It may not always feel like it, but summer really is winding down. And just because school is starting back up and your vacation days have dwindled, doesn’t mean you’re trapped at home. There is still time for some fun and quick escapes. Consider these easy adventures from the Valley of the Sun that don’t require a lot of planning or packing. Just jump in the car and go. Drive a couple of hours in almost any direction and there all sorts of things to see and do. Here are some of the best day trips from the Phoenix metro area to escape the last of that pesky summer heat.
Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Sedona
Known locally as Red Rock Crossing, the scenic park is a former ranch site spread along fertile bottomland at the base of Cathedral Rock. There are picnic tables, restrooms and plenty
of paths down to the stream. It’s a popular kid-friendly swimming hole. Crescent Moon Ranch also provides the iconic panorama of Cathedral, framed by forest and rising above the water. It's also the site of one of Sedona’s famous vortexes.
Details: $15 day use fee per vehicle. 928-203-2900, fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/recreation/crescent-moon-picnc-site.
Jeep tour, Sedona
Let someone else show you the best sights in town when you sign up for a Jeep tour. In the craggy angular landscape, these bouncy exploratory rides have become a signature Sedona experience. An army of brightly colored Jeeps whisks visitors into the sandstone outback. Each Jeep company offers specialty rides ranging from gentle, scenic excursions to boulder-climbing thrill-fests. Visit vortexes or overlooks or ancient Native American villages. The shortest tours will last about 90 minutes.
Details: A list of jeep companies can be found at visitsedona.com/things-to-do/tours-sightseeing.
Pro-tip: Since the Pocket Fire kept the crowds away from Sedona all summer, businesses will be happy to see you. Restaurants and shops will be grateful and you can probably snag some good deals on lodging if you decide to turn your day trip into an overnighter.
Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott
Take a stroll through Arizona’s past at the Sharlot Hall Museum. The Prescott museum is built around the Territorial Governor’s Mansion, an elegant log cabin from 1864 that still stands in its original location. Additional historic buildings are set amidst beautifully landscaped grounds and clustered around the stately manse. Living history programs feature staff and volunteers dressed in period garb. They offer hands-on demonstrations of frontier skills and spin detailed accounts of frontier days. The museum was founded by Sharlot M. Hall, the first Arizona woman to hold territorial office.
Details: Admission is $17 for adults, $9 for youth (ages 10-17). 415 W. Gurley St., 928-445-3122, sharlothallmuseum.org.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Camp Verde
Nestled in the high desert of Camp Verde, Out of Africa provides a comfortable sanctuary for 400 exotic animals, and features dozens of large predators. Recently spiffed up after some late July flooding, the preserve spreads across 104 acres of rolling terrain. The sprawling natural habitats eliminate the stress-induced behavior often noticeable in animals held in captivity. Tiger Splash is the world-renowned signature show of Out of Africa. No training or tricks are involved. The daily program is spontaneous, just animals frolicking in the water with their caretakers. Visitors can also take a narrated African Bush Safari for up close encounters with zebras, antelopes and slobbery giraffes that will happily accept hand-offered treats. Several additional tours are available including a zip line above the animals.
Details: Admission is $42.95 for adults, $27.95 for youth (ages 3-12). Check the website for discounts and coupons. 928-567-2840, outofafricapark.com.
Arizona Copper Art Museum, Clarkdale
Copper has always been the most precious metal pulled from Arizona mines. That story springs to life in stunning ways at the Arizona Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale. Housed in the former Clarkdale High School Building, the museum covers the origins and history of the metal and shows some of its many uses. More than 5,000 objects dating back through the centuries are on display including art, architecture, drinkware and religious artifacts. There’s also an exhibit of “trench art,” intricately carved artillery shell casings created by World War I soldiers hunkered down in muddy trenches between battles. The display is a poignant reminder of the power of art to lift spirits even in dark times.
Details: Admission is $11 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 10-17). 849 Main St., 928-649-1858, arizonacopperartmusuem.com.
Rim Country Museum, Payson
This small museum is tasked with a wide swath of territory and history to cover. But Rim Country Museum in Payson manages with ease in a lovely setting. A handful of historic buildings overlook the lakes in Green Valley Park. Enter through a well-stocked gift shop housed in an old forest ranger station. From there, explore the museum at your own pace. You’ll find artifacts and exhibits reflecting the region’s history, including the Pleasant Valley War, one of the bloodiest feuds of the American West. There’s a comprehensive exhibit on wildfires and the methods used to fight them. The second half of the complex is the Zane Grey Cabin, recreated after the original burned down in the 1990 Dude Fire. Knowledgeable docents lead you through the cabin and present plenty of information on the famed western writer who set some of his most famous novels in Rim Country.
Details: Open Thursday through Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youth (ages 12-17) for each attraction. 700 S. Green Valley Pkwy., 928-474-3483, rimcountrymuseum.org.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Payson
Shade, water and greenery make Tonto Natural Bridge State Park an enticing stop in Rim Country, 10 miles north of Payson on AZ 87. At 183 feet high and 400 feet long, this limestone formation is the world’s largest travertine arch bridge and it looms over a small creek. There are a few topside viewpoints but to truly appreciate the huge span, head down below. Short, steep trails wind down to the water and into the massive water-gnawed tunnel. The splashy music of cascades and mini-falls echoes through the trees. Look for small caves and alcoves along the bank as you explore. Swimming is permitted downstream from the bridge. Another lovely trail in the park doesn’t go to the creek, but instead leads to an elvish waterfall cascading down a wall of ferns and flowers. It’s easy to forget in such a rain forest-like spot that you’re still in Arizona.
Details: Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 7-13). 928-476-4202, azstateparks.com/tonto.
Hassayampa River Preserve, near Wickenburg
Enjoy a peaceful stroll through a lush riparian corridor southeast of Wickenburg. For most of its 100-mile course, the Hassayampa River flows underground but it surfaces as a perennial stream through the preserve, creating a rare cottonwood-willow habitat. Nearly 300 species of bird can be spotted amid this surprising forest including the zone-tailed hawk, Mississippi kite and yellow-billed cuckoo. A handful of trails follow the river bottoms, cross the flood plains and circle Palm Lake. Guided walks are offered during the cooler months.
Details: Open Wed. through Sun. Admission is $5 for adults, free for children under 12. 602-506-2930 Ext. 9, maricopacountyparks.net.
Find the reporter at rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fun day trips from Phoenix to beat the late summer heat
