🥾 ActiveLong weekend · from Phoenix, AZ

Desert Spires, Canyons & Summits

Chase ancient red rock majesty through three iconic Arizona landscapes, summiting peaks and exploring mystical canyons in one unforgettable desert adventure.

Day 1 — Saguaro National ParkDay 2 — Chiricahua National MonumentDay 3 — Picacho Peak State Park
Day 1Saguaro National Park

Day 1Saguaro National Park

🚗 3 hr 8 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Phoenix, AZSaguaro National Park
2 hr 27 min8:00 AM10:27 AM
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park
4.8
Hike among thousands of iconic towering saguaro cacti while experiencing the raw beauty of the Sonoran Desert just outside Phoenix.
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Saguaro National ParkBroadway Trailhead
32 min12:00 PM12:32 PM
Broadway Trailhead
Broadway Trailhead
4.7
Hike sun-exposed desert terrain with sweeping valley views, navigating cacti and rocky switchbacks while ascending toward Camelback Mountain's ridgeline.
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Evening
🚗
Drive
Broadway TrailheadThe Dog House Saloon at The Tanque Verde Ranch
9 min5:00 PM5:09 PM
The Dog House Saloon at The Tanque Verde Ranch
The Dog House Saloon at The Tanque Verde Ranch
4.8
Saddle up for an authentic Old West experience complete with horseback riding, rustic ranch cuisine, and genuine cowboy hospitality.
🛏️
Tanque Verde Ranch
Rated 4.6★ (1380 reviews) — a well-rated base for your night near Saguaro National Park.
Day 2Chiricahua National Monument

Day 2Chiricahua National Monument

🚗 4 hr 14 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Saguaro National ParkChiricahua National Monument
2 hr 6 min8:00 AM10:06 AM
Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument
4.9
Navigate dramatic balanced rocks, hoodoos, and a 500-foot gorge on trails like the Heart of Rocks Loop in this volcanic wonderland near the town of Willcox, nicknamed the 'Land of Standing-Up Rocks.'
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Chiricahua National MonumentEcho Canyon Trailhead
8 min12:00 PM12:08 PM
Echo Canyon Trailhead
Echo Canyon Trailhead
4.9
Scramble up steep, boulder-strewn paths through desert scrub to reach Camelback's iconic summit, where 360-degree Phoenix vistas reward the challenging final push.
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Evening
🚗
Drive
Echo Canyon TrailheadSky Islands Grill & Grocery
2 hr5:00 PM7:00 PM
Sky Islands Grill & Grocery
Sky Islands Grill & Grocery
4.7
Refuel with elevated comfort food and local flavors after a day of desert exploration at this beloved mountain hideaway.
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Find lodging near Chiricahua National Monument
Book somewhere to sleep before Day 3 — search hotels or Airbnb in the Chiricahua National Monument area.
🔍 Search hotels near Chiricahua National Monument
Day 3Picacho Peak State Park

Day 3Picacho Peak State Park

🚗 3 hr 57 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Chiricahua National MonumentPicacho Peak State Park
2 hr 33 min8:00 AM10:33 AM
Picacho Peak State Park
Picacho Peak State Park
4.7
Discover this distinctive volcanic peak offering multiple trail options and dramatic desert panoramas that make for an unforgettable weekend adventure.
🍽️
Lunch
🍽️ Lunch11:33 AM
Hotdogs Alvarado
Hotdogs Alvarado
4.7Hot Dog Restaurant📍 Maps →
3 options · tap to switch
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Picacho Peak State ParkPicacho Peak Summit
4 min12:33 PM12:37 PM
Picacho Peak Summit
Picacho Peak Summit
4.9
Tackle a dramatic 3.5-mile round-trip featuring chain-assisted scrambles and narrow ridges, culminating at a historic Civil War battlefield with panoramic desert views.
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Evening
🚗
Drive
Picacho Peak SummitLa Paloma Family Restaurant
18 min5:00 PM5:18 PM
🍽️ Dinner5:18 PM
La Paloma Family Restaurant
La Paloma Family Restaurant
Savor authentic Mexican cuisine in a family-owned gem that locals have cherished for generations, providing genuine flavors and warm hospitality.
4.5Mexican Restaurant📍 Maps →
4 options · tap to switch
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Drive
La Paloma Family RestaurantPhoenix, AZ
1 hr 2 min6:18 PM7:20 PM
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