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  • More Things To See And Do In Arizona Besides The Grand Canyon

Arizona is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in the country, and it's a great destination year-round. The Grand Canyon alone would be an excellent reason to visit Arizona, but the estate offers many other incredible sites. Travelers can find perfect campsites, vibrant cities, ghost towns, national parks, and ancient tribal lands.

It's an excellent place for adventure lovers, where they can find endless activities, and also for people who want to slow down and relax. For travelers dreaming about Arizona, here are the best things to do.

UPDATE: 2023/01/20 16:46 EST BY AARON SPRAY

More Things To See And Do In Arizona Besides The Grand Canyon

Arizona is one of the most stunning states to discover in the United States. While the most famous attraction is the Grand Canyon, the state is bursting with plenty of things to see and do. This list was updated and expanded with more things to put on one's Arizona bucket list.

15 Explore Antelope Canyon And More

The Grand Canyon is arguably the most famous canyon on earth, but people visiting Arizona have the chance to explore other incredible spots. When visiting the state, travelers should consider visiting Antelope, a slot canyon inside a Navajo territory. There are many tours to explore this area, and visitors can only access the place with a guided hike.

Arizona features other worth-visiting canyons, including Walnut Canyon, Paria Canyon, and Oak Creek Canyon. In Central Arizona, travelers can also find the Verde Canyon and Northeastern Arizona is home to Canyon de Chelly.

  • Accommodation: Red Rock Retreat
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14 Plan A Great Weekend At Sedona

Sedona is famous for its four vortexes, which are places with reportedly healing properties. Beyond spirituality, this region attracts thousands of tourists thanks to its unique red walls and many hikes suitable for beginners and experienced hikers. The place has some incredible hotels with panoramic views and easy access to trails. It's also excellent for stargazing.

The city center features many shops, restaurants, spas, and galleries. Sedona is a perfect destination for travelers looking for adventure, spirituality, or just relaxing for a few days.

13 Have A Glimpse Of The Wild West

Travelers can go back in time and visit an 1880s Old West town in the south of Phoenix. Rawhide has recreated the Wild West atmosphere, including old-time gunfights, real camel rides, a haunted hotel, trampoline bungee jumping, and a mechanical bull. It's an excellent place to visit with children, but adults can also expect a great time.

The Rawhide Steakhouse and Saloon is praised among visitors for its appetizers. The western-style menu features steaks, barbeque, and prime rib.

12 Hike On Less Visited Trails

Hiking is one of Arizona's most popular activities, and some trails receive lots of tourists. Visitors can also have a great time by choosing overlooked paths, where they are likely to encounter fewer tourists. The Bear Mountains is a less-known trail in Sedona, and it offers a panoramic view of Red Rock Country, Jerome, and the San Francisco Peaks.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail stretches over 800 miles and has 40 trails. Adventurous travelers can also check the Hell's Gate Trail, where hikers must go through a pine forest and cross a canyon.

11 Have Fun At The Salt River

The Salt River stretches over miles and is one of Arizona's largest rivers. It is located in the Tonto National Forest and is very popular among locals - especially during the summer when large groups bring speakers and coolers to spend the day.

The most popular activities in the area are tubing the Lower Salt River and kayaking. Visitors will likely encounter many wild horses, making the day even more memorable. As it's nestled in a national forest, visitors must pay an $8 fee to access the place.

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10 Enjoy The Lake Saguaro

The gorgeous Lake Saguaro is a reservoir on the Salt River, and canyon walls surround it. The place features many recreational activities, including a scenic riverboat cruise. The Desert Belle is a 90-minute boat tour where visitors can explore the area and learn more about the lake.

Lake Saguaro has a marina where visitors can find many shops that arrange water activities, such as boating, kayaking, sailing, skiing, and jet skiing. It's also excellent for fishing and hiking.

9 Visit Those National Parks

Arizona is home to three National Parks: Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro. The Petrified Forest is located in northeastern Arizona and features petrified trees dating back 250 million years ago, and it has many archeological sites. Travelers can explore the area by taking different hikes, and it's also an excellent spot for camping.

Saguaro National Park is located in Southern Arizona and was named after the Saguaro cactus found in the park. It features many easy trails.

8 Stop By A Ghost Town

One of the most interesting things to do during a road trip in Arizona is to stop by a ghost town. While Jerome and Bisbee rank among the most famous, travelers can easily find many other ones around abandoned mines. Swansea is an excellent ghost town for people interested in exploring old buildings. Agua Caliente is another option, and it features an old cemetery.

For those interested in camping, Kentucky Camp allows visitors to camp in the area, and they can also rent a cabin.

7 Meet One Of The Most Diverse Forests In The Country

The Coconino National Forest is named after the Coho Native American people and features a range of activities. This forest stretches over two million acres, where visitors can find mining lands, Humphreys Peak (the highest point in Arizona), and Lake Mormon, the largest natural lake in the state.

This vast area can be explored on a scenic road trip, and people can also go hiking. During summer, the rivers and lakes within the park are great places to spend the day. During winter, Coconino becomes an excellent destination for skiing.

6 Discover Phoenix's Art scene

Another great reason to visit Phoenix is to discover its vibrant cultural scene. Travelers can find performances in theaters and exhibitions in many art galleries year-round. Street art is also something that can't be ignored when visiting Phoenix, and visitors can find many mural walls on the streets. The most famous is at Roosevelt Row Arts District, which is known as Phoenix's Mural Alley.

Travelers can also find many museums, such as the Phoenix Art Museum and the Musical Instrument Museum.

5 Visit Tombstone

Gunfight at the famous OK Corral in Tombstone

Tombstone is the quintessential Wild West Town of the Southwest. The town continues to preserve its Old West days and architecture and claims some of the most iconic Wild West tales. Notably, it is where the iconic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place and today visitors come from far and wide to see the reenactments of the shootout that captured the imagination of the West.

4 Drive Bearizona

While nowhere can match Africa for wildlife safaris, North American safaris and wildlife is often underrated. Perhaps the best place to see North American wildlife in the wild is Yellowstone. But perhaps the best place to see wildlife in an open zoo where guests are the ones penned up in their cars is Bearizona. Bearizona is dedicated to North American wildlife with many of the most iconic of North American animals.

3 Check Out Navajo Bridge

Navajo Bridge is one of the very few crossing points over the Grand Canyon (or just before the Grand Canyon). It is located near the historic site of Lees Ferry - the only place where one can drive down to the Colorado River in the canyon. Navajo Bridge is both beautiful and historic as well as the gateway to the remote corner of Arizona north of the Grand Canyon.

2 Explore The Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is iconic in the American Southwest. It is where the most iconic of North American cactuses grow - including the rare and giant saguaro cactus. The desert is a hot desert and summer temperatures can be swelteringly hot. So it may be better to plan around visiting in the shoulder seasons or in the winter. The Sonoran Desert is also home to the Saguaro National Park.

1 Ride The Grand Canyon Railway

The while the Grand Canyon Railway goes to the Grand Canyon, it does not count as an activity in the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Railway offers a chance to relive the old days of train travel going to the canyon from the gateway town of Williams. The Grand Canyon Railway is a great family activity with re-enactments including an old-timey Wild West "train robbery."