🥾 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 1 — Saguaro National Park
Day 1 — Saguaro National Park
🚗 3 hr 8 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Phoenix, AZ → Saguaro National Park
2 hr 27 min8:00 AM → 10:27 AM
Saguaro National Park
★ 4.8Hike among thousands of iconic towering saguaro cacti while experiencing the raw beauty of the Sonoran Desert just outside Phoenix.
10:27 AM📍 See location
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Saguaro National Park → Broadway Trailhead
32 min12:00 PM → 12:32 PM
Broadway Trailhead
★ 4.7Hike sun-exposed desert terrain with sweeping valley views, navigating cacti and rocky switchbacks while ascending toward Camelback Mountain's ridgeline.
12:32 PM📍 See location
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Broadway Trailhead → The Dog House Saloon at The Tanque Verde Ranch
9 min5:00 PM → 5:09 PM
The Dog House Saloon at The Tanque Verde Ranch
★ 4.8Saddle up for an authentic Old West experience complete with horseback riding, rustic ranch cuisine, and genuine cowboy hospitality.
5:09 PM📍 See location
🛏️
Tanque Verde Ranch
Rated 4.6★ (1380 reviews) — a well-rated base for your night near Saguaro National Park.
Day 2 — Chiricahua National Monument
Day 2 — Chiricahua National Monument
🚗 4 hr 14 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Saguaro National Park → Chiricahua National Monument
2 hr 6 min8:00 AM → 10:06 AM
Chiricahua National Monument
★ 4.9Navigate 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.'
10:06 AM📍 See location
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Chiricahua National Monument → Echo Canyon Trailhead
8 min12:00 PM → 12:08 PM
Echo Canyon Trailhead
★ 4.9Scramble up steep, boulder-strewn paths through desert scrub to reach Camelback's iconic summit, where 360-degree Phoenix vistas reward the challenging final push.
12:08 PM📍 See location
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Echo Canyon Trailhead → Sky Islands Grill & Grocery
2 hr5:00 PM → 7:00 PM
Sky Islands Grill & Grocery
★ 4.7Refuel with elevated comfort food and local flavors after a day of desert exploration at this beloved mountain hideaway.
7:00 PM📍 See location
🛏️
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 3 — Picacho Peak State Park
Day 3 — Picacho Peak State Park
🚗 3 hr 57 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Chiricahua National Monument → Picacho Peak State Park
2 hr 33 min8:00 AM → 10:33 AM
Picacho Peak State Park
★ 4.7Discover this distinctive volcanic peak offering multiple trail options and dramatic desert panoramas that make for an unforgettable weekend adventure.
10:33 AM📍 See location
🍽️
Lunch
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Picacho Peak State Park → Picacho Peak Summit
4 min12:33 PM → 12:37 PM
Picacho Peak Summit
★ 4.9Tackle 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.
12:37 PM📍 See location
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Picacho Peak Summit → La Paloma Family Restaurant
18 min5:00 PM → 5:18 PM
🍽️ Dinner5:18 PM
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 options · tap to switch
🚗
Drive
La Paloma Family Restaurant → Phoenix, AZ
1 hr 2 min6:18 PM → 7:20 PM
Plan your own escapeExplore more trips →