Arizona has become a popular tourist destination over the years. However, if you’re looking to avoid the hot tourist spots and find some solitude, here are seven of our favorite places to escape the crowds in Arizona!
Best places to escape the crowds in Arizona
Table of Contents
- 1. White Mountains
- 2. Sedona
- 3. Prescott
- 4. White Stallion Ranch
- 5. Flagstaff
- 6. Payson
- 7. Petrified Forest National Park
1. White Mountains
The White Mountains of Arizona are not only the perfect place to escape the crowds but also a great place to escape the heat!
Rent kayaks at Fool Hollow State Park or cool off at the Show Low Lake rope swing. And for the best fishing, cast a line at Hawley Lake.
Catch crawdads at Porter Creek, rent a fishing boat at Big Lake, and play kickball at Woodland Lake Park.
Head to the charming mountain town of Greer to hike in the Mount Baldy Wilderness Area, or find wild raspberries on the West Fork Trail. And be sure to drop by the Rendezvous diner for a slice of homemade cobbler!
There are endless possibilities for outdoor fun in the remote beauty of Arizona’s White Mountains!
For more things to do in the White Mountains, check out our guide Best Things to Do in Pinetop
2. Sedona
Sedona itself is a major draw for tourists, but if you know the best places to go then you can still manage to escape the crowds and soak in the tranquil beauty.
Avoid the popular Slide Rock, instead, head to the lesser-known Grasshopper Point or Red Rock Crossing to cool off.
These spots can still get busy during the weekends, but you’ll find far fewer crowds than Slide Rock.
If you’re looking to hike, the options are endless! Avoid the popular Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge hikes, instead, head to the less frequented Soldier Pass and discover a secret cave.
Fay Canyon has a secret spot to escape the crowds, and the Birthing Cave trail also leads to a lesser-known and equally photogenic cave.
Take a scenic drive in Red Rock State Park or along Oak Creek Cayon, or take in the views at the Airport Overlook. With so much expansive beauty, there are plenty of places to find solitude in Sedona!
For more things to do in Sedona, check out our guides 15 Fun Things to Do in Sedona with Kids, 5 of the Best Hikes in Sedona, and How to Spend 24 Hours in Sedona
3. Prescott
Prescott is a beautiful historic town with plenty of surrounding forest and wilderness to explore.
Scramble up the unique granite dells on the shores of Watson Lake, or go fishing and walk the wooded trail on the outskirts of Lynx Lake.
Board the Verde Canyon Railroad for one of the most scenic train rides in the West.
Check out the historic downtown Courthouse Plaza and famed Whiskey Row. Visit the Sharlot Hall Museum and grab a burger and milkshake from Marino’s Mob Burgers. See our guide Top 8 Things to Do in Prescott for more recommendations.
Jerome ghost town is located nearby and makes for a fun day trip. It does get crowded on the weekends, so try to plan your visit during the week.
4. White Stallion Ranch
We love staycations, but the bigger hotel resorts can get overcrowded in the summer.
We discovered the best way to escape the crowds and experience a unique staycation is at a dude ranch.
White Stallion Guest Ranch is located in Tucson and offers a relaxing respite from the crowds and stress of everyday life.
The ranch offers trail rides and daily activities such as rock climbing, target shooting, E-bikes, team penning, and a variety of evening entertainment.
The all-inclusive resort includes three hearty meals each day, and even a trail ride to a chuckwagon breakfast or dinner on select days.
The accommodations are impeccable. Each guest room is tastefully decorated in a warm and rustic Southwest theme, while coupled with modern comfort and convenience.
Other amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, game room, media room, sports courts, spa, and even a petting zoo.
The ranch is nestled in the heart of the Sonoran desert surrounded by the majestic saguaro cactus and towering mountain peaks.
It truly is one of the best places to escape the crowds in Arizona and recharge!
Check out our White Stallion Ranch guide for more details!
5. Flagstaff
Flagstaff is located only a few hours from Phoenix but feels a world away. The desert landscape is replaced by thick forests of pine and snow-capped peaks.
Explore ancient volcanic lava tubes at the Lava River Caves, or hike through fractured cinder volcanic spires on the Red Mountain Trail.
The Lockett Meadow Trail leads to the inner basin of an ancient volcano filled with a grove of swaying aspen trees.
Discover Indian Ruins at Walnut Canyon and Wupatki, and make a stop at Sunset Crater while you’re in the area.
Take a walk along the Buffalo Park Trail through a former private wildlife park, or take a drive through a real wildlife park at Bearizona.
Stroll along the streets of historic downtown Flagstaff and take a free walking ghost tour. And be sure to capture the night sky at the world-renowned Lowell Observatory.
Take a short drive to the scenic Sycamore Falls and stop at a diner along Route 66 in nearby Williams.
The Grand Falls are also a spectacular hidden gem and are best visited in the spring when the water flows from the runoff (Update: Grand Falls is currently closed indefinitely).
For more recommendations, see these guides:
- The Best Things to Do in Flagstaff
- 12 Must-See Stops on Route 66 in Arizona
- 7 Things to Do in Williams, Arizona
6. Payson
If you’re driving to Payson in the springtime, be sure to stop on the way to explore the water slot canyon at Salome Jug or Gisela.
Once you reach Payson, you can also cool off at the Water Wheel Falls hike. The hike follows along the river with pools of water to swim in.
Take a self-guided tour of the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery, or visit the Pine Creek Lavender Farm when it is in season.
Rent a kayak at Woods Canyon Lake, and take a walk along the Mogollon Rim.
Visit Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and hike under the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.
The small town of Strawberry, Arizona is also the perfect weekend getaway to escape the crowds. See our Strawberry Travel Guide for the best places to stay, eat, and play!
7. Petrified Forest National Park
While the crowds are flocking to Grand Canyon National Park, try exploring a lesser-known national park.
The Petrified Forest National Park offers a unique landscape with pastel-colored badlands and petrified logs millions of years old
Take in the scenic views of the Painted Desert at Tawa Point, spot ancient Indian petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock, and feel like you’re on a different planet as you walk along the Blue Mesa Trail.
For the highest concentration of petrified wood, explore the Crystal Forest and Rainbow Forest trails.
Check out our Petrified Forest National Park guide for more information.
And while you’re in the area, head 1 1/2 hours north to discover the hidden beauty of Canyon de Chelly.
For more details, see our guide for Visiting Canyon de Chelly!
I hope this guide has helped you discover new places to explore and escape the crowds in Arizona!
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