You’ve got the RV packed and you’re ready for adventure. If you’re driving from Phoenix, there are plenty of destinations that are a perfect day trip for exploring the truly varied sites of the area surrounding Arizona’s biggest city. Whether you’re searching for historic attractions, Southwest charm, or once-in-a-lifetime natural views, there are plenty of places to visit on your day trip from Phoenix!
Best Day Trips from Phoenix
Situated in what feels like the heart of the American Southwest, Phoenix is a city that’s a short drive from some of the region’s best sights. A short drive to the north brings dramatic landscape changes while heading west continues the arid exploration. Ready to explore Arizona, California, and surrounding areas? Let’s jump in the RV and check out some of these top day trips from Phoenix!
Grand Canyon National Park, 3.5 Hours North
The Grand Canyon is a truly breathtaking sight that draws visitors from all around the world. Luckily, this impressive natural wonder is only a few hours north of Phoenix. There are many entry points to the Grand Canyon, and Arizona’s gateway to this national treasure is located along the south rim of the canyon. On your Grand Canyon day trip from Phoenix, you can see the canyon’s stunning geological formations from multiple lookout spots along with hiking opportunities. There is also a historic village nearby.
Sedona, 2 Hours North
Sedona is another Phoenix day trip destination that’s packed with beautiful natural sights and rock formations. If you’re already on your way to the Grand Canyon, Sedona can be easily added to the day trip by splitting off I-17 and taking AZ-179 north for a portion of this trip. This will situate you right in the middle of Sedona’s most popular sights. Sedona is famous for its red rocks and many also believe this area is especially enchanted. There are many easy Sedona hikes that you can enjoy while visiting the area. Sedona is a higher elevation than Phoenix, making for a quick change of scenery.
Flagstaff, 2 Hours North
Flagstaff is another popular Phoenix day trip destination with increased elevation and dramatic landscape changes. Though Flagstaff is located in Arizona, it’s surprisingly green. It’s home to the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest and brings endless outdoor activities for visitors. Popular Flagstaff attractions to explore on your day trip include Walnut Canyon National Monument, Coconino National Forest, Wupatki National Monument, a pioneer museum, and snow-focused activities like skiing.
Tucson, 2 Hours Southwest
Tucson is another popular Arizona city that has plenty to see and do. On your day trip to Tucson, you can visit outdoor attractions including Saguaro National Park which is packed with the state’s famous cacti. Additional Tucson attractions include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Pima Air & Space Museum, and an old Western movie set turned theme park called Old Tucson.
Joshua Tree National Park, 3.5 Hours West
California’s Southeast region is famous for Joshua Tree National Park, which is a short drive from Phoneix. As a day trip, Joshua Tree National Park offers sights of its namesake trees and rugged desert landscape which are best seen on the park’s multiple hiking trails. It’s also a great destination for stargazing.
RVing in Arizona
Arizona is a state that’s perfect for exploring by RV. There is a wide range of landscape types and numerous natural sights to explore. It’s also home to cultural attractions, museums, and plenty of weird roadside attractions. After you finish your adventure from Phoenix, be sure to visit our Phoenix-Mesa RV dealership, or our Tucson RV dealership to explore our selection of new and used RVs for sale!
