For the past five years, right around the end of January, I have found myself flying into Phoenix, Arizona. We have historically had an annual work conference – the same one Megan mentioned in her 2020 look back – at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Not only is this resort absolutely stunning and a great place to get away for “work,” but the trip has also provided me with a great jumping off point for many Arizona adventures.
While we’re not heading west for the conference this year, I’ve been reminiscing over the natural beauty of the desert; this Florida girl always tries to find a way to get outside and get in a hike or two! If you’re looking to get in touch with nature in AZ, these are my recommendations:
Grand Canyon 
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
You’ve seen pictures of the Grand Canyon at Grand Canyon National Park, but they cannot compare to seeing it in person. You’ll feel small, in a good way. The drive will take about 3.5 hours from Phoenix, but it’s worth the trip. However, mind the weather! I have now gone twice, and the first time was absolutely stunning; the second time, snow obscured most of our view.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend, located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, has become a “social media darling,” and it’s no wonder why. The hike to the overlook is approximately 1.5 miles and pretty easy to manage, even for a girl who lives at sea level. Horseshoe Bend is located about 4 hours north of Phoenix, near the Utah border, so dedicate some time to exploring the area!
Lower Antelope Canyon 
Lower Antelope Canyon 
Lower Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon
Only about 15 minutes away from Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon is another location that will surely dazzle you. There is an Upper Canyon and a Lower Canyon, both of which require a guided tour to access. Make sure you research which one would be a better fit for you – or visit both! When I visited, we toured Lower Antelope Canyon, which I would highly recommend.
Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is a very popular attraction for visitors, located about 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. It offers two hiking trails to choose from: Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail. Note that these are not for the faint of heart! If you can tackle either of these short-but-difficult trails, you’ll be rewarded with some amazing views of the city surrounding you.
Devil’s Bridge 
Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s Bridge
Located in Sedona, Devil’s Bridge Trail isn’t quite as devilish as you may fear, even if photos look like some serious thrill-seeking is required to go out on the sandstone arch. Not to worry; if you’re a casual hiker like me, you can enjoy this trek – and the stunning views! This is about a 2-hour drive from Phoenix, so I would recommend taking some time to explore Sedona while there.
And of course, since we stayed in Scottsdale, I did find some great local trails to hike while I soaked in the Arizona desert vibes! Some of my favorite trails have been Lost Dog Wash, Gateway Loop, and Brown’s Mountain, which are all part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Fun(?) fact: while hiking back down from Brown’s Mountain, I ended up slipping and planting my hand on a cactus as I attempted to catch myself. Would not recommend it. I am very grateful to have been with my friend Emily at the time, who hit the broken cactus pieces off my hand and pulled the spines out with tweezers when we got back to her house.
There is definitely some underrated beauty to Arizona and the desert, so if you’re visiting the Grand Canyon State, take the time to get outside and enjoy the views!