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🇺🇸 State · United States
Arizona: red earth and wide-open skies
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A land of wide-open spaces and blazing rock, Arizona is one of the most striking backdrops in the American West. To the north, the Grand Canyon cuts hundreds of meters deep into the plateau, while the red rocks of Sedona form a landscape of mineral cathedrals beloved by hikers. Near Page, slot canyons carved by erosion and the meander of Horseshoe Bend offer otherworldly panoramas. To the south, Phoenix and Tucson blend desert culture, saguaro cactus deserts and western towns. Between scenic drives, national parks, Navajo heritage and rare, crystalline starry skies, the state is best savored on a road trip, from mesa to canyon, amid spectacular nature and inimitable golden light.
On US Route 163, Forrest Gump (1994) ends his cross-country run facing the Monument Valley buttes, at the spot now called Forrest Gump Point.
Arizona ignores daylight saving except the Navajo Nation: driving east on Route 264 can cross six time changes in under 100 miles.
Antelope Canyon near Page can only be seen with an authorized Navajo guide; book two to four weeks ahead, as tours sell out fast.
Favor the shoulder seasons: March-May and September-November bring milder weather, lighter crowds and better lodging availability, while summer (June-August) is crowded at the Grand Canyon and scorching in the southern deserts. Antelope Canyon is open year-round, with midday light from March to October being the most spectacular. A car is essential to link the often far-flung sites, and you should book early in high season. As for connectivity, mobile coverage is decent in towns but turns weak or nonexistent in remote canyons, on Navajo plateau roads and deep within the Grand Canyon: download offline maps before setting out.