Arizona Adventure Bundle: 7 Self-Guided Audio Tours

The Saguaro National Park tour begins on Route 86 outside of Tucson.

This visitor center is a wealth of information about the west side of Saguaro National Park, the TMD. There are also good restrooms, a museum, activities, a gift shop, and a theatre.

An interpretive trail near the park entrance that is paved, flat, and easy for strollers or wheelchairs. The 0.4 mile loop may have flowers and birds, as well as reptiles.

A 0.8 mile trail that leads to an impressive overlook above a large expanse of virgin Sonoran desert, with mountains in the background.

A placid picnic spot with vault toilets and nice desert views.

This trail offers a stunning route to reach Mt. Wassen, the highest point of the TMD. Along the way one can see saguaros and other desert plants, as well as possibly wildlife as well, reptiles, birds, and possibly mammals, like jackrabbits and javalinas, or even mountain lions.

Stunning Hohokam culture petroglyphs with a backdrop of desert and mountains behind.

Nice 4 mile loop hike that summits Brown Mountain, a lower hill that's just outside Saguaro National Park.

A stunning scenic overlook of vast desert, with parking and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

This lovely overlook gives a sweeping vista of the Sonoran desert plain, Tucson, and the mountains beyond.

A pretty canyon that makes for a nice view, especially pretty when there’s water down in the creekbed.

Hike down along an often-dry river and look for ancient grinding holes left by the Hohokam culture, used for turning acorns into flour.

Take in great views of nearby Thimble Peak as well as view a rushing cascade of waterfalls on the opposite side of the ravine, though they are dry much of the year. Good spot to see wildlife, too.

Wait for sunset or just marvel at the beauty of the landscape below you.

Hoodoos are strange, often otherworldly shapes caused by erosion of wind and rain. The drive has lots of them so they deserve their own pullout, don’t you think?

Here you can hike to Barnam Rock and the further Leopold Point, catching great views of the San Pedro valley below.

Useful and informative visitor center with bathrooms.

This peaceful spot was recently ravaged by wildfires. You can view the mountains far across the valley amid charred trunks of trees.

Find a picnic table and enjoy a relaxing bite amid tall pines, with chirping birds and views of the San Pedro valley far, far below.

Visit here if you've got some spare time (and some spare skis)!

What this tiny hamlet lacks in size, it makes up for in heart: Grab tasty fudge, enjoy a giant, freshly made cookie, have a sit-down dinner, or find a nice trail to hike. It’s all here in quiet Summerhaven.

Stop here to find a place to sit, eat, and enjoy nature.

Get in some good views and some good camping here.

This massive arch is surprisingly easy to miss as you zip up the highway, but it’s worth the brief stop, and certainly the biggest arch you’ll see on the tour, though there are a few small ones tucked here and there among the other hoodoos.

This stop offers grand views of the valley and some interesting interpretive signs that detail how this vast area came to be.

A fun hike for folks who want one last chance to get out of the car and onto a trail for a while.

Get in some good camping! Open from October to April, and there are restrooms.

View the Little Colorado River Overlook.

Archeological site and interpretive museum of ancient Puebloan village circa 1100 AD.

At 7,360 feet above sea level, Lipan Point offers some of the most expansive and clear views of the entire canyon.

Navajo Point offers a great view of Desert View Watchtower, as well as panoramic vistas to the west and a view north up the Colorado River.

Explore this Mary Colter-designed structure. Also offers gift shop, grocery store and ice cream parlor services.

Named for famed nature artist Thomas Moran, Moran Point is an excellent place to see the vibrant colors of the Grand Canyon Supergroup and basement rocks like Vishnu Shist.

Fire lookout tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. It is approximately 10 miles east of the Tusayan Ranger District Office and houses an observation deck and informational signage.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shady ponderosa pine forest while stealing glances of the canyon through the trees.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shady ponderosa pine forest while stealing glances of the canyon through the trees.

Viewpoint along Desert View Drive that features a Kaibab limestone formation that has eroded into the shape of a duck.

Two quick pullovers for taking in more great canyon views.

The trailhead located at Yaki Point that connects to the Bright Angel Trail before descending to the canyon floor.

The first viewpoint on Desert View Drive.

Named for Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, Mather Point is located a short walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and parking areas.

From Mather Point, walk less than a mile along the flat, paved Rim Trail to the Yavapai Geology Museum. Here you'll learn more about the geology of the Grand Canyon through interpretive panels and a topographical relief map of the entire canyon. The museum used to be the Yavapai Observation Station, so it offers some of the best panoramic views you'll see all day. Also has a gift shop on site.

The Grand Canyon Village was the first spot at the South Rim to offer tourist accommodations. With over 120 years of history here, you can explore the historical buildings and Native artwork, shop for souvenirs and grab a bite to eat at iconic restaurants like Fred Harvey Burger Diner.

A visitor center, curio shop, and family home that's been in the park for over a century.

Commissioned by the Fred Harvey Company in 1904, Mary Colter built this "Indian Arts Building" in the style of a 1,000 year-old Native American Pueblo village dwelling. These days it houses local Native American art and a gift shop.

The first luxury hotel built on the South Rim in 1905.

Built in 1935 as a "moderately priced" alternative, the luxury El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge offers historic rooms, cozy cabins, two restaurants, a gift shop, and instant access to the South Rim.

Mary Colter designed the Lookout Studio in 1914 as a refuge for tourists and artists to sit, relax, and gaze out at the beauty of the canyon. Today, tourists can still do just that, but now there is an added bonus of a gift shop.

The original photography studio of Emery and Ellsworth Kolb is now an art gallery, bookstore and curio shop.

Before the time of automobiles, the trains were the lifeblood of the canyon, bringing in tourists and supplies. Check out the original log depot with signs and memorabilia to get a feel for the train depot's heyday.

There are many surprising viewpoints and overlooks down the 26-mile Desert View Drive.

If you’re coming to the North Rim from Grand Canyon’s South Rim, Page, Arizona, or Sedona, you’ll start the audio tour in Bitter Springs, Arizona (just north of the Highway 89 N/Highway 89-A split. While you’re there, be sure to stop at the historical Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center for an up-close-and-personal look at the Colorado River!

The National Park Service's website(nps.gov/pisp) sums this unique national monument best: "The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike the Ridge Trail to enjoy geologic wonders, plants, and wildlife. Attend living history demonstrations and talks and be sure to visit with our amazing ranch animals!

If you’re joining us from Zion or Bryce Canyon National Parks, Kanab, Utah is a great stopover as you make your way south to the North Rim! Right Kanab is home to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the Red Pueblo Museum, Little Hollywood Land, and countless short day-hikes. Take some time to stretch your legs before the road trip ahead, and we’ll meet you in Fredonia.

We’ll be on Highway 89 A for about an hour. While you wind your way through the stunning Vermillion Cliffs and desert highway, our Shaka Guide will regale you with the fascinating history of the Native American tribes that came before us.

The Jacob Lake Inn is a great place to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their dining room, and their on-site bakery is famous for its giant cookies.

Stop into the North Kaibab Visitor Center to check current trail and weather conditions and chat with the Kaibab National Forest rangers. It’s also a great place to gas up the car and stock up on hiking supplies. Don’t forget to grab some sunscreen!

Years ago, the US Forest Service used towers like the Jacob Lake Lookout to manually spot far-off forest fires. A USFS or park employee was responsible for manning the tower. Thanks to modern technology, these towers haven't been actively manned in years, but if you stop to check out this fascinating piece of history, you’ll be able to climb 80 feet to the top and get amazing pictures of the Kaibab National Forest from a pretty unique perspective!

The Country Store is a great place to load up on supplies, snacks, and gas before going out to hit the trails.

Get your America the Beautiful pass (or your $35 entry fee) ready! There shouldn’t be much of a line at the North Rim Entrance gate. If you’re planning on hiking while you’re here, be sure to get updated trail information and weather conditions from the friendly rangers here.

East Rim Viewpoint is an optional side trip that overlooks the Saddle Mountain Wilderness, Marble Canyon and the Navajo Nation. East Rim is just a short, 4-mile drive up Forest Road 611.

Point Imperial has the distinction of being the highest point on the North Rim. At 8,803 feet above sea level, you'll be able to see Boundary Ridge and its central peak Saddle Mountain to the North. The Nankoweap Trail runs across the lower ridge, and views of Mount Hayden, Hancock Butte and Alsap Butte are visible from the upper part of the ridge.

Some of the most spectacular overlooks at the North Rim are tucked away on this nine and a half mile paved road.

A quiet viewpoint along Cape Royal Drive, Vista Encantada is a picnic area that's blanketed in wildflowers and offers views of Nankoweap. The viewpoint of Vista Encantada looks out over the Walhalla Plateau. On clear days, youmay be able to see the Painted Desert in the east.

Another viewpoint along Cape Royal Road. Roosevelt Point is accessed through a very short walk and has resting benches. Despite the high ridge, a fair amount of the scenery to the north is visible including the furthest section of the Grand Canyon, where the Colorado River forms an unbranched gorge just a mile or so across, cutting into the flat desert plain between the Vermilion and Echo Cliffs.

This is a 4-mile out and back trail leads to Cape Final. The trail is rated easy, which means it's relatively flat and shaded. The first part of the trail winds through the Ponderosa pine forest until you get to Cape Final Overlook, which provides expansive views of the North Rim. Many people say that this is the best overlook on the North Rim.

The Walhalla Ruins--or Walhalla Glades--was once the summer home of the Basketmakers during the Pueblo period. Here you'll be able to tour 10 rooms that have been left behind, and attend ranger-led talks and tours through the artifacts!

This is the southernmost viewpoint at the North Rim, and it offers the most expansive views. In fact, you'll get an almost 270 degree view of the entire horizon. See if you can spot Angel's Window, a natural arch in the Kaibab limestone which frames a little section of the Colorado River.

Moderately challenging 32.5 mile out-and back hike

If you’re wondering why we’ve given you such a large timespan at the North Kaibab Trailhead, it’s because this one is a bit tricky. This is one of the most famous trails at both rims of the Canyon, because this is the one that connects them! The North Kaibab Trail itself descends to the Canyon floor, where it eventually connects to the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails to ascend out of the Canyon at the South Rim. Many adventurers prefer to camp at various locations near the Canyon floor. Beginner hikers or travelers without proper hiking gear should not attempt to hike this trail. So why are we including it here? Well, the North Kaibab Trail passes through every ecosystem from Canada to Mexico! Even if you’re not hiking the whole way down, it’s definitely worth a bit of exploration! Walk as far as you’re comfortable, take some great pictures, and give high fives to the Rim to Rim hikers as they ascend the Canyon!

Plenty of parking here! The North Rim Visitor Center also offers educational programs, interactive exhibits both indoor and outdoor, a large gift shop, ranger information stations and those all-important restrooms, too!

This is the most visited viewpoint on the North Rim! Bright Angel Point can be accessed behind the Lodge on the Transept Trail. This is only a half-mile, paved path that leads to the Point, where you'll be treated to view of three peaks named for three Hindu deities: Deva Temple, Brahma Temple and Zoroaster Temple.

Get in the Route 66 mindset with these two old-fashioned gift shops with local handiworks, petrified wood souvenirs, and tacky dinosaur statues greeting customers out front. Painted Desert Indian Center specializes in crafts from local artists while Stewart’s Petrified Wood shop specializes in petrified wood products.

These flush toilets are the cleanest you'll find until the Rainbow Forest Museum on the other end of the park.

This overlook is your first glimpse of the Painted Desert coming in from the north, with the colorful hills below you and a vast horizon beyond facing the east. Any relevant entry fees/requirements: Tiponi Point is the first stop after the north entrance booth for Petrified Forest National Park.

Stand nearly surrounded by the Painted Desert below from this overlook point. The easy Painted Desert Rim trail leaves from the overlook and takes you to the next overlook: Kachina Point. The hike is one mile, round trip. If you hike the trail, expect to spend a total of about 30 minutes here.

The expanse of the Painted Desert is plainly viewable from the overlook, easily accessible behind the Painted Desert Inn via a short path from the parking lot.

This lookout faces the Painted Desert to the north for an expansive, unobstructed view. A semi-circle of covered picnic tables is the only picnic area outside of the visitor centers.

From this overlook on a clear day, you can see over 100 miles away including the San Francisco Peaks by Flagstaff, AZ.

These three overlooks are close to each other and offer another expansive view of the Painted Desert, though you may find the previous lookouts more colorful.

This is a small, vault toilet by the parking lot.

Generation after generation of Ancestral Puebloans left over 650 petroglyphs on these giant boulders. The petroglyphs are a little far away, visible from an overlook and a set of binoculars, but clearly visible without assistance.

These conical hills, banded with several shades of mudstones, are said to resemble Tepees. There are two pull-offs on the side of Petrified Forest Rd to park the car and get a good view--the North Pullout and the South Pullout, which is also the trailhead for the "Off the Beaten Path" Blue Forest Trail.

The Blue Mesa is one of the most beautiful parts of the park, with more opportunities to discover the strange, eroded badlands. Atop the Blue Mesa, the road splits and becomes a one-way loop. Stop at the first pull-offs for a glimpse of the badlands, and the first petrified wood deposit you see coming from the north.

his 1-mile loop trail is a paved path through the Blue Mesa badlands. Though rated as easy, there is an initial descent from the parking lot (and ascent as you finish) that may be difficult for those with limited mobility. A true highlight of the park, though, as it immerses visitors in a totally alien landscape.

This 100-ft long petrified log sits on top of a small chasm, forming a bridge. When the park opened, visitors could stand on top of it! Today, the log is off-limits and supported by concrete, but this is a quick, easy stop for an impressively long piece of petrified wood.

An overlook sits over a desert plain with a dense petrified wood deposit below. Want a closer look? Another ‘off the beaten path’ trail leads from the right of the parking lot down to the deposit following a well-worn path to the wash. Then it’s just you and the petrified wood–a truly astonishing and bizarre landscape.

This 0.75-mile hike makes a loop through one of the park's major petrified wood deposits. The paved trail and mostly flat topography make for an easy hike, and one accessible for those with wheelchairs or strollers.

If you only visit one visitor center in the national park, make it this one! In addition to the typical orientation video, gift shop, restrooms, and information desk, you'll find exhibits on the area's paleontology including fossils found in the park. Behind the building is the 0.4-mile Giant Logs trail, which passes some of the largest pieces of petrified wood in the park.

Just south of the park’s borders are two gift shops: Petrified Forest Gift Shop and Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts. These private stores focus on last minute petrified wood souvenirs that you put off within the park. They also feature Route 66-style dinosaur statues out front.

Come and check out Bitter Springs - a tiny Arizonan town.

Come and see the gorgeous views of this vista!

At Horseshoe Bend you will see a spectacular view of the Colorado River winding around a sandstone formation from the top of a 1,000-foot-tall cliff. It features a parking lot with restrooms, great views of the geological feature from the overlook and an approximate 1.5 mile hike. It gets very crowded between 9-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. During those hours the parking lot can get full, and no parking is allowed on Highway 89. Those who do will be ticketed and towed, you if it's full, you must circle back later.

Located at 6 N Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ 86040 inside of the museum.

This amazing overlook give you a chance to stop and take in views on the Glen Canyon Dam looking north and the Colorado River. Centrally located in Page off of Scenic View road, it's easily accesible by a walk that is less than 1,000 feet long. At the overlook there are picnic tables and a pavillin to spend some time and enjoy the view.

There’s even more great views! At Potato Hill Overlook visitors can take an easy, one-mile round-trip walk to the overlook for a gorgeous view of Lake Powell and Antelope Island. The Page Rimview Trail is also accessed from there. As the name suggests, it loops around Page. It’s just over 10-miles or 16 kilometers long, and it’s a great spot for birding and biking.

Not far from Potato Hill is the Grandview Overlook which affords panoramic views of Lake Powell and Navajo Mountain. It’s a peaceful place to spend some time.

At the Hanging Gardens trailhead, you’ll be treated to a 1.2 mile, or 2 kilometers, out-and-back trail. As the name suggests, it leads to a hanging garden, where plants actually grow on vertical rock surfaces.

This is an easy to moderate hike where you can explore the area with a self-guided adventure through slickrock sand formations. It offers great views of canyon walls and the Glen Canyon Dam. Lakeshore access is possible depending on the current lake elevations.

Located at Two miles north of Page across the Glen Canyon Bridge. Building is attached to Glen Canyon Dam. -Summer: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. MST daily; -Winter: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. MST daily; -Spring & Fall: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. MST daily; -Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Featuring restrooms centrally located in the group area. Located about a fourth of a mile from the shore of Lake Powell. There appears to be four different restroom buildings.

Come visit and find awesome views!

Come here to spend the day at Lake Powell!

The final stop on the tour is Wahweap Overlook. It’s a great opportunity to relax and decide where you’ll go from there. Because, we’re guessing it’s not really your last stop. It’s also a chance to gaze back at what you saw today and take it all in.

This striking mid-century modern chapel sits atop a perch with a stunning view of the surrounding red rocks, from both within the sanctuary and outside. If you do go inside, please give the building the reverence you would a cathedral and maintain the silence. Outside, the parking lot is steep and often crowded, so coming early to grab a good parking spot is ideal. The walk up the ramp to the building entrance is also steep. There are three parking lots—in the middle lot is the trailhead for Chapel Trail, a highly suggested but optional hike past the red rocks. Open 9am-5pm daily, but check the website for mass and service times.

Two vista points–Yavapai and Courthouse–are near to each other on opposite sides of the Red Rock Scenic Byway. There are hiking trails leading from both, but Courthouse Vista’s trails surrounding Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte are superior. Visitors looking for a meditative experience will also want to seek out the alleged vortex on Bell Rock, so you may find people doing yoga or enjoying a moment of peace. Whichever vista point you choose, both offer splendid views of the buttes and the surrounding red rock scenery. Parking may be slightly easier at Yavapai, for what it’s worth!

Get another look at Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte from this trailhead and parking lot right off the Red Rock Scenic Byway.

This well-kept visitor center has displays on the area's geology and ecology, as well as clean restrooms and a water re-fill station. Outside the main entrance is a decent scenic overlook facing Sedona's Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock. Open daily 9am-4:30pm, Wednesdays 12pm-4:30pm (bathrooms still open).

This small historic district is a great place to grab a bite while Sedona’s parking lots fill up. The cafes, restaurants, and taverns on this strip are generally cheaper than their peers in Sedona too. Entry fees/requirements: There are paid parking spots along Main St, but there is free parking nearby.

Built by the Sinagua people over 1,000 years ago, the remnants of this 110-room pueblo sit on a hill in the Verde Valley. A small museum in the visitor center includes artifacts discovered during the excavation. Crowds are rarely an issue here, so this impressive site is a good midday option when Sedona's parking lots are filled to capacity. Open 8am-4:45pm daily.

Home of the Audrey Shaft, which was a large part of an ore mine that put the region on the map.

Check out this historic museum & park to learn a little bit more about the history of the area around you! There is a small entrance fee to enter, and it is open 10am-4pm daily.

A historic Arizona town, once full of miners, bootleggers, and gamblers, are now full of shops, tourist attractions, and restaurants.

Red Rock State Park's trails take hikers through desert brush and low forest surrounded by a red rock backdrop. Most hikes require some moderate elevation gain, but the stepladder orientation of the trails mean you can hike as big or as small of a loop as you'd like. The visitor center and open field behind it have some views of the red rocks with no hiking required. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Photographers try to get just the right shot of Cathedral Rock looming over the reflective waters of Oak Creek. This picnic area features open lawns and plenty of picnic benches. To get to the best photography spots, walk to the far end of the open fields and follow the path along the creek until you reach a wide riverbank of red rock. Even further than that is Buddha Beach, a small swimming hole directly underneath Cathedral Rock. It's possible to hike to this picnic area from the Secret Slickrock trail, or vice versa. The trailhead is hidden behind some electric boxes about 100 feet north of the park entrance on Red Rock Crossing Rd. Open 8 a.m. to dusk.

This easy, flat trail is within sight of Cathedral Rock for its entire length, about 0.7 miles out and back. If you can walk down hill for about 30 steps, the trail ends on a wide ledge with a stunning, unobstructed view of Cathedral Rock ahead and the Crescent Moon Picnic Site below. If you wish to continue hiking to Crescent Moon, go to the opposite side of the ledge from where you entered to pick up what's labeled on some maps as the Ridge Trail. Follow the rock cairns along the edge of the hill to the left as the path heads downhill. The trail dead ends behind some electric boxes off Red Rock Crossing Rd. Turn left and the entrance to Crescent Moon is right there. Going this far, the hike is roughly 20 minutes one way.

Check out this easy-to-access viewpoint that gives you a gorgeous panoramic view of the best of Sedona.

Visit this Buddhist site with the historic and sacred Amitabha Stupa, meant for all to come and reflect.

This lookout atop airport mesa is one of the most popular places to catch a sunset, with an unobstructed view of northern and western Sedona. Other than a few large rocks, there is no seating so bring a lawn chair if you have one.

Sitting at the mouth of Oak Creek canyon, here you get a view of Midgley Bridge, which is a fascinating historic bridge. Enjoy lunch here, or just rest your feet and take in the view!

Support local artists from Arizona’s native tribes and shop for souvenir crafts, art, and jewelry. Approved vendors have direct relationships with the artists.

This is a must visit for families! Though much of this park preserves an old pioneer homestead and apple orchard, the highlight is a swimming hole along Oak Creek Canyon with a natural water slide. The red rocks surrounding this portion of the creek are also fun to climb around. One brief hiking trail skims the ledge above the creek for wider views. Hours vary through the year but are typically 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. December and January hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The parking lot for this popular trail fills up fast, so get here early if you can! The entire trail, which follows the west fork of Oak Creek as it meanders through a forested gorge, is 6.5 miles out and back, rated as easy to moderate, and will take roughly three hours. Though the trail remains relatively flat, there are 13 creek crossings over logs and stepping stones, so you won't get far if you're not up for a creek crossing. Still, the trailhead is beautiful and the ruins of the old Mayhew Lodge before the trail goes into the gorge are fun to explore. You can always give it a shot and turn around when the trail becomes too difficult. With over 100 species of birds found here, this is also a popular birding site.

Stop at this vista at the northernmost tip of Oak Creek Canyon for a birds-eye view of the scenery. Vendors of the Native American Crafts Market set up booths on the walkway between the parking lot and the overlook daily. Some arrive as early as the vista opens and stick around as late as it closes, but midday is the best time to catch the most vendors, who sell handiworks from local native artists. The vista is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

The Saguaro National Park tour begins on Route 86 outside of Tucson.