With its unique landscapes, from the iconic Grand Canyon to the saguaro-studded deserts, Arizona offers a playground for those seeking to embark on unforgettable family adventures. In a world where screens often dominate our attention, the Grand Canyon State beckons us to get outdoors and rekindle the spirit of adventure and create lasting memories with our loved ones.
Consider taking your family on these 9 family-friendly adventures around Arizona.
1. Visit the Grand Canyon National Park
Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park is a must if you live in Arizona or just visiting. Kids love signing up for the National Park Junior Ranger program which can be done at all the parks across the country. Read more about the program HERE.
Head north 3 1/2 hours from Phoenix and stay at the Circle Pines KOA in Williams. This campground is so much fun for the entire family and has various types of camping accommodations from family cabins and teepees to covered wagons. (We’ve stayed in all of them and you can get more details HERE.)
Circle Pines KOA is the perfect hub for visiting nearby Bearizona too.
2. Try the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
Flagstaff is a popular destination and a 2-hour drive north of Phoenix. A family favorite is the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course which you can read all about HERE.
3. Stay at The Strawberry Inn
The Strawberry Inn is a family favorite and such an easy drive (under 2 hours) from Phoenix. There are a variety of accommodations for you to choose from which you can read all about HERE.
There are many serene areas for hiking and fishing near here. The Arizona Trail is nearby as well as Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
4. Visit Small Towns Along Route 66
Winslow is a 3-hour drive northeast of Phoenix. You can read about 10 fun things to check out when you’re in the town, plus a historic hotel to stay HERE.
Be sure to get your Arizona Route 66 Passport to collect stamps along your journey!
5. Head South to Tucson, Arizona
Drive two hours south of Phoenix to enjoy all that Tucson has to offer. We love staying in a cabin at the Tucson KOA where we can swim, and play pickleball, and the kids can rent fun cycles to get around the property. There are many nearby places to visit like Saguaro National Park and Biosphere 2.
6. Hike the Red Rocks of Sedona
Sedona is a must-visit destination whether you are visiting or live in Arizona. From Phoenix, Sedona is an easy 2-hour drive north. You can read more tips by visiting HERE.
7. Visit Arizona State Parks
Arizona has so many amazing state parks to visit. Some of our favorites are Lake Havasu State Park, Deadhorse Ranch in Cottonwood, Tonto Natural Bridge, and Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Park.
Arizona State Parks also has a great Junior Ranger program where kids can earn and collect stamps and badges.
8. Adventure in Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon was a family favorite during our RV trip around the USA in 2014. We highly recommend checking it out and getting tickets to tour in advance. Read more about adventuring Antelope Canyon HERE.
9. Geocaching anywhere and everywhere!
Looking for an inexpensive outdoor family activity? Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt that gets the kids outside to discover new places. As a believer in the importance of family playtime, Geocaching is a perfect excuse to have a little fun competition together.
