Most people think of the desert and immediately think of some stereotypical sights: dry, sandy, barren landscapes that can barely sustain life. However, Arizonans (and Arizonans at heart) know that the desert comes in all forms and not only can sustain life but is home to some of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see. Here are 14 incredible examples that show off the desert’s unexpected beauty.
- Antelope Canyon
Loïc Lagarde/Flickr Arizona is filled with iconic landscapes and this is just one of those many natural spaces. Antelope Canyon sits in northern Arizona, almost completely hidden away from prying eyes and is an absolute delight to find and photograph on a sunny day.
- Blue Canyon
CEBImagery/Flickr This unique canyon is a hidden treasure on the Hopi Reservation but is certainly worth the effort of finding with a guide.
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Fred Moore/Flickr I think by now you’ve noticed a trend in canyons and seeing this one on the Navajo Nation doesn’t disappoint. You can hike a trail down to the bottom to see the old White House ruins and take a guided tour of other areas of the canyon.
- Grand Canyon
Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr The Grand Canyon is huge and diverse, possessing quite a bit of forested, riparian, and desert terrains.
- Horseshoe Bend
Alan English CPA/Flickr Lovingly shaped over the centuries by the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend offers quite the stunning view!
- Lake Mead
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr A small part of the majestic Mojave Desert lies in Arizona and the terrain surrounding the Colorado River and Lake Mead will introduce you to the desert’s beauty. My favorite time to see this place is in the early morning when the many layers of rugged landscape come into view.
- Little Painted Desert
Martin Ely/Flickr This underrated little place sits just north of Winslow where you can see beautiful views that sees few visitors on a daily basis. You can take a short drive along the rim of the desert to take as much of the beauty as possible.
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr We share this iconic landscape with Utah but we’re okay with that because Arizona gets those world famous mittens. There are probably fewer land formations that are more recognizable than this spot!
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr This park sits along the Arizona-Mexico border and shows off some of the most unique cactus you will ever see: the organ pipe cactus. That combined with the rugged landscape and nearly cloudless sky makes for quite the photo opportunity.
- Petrified Forest National Park
bdinphoenix/Flickr If you want to see how quickly Arizona’s landscape changes, you need to book a visit to Petrified Forest, where you can find some beautifully diverse desert scenery that is rich in views and history.
- Salt River Canyon
Phillip Capper/Flickr Here’s another underrated area, this time in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Salt River Canyon is a pretty quiet area with deep canyon walls and incredibly rugged landscapes.
- Superstition Mountains
Darren Shaw/Flickr If you want rugged landscapes to hike, the Superstitions are it! The mountain range are a popular, though intense, hiking area and looks even more stunning when the wildflowers are in full bloom.
- Tonto National Monument
Alan English CPA/Flickr Okay, this area is located within the Superstition Mountains but it’s an area that still shows off the lovely desert views. Enjoy a hike to the old Salado ruins that were inhabited as early as the 13th century.
- Vermilion Cliffs
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr This area is absolutely gorgeous and you can probably say that we saved the best for last. If you love the red rock formations you would find in many other areas of northern Arizona, you won’t want to miss a visit to this dreamy landscape.
Want to check out some more stunning examples of Arizona’s diverse landscapes? See our article, Everyone Should Explore These 12 Stunning Places In Arizona At Least Once, for ideas!
Loïc Lagarde/Flickr
Arizona is filled with iconic landscapes and this is just one of those many natural spaces. Antelope Canyon sits in northern Arizona, almost completely hidden away from prying eyes and is an absolute delight to find and photograph on a sunny day.
CEBImagery/Flickr
This unique canyon is a hidden treasure on the Hopi Reservation but is certainly worth the effort of finding with a guide.
Fred Moore/Flickr
I think by now you’ve noticed a trend in canyons and seeing this one on the Navajo Nation doesn’t disappoint. You can hike a trail down to the bottom to see the old White House ruins and take a guided tour of other areas of the canyon.
Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr
The Grand Canyon is huge and diverse, possessing quite a bit of forested, riparian, and desert terrains.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Lovingly shaped over the centuries by the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend offers quite the stunning view!
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr
A small part of the majestic Mojave Desert lies in Arizona and the terrain surrounding the Colorado River and Lake Mead will introduce you to the desert’s beauty. My favorite time to see this place is in the early morning when the many layers of rugged landscape come into view.
Martin Ely/Flickr
This underrated little place sits just north of Winslow where you can see beautiful views that sees few visitors on a daily basis. You can take a short drive along the rim of the desert to take as much of the beauty as possible.
Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr
We share this iconic landscape with Utah but we’re okay with that because Arizona gets those world famous mittens. There are probably fewer land formations that are more recognizable than this spot!
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr
This park sits along the Arizona-Mexico border and shows off some of the most unique cactus you will ever see: the organ pipe cactus. That combined with the rugged landscape and nearly cloudless sky makes for quite the photo opportunity.
bdinphoenix/Flickr
If you want to see how quickly Arizona’s landscape changes, you need to book a visit to Petrified Forest, where you can find some beautifully diverse desert scenery that is rich in views and history.
Phillip Capper/Flickr
Here’s another underrated area, this time in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Salt River Canyon is a pretty quiet area with deep canyon walls and incredibly rugged landscapes.
Darren Shaw/Flickr
If you want rugged landscapes to hike, the Superstitions are it! The mountain range are a popular, though intense, hiking area and looks even more stunning when the wildflowers are in full bloom.
Okay, this area is located within the Superstition Mountains but it’s an area that still shows off the lovely desert views. Enjoy a hike to the old Salado ruins that were inhabited as early as the 13th century.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
This area is absolutely gorgeous and you can probably say that we saved the best for last. If you love the red rock formations you would find in many other areas of northern Arizona, you won’t want to miss a visit to this dreamy landscape.
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