Are you ready to escape to the desert for all the best views and sunny days?! With the (usually) budget-friendly flights, Phoenix is the perfect starting point to start exploring all that Arizona has to offer! After returning from a quick road trip through Sedona and Tucson, I was instantly hooked on the desert vibes. I’m SO excited to share the BEST weekend trips from Phoenix, AZ! It’s time to start planning the ULTIMATE Arizona Road Trip!
Tip: I have sorted these Phoenix Weekend Trips from closest to the farthest so you can plan the perfect getaway depending on the time you have available. OR use the map and ideas below to plan an epic road trip from Phoenix!
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Table of Contents
Weekend Trips from Phoenix, AZ Map
Side note: Phoenix is also a great city to spend a weekend exploring! Check out this 3-day guide if you are hoping to save on some drive time!
Saguaro National Park
Distance from Phoenix: 100 miles
The quintessential Arizona vibe. Sunny skies, desert vibes, and saguaros as far as the eye can see. Saguaro National park is a quick 1.5-hour drive from the Phoenix Airport. The National Park has over 91,000 acres to explore. You can hike, camp, search for petroglyphs, and of course marvel at the massive saguaros.
If wanting to explore more of the Tucson area, be sure to check out Seven Falls Hike. This hike features river crossings, saguaros (of course), and ends will a massive waterfall and freezing cold swimming hole! End your busy hiking day by relaxing at the cutest B&B located right outside of Saguaro National Park. Casa Tierra Adobe features a comfy bed, cozy terrace, homemade breakfast and snacks, and a hot tub under the stars!
Sedona
Distance from Phoenix: 119 miles
I am sure you have heard ALL ABOUT Sedona lately. The popular Devils Bridge Hike (pictured above) draws visitors from all over the world. BUT, do not let the crowds scare you away. Sedona is full of amazing hikes, shops, restaurants, and all the views.
My favorite Sedona hikes include Boyton Canyon, Cathedral Rock (for sunset), Soldiers pass, and of course Devil’s BridGe. There are also opportunities to hot air balloon, horse back ride, off-road, and wine taste. Sedona is a perfect weekend trip from Phoenix for all outdoor lovers.
Be aware, Sedona is quite expensive. Prepare to pack lunches, and spend a bit of money on dinners and drinks. Hotels are also quite spendy. Be sure to check out hotels and airbnbs that are a bit outside of the actual city. If looking for a unique stay, check out Diamond Gal Inn in Cornville for all the wild west vibes- complete with farm animals, breakfast, paddle boats, and tennis courts!
Flagstaff
by Noel at Visit California and Beyond
Distance from Phoenix: 148 miles
Flagstaff makes for a great weekend trip from the Phoenix area, less than 145 miles on the I17 you can reach Flagstaff in a little over two hours. The city makes a great base to visit around some of the impressive parks and landscape in the area and a cheap alternative to visiting the Grand Canyon for places to stay. Flagstaff has a fantastic historic district to explore and you can visit national monuments like Walnut Canyon, Wapatki National Monument, Sunset Crater, and the Montezuma Castle, all of which have historic references to the ancient Indian civilization of the Sinagua people, culture, and dwellings.
There’s so much nature, landscape, and historic places to visit around Flagstaff that makes it a great place to base yourself and explore the areas surrounding the city. You can even take a scenic back road drive to Sedona as another day trip which makes it easy and cheap to visit this scenic region with the red hills and mountains of the area. Whether using Flagstaff as a base, or a stop along your Arizona road trip, you will surely find some unique gems!
Chiricahua National Monument
by Chantelle at Flannels or Flip Flops
Distance from Phoenix: 227 miles
If you are looking for a fun weekend trip from Phoenix, you should definitely try Chiricahua National Monument! The monument is located 3.5 hours from Phoenix in the SE portion of Arizona. The park is free to enter, and you can spend the day exploring the numerous rocky areas and hiking trails.
So, what exactly is Chiricahua National Monument? That’s a valid question since most people haven’t heard of it. The Park consists of mountains and valleys that are completely unique to the typical Arizona Landscape. BUT what makes it special, are the gigantic rhyolite formations that surround you everywhere in the park.
These stone giants have formed from volcanic activity thousands of years ago. They are now covered in bright yellow and green lichen and look incredible against the Arizona Blue Sky. They form pathways that lead to incredibly unique hiking experiences such as the “grottoes” and “wall street”.
My suggestion for how to spend a day in Chiricahua is to arrive early and drive all the way up to the Echo Canyon Trailhead. Hike the Echo Canyon Trail in a counter-clockwise direction (it is easier). After you’re done with the hike, head back down the road to Massai Point and walk to the observation area to look across the valley. There is also a short nature trail here that is interesting and scenic. You can then drive back down the main road for an incredibly scenic drive!
Be sure and arrive early as parking is limited at Echo Canyon. There is a shuttle that runs from the visitors center in Nonpandemic times.
You can camp right in the park for an even more immersive experience. If you don’t want to camp, the small town of Wilcox offers the closest accommodations, but know that it is very small and choices are limited, so book early!
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Grand Canyon National Park
by Rebecca at Whatever Packs Your Bag
Distance from Phoenix: 233 miles
One of the most beautiful, and awe-inspiring views in the world is The Grand Canyon National Park. It is a mere 3 and ½ hours from Phoenix and makes the perfect long weekend trip. The National Park covers 277 miles of the Colorado River and can be a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide.
There are multiple options for staying in and around the park, but if you plan to book a camping spot, you need to do so at least a year in advance as they fill up fast. If that isn’t an option, or roughing it isn’t really your thing, Grand Canyon Village has a lot of options.
There are three gated entrances to the Grand Canyon, two on the south rim and one on the north rim. The north rim closes in the winter when conditions require it, so check the NPS website to ensure the location you are going to is open. The south rim entrance is closest to Phoenix, and the three hikes you need to experience: Rim Trail, Grandview Trail, and Bright Angel Trail. The easiest and most popular is The Bright Angel Trail and can be as easy or as difficult as you would like up to 12 miles roundtrip. Hopi Point can be a great place to watch the sunset.
If you are looking for a more relaxed way to spend your time, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a bit of a drive, but the view and experience is amazing! If you are looking for more excitement, then adding a white water rafting trip may be worth adding to the itinerary, there are multiple tour companies that offer the experience. The Grand Canyon is a bucket list item that everyone should check off their list.
Antelope Canyon
by Debbie from World Adventurists
Distance from Phoenix: 279 miles
Just under a five-hour drive from Phoenix is the Antelope Canyon, the most visited and most photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. Visiting Antelope Canyon is an impressive way to witness the power of Mother Nature and a perfect long weekend trip from Phoenix.
Antelope Canyon was formed by flash floods flowing into cracks of the Navajo sandstone. Further eroded by wind, natural curves and swirling colours were created. When light reflects off the sandstone, the colors really come to life.
The canyon cannot be entered without a tour guide present. During peak season it is an extremely popular attraction, so you will want to book ahead. If you want to do both Upper and Lower Canyon, for best lighting, do the Upper Antelope Canyon tour in the morning and the Lower Antelope Canyon tour in the afternoon.
Lake Powell Canyon Inn will get you modest accommodations. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, the Best Western View Of Lake Powell Hotel or Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell may check all your boxes for accommodation. Camping is also available at the Page Lake Powell Campground.
Located in Page, a small town in Northern Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of its biggest attractions. BUT, make sure to also visit Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell, if time allows. Here’s a complete 3-day Page itinerary!
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Mojave National Preserve
by Dani from No Hurry To Get Home
Distance from Phoenix: 284 miles
Touted as one of the most unique places to visit in southern California, the Mojave National Preserve is one of the best weekend trips from Phoenix and one of the most magical desert experiences to have in the United States. Think sand dunes as far as the eye can see, Joshua trees lining the horizon, and cinder cone volcanoes creating an insanely dramatic backdrop.
This 1.6-million-acre park has a ton of things to offer, but if you only have a weekend to spare, one of the top activities is to go on a hike, with both the Kelso Dunes hike and the Mitchell Caverns Trail being the top options if you’re up for a once-in-a-lifetime trail. Another must-see is Mojave’s forest, which happens to be the largest Joshua tree forest in the world (nope, it’s not Joshua Tree National Park as most might think!).
Note that you will not find many facilities here, so make sure to bring food and water for the day. Moreover, there are no gas stations inside the park, so plan accordingly.
There’s a campground located next to the Rings Trail and you can actually camp on most spots throughout the preserve as long as you follow the Leave No Trace mantra. If you’d rather not camp, the nearest town is Barstow, which offers a decent selection of accommodation options. The Route 66 Motel is an excellent option if you want to feel as though you’re in a vintage movie.
Joshua Tree National Park
by Olivia from Girl With Blue Sails
Distance from Phoenix: 294 miles
About 3 hours away from the Phoenix lies the majestic desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park, California. Located in the Mojave desert, this National park is often used as a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of big cities. For most, it’s a chance to unplug, get fresh air, and relax.
Named after the iconic trees that dot the landscape, Joshua Tree National park offers many beautiful hikes and camping spots. There are a few easy loop trails for beginner hikers with good sightseeing stops like Barker Dam and Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail. Joshua Tree is also popular among rock climbers and wildlife enthusiasts.
There are campsites located inside the park, giving you an awesome location and a great opportunity for stargazing. Prepare to book well in advance, however, as these campsites sell out fast. There are some hotels in the area, but highly recommended are the surrounding Airbnb’s. There are entire beautiful desert homes for rent, often with fire pits and hot tubs to help guests enjoy the desert in luxury.
The best time of year to visit Joshua Tree National Park is in the spring or fall, when the days are warm and sunny, and nights are crisp and cool. The park is beautiful in the summer and winter months as well, but prepare for both extreme heat and extreme cold. Tip for visitors: Enjoy the desert beauty at sunrise or sunset. See the sky change colors behind the silhouettes of the infamous Joshua trees.
Las Vegas
by Karee at Our Woven Journey
Distance from Phoenix: 304 miles
If you’re thinking of taking a road trip from Phoenix, consider heading for Las Vegas. At not quite five hours away, it’s close enough to drive to, but far enough away to make it feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere fun.
There’s no end to the list of things you could spend your time doing in Vegas, so you’ll want to make sure you’re on the same page with whomever you go with before you get there. Although this city is known for partying, it’s also a fantastic place to spend if you’re up for some pampering and relaxation.
For starters, you could spend your morning pool-side in a rented cabana at one of the nicer hotels in the city like the JW Marriott Resort and Spa. Then, head to The Dry Bar and treat yourself to a wash and a blowout to make yourself feel like a queen. When you’re ready, venture out for afternoon tea at the Tea Lounge on the 23rd floor of the Waldorf Astoria. Not only will the refreshments be delightful, you’ll have an amazing view of the city!
Even if you’re just window shopping, you could spend some time walking through the upscale shops at Crystals by Aria before heading to the Chandelier in the Cosmopolitan for a cocktail and to plan out the rest of your weekend.
Arizona is a treasure trove of amazing places to explore, but for a sure-fire way to spend a few days being completely entertained and even pampered, head straight for Las Vegas!
Monument Valley
by James at Parks Collecting
Distance from Phoenix: 319 miles
Monument Valley is the very essence of quintessential wild western scenery, and makes a great weekend trip from Phoenix.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, as it is officially called, is on Navajo land, and there are limits to where you can go by yourself. One of them, though, is the main scenic drive through the valley. Although RVs are not permitted on the dirt road, regular cars are and you can go at your pace. The 17-mile loop takes you deep into the valley and passes most of the incredible buttes and mesas that make Monument Valley so famous. There are 11 viewpoints where you can stop and take amazing Instagram-worthy photos. Allow half a day and take your time to soak in the views.
If you like to be more active, there is also a hike that you can do without a Navajo guide. The Wildcat Trail leaves from The View and circles around West Mitten, with stunning and ever-changing views of West and East Mittens and Merrick Butte. It’s a fairly easy hike and well worth it – just be aware that the trail is only open in the morning and late afternoon to avoid the worst heat of the day.
If you can, get up early each morning to see the sunrise over the valley – the colors are amazing. Also recommended is to take a tour of the backcountry with a Navajo guide. These tours go into areas not accessible by the general public and give a wonderful insight into the Navajo culture.
You will love this weekend trip! Try to get an early start, as it is just under five hours drive to get there. There are two main places to stay. Goulding’s is a hotel complex and campground with distant views of the valley. However, if you want to stay right on the edge of the valley, stay at The View. There is a hotel (the rooms with valley views are a little pricey, but totally worth it), as well as cabins and a primitive campground with views to die for.
San Diego, CA
by Dymphe at Dymabroad
Distance from Dallas: 358 miles
One of the best weekend trips from Phoenix is one to the city of San Diego. This city in the state of California is great to visit, as there are lots of great things to do and see, and because the atmosphere of San Diego is amazing to experience!
A great thing to do in San Diego is visiting Balboa Park. The park is not only very pretty to walkthrough, but you will also likely spot a lot of nature and buildings with a beautiful architectural style. Besides that, there are many museums at Balboa Park and you can find the San Diego Zoo here!
Of course, when you are in San Diego, you should definitely go to the beach for a relaxing time! Great beaches in the city are Mission Beach and Coronado Beach. Another great activity in San Diego is visiting Belmont Park. This is a great amusement park with lots of entertainment. An amazing place to stay in San Diego is Hotel del Coronado, which is a very luxurious resort hotel in the city adjacent to the beach. If you truly want to explore the city, I recommend staying one week in San Diego, which is the perfect amount of time to get the most out of your trip!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram or in our private Facebook group for more itineraries, USA road trip stops, and to ask any questions you may have! Come let me know your favorite weekend trip from Phoenix!
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