Arizona: 10 Best Places to See on a 2000 km Route
Explore Arizona's most iconic natural landmarks across a 2000.7 km route featuring the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Petrified Forest National Park. The interactive map includes geological formations, Native American cultural sites, and notable stops along Route 66 between Flagstaff and the state's premier attractions.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Arizona's Desert Climate and Geological Formations
- End
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
- Stops
- 12
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Arizona's Desert Climate and Geological Formations — Vast arid landscape featuring layered red rock formations and canyons shaped by millions of years of erosion and tectonic activity.
- The Grand Canyon — One of the United States' most famous sights featuring astounding geological formations.
- Monument Valley and Indian Reservations — Iconic desert plateau on the Navajo Nation border showcasing massive sandstone buttes rising dramatically from the valley floor.
- Antelope Canyon — Slot canyon featuring distinctive narrow passages nicknamed 'The Crack' and 'The Corkscrew'.
- Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon — Dramatic meander of the Colorado River creating a near-perfect horseshoe shape, surrounded by towering red canyon walls.
- Meteor Crater and Route 66 — Well-preserved impact crater formed 50,000 years ago along America's historic Route 66, offering insight into meteorite collisions.
- Canyon de Chelly — Canyon protecting ancient Ancestral Puebloan buildings; home to the Navajo since the 1700s with significant historical and cultural importance.
- Petrified Forest National Park — Park in eastern Arizona near the New Mexico border featuring the Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum with rich geological history.
- Havasu Falls — Stunning 120-foot waterfall owned by the Havasupai Tribe, accessible via 8-mile hike or helicopter to Supai village.
- Monument Valley — Impressive desert landscape within Indian reservations making up almost a quarter of Arizona's area.
- Horseshoe Bend — Awe-inspiring meander of the Colorado River within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, named for its distinctive horseshoe shape.
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark — Massive natural landmark set 37 miles east of Flagstaff, lying alongside Route 66 with San Francisco Peaks overlooking.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunset for the best views of this natural marvel.
- Transport
- Hike the short distance to Horseshoe Bend's prominent viewpoint, which towers more than 300 metres above the river.
- Tip
- Antelope Canyon features two different parts nicknamed 'The Crack' and 'The Corkscrew', each with unique features worth visiting.
- Tip
- At Meteor Crater, explore sightseeing tours, a discovery center, and a 4D experience room to learn about this best-preserved meteorite crater on Earth.
- Tip
- Canyon de Chelly offers great trails and horseback tours available to visitors exploring this national monument.
- Tip
- At Petrified Forest National Park, visit the Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum to learn about the area's history, geology, and nature.
- Transport
- Reach Havasu Falls via an 8 mile hike or take a helicopter ride to Supai village.
- Timing
- Visit Sedona outside summer months to avoid crowds, though the stunning scenery makes it worthwhile even during busy season.
- Where to stay
- Flagstaff offers atmospheric coffee shops and bars, plus hiking and skiing in the country's largest ponderosa pine forest.
- Tip
- Indian reservations make up almost a quarter of Arizona's area, offering lots of interesting archaeological, historical and cultural sites relating to Native American culture.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Arizona - Travel Video