Last-minute Memorial Day 2024 getaways in Arizona: 5 cool weekend road trips
Memorial Day weekend changes things. The calendar claims that weeks of spring still remain on the books. But for all intents and purposes, it’s hello, summer. The holiday also provides a chance to get out of town for a wonderful stretch.
While backyard barbecues and pool parties are great, there’s a whole lot of Arizona just waiting for you. Take this opportunity to head someplace cool or wet or both. For a few glorious days, you can refresh and recharge. Now you’re ready to face the summer. At least until the July 4 break.
Here are some of Arizona’s best Memorial Day getaways.
For more ways to observe Memorial Day 2024, here are metro Phoenix events where you can honor military members and their families as well as the best things to do on Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix.
What to do in Flagstaff on Memorial Day weekend
Celebrate Wupatki National Monument's centennial
On the quiet prairie northeast of Flagstaff the pueblos of Wupatki National Monument rise like red-boned ghosts above swaying grasses.
The eruption of Sunset Crater in 1085 covered the dry basin with volcanic ash and cinders, creating arable terrain. Soon afterward, Ancestral Puebloans moved in and built the freestanding dwellings that appear almost as natural rock formations.
This year Wupatki celebrates its centennial as a national monument. Short pathways lead to up-close encounters with a handful of these ancient structures. Behind the visitor center, a paved trail leads to Wupatki Pueblo, the largest dwelling in the park. The sprawling three-story ruin contains nearly 100 rooms and straddles an outcropping of sandstone.
Admission is $25 per vehicle and covers both Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, connected by a scenic road.
Details: 928-679-2365, nps.gov/wupa.
Tackle the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
After your visit to Wupatki and Sunset Crater, you’ll have the rest of the weekend to experience Arizona’s summer capital. Why not sample the tree-top thrills of Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course at Fort Tuthill County Park?
Conquer rope swings, climbing walls, hanging nets, wobbly bridges and ziplines. There are multiple circuits on the adult playground, plus a course designed for children ages 7-11. Adult course costs $60, as does the zipline adventure, or combine the two for $99. Children’s course is $30.
Details: 888-259-0125, flagstaffextreme.com.
Ax throwing and laser tag in Flagstaff
If you prefer indoor activities, FlagTagAZ offers ax and knife throwing, laser tag, darts, arcade games and more. They also serve beer, wine and mead in their pizza café.
Details: 928-707-9824, flagtagaz.com.
Flagstaff Brewery Trail
Speaking of beer, there’s something supremely satisfying about a day spent walking around Flagstaff’s historic downtown and Southside neighborhoods with their eclectic collections of shops, galleries, restaurants and, yes, craft breweries.
There are eight breweries to be exact, all waiting to quench your thirst with a cold craft beer. You can download a digital passport and score a free commemorative pint glass.
Details: craftbeerflg.com.
You really should see Canyon de Chelly. Here's how
At Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona, sheer cliffs plunge hundreds of feet to lush bottomlands lined with crops, pastures and cottonwood trees.
It’s a staggering blend of high drama and pastoral beauty. The scenic canyon shelters thousands of archaeological sites while dozens of Navajo families still live and farm there during warmer months.
Take one day to travel the rim drives for the stunning vistas. The North Rim Drive is 17 miles with three overlooks at prominent cliff dwellings and is best in the morning. The South Rim Drive, 19 miles with seven viewpoints, is even more spectacular, and is especially exquisite when afternoon light floods the canyon.
Then take another day to explore the inner canyon with a Navajo guide. Private operators offer jeep, horseback or hiking outings. You’ll find a list at navajonationparks.org. Park admission is free; there are fees for tours.
Tours also leave daily from Thunderbird Lodge (928-674-5842, thunderbirdlodge.com) within the park.
Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation also manages Cottonwood Campground near the Canyon de Chelly visitor center. The campground has grills, picnic tables and restrooms. No showers or hookups are available. Maximum RV length is 40 feet. For information call 928-674-2106.
Details: 928-674-5500, www.nps.gov/cach.
Fool Hollow Lake: Fish, hike or take a swim
Nestled in the pines outside of Show Low, 149-acre Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area contains one of the loveliest bodies of water in the White Mountains, which is high praise indeed. There’s big open water and isolated coves, quiet marshes and long channels.
This is the kind of lake that makes you want to jump in a kayak and go exploring. Fortunately, you can. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available from J&T’s WildLife Outdoors at the east boat launch ramp (928-892-9170, jtwildlifeoutdoors.com). They also offer a guided pontoon boat tour. You can learn about Adair, the town submerged beneath the water.
Landlubbers can hike the 1.5-mile trail running along the edge of the lake. Anglers try their luck landing rainbow trout, bass, walleye, northern pike and more. And yes, swimming is permitted. Fool Hollow also has campsites for tents and RVs. Reserve your spot online or by calling 877-697-2757. Park admission is $7 per vehicle Mondays-Thursdays and $10 per vehicle Fridays-Sundays and on holidays.
Details: 928-537-3680, azstateparks.com.
Explore art shows in Prescott
When artists display their work on the big grassy lawn of Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza, you know summer has arrived. Spend a day browsing, listening to music and enjoying the mild temperatures.
The Phippen Museum holds its popular Western Art Show and Sale on the plaza May 25-27. More than 100 artists will have booths set up beneath the big elm trees. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday. A Quick Draw Challenge will happen on the north steps of the courthouse from 2-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Details: 928-778-1385, phippenartmuseum.org.
With a little planning, you can double your art show fun in Prescott. The Prescott OffStreet Festival is May 25-26 at its new home, Pine Ridge Marketplace, formerly the Gateway Mall. There will be fine art, photography, handmade crafts and food. The fun starts at 9 a.m. both days and ends at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Details: 928-445-2000, prescott.org.
Scenic drive: Traverse more than 460 curves on the Coronado Trail
The Coronado Trail National Scenic Byway, a segment of U.S. 191, twists and turns for 123 miles between Morenci and Springerville in eastern Arizona. The road parallels the New Mexico state line and is the nation’s curviest and least-traveled federal highway.
Expect a 6,000-foot elevation change as the Coronado Trail climbs from cactus-strewn desert to lush alpine meadows and aspen-clad mountains with more than 460 curves along the way. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado is thought to have followed this route centuries ago as he searched for the Seven Cities of Gold.
The road passes the mining towns of Clifton and Morenci and curves around one of the world’s largest open pit mines. It snakes its way up narrow Chase Canyon and switchbacks through scrubby woodland that gives way to dense pine forests as you climb.
The Coronado Trail skirts the edge of the Blue Range Primitive Area, where Mexican gray wolves roam. Stop at the high perch of Blue Vista Point for incredible views and to breathe the cool mountain air. Oxygen at 9,100 feet just seems to have a fragrance all its own.
Beyond Hannagan Meadow Lodge, the road softens its tone. The curves are lazier as it winds through forest to alpine ringed by mountains. From here, continue past brush-covered plateaus and the shimmering waters of Nelson Reservoir to the towns of Springerville and Eagar nestled in Round Valley, an idyllic spot to land on Memorial Day weekend.
Meet Roger Naylor
Arizona Republic contributor and author Roger Naylor will discuss his book "Awesome Arizona: 200 Amazing Facts About the Grand Canyon State," at the Highlands Center for Natural History in Prescott.
The Highlands Center is tucked away amid the pine trees and serves as an educational hub. There are discovery gardens and trails on the property. Books will be for sale after the talk. The event is free to attend; donations for the venue are gratefully accepted.
Details: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, Prescott. 928-776-9550, highlandscenter.org.
Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Memorial Day weekend 2024: Best AZ road trips, scenic drives
