Discover the Most Unique Places to Visit in Arizona
Arizona is the sixth largest state in the United States with nearly 114,000 square miles of diverse landscapes to explore. From deserts filled with towering saguaro cactus to pine-covered mountains and red rock canyons, the state is home to some of the most unique places to visit in Arizona with. The southern half of Arizona is mostly Sonoran Desert, known for its unique desert plants and wildlife. As you travel north, the scenery quickly changes into mountains, forested plateaus, and the dramatic cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. Furthermore, Northern Arizona sits on the Colorado Plateau, where erosion has carved some of the most famous landmarks in the world.
With so many different environments to explore, there are countless unique places to visit in Arizona that highlight the state’s beauty and diversity. Whether you love hiking, camping, or scenic drives, there are endless adventures waiting to be discovered. In this guide, we’re sharing five must-see destinations that capture what makes Arizona truly one of a kind.
1. Chiricahua National Monument
Located in southeastern Arizona near the small town of Willcox, Chiricahua National Monument is one of the most unique and underrated places in the state of Arizona. Above all, the park is known for its incredible rock formations called hoodoos, created by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion. These towering spires fill the landscape, making it feel like a natural wonderland of stone.
Chiricahua is part of the “sky islands,” isolated mountain ranges that rise dramatically from the desert floor and create cooler, more forested environments. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, overlooks, and some of the best hiking in southern Arizona.
For a detailed hiking guide and our favorite trails in the park, check out our full blog post on Chiricahua National Monument.
2. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is one of the most distinctive and beautiful landscapes in Arizona. Today, the monument protects most of the only naturally occurring population of organ pipe cacti in the United States. These tall, multi-armed cacti grow primarily in Mexico, but here they thrive in the warm Sonoran Desert near the small town of Ajo.
The cactus gets its name from the way its arms resemble the pipes of a musical organ. Visitors can explore this remote desert park through scenic drives, hiking trails, and even overnight camping under incredible starry skies. It is one of the best places in Arizona to experience the Sonoran Desert at its most untouched and vibrant.
For more details on what to see and do, check out our full blog post on Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
3. Mount Lemmon Sky Island
Arizona is home to many isolated mountain ranges known as sky islands, and Mount Lemmon is one of the most famous examples. These are particularly unique mountains because they rise dramatically from the desert floor. Thus they create their own ecosystems completely separate from the surrounding lowlands. Additionally, as elevation increases, the vegetation changes from Sonoran Desert cactus to oak woodlands, pine forests, and even alpine meadows near the summit.
Mount Lemmon towers above Tucson and creates an incredible backdrop for the city. But what makes it even more special is how accessible it is. A scenic paved road leads all the way to the top, offering overlooks, picnic areas, and cool mountain air that feels worlds away from the desert below. Visitors can hike, camp, or even ski in the winter, making Mount Lemmon one of the most diverse and surprising destinations in Arizona. For more in Tucson, check out our hikes in the area.
4. Sunset Crater National Monument
Sunset Crater National Monument is one of the most fascinating geological sites in Arizona. Located just north of Flagstaff, the crater is a cinder cone volcano and one of more than 600 volcanoes that make up the San Francisco Volcanic Field. However, what makes Sunset Crater so unique is that it is the youngest volcano in the field, erupting around 1085 AD.
The eruption was incredibly powerful, covering the area in volcanic ash and reshaping the surrounding landscape. In fact, many Native American communities across Arizona and the Four Corners region witnessed this event, and it continues to hold cultural significance today. The black lava fields, cinder cones, and vibrant red hues near the crater make it a remarkable place to explore and photograph.
Right next to Sunset Crater is Wupatki National Monument, another incredible site featuring ancient pueblos and cultural history. You can read more about both in our full guide to Flagstaff’s national monuments.
5. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most unique and colorful places to visit in Arizona. The park is home to the largest collection of petrified wood in the world, dating back over 200 million years to the Triassic period. These ancient logs have turned to stone through a natural process of mineralization, revealing brilliant hues of red, orange, and purple. Because of their immense weight, many logs have clean breaks that showcase their vibrant crystal interiors.
Beyond the petrified wood, the park also preserves fossils of early reptiles, amphibians, and dinosaurs that once roamed the area during the “Dawn of the Dinosaurs.” The Painted Desert, located within the park, displays colorful layers of sediment and offers sweeping desert views unlike anywhere else in the world. We share more on why it’s worth the visit on our blog.
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