Thanks to Old Tucson Studios, the Tucson Mountains have become synonymous with the Southwest, having provided the backdrop for countless movies and television shows. A 38.3-mile loop through Saguaro National Park West and Tucson Mountain Park, which includes Old Tucson, encompasses this iconic landscape, with towering saguaros, volcanic peaks, petroglyphs — even roadrunners and coyotes.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Readers have reported that road conditions on this route have deteriorated since this story was published. A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle, such as an SUV or truck, is required, and all-terrain tires are strongly recommended.
The fuel pump is an underrated part of automotive history — and something we take for granted today. Early cars relied on gravity to feed fuel to the carburetor, and that often made steep hills a challenge. One example: the Kingman-to-Topock section of Historic Route 66, where tow-truck operators made a fortune rescuing motorists in the 1920s and ’30s. The passage was arduous enough that Route 66 eventually was rerouted around it.
There’s a lot to do in Oak Creek Canyon, but beyond the resorts, hikes, campgrounds and other recreation spots, don’t forget that a simple road trip on State Route 89A, from Sedona to Oak Creek Vista, is one of America’s most scenic drives, even after a fire that burned the area in 2014. And on most days, you can go round-trip in 90 minutes or less.
There are two ways to get to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. You can choose the 21st century route via the park’s paved, patrolled and sometimes-crowded south and east entrances. Or, if you value scenery and history over convenience, you can follow the path taken by 19th century visitors who arrived on stagecoaches and horse-drawn wagons via the Grandview entrance. The 30.4-mile Tusayan-to-Grandview Loop offers an alternate and more secluded way into the park, and it also treats travelers to a journey back in time.
In the heat of summer, there’s no better place to take a road trip than Flagstaff, and no better route than this 24.4-mile loop, which winds along shady forest roads past wildflower-filled meadows and includes a short detour to Lava River Cave, Northern Arizona’s natural icebox.
We begin at Forest Road 171, about 10 miles west of Flagstaff. The gravel road is bumpy but wide and straight as it runs through a well-managed ponderosa-pine forest, which occasionally gives way to wide, grassy meadows strewn with volcanic rock.
If you’re wondering where Mother Nature spends her summers, this is it. The Grand Canyon, the vast meadows, the evergreens and aspens, the cool breezes, the quiet … there’s nothing quite like the Kaibab Plateau and its 44-mile parkway, which begins at Jacob Lake.
Walk around Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza and you’ll immediately discover that there’s always something happening: fairs, festivals, food ... you name it. Arizona’s first Territorial capital is brimming with activity. But for those seeking a respite from the flurry, a quiet drive through the Sierra Prieta mountain range — with its picturesque views — means you can have your homemade coffeecake from Cuppers and eat it, too.
Arizona does not lack for geological drama. Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona and the monoliths of Monument Valley draw tourists by the millions. Residents, on the other hand, often just head for the Rim.
There are mountains. There are hills. And then there are the Dragoons.
