Sometimes it’s easy to follow the crowds, comfortable even. You don’t have to think a lot about where to go or what to look at. You just let the flow of human traffic guide you along.
However, sometimes it’s more fun to venture upstream, to cut a path for yourself that is against the grain. When you take a chance like that, the world opens itself up and reveals treasures in unexpected places, so let’s take the road less traveled for an entire week and enjoy some of northern Arizona's most unique and unspoiled destinations.
There’s no time to waste. Treasure awaits!
DAY ONE
Start your week of discovery with a drive to Fredonia, a quaint town near the border of Utah that serves as the gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you’re flying into Las Vegas, the drive is just under three hours, so rent a car, grab a snack and enjoy the scenery.
You’ll wander into Utah and eventually back out, and eventually hit Pipe Spring National Monument. Not only is it a great place to stretch your legs, but it is also a historic oasis both literally and figuratively. There is an abundance of stories about both the Indigenous Kaibab Paiute tribe and the Mormon settlers that are told through living history demonstrations.
This little oasis in the north will help you unwind before you reach the Homesteader Cabin to spend the night. Located on a 400-acre ranch, this Airbnb offers guests everything plus the kitchen sink and a clear night sky.
DAY TWO
One cozy night later, enjoy some breakfast with fresh eggs and all the fixings before continuing on the next leg of your journey to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
Known for The Wave—a swirling geologic landmark that you need a permit to access—this patch of land is home to some of the most beautiful cliffs and slot canyons in the country and is ripe for adventure. You just need to make sure you’re prepared because as far as monuments go, there are few that are as remote as this one.
If you’re someone who enjoys bird watching, Vermilion Cliffs is also a fantastic place to see California Condors, which is an endangered species undergoing restoration.
It’s easy to spend the entire day there, and you can if you want to, just make sure you pack a lunch and leave no trace. But, if you’d like to continue your journey after a few hours of wandering around, head out and stop by Le Fevre Overlook before heading to Page. There are some incredible views, and it is well worth a couple minutes of your time.
In Page, grab some lunch at Fiesta Mexicana. It’s a family-owned restaurant that has many locations in operation all across the west.
After you’ve had a taste of authentic Mexican food, prepare yourself for some more at Shash Diné Eco-Retreat, which is where you’ll be staying the night, but before you head there for the night, take some time to relax at Wahweap Overlook.
Here, you’ll be able to admire Lake Powell in all its glory without having to sift through the crowds. It also faces the west and will treat you to a miraculous sunset if you plan it right, but don’t stay too late.
At the eco-retreat, you can participate in a traditional Navajo experience with a dinner of lamb, vegetables, bread, dessert and Navajo tea and storytelling during the meal.
Afterwards, understand why Shash is called the �5 Billion Star Hotel� with one of the retreat’s Sky Tours, featuring a drive in a 2023 BMW 430i Convertible with music, drinks, snacks and a lot of fun. The open-air tour will leave you ready for bed, in awe of the dark sky beauty of northern Arizona.
DAY THREE
365betĚĺÓýÔÚĎßĘŔ˝ç±, we’re crossing the halfway point of our escapade, but don’t worry, our itinerary has no plans of slowing down.
We’re going to start the day by getting some breakfast on the road. Fill up your car, grab some protein-filled snacks and continue east because the first hidden gem of the day is Mystery Valley, one of the most secluded regions of Monument Valley.
This hidden gem is less accessible than the area’s more recognizable points, but it is well worth a visit because there are acres upon acres of historical sites that you have to see to believe. From rock formations and ancient dwellings to hieroglyphs and pictographs, this place is packed with adventure and can keep visitors entranced for hours. If you’d like to invest in this part of the trip a little more, you can book a tour with one of the tribal guides, but don’t get carried away. There is still much to see.
Next stop, Burger King!
Yes, you heard that right. The Burger King in Kayenta is not just a great place to get your fast food fix, it also houses one of the world’s most in-depth exhibits on the Navajo Code Talkers.
During World War II, the Marines pulled several dozen Navajo men out of reservation boarding schools to develop a code using their unique tonal language. This collaborative effort led to victories in many of the war’s most decisive battles, including the Battle of Iwo Jima.
This place is a must-see, so enjoy a whopper with your history before heading south toward Blue Canyon on the Hopi Reservation.
Similar to Vermilion Cliffs, this uninhabited stretch of badlands features some captivating, multicolored sedimentary rock formations that are relatively untouched, but before you go, make sure you arrange to have a permit and a Hopi guide when you arrive in Tuba City.
If you don’t end up finding the time to visit, we understand. To continue your journey, keep driving south to Winslow where you’ll be staying the night at Earl's Rt 66 Motor Court.
Depending on how hungry you are, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat at RelicRoad Brewing Company where you can kick back with a light glass of suds, but if you’re not hungry, you can wander the grounds of La Posada and peruse art and artifacts at the Affeldt Mion Museum, which features the rich, cultural heritage of Winslow.
Whether you’re walking through the halls of the museum or grabbing a bite to eat, we’re certain that your time in Winslow will be well spent.
DAY FOUR
Yesterday was very busy, so today, we recommend taking it easy. Sleep in a little bit and start your morning with a brunch at the Flatbed Ford Cafe—a cool, Route 66 themed eatery with great food and a homey atmosphere.
Stuffed and satisfied, hop back into your car and cruise down to Rock Art Ranch.
This working cattle ranch features more than just cows. Like Mystery Valley, it features Anasazi dwellings and an abundance of petroglyphs plus a Navajo hooghan and sweat lodge. If you give the owner, Brantley Baird, a call, you can go on a personalized tour of the grounds and hear stories from the years that he’s lived there.
Once you’ve seen all there is to see at the Rock Art Ranch, continue your journey west toward Flagstaff.
On the way, we recommend pulling off and visiting the Apache Death Cave. This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it dwelling is said to be cursed, so tread lightly and read heavily as you navigate the area. The cave’s story is fit for a campfire.
When you arrive in Flagstaff, you’ll be able to get an up-close-and-personal look at the San Francisco Peaks and dine at one of the most popular joints in town, Fratelli Pizza (BOF).
There are three locations in town, but no matter which one you choose to go to, you’ll be offered the same, delicious deals and pies. We recommend getting one of their lunch specials, and don’t be fooled by the single-slice options; the helpings are huge.
After a casual morning, we recommend having an even more casual afternoon.
If you haven’t seen enough petroglyphs over the last few days, we recommend strolling down to Picture Canyon where you can find wall markings and a roaring waterfall.
Maybe afterwards, you can head downtown to sample a flight of beer at Dark Sky Brewing Co. (BOF), one of the most popular spots in town, but if that’s not your style, grab some dinner at Pato Thai (BOF), which will be a refreshing change after a few days of greasy grub.
The day is turning into night, so if you’re beginning to feel tired, check into High Country Motor Lodge for the night and drop by the plunge pool, but if you’re up for some more adventure, head to Lowell Observatory and enjoy the beauty of the night sky from the site where Pluto was discovered.
The team at Lowell offer many in-depth tours and guide astro tourists to the most amazing celestial points of interest.
While it might not be a hidden gem, Lowell Observatory will help you find some of the most beloved and remote treasures in the universe. What a way to conclude your penultimate day in northern Arizona.
DAY FIVE
You’ve visited this state’s most secret treasures from Fredonia to Mystery Valley, and while there are many more to be discovered, this is the final day of this trip.
So let’s make it count.
Start by grabbing a quick breakfast at the High Country Motor Lodge’s General Store before hitting the road and heading to Jerome.
This old copper town has a fascinating history with crazy stories on every steep block. We recommend stopping by the Sliding Jail, which sits 200 feet lower than where it was originally built. Another worthy stop would be Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes. You can shop for and look through an assortment of handcrafted kaleidoscopes that are like works of art on their own.
It’s a very walkable small town, so park your car and enjoy the place for a few hours before heading to Sammies Burger Joint in Prescott.
But take your time because the drive there is one of the more impressive drives in Arizona and a hidden gem unto itself.
When you’re at the burger joint, ask for your meal to-go because we recommend you having a picnic at Watson Lake. It’s a beautiful body of water that is surrounded by rounded granite boulders jutting out from the surface, and we are certain that the lake will be a sight for sore eyes after traversing through the admittedly dry region.
Once you’ve enjoyed your burger and the views, drive over to the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary to look at a variety of flora and fauna.
This sanctuary is entirely dedicated to conserving the habitats of its animals through the education of its patrons. The work of the Heritage Park team helps restore balance to the ecological scales that have been thrown off because of human impact and encroachment, so when you visit, know that your attendance goes to supporting a valuable cause.
Now, we want to make sure you don’t have to drive too far to go back home tomorrow morning, so we recommend making up some time by driving up to the Aztec Motel & Creative Space in Seligman.
You can enjoy some Route 66 kitsch here while grabbing some chow at the Roadkill Cafe/O.K. Saloon or a milkshake at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap—read about this stop more in “A weekend in the west�.
Our final recommendation is to sit outside and watch the sunset. You’ve had a long trip, but you’ve made it to the end. And we hope that kicking your feet up and watching the golden sun dip below the horizon will send you on your way with a big northern Arizona bang.
It says, “We hope you enjoyed your time. We hope to see you again. Goodbye.�