Why Arizona is made for adventures
Few places pack this much landscape into one road trip. In the north, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley lie within a few hours' drive of each other. In the middle of the state, Sedona's red rocks rise above Oak Creek. In the south, saguaro forests and Old West towns like Tombstone surround Phoenix and Tucson.
Most Arizona adventures need a little planning. Antelope Canyon can only be visited on a Navajo-guided tour, popular time slots sell out weeks ahead, and since 2026 visitors from outside the US pay an extra fee at the Grand Canyon. This guide helps you get those details right.
The best Arizona adventures
From slot canyons to sunrise balloon rides, these are the experiences worth planning your trip around.
Antelope Canyon tours
Upper or Lower? How the two slot canyons differ, what tours cost and when the light beams appear.
Grand Canyon tours
South Rim, West Rim or North Rim, by bus, plane or helicopter. Which trip fits your plans.
Horseshoe Bend
The famous bend of the Colorado River, a short walk from the parking lot near Page.
Sedona
Hikes, jeep tours and viewpoints among Arizona's most photographed red rock formations.
Monument Valley
Sandstone buttes on the Arizona–Utah border, best seen on a Navajo-guided drive.
Lake Powell
Boat and kayak tours through the side canyons of Glen Canyon near Page.
Grand Canyon by helicopter
Routes from the South Rim and Las Vegas, and what to expect on board.
Hot air balloon rides
Float over the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix or the red rocks of Sedona.
Tombstone
The town of the O.K. Corral gunfight, an easy day trip from Tucson.
Our picks: Arizona canyons and valleys
Our take: the Lower Antelope Canyon walk is a one-hour slot canyon visit, and the helicopter flight shows you the Grand Canyon from the air in 45 minutes. The Monument Valley tour is a three-hour drive with a local Navajo guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
45-minute helicopter flight from Tusayan
- 45-minute flight
- All taxes and fees
A flight over the Grand Canyon. All passengers check in 30 minutes before departure.
Check availability →
Guided walk through Lower Antelope Canyon
- Fees and taxes included
- One-hour guided walk
Check in 45 minutes before your tour time, at the first left after the entrance to the tribal park.
Check availability →Monument Valley tour with a local guide
- Local Navajo guide
- Bottled water
A three-hour guided tour of the valley. The meeting point is the loading zone outside the hotel, one level below its parking.
Check availability →Top-rated Arizona tours
Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Sedona tours with live prices and availability.
Arizona's three regions at a glance
Distances are bigger than they look on the map. Choose a base in each region rather than trying to see everything from one place.
Northern Arizona
The Grand Canyon, Page with Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell, and Monument Valley on the Utah border. High plateau country: warm summers, cold winters, snow possible at the South Rim.
Things to do in Page →Central Arizona
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, Flagstaff and the Route 66 towns of Williams and Seligman. The natural link between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon.
Things to do in Sedona →Southern Arizona
Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson in the Sonoran Desert, Saguaro National Park and Tombstone. Best from late autumn to spring, very hot in summer.
Saguaro National Park →Putting it together
A loop from Phoenix or Las Vegas links all three regions. Plan at least a week for the highlights, ten to fourteen days to enjoy them.
Arizona road trip itineraries →Plan your Arizona trip
The practical details that decide whether a day goes smoothly.
Book the canyons early
Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land and only open on guided tours. Midday slots in spring and summer often sell out weeks ahead.
Antelope Canyon tours →Watch the clock
Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, but the Navajo Nation does. In summer that is a one-hour difference around Page and Monument Valley.
Upper Antelope Canyon tips →Budget for park fees
The Grand Canyon costs $35 per vehicle. Since 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an additional $100 per person, unless they hold the $250 annual pass.
Grand Canyon tours →Pick the right season
Spring and autumn suit most of the state. July to mid-September brings monsoon storms and flash flood risk in slot canyons.
Best time to visit Arizona →Arizona adventures: frequently asked questions
What are the best adventures in Arizona?
A Navajo-guided tour of Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon from the South Rim or by helicopter, the walk to Horseshoe Bend, a jeep tour in Sedona and a drive through Monument Valley. In the south, add Saguaro National Park and Tombstone.
How many days do you need in Arizona?
At least seven days for the northern highlights and Sedona, ideally ten to fourteen if you also want Phoenix, Tucson and the south. See our road trip itineraries.
Do you need to book tours in advance?
For Antelope Canyon, yes, as it can only be visited on a guided tour. Grand Canyon helicopter flights, balloon rides and Monument Valley backcountry tours also fill up in peak season.
Is the Grand Canyon more expensive for foreign visitors?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person on top of the $35 vehicle fee. The annual America the Beautiful pass for non-residents costs $250 and covers both.
Where is the best base for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend?
Page, Arizona. Both are about ten minutes from town, and Lake Powell is right next door.