Arizona Road Trips to Experience Fall Colors
Fall is the ideal time to leave the Valley and chase cooler air, changing leaves, desert blooms, high-elevation trees and golden aspen. These locations and hikes offer memorable fall color without wandering too far. I’ve grouped them by region so you can pick what works best.
Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ)
What: Garden paths, desert-adapted plants, art & events
Why it’s special in Fall: Temperatures drop enough so mornings are comfortable. Color comes from non-aspen sources: flowering succulents, seasonal exhibits, butterflies. Great for slower paced exploration.
What to do:
Majestic Mariposas (Sept 27-Nov 16): see monarch butterflies and other species in the Butterfly Pavilion.
Desert Pulse / FRAMERATE Exhibit (Oct-Nov): immersive desert art & photography; great for seeing the desert in new light.
Dog Days at the Garden (Saturday mornings): bring your dog for an early stroll on trails; good light for photos.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum (near Superior, AZ)
What: Large botanical garden / desert arboretum ~60-70 miles east of Phoenix along US-60.
Why it’s special in Fall: It offers a mix of desert riparian habitats + deciduous trees that change color (cottonwoods, pistache, pecan, etc.). Peak color tends to happen mid-November through early December, though some color begins late October.
Trails and hikes:
Main Trail: ~1.5-mile looping walk showing many of the garden’s major exhibits. Good for a casual hike.
High Trail: steeper, more strenuous. Offers more shade, varied terrain and views over the garden. Use good shoes and bring water.
Event tip: The Arboretum holds a Fall Colors Festival around Thanksgiving. Expect more visitors, so arrive early.
Check the Leaf-ometer to check the changing fall colors around Flagstaff, Arizona throughout autumn, from the San Francisco Peaks down through Oak Creek Canyon.
Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Gondola & Chairlift (Flagstaff Area)
What: Gondola rides & chairlift up Agassiz Peak reaching ~11,500 ft.
Why it’s special in Fall: You’ll fly over mixed fir and aspen forests. Colors are dramatic at that elevation. Golden aspens against high peaks are great for photos. The gondola is open daily in much of October (check schedule) and Fridays & Saturdays for sunset rides.
What: 200-acre botanical garden at 7,150 feet with trails, meadows, and high-elevation plants.
Why it’s special in Fall: Aspens and other trees turn golden from late September to mid-October, with cooler temps and fewer crowds.
Oak Creek Canyon Drive & Hiking
This is a classic. Between Sedona and Flagstaff, Hwy 89A through Oak Creek Canyon offers many pull offs and hikes. Trails like:
West Fork Trail – One of Arizona’s most popular fall hikes, about 6.5 miles round-trip. Follow the creek under red rock cliffs and through forests of oak, maple, and sycamore that explode with color in October.
Midgley Bridge / Wilson Canyon Trail – Short, scenic trailheads just north of Sedona with views over Oak Creek Canyon. Great for a quick hike or photo stop.
Crescent Moon Picnic Area (Red Rock Crossing) – Easy riverside trails with Sedona’s famous Cathedral Rock as the backdrop. Cottonwoods along the creek turn brilliant yellow in late October.
Slide Rock State Park – Known for its natural rock water slides in summer, but in fall you’ll find beautiful creekside paths framed by colorful oaks and maples.
Cookstove Trail – A steeper 1.5-mile climb with rewarding overlooks of the canyon. Best for hikers wanting a short but challenging workout with panoramic views.
Here are two suggested itineraries depending on how far you want to drive.
1-Day Trip: Phoenix → Boyce Thompson Arboretum → Return
Leave Phoenix early, reach Arboretum by mid-morning
Hike the Main Trail first, then tackle the High Trail if you want something more vigorous
Picnic lunch on-site
On the way back stop in Superior for historic walks or enjoy sunset light over Queen Creek Canyon
Overnight Trip: Phoenix → Flagstaff / Snowbowl + Oak Creek Canyon
Day 1: Drive up to Flagstaff (roughly 2.5 to 3 hrs)
Take gondola at Snowbowl in the afternoon and catch sunset
Stay overnight in Flagstaff
Day 2: Morning hike in Oak Creek Canyon (West Fork or Midgley)
Lunch in Sedona
Drive back via scenic roads, stop at viewpoints
Peak color timing varies by elevation: lower desert & garden areas (Desert Botanical Garden) will have slower, less dramatic color; higher elevation (Snowbowl, Flagstaff) earlier and more vivid.
Always check live resources like the Flagstaff Leaf-ometer for current foliage status.
Weather: Bring layers. Mountain evenings can be cold. Mornings often have frost or chill above 8,000 ft.
Early arrival helps beat crowds. Weekend afternoons at Snowbowl or Arboretum tend to get busy.
Check for road closures / seasonal restrictions (Snowbowl, Forest Service roads) especially after storms.
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