Sedona's iconic sandstone formations, a defining feature of the high desert, are prominently showcased along the 8-mile Red Rock All-American Road, also recognized as State Route 179. This scenic route begins in the Village of Oak Creek, proceeding north through Sedona and Coconino National Forest. Along this drive, essential stops for viewing the area's natural beauty include Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Continuing north from these formations leads to Cathedral Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a striking church built into a rocky hillside. For those seeking further exploration, the nearby Dry Creek Scenic Road offers an excellent extension with panoramic views of rugged, unspoiled desert beauty.
Beyond the immediate area, the broader American Southwest region, spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, is characterized by dramatic contrasts, from snow-capped mountains to sunbaked desert floors. This region offers numerous scenic drives that traverse a variety of landscapes.
Within Arizona, beyond SR 179, the 42-mile Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway (State Route 67) winds through Kaibab National Forest between Jacob Lake and the Grand Canyon's North Rim. As the elevation rises toward the canyon, trees give way to dramatic overlooks of Grand Canyon National Park, where the North Rim sits 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim. Another historic route through Arizona is a 152-mile stretch of Route 66, known as the Main Street of America. This segment, between Lupton and Topock, passes through desert valleys, pine forests, rugged mountains, and grasslands, featuring vintage motels, neon signs, and classic diners. Key stops along this route include Seligman, Kingman's Arizona Route 66 Museum, and Petrified Forest National Park.
Utah hosts several notable scenic byways. The 22.5-mile Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway leads from Moab toward Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park on UT-313, offering expansive views across the Colorado Plateau. This route crosses rugged desert terrain with layered canyons and sandstone cliffs framing the La Sal Mountains and Abajo Mountains. Stops include Dead Horse Point for views of the Colorado River, Moab Giants, and Sevenmile Canyon. Nearby, Arches National Park is also a destination. The 54-mile Zion Scenic Byway follows State Route 9 from La Verkin to the eastern entrance of Zion National Park, passing through towns such as Hurricane, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale. The road within the park includes a mile-long tunnel carved through mountains with an impressive viewpoint before reaching Checkerboard Mesa. Additionally, Utah's 37-mile Nebo Loop Scenic Byway winds through the Wasatch Range, passing beneath Mount Nebo. From Payson, the byway travels south toward Nephi, with the landscape quickly shifting from open valley floors to dense forest and featuring red-rock formations and gray sandstone cliffs. Notable stops include Devils Kitchen Geologic Site and various roadside overlooks.
Colorado's drives include the 480-mile Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, which crosses Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico through the Four Corners region, with the 116-mile Colorado portion considered particularly picturesque. From Cortez, stops include Mesa Verde National Park, preserving Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, and Hovenweep National Monument, featuring ancient stone towers. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument protects thousands of archaeological sites at the trail's northern end. The 83-mile Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway passes beneath some of Colorado's highest peaks, including Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, connecting Aspen, Twin Lakes, Leadville, and Minturn. This route crosses the Continental Divide and winds through three high mountain passes—Independence, Tennessee, and Fremont—beside the Arkansas River.
In New Mexico, the 52-mile Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway follows NM-14 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, winding through piñon-juniper woodland, rugged rock outcroppings, and the Sandia Mountains. Former mining towns like Los Cerrillos and Madrid offer historic sites and independent shops. The 163-mile Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway, beginning near San Ysidro, connects high-desert valleys and Los Alamos to the vast volcanic basin of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Along this route, travelers can explore ancestral Pueblo dwellings at Bandelier National Monument, see the Battleship Rock formation, and stop at Soda Dam. Other stops include Jemez Springs, the Walatowa Visitor Center, Jemez Falls, and the Bradbury Science Museum.
When planning regional travel, timing is a crucial consideration for venturing into the Southwest. Summer temperatures in parts of Arizona, Nevada, and southern Utah can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making extended desert drives challenging due to scarce shade and services. Spring and fall generally offer more comfortable conditions, though significant elevation changes can lead to surprisingly sharp shifts in weather.
