See the Final Four best Arizona road trips: Vote on your favorite getaway

Phoenix road trippers yearn to explore inspiring settings, do fun things and not feel like they're on fire when they're outside in summer.

This summer, millions of travelers are planning road trips. AAA forecasted record numbers of people who planned to travel by car this summer, including for the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.

So the timing is right to launch azcentral.com's Best Arizona Road Trip Bracket.

Round 1 of voting in the bracket that matches up eight popular road trips from Phoenix ended Sunday, July 7. More than 750 people voted in Round 1. Some of the races were very close, and the results may surprise you.

Four road trip spots remain in contention.

Voting for Round 2 begins at 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, and ends at midnight on Sunday, July 14. The championship bracket will be announced Tuesday, July 16, marking the start of the final round of voting. The winner will be announced Tuesday, July 23.

Here are the contenders for best Arizona road trips and how to vote.

Flagstaff

A roughly 2½-hour drive from Phoenix puts you in the heart of Arizona's high country: the historic railroad city of Flagstaff. The elevation of just under 7,000 feet above sea level, compared to around 1,100 feet in Phoenix, means mild summers and snowy winters.

Flagstaff has a lot to see and do, from exploring Sunset Crater, Wupatki and Walnut Canyon national monuments to wandering through the city's historic downtown on Route 66. Stay for the night sky, as the stargazing is considered among the best in the state (and a big reason why CNN recently named Flagstaff one of the top 10 U.S. towns to visit in 2024).

Sedona

The reasons to visit Sedona seem endless: award-winning restaurants, hotels, spas and scenic drives. Iconic hikes and swimming holes. Even the McDonald's is a landmark because of its blue arches. Pictures don't do justice to the red rock landscapes and its notable landmarks like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross; they must be seen to be fully appreciated.

Sedona is also a short drive from other nearby Verde Valley destinations, such as the historic mining town/now arts community of Jerome and the wine-tasting havens of Clarkdale and Cottonwood, where travelers can try wines made by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. Tuzigoot National Monument and Dead Horse Ranch State Park also draw visitors to Cottonwood.

Payson

This Gila County city about 90 miles northeast of Phoenix is sometimes considered "the heart of Arizona" for being near the state's geographic center. It's definitely the heart of Mogollon Rim Country, a region abundant in pine forests and lakes where outdoor lovers can go hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and camping.

Tonto Natural Bridge, believed to be the largest natural bridge in the world composed of travertine limestone, is protected by a state park about 20 minutes north of Payson.

Pinetop-Lakeside/Greer

The White Mountains in eastern Arizona would appeal to metro Phoenix residents for the milder summers alone. But the region is also a hub for just about every outdoor activity.

Pinetop-Lakeside, consisting of the neighboring towns of Pinetop and Lakeside, gives visitors their choice of 65 lakes and streams for watersports like kayaking and fishing. Hunting grounds and motorized trails are also prominent. There's also White Mountain Family Fun Park, for those whose favorite outdoor activities are mini golf and go-karting.

Greer, about 40 miles east, has scenic hiking opportunities, cozy cabins and the historic Molly Butler Lodge. The surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have several campgrounds and endless recreation options.

And sandwiched right in the middle of all this outdoor goodness is the Fort Apache Reservation, home to the White Mountain Apache Tribe, which operates Sunrise Park Resort, offering skiing in winter and mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides in summer. A mountain coaster thrill ride will open in summer 2024.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

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