Arizona was made for road trips. One minute you’re cruising through towering red rock canyons, the next you’re climbing into pine forests or winding past giant saguaros and old mining towns. The landscapes change fast here, and honestly, half the fun is the drive itself.
From iconic desert highways to hidden mountain roads, Arizona has some of the most beautiful scenic drives in the Southwest. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a photography trip, or a full-blown Arizona road trip adventure, these scenic routes deserve a spot on your list.
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Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive -Sedona to Flagstaff
One of the most famous scenic drives in Arizona, Oak Creek Canyon along Highway 89A, is pure magic. This winding mountain road connects Sedona and Flagstaff, taking you from towering red rocks into cool pine forests in less than 30 miles.
Pull over at Oak Creek Vista for incredible canyon views, or stop along the creek for hiking, picnicking, and photography. Fall colors here are especially stunning.
More in Sedona: Sedona’s Most Beautiful Red Rock Drives You Need to Experience
State Route 89A: Sedona to Cottonwood
This scenic stretch between Sedona and Cottonwood is packed with classic Arizona views. Massive red rock formations tower above the roadway before slowly giving way to desert landscapes and wide-open Verde Valley views.
Once you reach Cottonwood, stroll around Old Town Cottonwood for local shops, wine tasting rooms, galleries, and restaurants. Nearby Tuzigoot National Monument is worth the stop too.
Sunset Crater and Wupatki Loop Drive
This 36-mile scenic loop near Flagstaff combines volcanic landscapes with ancient Native American history. You’ll drive past lava fields, cinder cones, wide-open desert, and centuries-old pueblo ruins.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument showcases one of Arizona’s youngest volcanoes, while Wupatki National Monument features remarkably preserved ancient pueblo structures surrounded by dramatic desert scenery.
Pro Tip: You will want your camera when visiting these two National Monuments. These are the places you know will probably be one in a lifetime. We love our Kodak PixPro camera when traveling. We get great pictures with it and it also has lots of video storage space.
Highway 89A: Jacob Lake to Marble Canyon
Northern Arizona doesn’t get much prettier than this drive. The route from Jacob Lake to Marble Canyon passes towering red cliffs, open desert landscapes, and incredible Colorado Plateau scenery.
The Vermilion Cliffs practically glow at sunrise and sunset. Once you reach Marble Canyon, stop at Navajo Bridge for jaw-dropping views of the Colorado River far below.
State Route 260: Camp Verde to Payson
This underrated Arizona road trip route climbs from desert terrain into the cool forests near the Mogollon Rim. Along the way, you’ll see red rock cliffs, rugged canyons, and sweeping mountain views.
Once you reach Payson, explore nearby hiking trails, Tonto National Monument, or even soak in Verde Hot Springs if you’re feeling adventurous.
Beaver Creek Road Near Rimrock
Looking for a quieter, scenic drive? Beaver Creek Road near Rimrock offers beautiful red rock scenery without the crowds.
The drive passes beneath sandstone cliffs and leads to several incredible archaeological sites, including Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, and the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site.
State Route 87 (Beeline Highway)
The Beeline Highway climbs north from the Sonoran Desert toward the cooler mountain towns of Strawberry and Payson. Along the way, red rock formations, desert vistas, and forested slopes create a constantly changing landscape.
This drive is especially popular during the summer when people are escaping the Phoenix heat. While in Strawberry, hike along Fossil Creek and see the waterfalls or visit Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
Monument Valley Scenic Drive
Few places are more iconic than Monument Valley. The 17-mile scenic dirt road through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park takes you past massive sandstone buttes that look straight out of a western movie.
Sunrise and sunset here are unreal. The colors of the rock formations change constantly as the light shifts across the valley floor.
Highway 163: Kayenta to Monument Valley
This may be the most famous road view in America. The straight highway leading toward Monument Valley creates that classic cinematic desert highway scene you’ve probably seen in countless movies and commercials.
The closer you get, the more massive the rock formations become.
Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
If you love winding mountain roads, the Coronado Trail is one of Arizona’s most epic drives. Stretching more than 100 miles through eastern Arizona, this scenic byway features hundreds of curves, mountain forests, and remote wilderness views.
Wildlife sightings are common here, and traffic is surprisingly light.
Sky Island Scenic Byway
This drive to Mount Graham showcases Arizona’s incredible biodiversity. You’ll climb from desert terrain through several distinct ecosystems all the way into alpine forests.
At the top, visit the Mount Graham International Observatory and enjoy cooler temperatures and sweeping mountain views.
Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway (Catalina Highway)
This drive near Tucson feels like traveling across multiple states in one afternoon. Starting in the desert and climbing nearly 7,000 feet into pine forests, the scenery changes dramatically with elevation.
Windy Point Vista offers some of the best panoramic views in southern Arizona.
Joshua Forest Parkway
The route between Wickenburg and Kingman features one of the largest Joshua tree forests in the country. Thousands of these strange, spiky trees create an almost alien-looking landscape.
Honestly, the Joshua tree scenery here rivals what you’ll see in California’s Joshua Tree National Park.
Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive
Often called Arizona’s “mini Grand Canyon,” Salt River Canyon offers dramatic canyon scenery without the crowds. The steep switchbacks along U.S. Route 60 reveal colorful rock layers and sweeping canyon views.
This drive is especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset.
Jerome to Prescott Scenic Drive
This winding mountain route connects two of Arizona’s most charming historic towns. Jerome clings dramatically to the mountainside while the road over Mingus Mountain offers incredible Verde Valley views.
Hairpin turns, pine forests, and distant red rock scenery make this one of central Arizona’s most scenic drives. Add in a ghost town and it’s a perfect road trip.
Petrified Forest National Park Drive
The scenic road through Petrified Forest National Park showcases colorful Painted Desert landscapes, fossilized trees, and ancient archaeological sites.
The vibrant bands of red, purple, orange, and pink badlands almost look unreal, especially during golden hour.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Drives
Southern Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument offers some of the most beautiful desert scenery in the state. The Ajo Mountain Drive and Puerto Blanco Drive pass giant cacti, rugged mountains, and wide-open desert valleys.
This is one of the few places in the United States where organ pipe cacti grow naturally.
Patagonia to Sonoita Scenic Drive
Rolling grasslands, mountain backdrops, wineries, and historic ranchlands define this peaceful southern Arizona drive.
The area around Sonoita is Arizona wine country, so stopping at a local winery is practically mandatory. Nearby Patagonia Lake State Park is another excellent stop.
Final Thoughts
Arizona’s scenic drives are proof that sometimes the journey really is the destination. From desert highways and red rock canyons to mountain forests and remote backroads, these routes showcase just how wildly diverse Arizona truly is.
Some roads are famous. Others are hidden gems. But every single one offers incredible views, memorable stops, and that feeling of freedom that only a great road trip can give. Arizona is one of our favorite states to explore. If you need help planning a road trip, check out roadtrippers.com. They have ideas for places to stop along the way, where to eat, and places to spend the night. If you use code BTR5QTP you can save $5.
Fill up the gas tank, bring plenty of water, and don’t rush it. Arizona is best explored one scenic mile at a time. We love to share tips and information with you to help you plan your next vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun, and make many memories.