Exploring the Arizona Outdoors and Beyond
With travel restrictions putting a big damper on any plans to get away this summer and fall, my family and I turned to the great outdoors of Arizona. There are so many places to explore in our great state–and within driving distance outside the state–that we took advantage of it.
From eating outdoors in Flagstaff to a first trip to the Grand Canyon for Jeff, along with a long stay in Show Low, I’m spotlighting some of our favorite places we’ve been in the last few months (and some places that are still on our list!).
West Fork Trail
Most people think of the red rocks of Sedona when they think of Arizona. Jeff and I did a quick overnight trip there with Ivy and hiked the West Fork Trail while we were there. The trail is technically in Oak Creek, which is just a few miles south of Sedona, and it’s noticeably cooler there than Phoenix. We took a detour on the way home through Flagstaff to enjoy some outdoor eating and also cruised through some of the neighborhoods to delay our return to town.
Devil’s Bridge
While we didn’t do the Devil’s Bridge hike when we were in the Sedona area, it’s a very popular one for visitors. The “bridge” is a rock formation that sticks out from the trail and is a common photo opportunity for those not afraid of heights. The trail itself is a little challenging, with some scrambling over rocks, but it’s totally worth it for the views!
Show Low
Our family and Jeff’s sister’s family decided to take a five-day getaway together to Show Low, staying in a short term rental. We brought our own food so we could social distance from others as much as possible, and it worked out great. We enjoyed time on the patio, walking every morning and even visiting the Sunrise Ski Resort. And since we were so close, we also drove to the New Mexico border…just because!
Grand Canyon
It’s hard to believe that Jeff had never been to the Grand Canyon, so we took advantage of lower visitor numbers and spent a few days there in August. We stayed at Bright Angel Lodge and rented ebikes, which essentially assist you in your ride. (I highly recommend this if you’re biking up and down hills!) The tour busses weren’t running and we literally saw four other people there the whole time. It was an amazing way to see the canyon!
Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant, in the northwest Valley, is one of the more popular lakes in the state. It gets pretty busy, especially on holiday weekends, but the weekdays are usually quiet–especially if you have a boat and can travel out to one of the distant beaches. If you don’t have a boat, you can rent one at one of the two marinas, or rent kayaks and paddle boards. It’s a fun place to cool off if you’re short on time and don’t want to take a road trip.
The Narrows
If you’re up for a longer drive, the Narrows at Zion National Park in Utah is breathtaking! You’ll see photos with lots of people, but this isn’t a hike to take lightly. In fact, you need special shoes and poles if you plan to make the full hike. When you rent them in town, they’ll warn you of flash flood watches and other things to watch out for because the hike can be dangerous (and deadly) in certain weather. Of course, if you’re careful it’s perfectly safe–and beautiful.
What’s your favorite place to get away from the Phoenix area? Now that things are cooling down, we’ll also start checking out some of the more local adventures!
