Grand Canyon & Northern Wonders

Arizona’s northern region doesn’t whisper for your attention—it grabs it and holds on. This is where some of the most jaw-dropping views in the entire American Southwest are packed into one road trip-worthy stretch of land. If you’ve ever stared at a photo of the Grand Canyon and thought, “It can’t really look like that,” you’re in for a surprise—it’s even better in person.

Start your journey in Flagstaff, a laid-back college town surrounded by Ponderosa pine forest and crisscrossed with mountain trails. It’s cool here—both in temperature and attitude—and makes a great home base for exploring everything nearby. Just over an hour away is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where you can walk the edge of a mile-deep chasm, peer into ancient rock layers, and catch a sunset that stays with you long after the trip is over.

But this region isn’t just about the canyon. To the east, the land softens into surreal beauty at Antelope Canyon, where narrow sandstone passageways twist and glow with reflected light. Just up the road, Horseshoe Bend offers one of the most photographed river views in the world—best seen early in the morning or late in the evening when the light does its magic.

Further north, you’ll find Monument Valley, where towering red rock buttes rise from the desert floor like sentinels. It’s remote, it’s cinematic, and it’s sacred land to the Navajo people. If you have the chance, take a guided tour with a local—you’ll leave with more than just photos.

Need a change of pace? Swing through Winslow (yes, the one from the Eagles song) or cruise a stretch of historic Route 66. And if you’re traveling in fall or winter, keep an eye out for snow-dusted canyon rims or star-filled skies—this part of Arizona shines year-round, just in different ways.

In short, the Grand Canyon & Northern Wonders region isn’t just one destination. It’s a patchwork of natural masterpieces, quiet desert towns, and wide-open freedom that makes you want to keep going just one more mile. And maybe one more after that.