National Parks Near Phoenix
Are you coming to Arizona and want to see some of our beautiful National Parks? Then you don’t want to miss visiting the National Parks near Phoenix. There are three parks located in Arizona. The closest is Saguaro National Park located in Tucson. There are also two parks in Northern Arizona: Petrified Forest National Park and the Grand Canyon National Park. Visit all three or just visit one. Depending on your vacation plans, one park should definitely be added to your itinerary. We hope that our Arizona Travel Guide will help you with finding the best places to visit in Arizona.
Best National Parks Near Phoenix
Saguaro National Park
The closest National Park near Phoenix is the Saguaro National Park. It has two distinct districts. The Rincon Mountain District is located on the east side of the City of Tucson, while the Tucson Mountain District is located on the west side. The districts are about 35 miles apart. Each district has its own beauty and saguaro cactus can be found at each location.
The Tucson Mountain District (West)
The west side has a larger concentration of Saguaros. Once you arrive at the Red Hills Visitor Center, you are in the hub of this park. Take the short hike at the visitor center or enjoy the exhibits inside. The Saguaros are all around and the views of the valley below are amazing.
We took a drive on the Hohokam Trail. It is a dirt road that takes you to several areas of interest where you can walk the scenic trails. The trails were relatively easy, and the views were very pretty. We were there in January, and the weather was warm and comfortable.
How to get there:
- From Phoenix – Take Interstate 10 east to Tucson. Exit 236, N. Sandario Road in Marana and head south to N. Kinney Road. Following the signs to the visitor center.
The Rincon Mountain District (East)
The Rincon Mountain District receives more visitors each year. On the east side, the park is larger, has paved roads and more hiking options. From the visitor center, you will enter the park and take the Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive. It is an 8-mile, paved road. It is perfect for a leisure drive, or you can ride your bicycle. Along the way, there are pull-offs, scenic vistas and trailheads.
How to get there:
- From Phoenix – Take Interstate 10 east to Tucson. Exit on Valencia Road (exit 267). Continue on Valencia Road to S. Kolb Road, E. Irvington Road, S. Houghton, E. Escalante and Old Spanish Trail to the entrance.
Avoid mapping on your phone
We could not find the entrances to Saguaro National Park on our cell phone. It simply showed a random spot in the middle of the desert. We found that it was easiest to search for the visitor’s centers names on Google Maps. The west side (Tucson Mountain District) is found by searching for the Red Hills Visitor Parking Lot in Tucson. The east entrance (Rincon Mountain District) is found by searching the Saguaro National Park Desert Ethnobotany Garden.
Get what you are looking for by reading our Grand Canyon Travel Guide.
Grand Canyon National Park
No trip to Arizona is complete without going to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience one of the seven wonders of the world. The beautiful layers of the canyon walls with the Colorado River winding through it, is unlike anything else in the whole world.
The National Park at the South Rim is open all year long. Check out the visitor center, take the shuttle to numerous scenic viewpoints, take a bike ride or visit the famous Desert View Watchtower. For your visit, take a picnic or eat at one of the famous restaurants. There are several gift shops along the rim that sells artwork, t-shirts and souvenirs. Visit the Grand Canyon North Rim for less people and more solitude.
How to get to the South Rim from Phoenix
The Grand Canyon is 260 miles from the downtown Phoenix area. By vehicle, the trip is three and half to four hours one way. Can you go to the Grand Canyon for a day trip. The answer is yes. It is a long day, but worth it. See our Phoenix Day Trip to Grand Canyon itinerary.
- Take Interstate 17 North to Flagstaff
- Then either take Route 180 west to the South Rim entrance or SR 89 North to Route 64 for the East Entrance.
Petrified Forest National Park
The Petrified Forest National Park is world famous for its huge collection of petrified wood. About 200 million years ago, this was a lush, green forest that transformed through volcanic ash and water. All that is left are these colored, stone logs. If you are planning a trip through Northern Arizona, then you have to stop at the Petrified Forest National Park.
Things to do at Petrified Forest National Park
- See petrified wood throughout the park. Check out the Crystal Forest, Jasper Forest and Rainbow Forest.
- Petroglyphs and Ruins – See Puerco Pueblo Ruins and Newspaper Rock.
- View the Painted Desert, a landscape of colorful rolling hills.
- Enjoy the scenic drive throughout the park
- Their website
How to get to this National Park from Phoenix
There are two entrances to the park. Depending on your direction of travel, one entrance may be more accessible than the other.
- North Entrance – Located off Interstate 40 at Exit 311. This entrance begins at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and show the beautiful colors of the Painted Desert.
- South Entrance – Found along State Route 180, this is the best entrance if you are coming from Holbrook or another Southern Arizona location. This entrance is closest to densest areas of petrified wood.
Because the park runs north-south, many people choose to enter at one entrance and drive through to the other side.
Be sure to reserve your car at the Sky Harbor Rental Car Center.
Final Thoughts
Since most people fly directly in Sky Harbor Airport, then a trip to the National Parks near Phoenix is a must-do. Take time to see the Saguaro National Park or drive to Northern Arizona to see the Grand Canyon or the Petrified Forest. Each park is a unique experience for the casual traveler or the adventure seeker. It is amazing that these diverse parks are located within our beautiful state of Arizona.