135 curated places · Arizona
Arizona,
in its best
light.
Featured: Cathedral Rock
Every place scored for
photographic potential.
AZSights ranks 135 locations across Arizona by scenic value - lighting, composition, and seasonal variety. No ads, no paid placements. Just the places worth visiting.
across Arizona
parks to hidden gems
per location
Ranked by scenic score
Top Scenic Picks
Sedona, AZ
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock is one of the most iconic red sandstone butte formations in Sedona, rising approximately 4,967 feet above sea level. The formation is reflected in Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing, creating one of the most photographed scenes in Arizona. It is also considered one of Sedona's four main vortex sites.
Page, AZ
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a dramatic horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located approximately 5 miles downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. The overlook sits roughly 1,000 feet above the river on sheer Navajo Sandstone cliffs. The site is one of the most photographed locations in the American Southwest.
Mesa, AZ
Saguaro Lake
A reservoir on the Salt River formed by Stewart Mountain Dam, surrounded by towering red and orange canyon walls. The Butcher Jones Recreation Area provides beach access with saguaro-studded cliffs rising directly from the shoreline. Wild horses from the Salt River herd are frequently seen along the lake's shores and surrounding desert.
Sedona, AZ
Crescent Moon Ranch / Red Rock Crossing
Crescent Moon Ranch is a day-use recreation area on Oak Creek that provides the classic reflection view of Cathedral Rock. The site was a working ranch homesteaded in 1880 and retains several historic ranch structures. Oak Creek flows through smooth red rock channels at this location, creating natural foreground elements for Cathedral Rock compositions.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe Town Lake
A 220-acre reservoir on the Salt River bed in downtown Tempe, flanked by the distinctive Tempe Center for the Arts and Mill Avenue Bridge. The lake reflects the Tempe skyline and A Mountain (Hayden Butte) at sunset. The north shore pedestrian bridge provides symmetrical reflection compositions.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Hopi Point
Hopi Point is widely considered one of the best sunset viewpoints on the South Rim, projecting far out into the canyon for nearly 180-degree views. The Colorado River is visible in both directions, and major formations including Isis Temple and Shiva Temple are prominent features. It is accessible via the Hermit Road shuttle during peak season.
Phoenix, AZ
Camelback Mountain - Echo Canyon Trail
A prominent 2,704-foot mountain rising from the urban landscape of Phoenix and Scottsdale, shaped like a kneeling camel. The Echo Canyon trailhead on the south side provides the most popular route to the summit. The summit offers 360-degree panoramic views of the entire Phoenix metro area and surrounding desert ranges.
Sedona, AZ
Schnebly Hill Road Overlook
Schnebly Hill Road is a partially unpaved road that climbs from Sedona to the Mogollon Rim, offering some of the most dramatic aerial perspectives of Sedona's red rock formations. The Schnebly Hill Vista at the top provides a sweeping 180-degree panorama of the entire Sedona basin. The road follows the historic route used by settlers before SR 179 was built.
Sedona, AZ
Airport Mesa Vortex Overlook
Airport Mesa is a flat-topped butte in central Sedona that provides 360-degree views of the surrounding red rock formations including Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Thunder Mountain. The mesa top is the location of Sedona Airport and a recognized vortex site. A short loop trail along the mesa rim offers unobstructed views in all directions.
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Off the tourist trail
Hidden Gems
Village of Oak Creek, AZ
Munds Wagon Trail to Cow Pies
The Munds Wagon Trail climbs from the Village of Oak Creek through a series of sandstone terraces known locally as the Cow Pies due to their rounded, stacked formation shapes. The elevated rock platforms provide 360-degree views of Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and the distant Mogollon Rim. The smooth sandstone surfaces create natural leading lines and foreground texture for compositions.
Gilbert, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
A 110-acre urban riparian habitat built around water recharge basins in Gilbert, attracting over 200 species of birds. The preserve features multiple ponds, wetland areas, and observation blinds for wildlife photography. Great blue herons, green herons, and various waterfowl species are commonly photographed here year-round.
Chandler, AZ
Veterans Oasis Park
A 113-acre park in Chandler built around a constructed wetland and environmental education center. The park features multiple ponds and marshes that attract migratory and resident bird species including herons, egrets, and coots. A solar-system-scale model walk connects the wetland areas along paved paths.
Sandstone, shadow & depth
Canyons
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Hopi Point
Hopi Point is widely considered one of the best sunset viewpoints on the South Rim, projecting far out into the canyon for nearly 180-degree views. The Colorado River is visible in both directions, and major formations including Isis Temple and Shiva Temple are prominent features. It is accessible via the Hermit Road shuttle during peak season.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Mather Point
One of the most visited viewpoints on the South Rim, Mather Point offers a sweeping panorama of the Grand Canyon with multiple layered buttes and the Colorado River visible far below. The point features two projecting overlooks connected by a paved path from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. It is often the first canyon viewpoint visitors encounter upon arriving at the South Rim.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Bright Angel Point
Bright Angel Point is the primary viewpoint on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, reached by a short 0.5-mile round-trip paved trail from the Grand Canyon Lodge. The narrow promontory offers views into Roaring Springs Canyon and Bright Angel Canyon with the South Rim visible in the distance. The North Rim sits approximately 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, providing a distinct perspective.
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