Arizona is a diverse state abundant with natural beauty and a wide array of engaging cultural attractions. But when is the best time of year to visit? Well, we’d have to say during the fall season, of course! From hot air balloon festivals to gorgeous hikes, scenic tours, and more, there’s fun for the whole family during fall in Arizona. Here are the top 10 outdoor activities in the Grand Canyon State.
Riders ride an “awesome single track” among “a pine forest backdrop” while enjoying the beauty of the fall season. Finishers are welcome to an after party with barbecue, live music, and refreshing frosty beverages from Four Peaks. And if you’re not riding? You can still enjoy a campfire, games, live music, and more.
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The annual Balloon Spooktacular returns to Scottsdale in late October. Attendees can take hot air balloon rides by Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co., trick-or-treat, check out the vendor market, enjoy delicious food and beverages, view fireworks, and so much more. There’s fun for all ages at the Salt River Fields this October!
Residents from all over the state love to gather at the Arizona State Fair each October, and have been doing so since 1905! Whether you enjoy it for the nostalgia or love to view the new additions and activities each passing year, the month-long state fair is one of the best outdoor fall activities in the state. Ride the rides, enjoy all of the food on a stick your heart desires, and make memories to last a lifetime.
There’s no shortage of Grand Canyon tours available for Arizona visitors and residents alike. The national park is great itself on foot, of course, but taking a guided tour will allow you to see it in a whole new light. Papillon offers several different options for helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, for a start. If you prefer to be closer to the ground, Buck Wild offers hummer tours of the canyon, too! You’re in for a grand time—no matter which adventure you choose.
Silver Spur’s awesome, private tour of Sedona captures the beauty of some of America’s “most scenic destinations.” The eight-hour journey includes Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rock State Park, the Tlaquepaque arts and crafts village, and so much more. While you’re at the village, be sure to check out its exceptional eateries—and don’t leave with a cup of spicy chai from the Chai Spot!
The Petrified Forest National Park draws countless visitors all year long, and has done so for a century! Now, though, the park is “more spectacular than ever” and features a variety of exhibits, new adventures, and discoveries for the whole family. Enjoy the park, amenities at the nearby Painted Desert Oasis, and, of course, the Petrified Forest Museum Association bookstore.
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Nightfall is the “only real haunted town” in Tucson. Experience haunted attractions, live shows, scary stunts, and so much more. Have a frightful night at nightfall in this terrifically terrifying town. Then, sleep it off and wake up refreshed to a free hot breakfast at the Hampton Inn-Tucson Airport.
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Each fall, the Grand Canyon Railway’s Pumpkin Patch Train arrives without fail. Pack the kids up, don your favorite costume, and take a ride through the countryside to a “secret pumpkin patch!” Pick out your perfect pumpkin, hop back on the train, and then decorate it back at the depot! And there’s more: take a walk through a haunted train car, try the challenging maze, and enjoy other pumpkin arts and crafts, too.
Mount Lemmon’s scenic byway offers spectacular views over its 27-mile ascent to the heights of Mount Lemmon itself. Make an adventure out of it and go camping at one of the nearby campsites, like General Hitchcock Campground, which is just off of the highway. Worked up an appetite? Head to Sawmill Run Restaurant for a rotating, seasonal menu, and grab dessert from the famous Cookie Cabin! (You can thank us later for that suggestion.)
While there are many natural attractions to enjoy all year long around Flagstaff, one of the best outdoor fall activities in the city is the annual Cornucopia Fall Festival. The festival features carnival rides, a hay maze, pumpkin patch, pie-eating contest, petting zoo, carnival games, food, vendors, entertainment, and a whole lot more! Don’t miss this fun festival this fall.
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