Spectacular Roads - Northern Arizona

This page lists some of the better known spectacular drives north of Flagstaff. Click on the map of Arizona to make it larger.

AZ 64-Cameron to Grand Canyon Village

The road from Cameron to Grand Canyon Village covers 57 miles of paved road which follows the canyon's South Rim.  The drive begins 52 miles north of Flagstaff at Cameron on U.S. 89 and ends at Grand Canyon Village.  The road enters Grand Canyon National Park and there are turnoffs with spectacular views of the canyon.  The eastern part of the trip takes you through a part of the Navajo Reservation and also provides a fantastic view of the Little Colorado River Gorge.

AZ 67- Jacob Lake to North Rim Grand Canyon

This scenic drive begins in Jacob Lake at the intersection of U.S. 89A and AZ 67 and forty-four miles later ends at Bright Angel Point on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The road is paved.  The drive traverses the forested Kaibab Plateau.  Snow frequently causes this road to be closed during winter months. 

AZ 264-Window Rock to Tuba City

This 169-mile, paved, scenic road connects Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, and Tuba City. The road takes you through a vast, arid landscape that is at the heart of the Navajo and Hopi cultures. Special things to see include the Window Rock Tribal Park, Navajo Tribal Museum, Kinlichee Navajo Tribal Park, Hubbell Trading Post, Hopi Reservation, Walpi, Second Mesa, Hopi Cultural Center, Third Mesa and Coal Canyon.  

Canyon de Chelly Rimrock Drives

This drive is 43 miles long and follows the rims of Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The drive begins near the park visitors center just east of Chinle and approximately 3 miles east of U.S. 191. The paved route follows Navajo Highways 64 and National Park Service Road 7. Canyon de Chelly is the heart of the Navajo culture and the drive provides unforgettable views of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Anasazi ruins, White House ruins and Spider Rock.

I 15-Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive

The drive begins three miles south of the Utah border, near St. George and follows I 15 across the northwestern corner of Arizona to Littlefield. The four lane, paved road cuts through the rugged Virgin River Gorge for 14 miles.  Constructed in 1973 the section of road through the gorge was one of the most expensive in the entire interstate highway system. The road twists and turns through towering cuts.  There are places along the highway where people can park for to enjoy views, hiking, or climbing.

US 163 Kayenta to Monument Valley

John Wayne comes to mind as you drive the 26 miles from Kayenta to the Utah border and Monument Valley. U.S. 163 takes the driver past volcanic plugs and sandstone buttes that served as a backdrop in many western films. The paved road passes numerous geologic formations such as Agathlan, Owl Rock, Totem Mesa, West Mitten Butte and East Mitten Butte. This part of Arizona is the Navajo Indian Reservation and the road passes the Monument Valley Tribal Park.

Pearce Ferry Road

The Pearce Ferry Road drive begins 27 miles northwest of Kingman on U.S. 93. From that point 45 miles of paved highway crosses broad valleys and ridges covered with some of Arizona's largest stands of Joshua trees. The drive ends at South Cove on the shores of Lake Meade.

Old Route 66, Oatman Road

This 47 mile drive is one of the last and best preserved parts of Route 66. It stretches from Exit 44 on I 40 just south of Kingman to Golden Shores, 4 miles north of Exit 1 on I 40. The road goes over Sitgreaves Pass to the old gold mining camp of Oatman. The area's first gold boom town, Goldroad, is another attraction. The road is paved for the most part but gravel has been used in some sections. 

Sunset Crater & Wupatki Road

This 35 mile loop drive connects at both ends with U.S. 89.  The southern end of the loop is located 10 miles north of Flagstaff. The two lane paved road takes visitors to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and then northward to Wupatki National Monument. The drive passes volcanic cinder cones, lava flows, a lava flow tube cave, and ancient Anasazi and Sinagua ruins.  There are visitor centers for both national monuments.

U.S. 180- Flagstaff to Valle (South Rim of Grand Canyon)

The drive begins in Flagstaff and heads northwest for 51 miles to Valle. The road is designated as an Arizona Scenic Road and passes the western flank of the San Francisco Mountain. The scenery includes thick forests, meadowlands and sagebrush flats. Attractions along the way include the San Francisco Peaks, Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area, Kendrick Mountain Wilderness Area, Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, Museum of Northern Arizona, Fairfield Snowbowl Ski Area and the Flagstaff Nordick Center.