There are many great day trips in and around Phoenix, way too many to mention here. I will give you some of the highlights based mostly on my own experiences and others that I know that have visited. In some cases, the links will take you directly to a featured website with more information.  Items with stars are places we have actually been - many more than once!  We didn't rate them because we loved them all!

Apache Trail Loop - Southeast Valley -This drive is an all day affair but well worth it. In the far southeast valley, near Apache Junction, you will pick up AZ 88 off US 60 and begin the 200 mile loop. Much of the road near the end of the trail is gravel, but well maintained. There are narrow bridges and blind curves in this area, therefore recommended not to travel with vehicles longer than 35 feet.

The first attraction you will come to is the replicated ghost town of Goldfield. Quaint little town that is very authentic looking and worth a stop. From Goldfield, continue on the trail and you will reach Lost Dutchman State park. Here you will find some hiking through the hills where legend says there is a lost gold mine.

Continue on your journey and you will reach the first in a chain of three lakes along the Salt River, Canyon Lake. If you are up to hiking, there are many trail heads up to this point that are great distractions in this part of the Tonto National Forest.

Once you leave Canyon Lake, a little further is Tortilla Flat. This is a great place to stop for a quick lunch. This used to be a lively mining camp and stagecoach stop. The dam building crews would stop here on the three day trip to the dam at Canyon Lake.

Continue on and you will wind through spectacular scenery for the next 21 miles. You will descend more than a thousand feet in three miles down a narrow road with sharp curves and sheer drop offs. It's so beautiful, its hard to keep your eyes on the road, so be careful. There are several scenic overlooks so be sure to stop.

You will arrive shortly to Apache Lake. Colorful rock outcrops surround this lake with amazing views. There are several turnoffs that will take you down to the lake.

Keep following the Apache Trail through the canyons and you will get to the Theodore Roosevelt Dam where the dirt road portion of AZ 88 ends. This dam was build of hand-hewn stones starting in 1905 and is still the tallest masonry dam in the world. The dam was dedicated in 1911 when Teddy Roosevelt came out to Arizona to drive over this road.

Just past the bridge over Roosevelt Lake, you will come to the Tonto National Monument where very well preserved cliff dwellings built by the Salado people between 13th and 15th centuries are nextled in the mountain caves above. You can get to them, but be aware it is a steep on half mile paved trail to the lower ruins. You can see them from the parking lot.

From here, the next stop is Globe. You can either stay overnight here or continue back to the Phoenix area via US 60. If you stay the night, you can be sure to visit the Besh-Ba-Gowah ruins in the middle of town. This is an interesting stop with a small museum and gift shop.

If you head North out of Globe on AZ 60, you will travel through about 40 miles of high desert country before descending into the Salt River Canyon. This is a well paved journey and well worth the extra time. View Map

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Castle Hot Springs - Northwest Valley - This is one of the first scenic drives we took after we moved to the northwest valley. Skirting around Lake Pleasant, there is much variation in terrain and beauty. From soaring cliffs to rolling hills, the scenery takes your breath away at just about every turn.

To find the Road, simply take Highway 74 toward Wickenburg. Just before you reach 60, you will see a road called "Castle Hot Springs Road". Take this road to the right. You will travel through washes that become roads, canyons that feature wildflowers, Federal gold mining claims, a stream, free range cattle, wild donkeys, twisting mountain roads and a big surprise when you get to "Castle Hot Springs".

Once you pass the Springs, you will continue on this road (wash) for several miles until you get to Lake Pleasant. Just follow the road out and you will end up back on 74. Great Trip! Use caution if you go after recent rains, as the road gets pretty rough at that time. (a day trip) View Map

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Crown King - From Phoenix take I-17 (the Black Canyon Freeway) north. Take the Bumble Bee exit. You will pass the ghost towns of Bumble Bee and Cleator on your way to Crown King.

This drive is a beautiful drive with well maintained dirt roads all the way up the mountain.  The hairpin blind turns from switchbacks up the mountainside make this drive a little hair raising at times, but it is well worth the trip.  Beautiful views.  When you get almost to the summit, there is a "tunnel" plowed through the mountain that will make you feel like you have entered another time and place when you reach the other side.  Be sure to visit the oldest still functional saloon in Arizona and see the 103 year old cash register that is still in use today - even though it only registers up to $9.99! View Map

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Jerome to Prescott - The Back Road - From Jerome, head up the mountain and just stay on 89 and travel until you get to Prescott.  The road winds through canyons and mountains and is an incredibly beautiful drive.  Ponderosa Pines and cactus mixed makes a unique combination.  You won't be sorry you made the journey.  When you get to Prescott, stop on whiskey row and grab a bite to eat in one of the historic restaurants. (a day trip) View Map

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The Mogollon Rim - North east of Phoenix - Take the "Beeline" highway AZ 87 to Payson. Stop into the Chamber of Commerce when you get to Payson for a quick overview and guide to the area. The Mogollon rim - pronounced "MUG-ee_un" by the locals is a 2,000 foot high escarpment that stretches more than 200 miles through central Arizona to New Mexico. There are miles of trails for hiking and biking, lakes for fishing and swimming and campgrounds throughout the rim's Tonto National Forest.

Take the scenic drive through the back country along Forest Road 300. This 45-mile gravel road takes you to trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas, lakes and view stops overlooking the forest below. This road is well maintained in the summer. (a day trip with an early start) View Map

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Oak Creek Canyon - Route 89A out of Sedona will take you right through this wooded canyon just north of Sedona.  This is one of the most scenic drives in Arizona.  It is a 16 mile drive with some turonouts along the way.  You will follow a gently flowing creek, backdrop of beautiful red rock, deep green pine and juniper forests all the way to the top where the road starts to wind and the view from the overlook is spectacular.  Lots of hiking opportunities as well as picnic spots - oh and don't forget Slide Rock State Park! Once you get to the top, the drive up is also amazing.  Elk and Mule Deer are often spotted along the way. (a day trip even when combined with Sedona.  Just get an early start!) View Map

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Quartzsite to Lake Havasu - We were on our way to Lake Havasu to see the London Bridge (a day trip but a long one) and went via US 10 to Quartzsite then north from there along the Colorado River. (There is a better way to get there out I 60 we found on the way home - but I think you do miss some beautiful nature preserves) This drive through Parker is amazing.  The scenery is breathtaking!  There is a golf course in Parker that any golfer that sees it says "I want to play there!"

Once in Lake Havasu, be sure to visit the London Bridge. On the far side of the bridge there are some unique shops and restaurants.  (a day trip) View Map

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Salt River Canyon - you could make this trip in a day, but it is so beautiful that you will probably want to take your time.  The mountain roads leading to the canyon are very windy with some blind turns.  Many overlooks along the way to stop and enjoy the sights.  We added this to our second day when we took the Apache Trail Loop drive.  The drive back to Phoenix was just as beautiful, as we went through canyons we didn't see when going from Globe. View Map

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Wickenburg to Prescott - From Wickenburg, take 89 North to Prescott.  The road winds through the mountains and ponderosa pine forests.  The views are spectacular all along the way.  Once in Prescott, the town square is charming and worth the drive! View Map

Resources:

"Day Outings From Phoenix on a Tank Of Gas" - Authors - Kay and Tom Sanger

"Sedona's Top 10 Hikes" - Author - Dennis Andres (AKA Mr. Sedona)

"Day Hikes, Trail and Rides in and around Phoenix" - Authors Roger and Ethel Freeman

Arizona Highway's - "The Insiders Arizona Guidebook"

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