8 Prettiest Small Towns In Arizona
Arizona abounds in dramatic scenery, so it should come as no surprise that this Southwestern U.S. state has small towns with some of the biggest beautiful landscapes imaginable. There's a town where visitors can hop aboard a historic train to reach the Grand Canyon, a town steeped in Ancestral Puebloan heritage, and a village at the edge of perhaps the Colorado River's most refreshing corner. Add the famously New Agey town surrounded by red rock "vortexes." Arizona also has a wine country town in the high desert and a mountain town high above the Sonoran Desert. Here are our picks for eight of the prettiest small towns in Arizona.
Page
At the northernmost reaches of Northern Arizona, Page opens up to some of the region's most recognized landscapes and a refreshing expanse of the Colorado River. Speaking of the river, Antelope Point Marina makes a convenient launchpad to Lake Powell with houseboat rentals, smaller watercraft rentals, guided tours, private charter sails, and RV campsites all available here. Meanwhile, for those who prefer to explore on dry land, the nearby Horseshoe Bend is the famed entrenched meander of the Colorado River that formed over five million years ago, and it now features cliffs dropping about 1,000 feet to the river floor. Then, there's Antelope Canyon, also known as Hasdez' twazi' in the Navajo language, a set of "sandstone sculptures" on Navajo Nation tribal land full of colorful swirls that must be seen to be believed. For more natural wonders, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument has many of the United States' most unique rock formations, including The Wave and Paria Canyon.
Travelers can rent houseboats and do extended stays at Lake Powell. For those who'd rather sleep on dry land, Grandview Inn Bed and Breakfast makes a warm and inviting "Gateway to Red Rock Country" with comfortable guest rooms and suites, a full breakfast every morning, and a convenient location near Glen Canyon Dam.
Chinle
Venturing out to the Navajo Nation tribal lands, around 103 miles southwest of the Four Corners Monument, Chinle sits by another incredible monument that overflows in rich history and bold colors. Canyon de Chelly National Monument extends across 83,840 acres of one of North America's longest continuously inhabited regions, and key spots like Antelope House Overlook and Mummy Cave Overlook provide glimpses into Ancestral Puebloan life in the communities they first established here some 5,000 years ago. Tsegi Overlook near the park's entrance provides a wondrously scenic vantage point into the canyon floor some 800 feet below, and Spider Rock Overlook to the east showcases the namesake sandstone spire that soars some 750 feet from the canyon floor.
Staying in the national monument, Thunderbird Lodge is the only official lodging facility within the monument's boundaries, and this Navajo-owned and operated hotel offers comfortable guest rooms, Navajo-guided tours of Canyon de Chelly, an on-site restaurant, and a trading post to shop for authentic Native American-made jewelry, rugs, home decor, and other souvenirs.
Williams
Around 36 miles west of Flagstaff, Williams makes a convenient gateway to the Grand Canyon, yet there's even more to explore around town. These days, Williams is probably best known for the Grand Canyon Railway, a fun way to enjoy a car-free ride up to Grand Canyon National Park, including on-board entertainment and complimentary snacks on select car classes. Whenever one returns from that Grand Canyon excursion, there's plenty more to see nearby, including the Bearizona Wildlife Park that maintains a 160-acre habitat for wildlife like black bears, bighorn sheep, porcupines, and elk. For those who want to experience the wild side of Williams, they can head out to Dogtown Lake for an inviting campground and a lake to go fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Then, there's Bill Williams Mountain, where hikers can hit the trail and ascend from ponderosa pine and oak thickets through aspen and fir groves to the mountain's summit area around 9,256 feet above sea level.
Heading back to the train station, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel sports recently refurbished rooms and suites with custom furnishings and flat-screen satellite TVs, along with the tasty Spenser's Pub bar-restaurant.
Sedona
Set by the Mogollon Rim of the Colorado Plateau, Sedona showcases Northern Arizona's most colorful natural landscapes alongside a uniquely creative culture. Local New Age enthusiasts cherish certain specific landmarks deemed "vortexes," and the Schnebly Hill Trail provides a path to reach two such "vortexes" at Schnebly Hill and Munds Mountain. Even if one doesn't adhere to New Age spiritual teachings, these "vortex" areas still make beautiful places to hike and explore. Another top highlight in the area is Boynton Canyon with its combination of red sandstone rock formations, green Arizona cypress and manzanita forest, and welcoming habitat for native animals like mule deer and canyon wrens. To dive into the artsier side of town, Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is the perfect one-stop center at the banks of Oak Creek to peruse local art galleries and dine at delectable restaurants, while the nearby Sedona Arts Center Uptown features plenty more locally made art and a calendar full of interactive art classes and workshops.
Whether folks come to Sedona for the red rock scenery, the local art scene, or just a nice place to get away from it all, it's always worth getting away to the soothing and serene luxury of Mii amo and Enchantment Resort. Hidden deep in the high desert environment of Boynton Canyon, these twin boutique resorts exude quiet luxury with Southwestern-style casitas and suites, an award-winning full-service spa, and a tantalizing selection of chef-driven restaurants on site.
Clarkdale
Set in the green Verde Valley is Clarkdale, a town where the remains of an ancient pueblo have evolved and grown into a present-day wine country oasis. For a view of the ancient, folks can head up to Tuzigoot National Monument and tour the ruins of a hilltop pueblo that the Sinagua indigenous people likely built from the 12th to 14th centuries. For those who want to see more of the region, Verde Canyon Railroad offers comfortable train rides in climate-controlled cars with 360-degree views of the Verde Valley's red rock backcountry. Back in town, Dead Horse Ranch State Park protects a tranquil stretch of the Verde River where visitors can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. For anyone wanting a fuller taste of Clarkdale's fruitful bounty, Chateau Tumbleweed Winery has a hospitable tasting room serving their own fine Arizona-made wines alongside charcuterie bento boxes.
Whenever one's ready to call it a day, it's a good idea to spend the night at the historic Park Hotel, a 1915 landmark that now offers beautifully appointed guest rooms with special high-end touches like large flat-screen TVs, in-room coffee makers and sound machines, and high-speed wifi internet.
Paradise Valley
Just 12 miles northeast of Downtown Phoenix, travelers can escape into the aptly named village of Paradise Valley, a refreshing oasis in this lively corner of Central Arizona's Sonoran Desert. A major draw here is Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, which includes the 2,610-foot Piestewa Peak and a series of hiking trails in the desert wilderness. Even more famous is Camelback Mountain, one of the United States' top hiking destinations thanks to the unique sandstone and granite terrain of this 2,706-foot mountain. But in case anyone prefers an easier day out and about, they can tee off at the 18-hole and par 71 Phoenician Golf Club featuring views of Camelback Mountain and the surrounding mountains, or they can try out The Short Course at Mountain Shadows for a more fast-paced and novice-friendly round of golf.
After a long day exploring around town, visitors can retreat to the resort environment at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. Centrally located near Camelback Mountain and Old Town Scottsdale, the Andaz nonetheless looks and feels far removed from the troubles of the outside world with its oversized bungalows and suites, its relaxing Palo Verde Spa, and its enticing on-site dining options.
Summerhaven
High in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona, yet only 42 miles from Downtown Tucson, is the cleverly named village of Summerhaven. Since the town sits high up the range's tallest mountain at Mount Lemmon, hikers can escape the scorching heat of the desert below and delight in hitting trails like the Butterfly Trail that leads into a thick patch of forest, and the Mount Lemmon Trail that leads down from the mountain's 9,171-foot summit. For a more chill spot in the mountains, folks can head over to Rose Canyon Lake, a six-acre lake surrounded by ponderosa pine forest that's a prime location for trout fishing and birdwatching. For a truly ethereal experience, the University of Arizona's Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter observatory offers day tours, astronomer nights, and the SkyNights scientist-led stargazing programs.
To make one's stay in Summerhaven extra special, Mount Lemmon Lodge provides comfortable rooms and larger private cabins, as well as the always flavorful and made-from-scratch Beyond Bread Bakery Café, and a gift shop stocked with artisan-made delights.
Sonoita
To the east of the Santa Rita Mountains, and around 50 miles southeast of Tucson, is the tasteful town of Sonoita and Arizona's first officially designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). Yes, really, wines are also made down here, and Arizona Hops & Vines is a fun place to begin exploring the local wine scene in a relaxed and casual environment. Visitors can check out Four Tails Vineyard's tasting room for their 100% Arizona-made wines and Southwestern-Mediterranean fusion cuisine, as well as Sunset Ride for their artfully made varietals served in a lively art gallery environment. For something different, Copper Brothel Brewery serves up plenty of flavorful made-from-scratch food alongside their house-made premium craft beers.
For the complete Sonoita wine country experience, guests can check into The Wine Inn and discover a bucolic environment at the McGinnis Ranch. Here, visitors will enjoy a hearty and homemade breakfast every morning, the opportunity to partake in some fun farm activities (like cheesemaking), a refined selection of comfortable rooms, and an ideal location near the region's parks and wineries.
Arizona Is A Pretty Amazing Place To Take In The Serene Scenery
Across Arizona, travelers will find all sorts of unique and illustrious treasures, and they can take in a whole lot of pretty views along the way. Up at Page, the Colorado River forms the oasis at Lake Powell and carves incredible corners of the landscape like Horseshoe Bend. Over at Chinle, Canyon de Chelly National Monument preserves a great expanse of Ancestral Puebloan history and heritage. Then, there's Sedona, the red rock wonderland of New Age "vortexes" and top-tier spa resorts. Near Phoenix, Paradise Valley shines with natural landmarks like Camelback Mountain and inviting golf courses just beyond. A short drive from Tucson leads to Sonoita, Arizona's original wine country region with a special Southwestern twist on the typical viticulture. Whatever you find the most pretty, it's hard to look at this state and not appreciate its abundance of colorful beauty.
