Arizona is full of breathtaking scenery, and this 300-mile road trip takes you to some of the very best in just one weekend. It features three of our state’s most beautiful national parks, showcasing ancient rock formations that people come from all over the world to see and photograph. It’s one of the best weekend road trips in Arizona you’ll ever take!
Google Maps Here’s the Google Maps route, but feel free to customize the itinerary to meet your needs!
- Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (Marble Canyon)
Google/Vertical - Veritas Our adventure begins at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, a vast, nearly 300,000-acre oasis of unspoiled geologic wonders. The monument includes the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon, with the Coyote Buttes being the most popular area to visit.
Coyote Buttes North is where you’ll find The Wave, an iconic sandstone rock formation that’s one of the most photographed places in the American Southwest.
Google/Uncle Fjester Explore this remote treasure on a day hike, then retire to either the Stateline or White House Campground for the evening. Both campgrounds are located outside the monument and just north of the Utah state line in Kanab.
Please note: permits are required to hike much of the Vermillion Cliffs. There are also no paved roads, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended. Learn more on the Bureau of Land Management website. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Marble Canyon, AZ 86036, USA
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Chinle)
JLR / Moment via Getty Images After a good night’s rest surrounded by beautiful nature, it’s time to head to our next destination. Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a truly special place - it has been continuously inhabited by indigenous peoples for over 5,000 years. Managed by the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation, the park is home to Navajo families who live, farm, and tend livestock within its towering cliffs.
Park visitors can enjoy two scenic drives along the canyon rim, both of which feature several overlooks that you can get out and marvel at.
Google/Tséyi’ Diné Heritage Area - Cottonwood Campground at Canyon De Chelly There are also self-guided and ranger-led hikes, plus canyon tours on foot, horseback, or in a vehicle (permit required). First-come, first-served campsites are available at the Cottonwood Campground. It does have restroom facilities, but no showers or hookups. Learn more on the National Park Service website. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ, USA
- Petrified Forest National Park (Holbrook)
Charles Davies / 500px Plus via Getty Images Day three takes us to Petrified Forest National Park, where over 200,000 acres of colorful badlands make up part of the famed Painted Desert. You’ll see 200-million-year-old petrified logs, the ruins of an ancient village, well-preserved petroglyphs, and more.
The park offers several maintained hiking trails that range in length from 0.3 miles to 2.6 miles, and they’re easy enough for all ages and skill levels.
NPS/Tara Harbert Other activities include scenic drives and backcountry hikes. There is no designated campground, but you can backpack into the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area and pitch your tent at least a mile from your vehicle. You’ll need a (free) permit to camp, and you can pick one up at either of the park’s visitor centers until 4 p.m. daily. Learn more on the National Park Service website. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
Would you take this road trip? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Interested in more weekend road trips in Arizona? Check out our previous article for one of our favorites.
Google Maps
Here’s the Google Maps route, but feel free to customize the itinerary to meet your needs!
Google/Vertical - Veritas
Our adventure begins at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, a vast, nearly 300,000-acre oasis of unspoiled geologic wonders. The monument includes the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon, with the Coyote Buttes being the most popular area to visit.
Google/Uncle Fjester
Explore this remote treasure on a day hike, then retire to either the Stateline or White House Campground for the evening. Both campgrounds are located outside the monument and just north of the Utah state line in Kanab.
Please note: permits are required to hike much of the Vermillion Cliffs. There are also no paved roads, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended. Learn more on the Bureau of Land Management website.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Marble Canyon, AZ 86036, USA
JLR / Moment via Getty Images
After a good night’s rest surrounded by beautiful nature, it’s time to head to our next destination. Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a truly special place - it has been continuously inhabited by indigenous peoples for over 5,000 years. Managed by the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation, the park is home to Navajo families who live, farm, and tend livestock within its towering cliffs.
Google/Tséyi’ Diné Heritage Area - Cottonwood Campground at Canyon De Chelly
There are also self-guided and ranger-led hikes, plus canyon tours on foot, horseback, or in a vehicle (permit required). First-come, first-served campsites are available at the Cottonwood Campground. It does have restroom facilities, but no showers or hookups. Learn more on the National Park Service website.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ, USA
Charles Davies / 500px Plus via Getty Images
Day three takes us to Petrified Forest National Park, where over 200,000 acres of colorful badlands make up part of the famed Painted Desert. You’ll see 200-million-year-old petrified logs, the ruins of an ancient village, well-preserved petroglyphs, and more.
NPS/Tara Harbert
Other activities include scenic drives and backcountry hikes. There is no designated campground, but you can backpack into the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area and pitch your tent at least a mile from your vehicle. You’ll need a (free) permit to camp, and you can pick one up at either of the park’s visitor centers until 4 p.m. daily. Learn more on the National Park Service website.
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
