Your family vacation in Arizona can take you from snow to desert and from saguaros to swimming holes. Depending on the ages of your children, there are terrific hiking trails for all ages around the state. If you’re a camping clan, you can find terrific developed sites near the Grand Canyon and great free camping further south.
Sedona
You can find amazing views and terrific hiking trails for all levels around Sedona. If you need a bit of TLC, there are numerous spas in the area where you can get a massage and crystal therapy.
If your children are a bit older, book a horseback riding tour of the trails in the area. Once you’ve enjoyed the views around Sedona, block out a couple of hours for some shopping; there are many artists in Sedona and you can find handmade pieces and one of a kind items in the many boutiques in the area.
Make sure your packing list for your trip to Sedona includes
- freshly filled water bottles
- snacks and a trash bag
- sun protection
- a windbreaker to protect you from desert chill once the sun goes down
If you haven’t done a lot of hiking as family, start on the simpler trails and bring shoes that have taken some wear. New hiking shoes can make for a miserable vacation.
Phoenix
If you and your family love roller coasters, you need to check out Castles N Coasters in Phoenix. This theme park features arcades for a bit of gaming, kiddie rides for the little ones, and thrilling roller coasters for bigger kids and hearty grown-ups.
Carefully check park rules on what you can bring in as far as food and water. Do make sure to pack sunscreen and make sure everyone has sunglasses. Hats that can be snugged down will be helpful. Don’t forget lip balm!
Many adults treat themselves to grown-up beverages while they’re on vacation, and the many quality restaurants and bars in Phoenix and the surrounding area will make this easy. Take care to load up on water each time you get a meal or a snack. Dehydration will make you miserable. If you choose to leave Phoenix and head to higher elevations for some sight-seeing or hiking, the impact of dehydration will hit you even harder.
Tucson
Everyone will find something to catch their imagination at the Arizona – Sonora Desert Museum. If you love a trip to the zoo, you’ll find animals. If you love art, you’ll find a gallery. There’s also a botanical garden, an aquarium and a natural history museum. This museum is focused on understanding and respecting the delicate ecosystem that is the Sonoran Desert; conservation projects are ongoing and provide a deep understanding of how the creatures in this region survive the extreme conditions.
If you plan on spending a few nights in Tucson, make sure you check out the night sky. You can stay indoors and check out the Flandrau Science Center. If you’re camping in the region, look for a site in the Coronado National Forest.
The desert is known for heat. However, once the sun goes down the desert can get quite chilly. If you’re packing for a stargazing hike, you’ll need great shoes and plenty of water. You’ll also need a windbreaker. It can also be a good idea to carry a fleece jacket, preferably with a hood, that you can put on when the cold desert breezes start to blow. Humid air tends to hold heat once the sun is gone; the dry conditions in the desert release heat quickly
Flagstaff
Don’t like the desert? Check out Flagstaff! Flagstaff is known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. There is plenty of camping, much of it free, around this city. In the winter, you can ski here. If your clan is full of hearty hikers, go check out the volcanic lava tube cave system. Those who are a bit claustrophobic can relax; the tubes are less than a mile long and the hike is pretty easy.
The Grand Canyon is not the only canyon that is worth a long look. Flagstaff offers access to airports near Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land in northern Arizona. These are slot canyons, created when water was forced through sandstone.
There are no square corners in the Antelope Canyons. You will need a guide before you enter these canyons; the risk of getting turned around and lost should not be discounted. Your guide can also help you find the best canyons for any physical limitations; while some are easy to walk into, others must be accessed by ladder.
Yuma
If you have any history buffs in your family, check out the Castle Dome Mines Museum to get a sense of what the wild southwest was like. For those who love to camp and soak up the natural world, a winter camping trip along the All American Canal will give you the chance to study many bird species in migration.
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge covers over 600,000 acres of desert that is a home to the only native palm in Arizona and many groups of bighorn sheep. There is plenty of tent camping and you can find cabins to rent overnight in the region. If you are ready for a restful, quiet vacation with few distractions, camping near Yuma may provide you the peace you need.
If you love old movies and are fascinated by the idea of an oasis, you must check out Martha’s Gardens Medjool Date Farm. This remarkable spot is straight north of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and offers date treats that are specific to the location.
When one thinks about Arizona, the mental picture is of saguaro cactus. While saguaros can be found in abundance around Tucson, the heat associated with them can be worrying. Never head out an an Arizona hike without plenty of water and sun protection. Keep your cell phone charged and stay with your guide or on designated paths to safely enjoy a wonderful Arizona vacation!
