Southwest · Colorado Plateau to Sonoran Desert · Statehood 1912
Arizona
State
Field Guide
Red rock buttes on Navajo land, a town ringed by sandstone spires, and a river that bends about 1,000 feet below a cliff edge. Arizona is more than the Grand Canyon. These are three classics and one canyon that is still lived in today.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Navajo Nation · Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Drive theMonument ValleyLoop
Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park on the Arizona–Utah border, where sandstone buttes rise up to about 1,000 feet above a flat desert floor. The 17-mile Valley Drive loop is a dirt road open to most vehicles in dry weather, and Navajo guides can take you to places the self-drive loop does not reach. It is a living community, so follow park rules and ask before photographing people. Sunrise and sunset light the buttes in deep red.
02.
Verde Valley · Sedona
Hike theSedona Red Rocks
Sedona sits in the Verde Valley below red sandstone cliffs, inside Coconino National Forest. Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Devil's Bridge are popular hikes, and many trailheads need a Red Rock Pass or other day-use permit, so check the Forest Service before you go. Sunrise and sunset color the rocks strongly. Go early to find parking and avoid summer heat.
03.
Northern Arizona · Page
SeeHorseshoe Bendand Antelope Canyon
At Horseshoe Bend, the Colorado River makes a U-shaped turn about 1,000 feet below a cliff-top overlook, reached by a hardened trail of 1.5 miles round trip from a parking lot run by the City of Page, which charges a fee that national park passes do not cover. Page also serves as the base for Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon on Navajo land that can be visited only on a guided tour. Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam are minutes away. Arrive early or late to avoid midday crowds and harsh light.
Little-Known Gem
Canyon de Chelly: theLiving Canyon of the Navajo
Canyon de Chelly National Monument · Navajo Nation · Chinle
Most visitors to northern Arizona stop at Monument Valley and skip Canyon de Chelly. The canyons here, on Navajo Nation land near Chinle, have been inhabited for thousands of years, and Navajo families still farm the canyon floors. The rim drives have overlooks of Spider Rock and ancient cliff dwellings, and access to the canyon floor is limited to guided tours with Navajo guides, apart from the White House Ruin trail. It is quiet and uncrowded.
Arizona Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Arizona besides the Grand Canyon?
Three classics are Monument Valley, Sedona, and Horseshoe Bend near Page. A lesser-known stop is Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo Nation. Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly fit together in northeastern Arizona, while Sedona and Page are on different routes.
Can I visit Antelope Canyon on my own?
No. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land and can be visited only on a guided tour with an authorized Navajo tour company. Book ahead, especially in summer.
What is the best time of year to visit Arizona?
Spring and fall are the most comfortable for the red rock regions. Summer is very hot in the low desert, though northern Arizona stays cooler, and winter brings snow to the high country.