It is now almost September yet the triple-digit temperatures will likely continue through late October here in the Phoenix Valley. It’s easy to get tired of rolling your car window down and feeling like you’re putting your arm out in front of a hair dryer. Any resident of the valley knows how great it is to travel to the Northern part of the state where the elevation is high and you can finally be reminded what cool air feels like. We’ve created a list of what we feel are the best places to visit in Northern AZ, in no particular order.
Hoover Dam:
Located at the border of Arizona and Nevada approximately four hours from Phoenix, this engineering marvel was constructed in the 1930’s and provides hydroelectric power to Arizona, Nevada, and California. The reservoir creates Lake Mead which is a beautiful site on its own.
Havasu Falls:
Hidden deep in the Grand Canyon, the gorgeous blue green 100 foot waterfalls are a 10 mile hike both ways, so plan ahead. Havasu Falls is located in the Havasupai Indian Reservation, an area that is home to around 450 Havasupai Indians.
Monument Valley:
A beautiful area resting on the border of Arizona and Utah. This desert landscape is home to the popular Hunts Mesa and East and West Mitten Buttes. There are several scenic routes that can be taken through the area to view the sites Monument Valley has to offer in the comfort of your car.
Horseshoe Bend:
Located near Page, Arizona near the border of Utah, Horseshoe Bend is a must-see meander of the Colorado River. This is a destination for photographers and tourists around the world. It is also near the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell which are captivating sights on their own.
Jerome:
Jerome is a short detour if you’re traveling from Phoenix to Sedona or Flagstaff. It began as a mining town in 1876 and was home to 15,000 people in 1920. In 1952, when the price of copper dropped significantly it became a ghost town and is now a wonderful tourist attraction.
Montezuma Castle National Monument:
Near Camp Verde, Arizona, the Montezuma Castle National Monument was home to the Singua People between 1100 and 1425 AD. The castle has over five floors and contains twenty rooms.
Sedona:
A breathtaking town located around 2-2.5 hours north of Phoenix. Sedona is home to several ultra popular red rock hiking destinations and has plenty of shops and places to eat. Some of its most popular destinations include Bell Rock, Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park, and the Devil’s Bridge trail.
Painted Desert:
Located in the Petrified Forest National Park, the Painted Desert is know for its brilliant bands of colors, including red, gray, and lavender.
Antelope Canyon:
A slot canyon located east of Page, Arizona. Â Antelope Canyon has two seperate slot canyon sections, the Upper Antelope Canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon. It is one of the most photographed locations in Arizona. Keep in mind that it is only accessible by tour.
The Grand Canyon:
This list would not be complete without the Grand Canyon, an enormous canyon carved by the Colorado River. Anyone who has been there knows the feeling of getting closer and closer to it, going through the trees and seeing it for the first time. It is simply breathtaking and arguably the greatest site in the United States.