstone

Inside Canyon X.

7. Sunset hikes along the South Rim

We enjoyed our sunset hikes along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon almost more than anything else we did there. At sunset the whole canyon glows, from soft golden orange to purple. It is a photographer’s dream, with all these colors to capture from so many different spots.

Woman sitting on the South Rim as the sun sets over the Grand Canyon

Sunset on the South Rim.

8. Slide Rock State Park

This park is just amazing for kids and adults alike who enjoy swimming. The natural slides in the red rocks, with a beautiful gushing river running through them, are truly unique to this part of Arizona.

9. Bright Angel Trail

We enjoyed our short but interesting time on this trail, as we got to go down into the canyon rather than just walk along the rim. For the more adventurous, doing this trail on a mule is even more authentic.

The Grand Canyon at sunset, with the Bright Angel Trail winding below the rim

The Bright Angel Trail, seen from the South Rim Trail.

10. Desert View Watchtower

The view from the viewpoint just around the corner from the watchtower is amazing. It offers the most expansive view of the Colorado River below. The watchtower itself, now a gift shop, with its framed views of the canyon, is worth a visit as well.

The round stone Desert View Watchtower against a deep blue sky

The Desert View Watchtower.

The wide canyon and the Colorado River far below, seen from Desert View

The Colorado River from Desert View.

Bonus: North Rim

We visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon many years ago. I remember it being more beautiful than the South Rim, but less accessible, with more driving. It is worth the trip for a different perspective on this massive canyon.