Published Aug 31, 2017

10 Incredible Trips To Take In Arizona That Your Family Will Absolutely Love

Discover family-friendly attractions in Arizona, including wildlife parks, historic sites, and unique accommodations.

Published Aug 31, 2017

Written by

Published Oct 28, 2024

The Remote Destination in Arizona Where the Drive Is Worth the Final View

Gas up the car and take this scenic road trip to Wahweap Overlook in Page AZ. Driving to this remote destination in Arizona is worth the rewards.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by

Melanie Johnson

If there is one scenic drive in Arizona that belongs on your list, it’s Highway 89. Driving through Grand Canyon country and Navajo land, you can literally see some of the most incredible views in the state. This is my favorite type of road trip, one where I get to see several landscapes within a short distance. And when your final destination is an overlook with expansive views of Lake Powell, how can you go wrong with that? Intrigued? Come with me on this scenic drive to the Wahweap Overlook in Page, where the trip is worth the reward at the end. The drive to this remote destination in Arizona is one you won’t forget.

You’ve probably been on your share of road trips in Arizona, right? But if you’ve never cruised on scenic Highway 89, now it’s your time to do so. At 201 miles long, it begins in Flagstaff, splits in 2, then crosses over the Utah State Line. It’s a scenic drive that you can do in one day, with plenty of time to spare to take a hike or enjoy several of the sites and attractions along the way.

A truck crosses a large metal bridge over a canyon at sunset, with rocky terrain in the background. — Michael Theis/Flickr

Some of the epic sites include the Wupatki National Monument, the Glen Canyon Dam, and of course, the most famous canyon in America - the Grand Canyon. Moreover, you’ll drive through the Navajo Nation meandering along Echo Cliffs, which stretches for 60 miles along Highway 89. The colorful cliffs are the perfect backdrop for your photos. Oh, and yes, be sure to have your camera and binoculars in hand. You’re going to need them for this trip.

A scenic view of a canyon with steep red rock formations and a river below, featuring hikers on a winding path. — Thank You (25 Millions ) views/Flickr

By the time you get to Wahweap Overlook, which is just about 5 miles from the Utah State line, you’ll be blown away by the countless jaw dropping vistas. Any outdoor enthusiast would agree that this drive to the northernmost part of Arizona is worth all the rewards. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, swim, boat, visit national monuments, and more. The final stop is literally just the icing on the cake.

A serene landscape featuring a lake with a marina, surrounded by rocky cliffs and mountains at sunset. — Sunset over Wahweap Overlook in Page, AZ. A very impressive scenery that has to be seen in person.

At 4,200 feet high at the Wahweap Overlook, you will witness the most expansive views of Lake Powell. Other backdrops include the Colorado River, Castle Rock, Navajo Mountain, Tower Butte, Glen Canyon Dam, and Wahweap Bay, just to name a few. You can’t beat this view, and we recommend you plan your trip to see the sunset. There are a couple of benches and a shed here, so you can pack lunch while you marvel at Arizona’s stunning landscape.

A shaded bench overlooks a scenic view of a lake and mountains under a clear blue sky. — Bureau of Land Management - Utah/Flickr

Driving to this remote destination in Arizona will also grant you access to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but you’ll need to pay a small fee to get in. But best of all, you can take the easy trek to see the world-famous Horseshoe Bend too.

Aerial view of Horseshoe Bend, showcasing a winding river surrounded by towering red rock formations under a clear blue sky. — Srikanth Jandhyala/Flickr

To be honest, this scenic drive on Highway 89 will probably lead you to a week-long adventure. So, if you need a place to stay, here’s a top hotel in Page that’s only 5 miles from the overlook. Trust me, this trip to northern Arizona is worth all the incredible rewards in the end.

Address: 1000 US-89, Page, AZ 86040

Pro Tip: The Wahweap Overlook is free, but there is another scenic spot, Wahweap Viewpoint, inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, that you’ll need to pay to access unless you have a NPS pass. The overlook is located on a side street on the right, just three miles north after you pass the Carl Hayden Visitor Center.

Well, are you ready to see the best that the Grand Canyon State has to offer? Gas up the car and let’s go!

Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

Updated Aug 1, 2024

One Of Arizona’s Most Remote Roads Is Also Among The Most Scenic Drives You’ll Ever Take

State Route 98 in Arizona offers a remote and scenic drive through the Navajo Nation with stunning red rock formations and minimal traffic.

Updated Aug 1, 2024

Written by

Katie Lawrence

Sometimes, a scenic drive is just what you need to clear your head and see things from a new perspective. The Grand Canyon State has no shortage of roads with amazing windshield views, but the State Route 98 in Arizona is one of the best scenic drives in Arizona. It's also among the most remote highways you'll ever travel on!

Connecting US Highways 89 and 160, State Route 98 is a 67-mile scenic drive that runs through a sparsely populated area of the Navajo Nation.

An RV parked beside a highway with a "Welcome to Arizona" sign in the background and a cracked road surface. — Wikimedia Commons/LBM1948

Besides serving as a detour from the South Rim to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the road is very lightly trafficked - meaning you just might have it all to yourself.

Also known as the Naat'tsis'aan-Navajo Mountain Scenic Road, the winding route meanders through stunning red rocks dotted with lush greenery.

A winding road stretches through a desert landscape with red rock formations and green vegetation under a cloudy sky. — Wikimedia Commons/Patrick Pelster

This beautiful Arizona highway is among the most remote in Arizona, so instead of constantly hearing cars zoom on by, it'll be nothing but you and the wide-open road.

You'll pass several noteworthy landforms.

A view of a vast, open landscape with mountains in the distance, seen from a car's side mirror. — Wikimedia Commons/Santiago Puig Vilado

This includes LeChee Rock and Navajo Mountain. Roll down the windows and feel the wind in your hair as you marvel at these awe-inspiring natural wonders.

While there are quite a few curves along the highway, few of them are sharp, so it's still a relaxing drive.

A winding road leads through a desert landscape with a prominent rock formation and distant red cliffs under a clear sky. — Wikimedia Commons/Eric Kilby

Parts of the road take you up close and personal with some of the rock formations, and you'll definitely want to pull onto the shoulder for a better scenic view.

The only town you'll enter is Kaibito, which is home to just over 1,500 people.

A winding road leads to a distant rock formation under a clear sky in a vast desert landscape. — Wikimedia Commons/Patrick Pelster

Otherwise, the highway is devoid of inhabited settlements. When was the last time you took a drive with so few signs of civilization?

If you start the drive at its western side near Page, you'll end up on the Navajo Trail portion of US 160.

A long, straight road stretches through a vast, open landscape with sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky. — Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Schwen

From there, you can keep going into Flagstaff and Sedona for even more incredible scenery!

If you were to do a search for “scenic drives near me,” Route 98 in Arizona would most certainly pop up at the top of the list!

Would you take this scenic drive in Arizona down our state's most remote highways? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

If you’d like to explore hikes along one of the best driving roads in Arizona, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

Don't forget to check out our previous article for more of the best scenic drives in Arizona made for cruising with the windows down.

If you’re still in the mood for more Arizona adventures, take a look at this video about the beautiful town of Sedona:

All Stories

Nature

Hiking

Skip the Crowds: Explore Illinois’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

Hiking is wonderful, but it's even better when you've got the hike to yourself.

The Audubon Center in Kansas Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Chaplin Nature Center, near Arkansas City, is a Kansas Audubon center where you can see dozen of bird species on a single visit.

The Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Louisiana is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

This secluded Airbnb in Louisiana might be just the ticket to swap the screen time for a more natural setting.

The Iconic Trail in Northern California Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

Stunning views of a high-altitude lake and the Sierra Mountains will be your reward for an adventurous six-mile trek.

The Iconic Trail in Southern California Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

Hiking the Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail, Joshua Tree’s beautiful desert oasis. This 3-mile hike is a hidden gem for nature lovers.

by Megan Todaro

on Nov 13

10 Incredible Trips To Take In Arizona That Your Family Will Absolutely Love

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

The Remote Destination in Arizona Where the Drive Is Worth the Final View

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

One Of Arizona’s Most Remote Roads Is Also Among The Most Scenic Drives You’ll Ever Take

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Skip the Crowds: Explore Illinois’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

The Audubon Center in Kansas Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

The Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Louisiana is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

The Iconic Trail in Northern California Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

The Iconic Trail in Southern California Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime