Life in any big city certainly has its perks. With all the sights, sounds, and smells, there’s never a dull moment. City-dwellers will find themselves in close proximity to an array of activities and events at nearly any given time.
As conducive as this might be to a great night to remember with friends or family, everyone needs a chance to break free and get some fresh air. One of the best ways to refresh is to spend some time outdoors. If you’re looking for a few ideas for day trips from Phoenix to nearby spots, we have you covered.
Camelback Mountain
Located right in the heart of Maricopa County, Camelback Mountain is the base around which much of the Phoenix that we know today was built. Part of what makes it so special is the easy access for locals.
With trails for both beginners and experienced hikers alike and a view of the city that is absolutely breathtaking, it’s hard to go wrong with Camelback. Did we mention it’s one of the highest peaks in Phoenix? This is a great option for someone with less time to spare – many Phoenix residents hike these trails before or after work.
McDowell Mountains
This mountain range is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the Phoenix downtown area and is visible through nearly the entire valley, making for a great day trip from Phoenix.
Home to several peaks that are well-known among many Arizona residents, including Tom’s Thumb, the McDowell Mountains are also a sacred landmark to the Yavapai people. With over 50 miles of trails—including mountain biking trails—spanning across the peaceful Sonoran Desert, there’s something here for everyone.
The Superstition Mountains
Another stunning mountain range that offers sights of red rock and Sonoran Desert as far as the eye can see, The Superstitions are located about 50 miles east of Phoenix. Spanning an impressive distance of about 250 square miles, there’s no shortage of outdoor recreation here.
If you’re up for a challenge, you won’t want to miss out on the Flatiron hike on the Siphon Draw Trail. It’s a difficult hike, but its view of the valley is hard to beat. There are other trails here that accommodate all levels of experience, however, as well as many campsites and walking trails.
Among these is the famous Lost Dutchman State park, legendarily the home of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Be sure to have shoes with good traction, as there is a lot of slick rock here! This is a great location to come for a day, or to camp for a few days.
Payson
Payson, Arizona is a small town that’s a great compromise if you feel like getting out of Phoenix, but don’t want to spend too much time on the road. Payson is about an hour and a half drive from Phoenix and is surrounded by Tonto National Forest. It’s one of the best day trips from Phoenix that’s out there. There is plenty of exploring to be done here, with what feels like an infinite number of trails, trees, creeks, and water holes.
Although Payson is only about 90 miles out, there’s a nice drop in temperature due to the increased elevation. In the summer, this makes for a great opportunity for relief from the Phoenix heat; and in the winter, a chance to see the snow, which is actually quite rare for a Phoenix resident.
There are many campsites and multiple types of recreational trails here. This is another great spot that gives you the option to make a day trip or to stick around for the weekend.
Prescott
This small-town destination is popular among not only Phoenix residents looking to get away, but people all over the country. About 2 hours north of Phoenix, Prescott is known for having some of the cleanest air in the Continental United States. It has been voted onto the list of the United States’ ten best small towns multiple times.
Similar to Payson, Prescott offers a chance to escape the heat for a couple of days and enjoy a different type of landscape. Prescott is also known for its downtown area, home to the historic Whiskey Row.
Fun fact: Prescott is home to the world’s oldest rodeo, dating back to July 4, 1888.
Sedona
Sedona, AZ offers a fabulous combination of the Arizona desert landscape, with higher elevation and more foliage. This place is a hiker’s dream. It has arguably some of the most beautiful trails in the country, with views of forestry and unbelievable rock formations for miles. Plus, it’s just under a 2-hour drive away, making it a perfect day trip from Phoenix.
Sedona is a great city because it offers not only amazing outdoor activities, but also has a great downtown area with lots of neat shops, restaurants, and bars. So, whether you feel like camping, walking a peaceful, luscious mountain trail, renting ATVs for ATV trails, or you just want to enjoy a nice dinner and drink surrounded by Sedona’s beauty, you won’t be disappointed.
Havasupai Waterfalls
This destination requires a bit more preparation ahead of time and involves a long 10-mile hike. It’s not an ideal day trip, but it makes for a great weekend getaway. That said, this is a place that some travel the world to see. About 200 miles north of Phoenix located in the Havasupai tribal lands in the Grand Canyon, the Havasupai falls showcase red desert landscapes and bright green foliage that surround waterfalls and pools of water that are such a beautiful color, it’s almost hard to believe they’re real.
The falls’ water is spring-fed, so it is infused with calcium carbonate from rocks underground, and the riverbeds are made of limestone, giving the water its famed stunning brightness and vibrancy. Naturally, this is a heavily sought-after destination.
Grand Canyon Park
You knew this one was coming! One of the seven natural wonders of the world, and among the most famous and popular destinations in Arizona. If you have the time and means to make it to the Grand Canyon, this one’s a no-brainer. Over millions of years, the Colorado river carved this unbelievable canyon 277 miles long, and at some points, 18 miles wide; with a depth of over a mile.
Though the exact numbers are up for debate, it’s estimated that almost 2 billion years of the Earth’s geological history can be seen through all of the layers of rock that the channels of the river have revealed over all these years. The Grand Canyon was considered to be a holy site by the Pueblo people, who would make pilgrimages to it. This is definitely one for your weekender bucket list.
Sunrise Park
A lot of the time, when people think of Arizona, they think of the hot summers. There’s good reason for this! Since 2000, Phoenix has averaged 113 days of 100-degree weather per year. What a lot of people might not know is how cold Arizona can get in some places. As you continue further north, the elevation increases and the temperature drop is drastic; Northern Arizona actually gets a lot of snow every year.
That snow, combined with mountainous terrain, makes for some great slopes to hit. If it’s wintertime and skiing or snowboarding are your thing, this park located about 4 hours northeast of Phoenix in Greer, AZ will be a great trip for you. There are ski lodges, restaurants, and bars both at the base and atop some of the slopes.
There are runs for all skill levels, and lessons and rental equipment are both available. The road there can be a bit dicey depending on the weather, so you may want to take a four-wheel drive for this trip.
Bonus: Monument Valley
Okay, if you’re looking to escape the buzz in Phoenix, this might be a bit of a stretch. But it wouldn’t feel right to leave Monument Valley off of this list. This site takes you to the Arizona-Utah border, west of the Four Corners. It’s a region of the Colorado Plateau, and is defined by its massive, high-reaching buttes – the tallest being 1000 ft. above the valley floor.
When people think of the American Southwest, an image of Monument Valley will often be what comes to their mind. This one is about 5 hours north of Phoenix, so get ready for a road trip. It’s a long drive, so be prepared! Like the Grand Canyon, if you have the chance to go here it’ll be worth it.
Whether you’re considering a move to the Phoenix area, or you have lived there your whole life, something new and exciting is always out there. If you find yourself in the Valley of the Sun and are looking for a treat, check a couple of these beautiful locations out for yourself.
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