After a long, busy week, there’s nothing more fantastic than getting a chance to unwind. Sometimes that means something simple, like a cup of hot tea and a good book. Other times, it means leaving town altogether to find a quiet place to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of big-city life. We’ve all got a favorite spot just for that, but if you need some suggestions, here are a few of our very favorite uncrowded places in Arizona.
- Coal Mine Canyon
John Fowler/Flickr This secluded canyon sees few visitors in part because it is located in a remote area of the Navajo Nation, where a permit is required to visit. But it’s also incredibly quiet here because few people know about it! This goes to show that hidden gems still do linger in Arizona.
- A tiny town like Chloride
mlhradio/Flickr With a population of about 393 (as of 2019), it’s kind of difficult to expect huge crowds here. Instead, you will find long-time residents, some interesting yard art, and stunning mountain views.
- …maybe even a ghost town like Fairbank.
mlhradio/Flickr If a town with a population of more than 20 people is just too much for you to handle, maybe walking the grounds of an old ghost town will do the trick. Arizona is chock-full of these places, so be sure to check out some of our older articles that mention ghost towns! Maybe this one will do the trick.
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Alan English CPA/Flickr Home to the ruins of the old Fort Bowie, this site sits between Willcox and Chiricahua National Monument, if that gives you an idea of just how rural this place is. At times, you may even find that you’re the only person there! It doesn’t get any less crowded than that.
Address: 3500 Apache Pass Road, Bowie, Arizona, 85605
- Hannagan Meadow
Apache Sitgreaves National Forest/Flickr The forests of eastern Arizona are decidedly less crowded than what you’ll find further west. That includes Hannagan Meadow, a beautifully green spot filled with cool weather and wildlife, but no crowds.
- Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
$1LENCE D00600D/Wikimedia This transition zone between the Sonoran and Chiricahuan Deserts features what seems like endless acres of grasslands, riparan areas, and hidden woodlands. The area is protected by the Bureau of Land Management to protect its delicate environment.
Address: 3201 East Universal Way, Tucson, Arizona, 85756
- Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Kaibab National Forest/Flickr Located way up in the Arizona Strip, this area is pretty secluded from other areas of the state and sees relatively few visitors each year, unlike its much more popular neighbors. Maybe we should keep it that way, because this place is an absolute gem without the crowds.
- Or, a wildlife refuge.
Chris M Morris/Flickr A refuge for our animal friends could also make a good short-term refuge for ourselves as well! Arizona has 9 riparian areas to choose from that feature stunning landscapes and beautiful wildlife.
If you want to find more places that are perfect for taking a break from the busy life, you’ll want to read our article 8 Peaceful And Secluded Places In Arizona When You Want To Get Away From It All.
John Fowler/Flickr
This secluded canyon sees few visitors in part because it is located in a remote area of the Navajo Nation, where a permit is required to visit. But it’s also incredibly quiet here because few people know about it! This goes to show that hidden gems still do linger in Arizona.
mlhradio/Flickr
With a population of about 393 (as of 2019), it’s kind of difficult to expect huge crowds here. Instead, you will find long-time residents, some interesting yard art, and stunning mountain views.
If a town with a population of more than 20 people is just too much for you to handle, maybe walking the grounds of an old ghost town will do the trick. Arizona is chock-full of these places, so be sure to check out some of our older articles that mention ghost towns! Maybe this one will do the trick.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Home to the ruins of the old Fort Bowie, this site sits between Willcox and Chiricahua National Monument, if that gives you an idea of just how rural this place is. At times, you may even find that you’re the only person there! It doesn’t get any less crowded than that.
Address: 3500 Apache Pass Road, Bowie, Arizona, 85605
Apache Sitgreaves National Forest/Flickr
The forests of eastern Arizona are decidedly less crowded than what you’ll find further west. That includes Hannagan Meadow, a beautifully green spot filled with cool weather and wildlife, but no crowds.
$1LENCE D00600D/Wikimedia
This transition zone between the Sonoran and Chiricahuan Deserts features what seems like endless acres of grasslands, riparan areas, and hidden woodlands. The area is protected by the Bureau of Land Management to protect its delicate environment.
Address: 3201 East Universal Way, Tucson, Arizona, 85756
Kaibab National Forest/Flickr
Located way up in the Arizona Strip, this area is pretty secluded from other areas of the state and sees relatively few visitors each year, unlike its much more popular neighbors. Maybe we should keep it that way, because this place is an absolute gem without the crowds.
Chris M Morris/Flickr
A refuge for our animal friends could also make a good short-term refuge for ourselves as well! Arizona has 9 riparian areas to choose from that feature stunning landscapes and beautiful wildlife.
Have you ever visited these breathtaking and uncrowded places in Arizona? Which is your favorite? Tell us about it in the comments.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona 86045, USAAddress: Chloride, AZ 86431, USAAddress: Fairbank, AZ 85616, USAAddress: 3500 Apache Pass Rd, Bowie, AZ 85605, USAAddress: Hannagan Meadow, AZ 85533, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Uncrowded Places in Arizona March 28, 2021 Tori Jane Where are some nice, secluded places in Arizona? Arizona is a big place covering many, many miles, and with that territory comes lots of away-from-it-all destinations throughout the state to pay a visit to when life gets too over-crowded. One of our very favorite secluded Arizona spots includes, perhaps most famously, the incredible Havasu Falls, located deep inside the Grand Canyon. It’s a 10-mile hike to reach them, and only experienced hikers with considerable skill and stamina are typically able to trek it. It’s worth the work, though, when you come upon this incredible waterfall after such a long journey. Another amazing, secluded little slice of paradise can be found in Northern Arizona on an unassuming-sounding road called Schnebly Hill Road. If you have a vehicle with 4 x 4 capabilities, Schnebly Hill is well worth a trip out - from seasonal waterfalls to incredibly scenic views, Schnebly Hill is an underappreciated diamond in the rough. Where are the best scenic places in Arizona? Arizona is a beautiful state with a ton of things to see and do - so much, in fact, that it would likely take years and years to see it all. There are the obvious choices, like the Grand Canyon, but there are also places that go unnoticed by many tourists that are well worth the trip. Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is a stunningly beautiful desert paradise and home to tens of thousands of incredible Saguaro cacti, many of whom are more than 200 years old. Sedona is easily one of the most famous scenic destinations in the state, if not the entire country (some might even say the world, honestly). The brilliant iron-rich red rocks and breathtaking cliffs provide a backdrop for the rest of the beauty of the area to truly stand out. We’re also home to lots of lakes and other, lesser-appreciated canyons. Consider taking this ultimate road trip to see some of the very best, most scenic places the Copper State has to offer. What are the best off-the-beaten-path places in Arizona? Arizona isn’t just a haven for nature lovers; it’s also a haven for those of us who like to get away from people who are getting away from it all. While tourists and locals alike swarm around the more typical touristy locations like downtown Sedona or the San Fransisco Peaks up in Flagstaff, there are many places that are often overlooked and truly under-appreciated. Some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path places to explore include such small paradises as Fossil Creek, which requires a rigorous hike to get to it, but it’s rarely ever crowded and just happens to be breathtakingly beautiful, especially if you visit during a weekday when it will be relatively quiet. If urban exploration is a passion of yours, check out the weird little stop along the I-40 called Two Guns - it’s an abandoned trading post with some really awesome, still-standing structures just waiting to be explored.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Uncrowded Places in Arizona
March 28, 2021
Tori Jane
Where are some nice, secluded places in Arizona? Arizona is a big place covering many, many miles, and with that territory comes lots of away-from-it-all destinations throughout the state to pay a visit to when life gets too over-crowded. One of our very favorite secluded Arizona spots includes, perhaps most famously, the incredible Havasu Falls, located deep inside the Grand Canyon. It’s a 10-mile hike to reach them, and only experienced hikers with considerable skill and stamina are typically able to trek it. It’s worth the work, though, when you come upon this incredible waterfall after such a long journey. Another amazing, secluded little slice of paradise can be found in Northern Arizona on an unassuming-sounding road called Schnebly Hill Road. If you have a vehicle with 4 x 4 capabilities, Schnebly Hill is well worth a trip out - from seasonal waterfalls to incredibly scenic views, Schnebly Hill is an underappreciated diamond in the rough. Where are the best scenic places in Arizona? Arizona is a beautiful state with a ton of things to see and do - so much, in fact, that it would likely take years and years to see it all. There are the obvious choices, like the Grand Canyon, but there are also places that go unnoticed by many tourists that are well worth the trip. Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is a stunningly beautiful desert paradise and home to tens of thousands of incredible Saguaro cacti, many of whom are more than 200 years old. Sedona is easily one of the most famous scenic destinations in the state, if not the entire country (some might even say the world, honestly). The brilliant iron-rich red rocks and breathtaking cliffs provide a backdrop for the rest of the beauty of the area to truly stand out. We’re also home to lots of lakes and other, lesser-appreciated canyons. Consider taking this ultimate road trip to see some of the very best, most scenic places the Copper State has to offer. What are the best off-the-beaten-path places in Arizona? Arizona isn’t just a haven for nature lovers; it’s also a haven for those of us who like to get away from people who are getting away from it all. While tourists and locals alike swarm around the more typical touristy locations like downtown Sedona or the San Fransisco Peaks up in Flagstaff, there are many places that are often overlooked and truly under-appreciated. Some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path places to explore include such small paradises as Fossil Creek, which requires a rigorous hike to get to it, but it’s rarely ever crowded and just happens to be breathtakingly beautiful, especially if you visit during a weekday when it will be relatively quiet. If urban exploration is a passion of yours, check out the weird little stop along the I-40 called Two Guns - it’s an abandoned trading post with some really awesome, still-standing structures just waiting to be explored.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is a big place covering many, many miles, and with that territory comes lots of away-from-it-all destinations throughout the state to pay a visit to when life gets too over-crowded. One of our very favorite secluded Arizona spots includes, perhaps most famously, the incredible Havasu Falls, located deep inside the Grand Canyon. It’s a 10-mile hike to reach them, and only experienced hikers with considerable skill and stamina are typically able to trek it. It’s worth the work, though, when you come upon this incredible waterfall after such a long journey. Another amazing, secluded little slice of paradise can be found in Northern Arizona on an unassuming-sounding road called Schnebly Hill Road. If you have a vehicle with 4 x 4 capabilities, Schnebly Hill is well worth a trip out - from seasonal waterfalls to incredibly scenic views, Schnebly Hill is an underappreciated diamond in the rough.
Where are the best scenic places in Arizona?
Arizona is a beautiful state with a ton of things to see and do - so much, in fact, that it would likely take years and years to see it all. There are the obvious choices, like the Grand Canyon, but there are also places that go unnoticed by many tourists that are well worth the trip. Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is a stunningly beautiful desert paradise and home to tens of thousands of incredible Saguaro cacti, many of whom are more than 200 years old. Sedona is easily one of the most famous scenic destinations in the state, if not the entire country (some might even say the world, honestly). The brilliant iron-rich red rocks and breathtaking cliffs provide a backdrop for the rest of the beauty of the area to truly stand out. We’re also home to lots of lakes and other, lesser-appreciated canyons. Consider taking this ultimate road trip to see some of the very best, most scenic places the Copper State has to offer.
What are the best off-the-beaten-path places in Arizona?
Arizona isn’t just a haven for nature lovers; it’s also a haven for those of us who like to get away from people who are getting away from it all. While tourists and locals alike swarm around the more typical touristy locations like downtown Sedona or the San Fransisco Peaks up in Flagstaff, there are many places that are often overlooked and truly under-appreciated. Some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path places to explore include such small paradises as Fossil Creek, which requires a rigorous hike to get to it, but it’s rarely ever crowded and just happens to be breathtakingly beautiful, especially if you visit during a weekday when it will be relatively quiet. If urban exploration is a passion of yours, check out the weird little stop along the I-40 called Two Guns - it’s an abandoned trading post with some really awesome, still-standing structures just waiting to be explored.
