From what I could see at that point of our journey, Arizona had a profusion of exciting hidden gems and best-kept secrets. Its lesser-known destinations overshadowed all of the popular attractions we had visited a year ago.
Last updated: April 17, 2025
Off the Beaten Path: Top 10 Hidden Gems and Best-Kept Secrets in Arizona
Roshan drove slowly. Thank goodness, there was no traffic. In fact, not a single car was heading in the same direction.
It had been about 15 minutes since we entered Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. A trail into a slot canyon we were looking for was supposed to emerge already. It looked like we had missed one of the first hidden gems we were about to explore in the northeastern corner of Arizona.
Meet Arizona beyond Its Hidden Gems
Home to word-famous Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona enjoys a steady influx of visitors every year. Those who wish to discover the state beyond its most popular natural wonders, flock to luxurious spas and scenic trails in Sedona.
Once the best-kept secrets of Arizona, wondrous Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon illuminated by its signature light beams allure the visitors of the state to the outskirts of the small town of Page.
No doubt, Arizona has plenty of natural and man-made attractions that amuse locals and visitors alike. At one point, we had followed the trend and took great pleasure in exploring these marvelous landmarks.
During our recent visit to the Grand Canyon State, however, none of them interested us. Several hidden gems, or as many call them best-kept secrets, of Arizona did. And we certainly went far off the beaten path to find them.
TOP 10 HIDDEN GEMS AND BEST-KEPT SECRETS IN ARIZONA
1. Cathedral Wash Trail
Even though we had clearly missed the Cathedral Wash trailhead upon entering Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, majestic sandstone formations along Lees Ferry Road quickly dispelled this disappointment.
Wide at the bottom, the rocks narrowed their “spires” as if they tried to touch the sky with them. Taking advantage of this secluded location, mushroom rocks forsook all the precaution and festooned the northern part of Arizona right off the main road.
Although we still berated ourselves for our lack of attention that had forced us to miss the trailhead, these secret landmarks quickly compensated for the lost time.
Yet one of the most remarkable hidden gems in this part of Arizona awaited us a few minutes later. Once we made a U-turn and drove back closer to the entrance we had come from, missing the Cathedral Wash Trailhead, located on the right side of the road at this time, was impossible.
The Cathedral Wash Trail runs through a tiny tunnel under Lees Ferry Road before diving into a constantly changing slot canyon. The stony walls along the 1.5-mile hiking path rise gradually.
Pretty broad at the beginning, the trail narrows as you hike farther. Approximately 0.4 mile into the hike, the walls transform into giants, towering over the deep canyon. Hiking stops at this point. Scrambling over large rocks and walking on protruding ledgers is the next stage of the adventure.
Not So Hidden Gems in Arizona
Eventually, the walls retreat. The trail meets the canyon floor once again. And you are off to meet a few more hidden gems in this part of Arizona. Grand Canyon National Park and the Colorado River, both located on the other end of the Cathedral Wash Trail, are not considered the best-kept secrets of the state.
Yet this particular spot where the river is so clear and the great abyss showcases only one side of its massive walls can surely fall into the category of the hidden gems of Arizona. Who knows it better than rafters that travel past the towering cliffs down the whirling river to their new adventures and hidden spots in Arizona?
2. Grand Falls
Grand Falls is, as its name suggests, grand. Yet not many newcomers know about this secluded waterfall, which makes it one of the biggest hidden gems in Arizona. The roaring giant sits northeast of Flagstaff on the Navajo Nation territory. At 181 feet high, it’s higher than Niagara Falls.
And if it’s not enough, the color of the cascading water resembles the shades of milk chocolate. Considering these unusual tones, locals have nicknamed this secret waterfall the Chocolate Falls.
But it’s not the only feature that sets Grand Falls apart from some other hidden gems in Northern Arizona. Dispersing its splashing water in all directions, the waterfall creates distinctive rainbows that rise above its floor.
Arizona’s largest hidden waterfall puts on a dazzling show throughout the year. Yet the best time to admire these natural performances are March and April.
3. Wupatki National Monument
The northern region hasn’t been one of the best-kept secrets of Arizona all the time. Nearly 900 years ago, the area thrived. It supported the ancient Pueblo peoples for nearly a century.
When the climate changed, the ancient tribes started leaving their thriving cultural and trading center. Today, Wupatki National Monument is the epitome of Arizona that went backward from a host of the popular towns to an area packed with hidden, almost forgotten gems.
The once fertile soil that attracted its first permanent residents doesn’t produce anything but weeds today. And even these are scarce. On the other hand, abundant secret ancient ruins still remind of the heyday of Northern Arizona.
The surviving remains of the old dwellings stop visitors in their tracks in different parts of the monument. The most prominent ancient hidden gems in this region of Arizona can be found along the Wupatki Pueblo Trail, Wukoki Pueblo Trail, and the Citadel Pueblo.
4. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
You don’t need to drive far to find another hidden gem in Arizona. Adjacent to Wupatki National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument unveils a few other secrets of the area. The youngest volcanic area in the region, Sunset Crater surprises its infrequent visitors with hiking trails that run through hardened black lava.
Peeking into a cinder cone is the ultimate reward that awaits those who go off the beaten path in search of the hidden gems of Northern Arizona. This activity, however, started gaining popularity.It got to that point that the favorite Sunset Crater Trail lured more adventure seekers than it could safely accommodate. To preserve the area, the trail was permanently closed a few decades ago.
The Lenox Crater Trail stepped in to offer a stunning alternative route. It delights the locals and visitors of Arizona with splendid views of such hidden gems as the Bonito Lava Flow, O’Leary Peak, and Sunset Crater Volcano itself.
5. Sycamore Falls
Sycamore Falls stands out among the other hidden gems in Arizona for one reason. A seasonal attraction, the waterfall shows its true potential to only a handful of travelers that calculate the time of their visits correctly.
Considered a best-kept secret of Arizona even among the locals, Sycamore Falls is nestled in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. The closest town, Williams, is only 15 miles away from here.
While such close proximity allows for a quick adventure in the woods almost any time of the day, the waterfall doesn’t shed its “hidden gem” status until spring run-off. Summer thunderstorms that normally occur between July and September revive the waterfall once again.
For the rest of the year, Sycamore Falls remains dormant. Only a tiny trickle plunges into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. This, paired with the secluded location, allows Sycamore Canyon to remain one of the best-kept secret destinations in Arizona up to this day.
6. Hualapai Mountain Park
Hualapai Mountain Park has a far greater neighbor that steals the show again and again, leaving the humble park underrated and unexplored. Located on the outskirts of Kingman, a getaway to Grand Canyon West Rim and its popular Skywalk Experience, Hualapai Mountain Park stays mostly on the radar of the locals.
The Sky Island, as they call it, however, is truly one of the most impressive hidden gems in the entire state of Arizona. Surrounded by a vast desert, this isolated mountain range is out of this world. While scorching sun and gusty winds force the visitors of Arizona to look for shelter indoors, Hualapai Mountain Park stays cool and protected from the forces of nature throughout the year.
A myriad of easy hiking trails crisscross the area, bringing this hidden spot one step closer to oblivious visitors. During the colder season, you can alway count on this secret spot to find a winter wonderland in the northwestern corner of Arizona.
7. Lava River Cave
One of the tiniest hidden gems sits just 14 miles north of Arizona’s city of Flagstaff. Concealed inside the Coconino National Forest, the Lava River Cave is a mile-long lava tube cavern.
The dark cave is nowhere as popular as some other favorite and secret locations in Arizona. Somewhat spooky and freezing-cold even in the summer, this hidden gem was formed roughly 700,000 years ago. Melted lava from an erupted volcano flowed through the area, emptying out the cavern along the way. Stone icicles “grew” from the ceiling, pointing out where a final explosion of volcanic heat occurred.
While the Lava River Cave is still regarded as one of the most protected hidden gems in Arizona, more adventurers strive to see it in person. All secret places get discovered, after all. Or maybe like a magnifying glass, the relatively small size of the cave supersizes the attention this hidden area in Northern Arizona has received lately.
8. Montezuma Castle
The area near Camp Verde is packed with some ancient hidden gems Arizona is famous for. Once home to the Sinagua Indians, Montezuma Castle has stirred up interest among history buffs since 1906. To protect the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, Theodor Roosevelt proclaimed the area a national monument.
But the massive cliff near Beaver Creek had enticed its first settlers centuries before that. A real hidden gem even back then, the region provided protection and abundance of food. While the river and fertile soil ensured a steady supply of food, the giant limestone cliff enabled the ancient tribes to build their primitive abodes. Nearly 20 rooms were built inside the rocky wall.
The Sinagua Indians left Montezuma Castle by 1425. What forced them to get moving is still a mystery to be uncovered. Their old dwellings, however, have been protected and shared with those who long to see more of the best-kept secrets of Arizona.
9. The Wave – One of the Most Restricted Hidden Gems in Arizona
An elusive rock formation in Marble Canyon interests every adventurous traveler that sets off to explore the American Southwest. Resembling the Fire Wave in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, the Wave is a colorful depression located along the border of Utah and Arizona.
Many sacrifice a lot to reach this exclusive secret attraction of Arizona. Visitors hike for six, often more, miles a day to get a chance to walk on and photograph the Wave. Yet despite its popularity, the landmark remains one of the most regulated hidden gems in Arizona.
To get to the Wave, you must obtain a hiking permit. With only 64 of them available per day (48 online, 16 walk-in), the chances of venturing into the untrodden desert realm are pretty slim. Thus, you must plan your visit to this secret location months in advance.
The odds that you can get a lucky walk-in ticket diminish even more during the busiest months: April, May, September, and October.
10. Walnut Canyon National Monument
Any cliff dwellings are in essence secret locations. This is especially true when you look at the ancient lodgings in Walnut Canyon National Monument. Located 17 minutes away from Flagstaff, Arizona, the area is home to some 25 ancient dwellings hidden in a cliff.
It’s been nearly 900 years since the Sinagua Indians occupied the area. The rich soil and secluded location worked perfectly for the first permanent settlers that lived in the region for almost 150 years. By 1225 – 1250, the ancient tribes left the present-day Walnut Canyon area. Their houses remained some of the most unreachable hidden gems in Arizona for nearly 600 years.
With construction of the railroad underway in the 1880s, treasure hunters flocked to the area. Soon one of the best-kept secrets in Arizona was on the verge of complete disappearance. To protect what was left from the first settlers, in 1915 the area was declared a national monument.
The secret cliff dwellings remain one the most protective hidden gems in Arizona up to this day. While a new, convenient Island Trail allows the visitors to get closer to the area that the ancient Sinagua peoples accessed by roped and primitive ladders, walking into the cliff dwellings is strictly prohibited. These hidden gems must be protected for many other locals and visitors of Arizona to enjoy.
11. London Bridge in Lake Havasu City
We have a surprise bonus for those who made it all the way to the end of this list of the hidden gems and best-kept secrets in Arizona. Residing in Lake Havasu City since 1971, the London Bridge is one of those unique attractions that get worldwide recognition, but are still unknown in their home country.
Truth be told, Arizona is not even the original home of the London Bridge. The centuries-old structure connected the banks of the River Thames in London for more than a century. Later when it wasn’t able to accommodate the ever-growing traffic of the city, it was sold to American businessman Robert P. McCulloch, dismantled, and shipped to Arizona.
The historic bridge was rebuilt in Lake Havasu City between 1967 and 1971 and has been one of the most intriguing hidden gems in Arizona ever since.
