Oak Creek Canyon
Follow the fall colors from Flagstaff’s pines to Sedona’s red rocks.
The Open Road | Flagstaff to Sedona, Arizona
Begin just south of Flagstaff and follow Arizona 89A as it drops into Oak Creek Canyon. The narrow road winds beneath pines then folds through a lively series of switchbacks. Autumn turns the canopy gold and orange, but the drive rewards in every season. Continue south and the canyon opens toward Sedona, where the first great red-rock formations provide an unforgettable finale.
Yarnell and the Back Way to Prescott
Desert curves, mountain pines, and Whiskey Row at journey’s end.
Scenic Drives & Motorcycle Roads | Congress to Prescott, Arizona
Leave Congress on Highway 89 and the desert quickly gives way to the sweeping curves of Yarnell Hill. Beyond Wilhoit, the road winds through cooler mountain air and tall pines before carrying you into Prescott’s historic Whiskey Row. Enjoy the scenery and the rhythm of the road, then choose from the district’s restaurants and shops to complete the day.
Check weather and road conditions for the entire route: a pleasant desert day can become cold, wet, icy, or snowy in the mountains. Ride or drive within your ability, watch for wildlife, debris, cyclists, other traffic, and law enforcement.
Skull Valley
Where the road invites you to slow down.
Road Trips & Hidden Gems | Skull Valley, Arizona
Take the slower road into Skull Valley, a quiet country crossroads that seems pleasantly forgotten by time. Stop at The Forge for coffee, ice cream, or a cinnamon roll, breathe in the fresh air, and let the day move at its own pace. It is a simple, welcoming pause – and sometimes that is exactly what a good drive needs.
Traveling north on Highway 89 toward Prescott, take Kirkland Valley Road to Iron Springs Road through Skull Valley. Allow time for the scenic detour and check The Forge website for current hours.
Mount Lemmon
From desert curves to cool pines, with room to breathe.
Scenic Drives & Outdoors | Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Follow the Catalina Highway from saguaro-dotted desert through miles of curves to cool mountain air and pine forest. Near the top, the view makes you feel on top of the world. Pack a picnic and listen to the wind in the trees, or spend the day exploring trails, restaurants, and shops around Summerhaven. For maps and ideas, stop at Palisades Visitor Center along the way.
Standin’ on the corner in Winslow Arizona
One of Route 66’s most irresistible photo stops.
The Open Road | Winslow, Arizona
Make the drive from Phoenix through Payson part of the adventure, then step into one of Route 66’s most cheerful photo opportunities. Winslow has dressed its famous corner with bronze figures, a two-story mural, a flatbed Ford, and plenty of small-town nostalgia. Pose for the picture, browse the nearby shops, and consider it your first stop on an Arizona Route 66 journey.
Desert to Pines: Mesa to Heber
From saguaros to pines—with a few aliens along the way.
Road Trip / Motorcycle Ride • Mesa to Heber-Overgaard, Arizona
Leave Mesa’s saguaros behind as Highway 87 climbs toward Payson, then follow Highway 260 through sweeping curves and cool ponderosa pines to Heber-Overgaard. It’s a satisfying motorcycle ride—or a beautiful drive by car—with quirky roadside aliens and a burger and fries at the Red Onion waiting at the far end. Curious about the aliens? Watch Fire in the Sky or read about the Travis Walton incident.
Buc-ee’s Goodyear
Part truck stop, part shopping mall, entirely its own spectacle.
Roadside Americana | Goodyear, Arizona
Shopping carts at the entrance are the first clue that this is no ordinary fuel stop. Inside, the smell of barbecued brisket leads past snacks, souvenirs, gifts, and clothing, while an enormous, spotless restroom keeps travelers moving. Buc-ee’s Goodyear feels like a Super Walmart and a truck stop had a wonderfully over-the-top child – and the people-watching is part of the fun.