20 Epic Arizona Adventures for 2025: Your Ultimate Bucket List Challenge
- Stefani Harris
- Dec 31
- 5 min read
Ready to make 2025 your most exciting year yet? I’ve put together a list of 20 bucket-list experiences right here in the Grand Canyon State—places to explore, hikes to conquer, and hidden gems to uncover. The challenge? Complete these 20 adventures in one year! Think you’re up for it? Let’s dive in!
1. Hike the Grand Canyon
Where: Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim entrance: 64 miles north of Williams, AZ)
Cost: Entry is $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days), or use an America the Beautiful Pass.
Permits: If you’re doing an overnight hike (like rim-to-rim), you’ll need a backcountry permit.
Why Go: Because standing on the rim of this massive wonder (or hiking into it) never gets old.
Pro Tip: Start with a day hike on the south rim going down South Kaibab and back up Bright Angel Trail. Trust me, your quads will thank you.
Plunge into Fossil Creek Waterfall
Where: Bob Bear Trail (near Strawberry, AZ), a lot 8.4-mile round trip.
Cost: Free, but a permit is required (available online).
Why Go: Turquoise pools, waterfalls, and an oasis vibe in the middle of the desert.
Pro Tip: Go early and pack plenty of water—this hike can be tough, and there is minimal shade! Be sure to visit the Lavender Farm and the Rusty Pinecone Gift Shop in Pine!
3. Fall Foliage at Mt. Lemmon
Where: Mt. Lemmon, about an hour’s drive northeast of Tucson.
Cost: Free to explore!
Why Go: Surprise—Arizona has fall colors! Head up the Catalina Highway to see golden aspens in late September/early October.
Pro Tip: Grab a cookie or fudge in Summerhaven (the tiny town at the top). Your Instagram will thank you.
4. Explore Bisbee
Where: 92 miles southeast of Tucson along Highway 80.
Cost: Free to wander the streets; some museums or mine tours have fees.
Why Go: Quirky art galleries, vintage shops, and tons of history nestled in the Mule Mountains.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the Queen Mine Tour (about $14), where you’ll don a hard hat and venture underground.
Sunrise at Piestewa Peak
Where: Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Phoenix (Piestewa Peak Trailhead).
Cost: Free parking; no permit needed.
Why Go: Because starting your day on a mountaintop with the entire city waking up below you = life-changing.
Pro Tip: Bring a headlamp for visibility!
6. Hike Cathedral Rock
Where: Sedona, AZ. Cathedral Rock Trailhead is off Back O’ Beyond Road.
Cost: A Red Rock Pass ($5 daily) is usually required to park.
Why Go: Sedona’s red rocks are legendary, and Cathedral Rock’s steep climb is short but intense, leading to stunning views.
7. Visit Monument Valley
Where: On the Navajo Nation, near the AZ-UT border (about 175 miles northeast of Flagstaff).
Cost: $8 per person to enter the Tribal Park.
Why Go: Those towering sandstone buttes are straight out of an old Western movie.
Pro Tip: Book a guided tour with a Navajo guide for insider knowledge and access to restricted areas.
8. Tonto Natural Bridge
Where: Between Pine and Payson, along Hwy 87.
Cost: $7 per adult (day use).
Why Go: Supposedly the largest natural travertine bridge in the world! Check out the waterfall and caves underneath.
Pro Tip: Wear water-friendly shoes if you plan on walking under the bridge—there’s a slippery creek.
9. Salt River Tubing or Paddle
Where: Northeast of Mesa, along the Lower Salt River.
Cost: Tube rental is around $19 (includes shuttle). Kayak rental costs vary.
Why Go: Floating through the desert? Yes, please. Keep an eye out for wild horses grazing on the riverbank.
Pro Tip: Go early before Salt River Tubing opens and bring your own floats!
10. Moonlight Kayak at Saguaro Lake
Where: Saguaro Lake, about 40 miles east of Phoenix on the Bush Highway.
Cost: $6 daily Tonto Pass for parking. Kayak rentals can run $30–$50.
Why Go: Gliding under the stars, with canyon walls and saguaro silhouettes, is pure magic.
Pro Tip: Load up your SUP or kayak with colorful lights.
11. Meteor Crater near Winslow
Where: 35 miles east of Flagstaff, off I-40.
Cost: $25 for adults (check for discounts).
Why Go: Stand on the edge of a massive meteorite impact crater and feel like a tiny speck in the universe.
Pro Tip: There’s a cool museum on-site with fascinating space-rock trivia.
12. Havasu Falls
Where: Havasupai Reservation, Grand Canyon area.
Cost: A permit is required; fees vary (and can be pricey), but totally worth it if you can score one.
Why Go: Turquoise water, waterfalls, and canyon vibes that look photoshopped (but aren’t!).
Pro Tip: Permits sell out fast—plan 2025 early! 2025 reservations are available online February 1st!
13. Desert Horseback Riding
Where: Options abound—Scottsdale, Wickenburg, or Tucson ranches.
Cost: Rides typically range from $65–$120 depending on length.
Why Go: Channel your inner cowgirl among saguaros and big blue skies.
Pro Tip: Wear jeans, closed-toe shoes, and a big smile—yee-haw!
14. Hike Tom’s Thumb
Where: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale.
Cost: Free parking; no permit needed.
Why Go: A challenging trek to a unique granite peak with sweeping valley views.
Pro Tip: Start early—Scottsdale can get hot!
15. Horseshoe Bend
Where: Just outside Page, AZ, off Highway 89.
Cost: $10 parking fee (credit card only).
Why Go: Insta-famous for a reason—stand at the edge of a U-shaped bend in the Colorado River.
Pro Tip: Sunrise or sunset visits are less crowded and totally epic.
16. Desert Botanical Garden
Where: Phoenix, near Papago Park (1201 N. Galvin Pkwy).
Cost: Around $30 for general admission, but discounts exist.
Why Go: Discover over 50,000 desert plants from around the globe in one scenic spot.
Pro Tip: Go in spring for seasonal blooms, or visit at night during special events for enchanting light displays.
17. Visit the White Mountains
Where: Around Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low area (Eastern Arizona).
Cost: Free to enjoy the outdoors, but campgrounds or cabins have fees.
Why Go: Tall pines, cool summer air, fishing in mountain lakes—completely different from the desert scene.
Pro Tip: Horseback riding, ATVs, or just sipping coffee in a cabin—it’s all good vibes up here.
18. Camp at Lake Powell
Where: On the Arizona/Utah border near Page.
Cost: $30 per vehicle (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) if not using an annual pass.
Why Go: Wake up to mirrored canyon walls, boat on a cobalt-blue lake, and hike hidden slot canyons.
Pro Tip: Be mindful of water levels—campsites vary in accessibility depending on Lake Powell’s depth.
19. Winery Tour in Cottonwood
Where: Old Town Cottonwood, along the Verde Valley Wine Trail.
Cost: Tastings vary—often around $10–$20. Some offer flights or food pairings.
Why Go: Arizona wine is legit—taste local varietals, chat with winemakers, and soak up small-town charm.
Pro Tip: Pair your wine day with a side trip to Jerome, just up the hill, for even more unique vibes.
20. Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
Where: Various venues across Tucson, typically in late January/February.
Cost: Some events are free, others have small entry fees.
Why Go: One of the world’s biggest gem expos—shop crystals, fossils, meteorites, and more.
Pro Tip: Bring cash; some smaller vendors might not take cards. Comfortable shoes are a must—this show is massive!
Time to Take the Challenge!
There you have it: 20 bucket list adventures spanning rugged hikes, serene lakes, cosmic craters, and cultural hot spots. Whether you’re brand-new to Arizona’s wonders or a seasoned desert dweller, I challenge you to make 2025 your year of epic exploration.
Share your progress by tagging me on Instagram (@She.Roams.Arizona). Let’s cheer each other on and swap tips along the way—because adventuring is always better with friends.
Ready to roam? Let’s do this! Cheers to unforgettable moments, endless desert skies, and crossing new experiences off our lists. Who’s in?
XOXO Stef
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