Our Favorite Scenic Drives in Arizona
Sometimes there’s nothing better than a scenic drive, and Arizona is home to some of the best in the country. For most, these drives don’t require much physical exertion, let you cover a lot of ground quickly, and can be enjoyed in climate-controlled comfort with your favorite music. As the sixth largest state by area, Arizona’s 113,998 square miles encompass unique deserts, scattered mountain ranges, and the southern end of the Colorado Plateau. From the iconic saguaro cactus to the largest contiguous forest of ponderosa pine trees, the state’s landscapes are as diverse as they are beautiful. Winding through canyons, climbing plateaus, and tracing rivers, the scenic drives in Arizona offer unforgettable views and adventures. Below, we’ve curated some of the best routes that most vehicles can explore.
Table of Contents
Apache Trail via AZ SR 88
We recommend typing in Tortilla Flat in your GPS to start this drive. You can go a little past Tortilla Flat before the road is closed. There is no cell service in this area, so download Google or Apple Maps beforehand.
State Route 88, also known as The Apache Trail, is a stunning drive that takes you past the Superstition Mountains and down a winding road to Canyon Lake, where towering canyon walls rise above the water.
- State Route 88, also known as The Apache Trail is a beautiful drive where you pass the Superstition Mountains and take a winding road down to Canyon Lake where you see towering canyon walls
- It is 23.6 miles one way to Fish Creek Vista where the road is closed due to fire damage
- The pavement ends around mile 22
- Please check the road conditions before heading out! Past Tortilla Flat can flood after heavy rain
Mt. Lemmon via Gen Hitchcock Highway
If you type Mt. Lemmon into Google or Apple Maps, the drive to the top should populate automatically. Cell service at the summit is spotty, so download your maps in advance.
This scenic drive starts in the Sonoran Desert outside Tucson and winds its way up through multiple ecosystems, from desert cactus to pine forest. The views are incredible, and there are plenty of scenic pullouts, picnic areas, and trailheads along the way.
- Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway has multiple names including the Catalina Highway and the Sky Island Scenic Byway. One way, the scenic drive is 28 miles starting in the Lower Sonoran vegetation and climbs to the high forests of the Canadian zone
- The drive offers the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada in a short stretch
- Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway is about 15 miles northeast of Tucson in the Catalina Mountains. The road is completely paved, but we recommend checking road conditions in the winter! Mt. Lemmon can get snow on top and roads can close
- The US Forest Service offers a great pamphlet for things to do on Mt. Lemmon.
- The University of Arizona produced an audio tour to listen to while driving up the mountain. You can download for Apple or Android.
Swift Trail via AZ SR 363
Allow around 5 hours for the round-trip drive, plus extra time if you plan to explore side trips. This winding road climbs from the desert floor near Safford into the cool forests of the Pinaleño Mountains, offering sweeping views along the way.
Nearby you’ll find Roper Lake State Park, a great spot to picnic, swim, or soak in the hot springs after your drive.
- Swift Trail also known as Swift Trail Parkway #366 Scenic Drive is a beautiful sky island drive in Southern Arizona. The closest city is Safford just to the northeast.
- This single lane (one in each direction) highway twists and turns up the mountain with many blind turns requiring slow speeds and patience. The transition between vegetation layers as you climb in elevation is beautiful.
- Mt. Graham has is the tallest peak in the Pinalenos Mountains. Of all the Sky Islands in southeastern Arizona, the Pinalenos are the highest and one of the most extensive.
- Closed annually due to anticipated winter weather from Nov 14 to April 15 at the Shannon Campground around 20 miles up the mountain.
Oak Creek Canyon via AZ SR 89A
If you’re visiting Sedona, we highly recommend making the drive up to Flagstaff on SR 89A. This route winds through the stunning Oak Creek Canyon, with red rock walls, lush forest, and the sparkling creek alongside the road. Check out our full itinerary on things to do in Sedona here.
- The drive through Oak Creek Canyon also known as Arizona State Route 89A is a beautiful drive that goes between the red rocks of Sedona and the towering Ponderosa Pines in Flagstaff. Heading north, the road follows Oak Creek for a while slowly gaining elevation before starting to ascend the Mogollon Rim on a series of switch backs with sharp and slow turns.
- There are many stops a long the way such as Slide Rock State Park and The Table at Juniper – a great restaurant!
- Check the road conditions before driving this road! The winter can bring icy road conditions and falling rock.
- For a longer and additionally scenic drive, we recommend driving more of 89A south of Sedona, such as from Prescott to Cottonwood over Mingus Mountain.
Marble Canyon via US Route 89A
Marble Canyon is a stunning stretch of US Route 89A between US 89 and the Kaibab Plateau. The drive takes you past the Vermillion Cliffs and along the Colorado River, just before it flows into the Grand Canyon.
- Lees Ferry inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (entrance fee required) — a great spot for hiking and seeing where Grand Canyon rafting trips begin.
- Historic Navajo Bridge — walk across for views of the river and possible sightings of California Condors.
- US Route 89A is fully paved and accessible for most vehicles.
- Service is limited in this area — download maps before you go.
Allow extra time for stops and side trips.
Bush Highway
The Bush Highway is a beautiful desert drive along the Salt River, with views of towering cliff faces and the sparkling waters of Saguaro Lake. It’s a favorite route for spotting wild horses, especially in the early morning or evening hours.
- Saguaro Lake is a great place to explore! Butcher Jones is a great hike and you can also kayak on the lake from here.
- There are also plenty of day use stops along the Salt River to enter for kayaking. Recreation fees are required.
- There are desert trails to hike and mountain bike on along the southern section of Bush Highway. There are other accessible points towards the Usery Pass area
- Fun Fact: The original Bush Highway ran from the Salt River to the Mogollon Rim and was replaced by the current Beeline Highway
- Fully paved and accessible for most vehicles.
- Can be busy on weekends, especially near recreation sites.
Beeline Highway via AZ SR 87
The Beeline Highway is a scenic stretch of Arizona State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson. In just over an hour, you’ll travel from the Sonoran Desert filled with towering saguaro cactus, climb through the winding Mazatzal Mountains, and arrive at cool forests of ponderosa and juniper pines at the base of the Mogollon Rim.
- Sweeping desert-to-mountain views.
- Multiple hiking trail access points within Tonto National Forest.
- Fully paved and accessible for all vehicles.
- For an extended scenic drive, continue north up the rim on SR 87 or head east on SR 260 for more forested views.
Desert to Tall Pines via AZ SR 288
The Desert to Tall Pines Scenic Drive takes you from the arid landscape near Roosevelt Lake to the lush Mogollon Rim northeast of Payson. This 74-mile route showcases Arizona’s dramatic elevation changes, from cacti-dotted desert to dense pine forests.
- It is 74 miles one way. A standard SUV is recommended. The road is passable with a sedan in good weather; some mountainous sections receive little sunlight and might remain muddy or icy for several days after a storm.
- We think the best way to take this drive is heading south, starting on the Mogollon Rim and ending by Roosevelt Lake.
- The scenic drive is also known as the Young Highway because the Forest 512 portion takes you to Young, AZ in the Pleasant Valley Region of Tonto National Forest
