Dove Mountain: Your Gateway to Arizona Adventure
Spring in Arizona is a sight to behold. With bright sunshine and temperatures in the 80s, beauty beckons in all directions. From red rock canyons and alpine forests to ancient ruins and epic horizons, the Grand Canyon State’s many marvels await.
Dove Mountain is your perfect launchpad for exploration. Here, pristine hiking trails begin at your doorstep and epic road trips are just a turn of the key away, thanks to newly available RV garage options that make it all possible.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or extended journey, here’s your itinerary of Arizona’s must-visit destinations within a day’s drive from Dove Mountain — your gateway to the best of the Southwest.
📍Saguaro National Park
Right in our backyard, Saguaro National Park carries the name of the iconic giants uniquely found in the Sonoran Desert. The park is split into two districts — Saguaro East and Saguaro West — bookending the city of Tucson with hiking trails and unforgettable views.
Both districts offer paved loops for cars and bikes with abundant lookouts and trailheads. If you’re up for a hike, follow King Canyon’s moderate out-and-back trail to 600-year-old Hohokam petroglyphs, or challenge yourself on the Valley View Overlook Trail for expansive Saguaro-studded panoramas. This time of year, wildflowers blanket the desert floor, adding bursts of color to an already stunning landscape.
📍Salt River
For those who love water adventures, the Lower Salt River just outside of Phoenix is an ideal pause before heading further north into Arizona’s high country. Known for its wild horse population, the river is a perfect spot for tubing, kayaking and paddleboarding on a real-life lazy river. Bring your own gear or rent a tube between May and September, when Phoenicians flock to the 68° waters fed by cool mountain streams.
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the area’s estimated 300 wild mustangs wading through the shallows or grazing along the banks — a truly magical sight.
While camping along the Lower Salt River is generally prohibited, day-use sites and some boat-in campgrounds are available.
📍Tonto National Monument
From the Lower Salt River, head north and east for a scenic, hour-and-a-half drive to Tonto National Monument. Here, you’ll find remarkable cliff dwellings built by the Salado people over 700 years ago. A half-mile hike leads you to the lower cliff dwelling, where you can walk through portions of the structure and take in views of the basin below, no registration required.
Advanced hikers can join a guided tour to the upper cliff dwelling for an immersive experience, available on weekends from November through April.
📍Arcosanti
A fascinating stop off the beaten track, Arcosanti is an experimental eco-city built by generations of volunteer apprentices that combines architecture and sustainability in a stunning natural setting. Take a guided tour to learn about this “city of the future” and its visionary founder, Paolo Soleri, or enjoy breakfast or lunch at the café overlooking the Valletta Canyon.
Help support Arcosanti’s ongoing construction with a purchase of their artisan-crafted, highly collectable wind bells, available for sale at either Arcosanti or Cosanti, the project’s foundry and ceramic workshop in Phoenix.
📍Prescott
Breathe in the crisp mountain air in Prescott, a refreshing change of scenery with towering pine trees, sparkling lakes and historic charm. Stroll down Whiskey Row, where saloons once welcomed America’s most legendary cowboys and infamous outlaws, or explore Prescott National Forest’s 450+ miles of scenic trails. For those who love water recreation, Watson Lake’s deep blue waters provide a beautiful setting for kayaking and fishing.
📍Montezuma Castle National Monument
Conveniently located off Highway 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Montezuma Castle is one of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Named for the mistaken belief that it was built by Aztec emperor Montezuma, this five-story, 20-room ancient apartment complex is built into a limestone cliff and showcases the ingenuity of the Sinagua people. The short hike to the ruins also leads to picnic areas, making it a picturesque stop for lunch.
📍Petrified Forest National Park
In Arizona’s northeastern corner, Petrified Forest National Park is a must for geology and natural history enthusiasts. This landscape, once located on the southwestern edge of Pangaea, is now frozen in time, with fossilized trees dating back more than 200 million years. Drive the 28-mile scenic route through the park, stopping at viewpoints along the way, or take a short hike to view petrified logs of extinct conifer trees up close. In the southern part of the park, Rainbow Forest boasts some of the most colorful specimens, along with a museum featuring paleontology exhibits of fossilized giant reptiles, amphibians and early dinosaurs unearthed on-site.
📍Sedona
No Arizona road trip is complete without Sedona. Renowned for its striking red rock formations, vibrant arts scene and alternative healing practices, Sedona offers endless opportunities for adventure. Take an off-road Jeep tour through rugged backcountry, enjoy a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon and hike over 400 miles of trails to iconic destinations like Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock.
While you venture, see if you can pick up on the energy of Sedona’s famed “vortexes,” claimed by New Age enthusiasts to transmit healing vibrations from the earth. For a more leisurely experience, browse the town’s many eclectic shops, art galleries and boutiques.
Sedona is also a perfect base for day trips, including to the highly photogenic Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Carved by water and wind, Antelope Canyon is one of the Southwest’s most visited and photographed slot canyons. Located on the Navajo Nation, tour guides are required for access. Book a midday visit from March through October for the best shots of bright light beams pouring into the canyon, illuminating the smooth sandstone walls.
📍Flagstaff & Wupatki National Monument
Flagstaff, less than an hour’s drive from Sedona, offers a refreshing mountain escape in the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. Stroll through the historic downtown, where Route 66 nostalgia blends with vibrant college-town energy, or explore the surrounding natural wonders.
Just outside the city, Wupatki National Monument preserves ancient Puebloan ruins, including the impressive Wupatki Pueblo with its 104 rooms, ball court and natural blowhole, a rare geological feature common to the Flagstaff area. This natural vent connects the surface to underground cave systems, expelling or taking in air according to surface conditions. Known to the Hopi as “the home of the winds” or “breath of the mountains,” the blowhole at Wupatki Pueblo once housed a shrine honoring the link between underworld, earth and sky.
📍Grand Canyon National Park
Your road trip culminates at the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Whether you choose to admire the breathtaking views from the South Rim, hike into the canyon’s depths or embark on a rafting adventure down the Colorado River rapids, the Grand Canyon is an experience like no other.
For those traveling by RV, numerous campgrounds and RV parks surround the canyon, making it easy to extend your stay. If you’re in the mood for a touch of luxury, book a night at the historic El Tovar Hotel for an unforgettable Grand Canyon experience.
Dove Mountain: Your Gateway to the Best of the Southwest
After days exploring Arizona’s stunningly diverse landscapes, there’s nothing better than returning to the beauty and serenity of home, where hiking, biking and championship golf beckon year-round under clear blue skies.
Dove Mountain has it all. Discover new Tucson luxury custom homes, golf-course homes and flexible floor plans with optional RV garages in one of Southern Arizona’s best golf course communities.
Your next great adventure starts at Dove Mountain. Get in touch with our Sales Office and schedule a tour today. Dove Mountain model homes are open daily.