Valley of the Sun

The Apache trail is a graded dirt road that provides dramatic, "Don't Look Now,"! views of the Salt River Canyon and several man-made lakes. The road was originally constructed in the 30s to support the development of dams along the Salt River. You will not forget this ride. You will see some of Arizona’s great scenery. Trip highlights include:

• Lost Dutchman State Park – A scenic, Sonoran park with great views of Weavers Needle. Immerse yourself in the lore of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine.
• Tortilla Flat – a small, rustic town with several shops, general store and restaurant
• Fish Creek Rest Area – stop here for a breath-taking view
• Roosevelt Dam – make a stop at the visitor’s center

Directions

Leave Scottsdale on Interstate 101 southbound, to Hwy 60 and 89 heading east. Turn left on Arizona Hwy. 88 to the Apache Trail. After passing Roosevelt Dam and Tonto National Monument, return to Scottsdale via Hwy. 60 and Interstate 101.

The Colorado Rivers serves as Arizona’s western boundary with California. Lake Havasu City and Parker attract many boaters, water skiers, fishermen, and other water lovers. Driving along the Colorado, you will pass through some of the most rugged and beautiful country in Arizona. Parker, about a 2 ½ hour drive from Phoenix, is home to a new casino and resort, as well as an beautiful riverside golf course. Pleasant Lake Havasu City is the home of the transplanted London Bridge, originally on the Thames River. The Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of 14,000 acres of wilderness. Trip highlights include:

• Colorado River
• Parker
• Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
• Lake Havasu City
• Lake Havasu State Park
• Topock Gorge

Directions

From Scottsdale take Interstate 10 west to Quartzsite, then follow Arizona Hwy. 95 north to Parker. Lake Havasu is 45 minutes north of Parker.

The striking red rock formations of this area make it among the most accessible and beautiful areas in Arizona. There a numerous pullout on the road into Sedona from which you can enjoy views of Bell Rock (you’ll recognize it when you see it) and Cathedral Rock. Drive up beautiful Oak Creek Canyon and visit Slide Rock State Park. Red Rock State Park is home to dozens of species of resident and migrating birds. The Chapel of the Holy Cross should not be missed, the setting is incredible. While you are there, look up at the cliff behind the chapel and see if you can find some rock outcroppings that look like wild critters. Trip highlights include:

• Bell Rock
• Chapel of the Holy Cross
• Catheral Rock
• Sedona
• Red Rock State Park
• Oak Creek Canyon
• Slide Rock State Park

Directions

Take Interstate 17 north to Arizona Highway 179. Take the Sedona/Oak Creek Exit, and follow the scenic road toward Sedona.

This peaceful area south of Tucson is the home of award-winning vintages and unexpectedly upscale restaurants and bed and breakfast inns. The Spanish padres discovered that the altitude and soil conditions in this area were ideal for growing grapes. You can spend the day tasting wine at a number of vineyards, stopping at the little village of Elgin. Have lunch in Sonoita , then head south to Nogales on the Mexican border and another winery that specializes in sweet, fruity vintages. Along the way, you will pass through Patagonia, famed as a horse raising area. Trip highlights include:

• Scenery
• Wineries
• Sonoita
• Elgin
• Sonoita
• Patagonia
• Nogales

Directions

Take Interstate 10 south, past Tucson, to Arizona Highway 83. Take it south about half an hour to Sonoita, at the junction of Arizona Highways 83 and 82, and follow signs east to Elgin.

There are several ways to get to Grand Canyon. You can fly north from Scottsdale or Phoenix airports for a day at the Canyon, spending the night at historic El Tovar or Bright Angel Lodge. While at the Canyon you can explore the South Rim on foot and bus with a stop at Hopi house for some souvenir shopping.

You can also drive to Williams and take the train to the Canyon, spending an entertaining day there and stay overnight in Flagstaff. Get up early in the morning and visit the Museum of Northern Arizona, picnic at Walnut Canyon, and return to Phoenix in time for supper.

Alternatives and add-ons include a stop in Sedona, or the ghost town of Jerome. If you drive, we strongly recommend a stop at Montezuma’s Castle National Monument just off I 17.

Possible trip highlights include:

• Grand Canyon South Rim
• Flagstaff
• Museum of Northern Arizona
• Walnut Canyon
• Montezuma’s Castle
• Sedona
• Jerome

Directions

Follow Interstate 17 north from Phoenix to Flagstaff, and then take Arizona Highway 180 northwest to the canyon.

In a state filled with incredible natural wonders, Kartchner Caverns is the most recent discovery. Discovered in 1974, it was kept secret until it could be properly protected as a "live" cave. 2 ¼ miles of tunnels connect enormous main rooms. There is a visitor’s center, picnic tables and hiking trails. Bird watching is excellent.

After leaving Kartchner, travel south to Bisbee. Learn about the town mining history at the Mining and Historical Museum and be sure to visit the huge open-pit copper mine. Stroll Brewery Gulch. Stay overnight at the historic, yet very comfortable, Copper Queen Hotel, dating to 1902. Trip highlights include:

• Kartchner Caverns
• Birding
• Bisbee
• Mining and Historical Museum
• Open pit mine
• Brewery Gulch
• Copper Queen Hotel

Directions

The caverns are located just off Interstate 10 at Benson, about 2 ½ hours south of Phoenix. Bisbee is on Arizona routes 80 and 90 about 45 minutes south of the caverns.

South to Mexico (Two Days)

Just as the Heard Museum in Phoenix is considered by many to be the best place to learn about Arizona's Native American cultures, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is the best place to see the diverse Sonoran wildlife and plants: coyotes, rattlesnakes, javalina and more. You can see them all in a beautiful Sonoran setting in what is considered to be one of the best "zoos" in the world (allow several hours, at least). Old Tucson is a recreated western town complete with gunfights. Father Kino first visited the site of what became the beautiful mission of San Xavier Del Bac in 1692. The mission is still used for services and has been restored. Don't miss it. 

On your way south to Nogales, Mexico you can take a tour of the Titan Missile Museum (a preserved ICBM site). Be sure to call in advance for tour schedules.  Other interesting stops are Tuback, Arizona's first settlement, and Tumacacori National Historical Park, just off Interstate 19. Park your car in Nogales, Arizona and walk across the border into Nogales, Mexico - a different world. Relax and enjoy bartering with the shop owners and eating in one of the local restaurants before re-crossing the border. 

Stay overnight in Tucson or one of the motels in Nogales, Arizona.

• Saguaro National Monument
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
• Old Tucson
• San Xavier Del Bac
• Titan Missile Museum
• Tuback
• Tumacacori National Historic Park
• Nogales, Mexico

Directions:

Take Interstate 10 south from Phoenix. North of Tucson take Ina Road west, through the Saguaro National Monument to the Desert Museum and Old Tucson. Take Speedway to Interstate 19 and head south toward Nogales stopping at San Xavier Del Bac and the other sites listed.