Road Tripping Across Arizona, from Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon & Beyond
The Grand Canyon: the biggest, most beautiful hole in the ground you'll ever see
In the summer of 2024, a friend’s long-awaited nuptials brought me out to the infamous jewel of the western U.S.: Las Vegas. After a late arrival on a Thursday night, a blur of fruitless gambling, poolside relaxing, wedding ceremony attending, and steakhouse schmoozing ensued — much of it worthy of writing home about. But my time in Sin City is not the reason I have summoned you here; rather, it is what happened after, as I climbed into a rented Dodge Challenger and drove off into the desert in search of adventure.
I had never been to Arizona — now the 35th state I have checked off my race to all 50 — so you can imagine my excitement as I first laid eyes on the sign that read: “The Grand Canyon State Welcomes You”. My main objective was to visit that gargantuan hole in the earth that has entranced visitors for centuries. So, after finally making a stop at the damn dam and a nearby overlook of Lake Mead, I instructed the Google Maps machine to take me to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once there, I spent hours wandering around by myself, taking countless photos and videos, draining my phone battery with nary a charger in sight, and, at times, just sitting and staring at the magnificence of one of the most beautiful landscapes found anywhere on this rock we call home.
Though my phone may have died while walking roughly 2.5 miles westward along the rim, my soul and the vibes were riding high as I endeavored to get back to the Challenger once the sun had dipped below the horizon.
Once back on the road, I made way for the city of Flagstaff, where I stayed with a cousin I hadn’t seen in years. We visited a bookstore, where I picked up an older copy of Stephen King’s short story collection “Night Shift”; grabbed a bite at a diner along Route 66; and went for a walk in Picture Canyon, which is home to a small network of nature trails just outside town. Before I knew it, I was off again, making way for Phoenix to meet up with a friend and close out my extremely short stay in Arizona.
Head out West and get a glimpse of the Grand Canyon State by scrolling south on this here page.
The Damn Dam Tour
Riding in style: this white Dodge Challenger saw me travel across the state of Arizona, from Hoover Damn all the way down to Phoenix
The Hoover Dam is not only a setting in National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation, but also a key reservoir providing flood control, water storage, and irrigation along the lower Colorado River
It is also a marvelous spot for taking selfies, but if you want to go the extra mile and take an actual tour, that option is also available
Very near Hoover Dam is an overlook of Lake Mead, where a rash of human remains have been found in recent years as the the lake's water level recedes
A Canyon So Grand
After passing this sign, I had officially entered my 35th state
I cannot tell a lie: the first time you lay eyes on the Grand Canyon in person, it is undoubtedly a "holy sh*t!" moment
The South Rim Trail spans approximately 13 miles along the Grand Canyon's South Rim (who would've thought?), offering spectacular views all along the way
Almost a mile to the west of this sign sits the Village Historic District, where you will find places to stay, art exhibitions, and historic buildings, such as the Hopi House
Most of the South Rim Trail is paved, making it accessible for visitors of all abilities
There are countless places to take a load off and simply take in your surroundings while hiking/walking on the South Rim Trail, such as this spot looking northeast near the Trail of Time
If taking in the sunset (or sunrise) while visiting the Grand Canyon is not on your list, I suggest you make some revisions
Into the Night
As I made my way southeast from the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff, I could not help but pull off on US 180 to capture the view of the stars above
For good measure, I also captured some shots of the night sky in Arizona without the intrusion of the Challenger's tail lights
Planting My Flag(staff)
The Galaxy Diner, which temporarily closed in 2019-2020, is back up and roaring, reclaiming its place as a mainstay along Historic U.S. Route 66
Inside Galaxy Diner, you'll feel as if you've been transported back in time, and, if your goal is to put a cherry on top of the experience, it only makes sense to order a malt
Just outside Flagstaff is a natural area called Picture Canyon, which the city purchased in 2012 from the Arizona State Land Dept. with the goal of preserving the land for future generations to enjoy
The area now called Picture Canyon was formerly home to the Native Americans known as the Northern Sinagua, who lived there between 700 and 1200 A.D. and carved hundreds of petroglyphs on the canyon's walls and boulders
Picture Canyon, which contains 480 acres, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 due to its cultural and natural significance
A Parting Shot
While my travels ultimately ended with an evening in Glendale and Phoenix, I couldn't resist pulling off at Sunset Point along I-17 just north of Black Canyon City and having a total stranger capture this impeccable view
-LTH