# Things to Do in Arizona

- Link: https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/things-to-do-in-arizona/
- Published: 2026-10-25T03:06:20+00:00
- Author: homeinspectordan

Explore Arizona

# Things to Do in Arizona

Hikes, day trips and waterfalls from Home Inspector Dan, including our trip to Havasu
Falls.

Starting from Gilbert

 [     Book Online  ](https://app.spectora.com/home-inspectors/my-inspection-company-f8d6dbae4e/schedule)

 [     Call 623-399-0079  ](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/things-to-do-in-arizona/6233990079)

When I’m not in an attic or on a roof, I’m usually out on a trail. Arizona has some
of the best hiking and road trips in the country, and many of them are a short drive
from our home base in Gilbert. Here are some of my favorites, including our trip
down to Havasu Falls, with photos and videos from the road.

Grand Canyon

## Hiking to Supai and Havasu Falls

In May 2026 we hiked down to Supai and the waterfalls of Havasu Creek, on the Havasupai
Tribe’s land at the bottom of a side canyon of the Grand Canyon. It is about 10 
miles from the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop to the campground, through red rock
canyon walls, past the village of Supai, and finally to water so blue it doesn’t
look real.

Havasu Falls is the one everyone knows. Mooney Falls, just past the campground, 
is taller and the climb down to its base, through tunnels and on chains and ladders
carved into the rock, is an adventure on its own. Beaver Falls is farther downstream
for anyone with extra energy.

### Planning your trip

 * **You need a reservation.** All visits require a permit and a campground or lodge
   reservation through the tribe’s official site, [havasupaireservations.com](https://www.havasupaireservations.com/).
   Day hiking is not allowed.
 * **Plan for the hike.** It is 8 miles to Supai Village and 2 more to the campground,
   one way. There are no services at the trailhead.
 * **Watch the weather.** The canyon can flood and close with little warning, and
   summer heat on the trail is dangerous. Check the [National Park Service Havasupai page](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/havasupai.htm)
   before you go.

![Havasu Falls and its turquoise pools near Supai, Arizona](https://propertyinspectionsplus.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Havasu-Falls-hike-near-Supai-Arizona.jpg)

![Mooney Falls pouring down red rock cliffs in Havasu Canyon, Havasupai, Arizona](
https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Mooney-Falls-Havasupai-
Arizona.jpg)

![Turquoise blue water at the base of Mooney Falls in Havasupai, Arizona](https://
propertyinspectionsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Mooney-Falls-Blue-Water-Havasupai-
Arizona.jpg)

![Havasu Creek and red canyon walls on the trail to Supai, Arizona](https://propertyinspectionsplus.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Havasu-Creek-canyon-on-the-trail-to-Supai-Arizona.
jpg)

![Home Inspector Dan hiking the trail to Supai](https://propertyinspectionsplus.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Home-Inspector-Dan-hiking-to-Supai-and-Havasu-Falls.
jpg)

Red Rock Country

## A day in Sedona

On the same trip we spent a day in Sedona. Soldier Pass Trail packs a lot into a
short hike, with the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, the Seven Sacred Pools and big red
rock views. We also climbed into one of the red rock caves above the canyons, which
made for some of my favorite photos of the trip.

Sedona trailheads fill up fast. The free [Sedona Shuttle](https://sedonashuttle.com/)
runs to several of the most popular ones, including Soldier Pass, and saves you 
the parking hunt.

![Devil's Kitchen sinkhole on the Soldier Pass Trail in Sedona](https://propertyinspectionsplus.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Devils-Kitchen-sinkhole-Soldier-Pass-Trail-Sedona-
AZ.jpg)

![Home Inspector Dan Pierce hiking the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona](https://propertyinspectionsplus.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Home-Inspector-Dan-hiking-in-Sedona-Arizona.jpg)

![Sedona red rock formations seen from the Soldier Pass Trail in Sedona, Arizona](
https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Sedona-Red-Rocks-
Soldier-Pass-Trail-Arizona.jpg)

![Red rock cave along a hiking trail near Sedona, Arizona](https://propertyinspectionsplus.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Red-Rock-Cave-Hike-Near-Sedona-Arizona.jpg)

![Seven Sacred Pools on the Soldier Pass Trail hike in Sedona, Arizona](https://
propertyinspectionsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Seven-Sacred-Pools-Hike-Sedona-
Arizona.jpg)

Close to home

## Favorite hikes near Gilbert

 * **[Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Gilbert](https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch)**–
   An easy, flat loop around ponds full of birds, right in Gilbert. Great for families,
   early mornings and sunsets.
 * **[Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle, Superstition Wilderness](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/recreation/peralta-trailhead)**–
   A steady climb to one of the best views of Weaver’s Needle. Start early, it gets
   hot.
 * **[Siphon Draw and Treasure Loop, Lost Dutchman State Park](https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman)**–
   Treasure Loop is a moderate loop below the Superstitions. Siphon Draw to the 
   Flatiron is a very hard scramble for experienced hikers only.
 * **[Wind Cave Trail, Usery Mountain Regional Park](https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/usery-mountain-regional-park/)**–
   A popular climb in Mesa to a shallow cave with views across the East Valley.
 * **[San Tan Mountain Regional Park](https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/san-tan-mountain-regional-park/)**–
   Quiet desert trails between Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.
 * **[South Mountain Park and Preserve, Phoenix](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/activities-facilities/trails/south-mountain-parkpreserve.html)**–
   One of the largest city parks in the country, with trailheads in Ahwatukee and
   Phoenix.

Road trips

## Day trips and road trips

 * **Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake** – Drive the Apache Trail past Goldfield Ghost
   Town to Canyon Lake and the old stagecoach stop at Tortilla Flat.
 * **Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior** – Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical
   garden, about an hour east of Gilbert.
 * **Meteor Crater, near Winslow** – A nearly mile-wide impact crater off I-40. 
   We stopped here on a northern Arizona road trip, video below.
 * **Grand Canyon National Park** – The South Rim is about a four-hour drive from
   Gilbert. Plan ahead at the [official park site](https://www.nps.gov/grca/).

## Arizona trail tips

 * Start early. From May through September, plan to be off the trail by late morning.
 * Carry more water than you think you need, plus salty snacks.
 * Stay out of washes and slot canyons when storms are in the forecast, especially
   during monsoon season.
 * Tell someone where you are going, and check trail and park status before you 
   leave.

Moving to Arizona or buying a home here? Start with our [service areas](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/service-areas/)
and [home inspection](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/residential-home-inspection/)
pages.

Arizona skies

## Desert mornings and orange evenings

Some of the best views in Arizona don’t need a trail. Big morning clouds and orange
sunsets over the Valley are a regular part of life here.

## Ready to book your inspection?

 [  Book Online  ](https://app.spectora.com/home-inspectors/my-inspection-company-f8d6dbae4e/schedule)

 [  Call 623-399-0079  ](https://propertyinspectionsplus.com/things-to-do-in-arizona/6233990079)
