11 Most Relaxing Arizona Towns
Arizona is a unique state known for hosting some of the country’s most iconic attractions. From Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, this state is full of impressive landmarks worth visiting individually. In addition to its renowned attractions, this desert state that was once under Mexico is home to these peaceful towns, most of which are also among the country’s most gorgeous destinations. Sedona, one such town, is famous for its red rock scenery, spiritually charged atmosphere, and soothing activities, including massages and yoga. Visit these unique and relaxing towns in Arizona today for some much-needed serenity and joy.
Greer
Greer is one of the smallest towns in Arizona, with just over 100 people, but don't be fazed by this ghost-town facade. This mountain town is a natural paradise in the White Mountain National Forest, surrounded by the Apache/Sitgreaves National Forest. It is also the highest town in Arizona at an elevation of 8,400 feet. Visitors seeking true relaxation will love it here as the town is slow-paced with zero traffic and has the Little Colorado River running through it, a rare privilege in Arizona. Far from the desert atmosphere and scenery prevalent across the state, this town is surprisingly green and the river makes it an exciting waterside destination where visitors can unwind with kayaking, tubing, fishing, and other water sports. Additionally, there are many lakes around the town, such as the Bunch, River, and Tunnel Reservoirs, which are used for more water-based activities and relaxation.
Notably, Greer Town is home to the Molly Butler Lodge and Restaurant, which is the continually operating oldest guest lodge and restaurant in Arizona. The town also hosts the Butterfly Lodge Museum, built in 1913, and now offers an opportunity to step back in time and learn about an Indian father and son who found inspiration in the charming cabin. Sunrise Ski Resort, Arizona’s largest ski resort, is also near this town, making it an incredibly exciting place to be.
Carefree
Carefree, a small, lively town in Maricopa County, lives up to its name and welcomes anyone who wants to relax and live an unbothered life full of adventures. Visit this town that was once a large goat farm and marvel at its Sundial, one of the largest in the United States. Before clocks, sundials helped tell time and this massive attraction in Carefree now stands as a testament to how far technology has advanced. This sundial is in the iconic Carefree Desert Gardens, which is home to fresh cactus plants, Joshua trees, and desert flowers. Just strolling through this unique attraction is restorative, as the garden also features a playground, desert-inspired sculptures, and a splash pad.
For a more relaxing experience, Civana is a wellness resort and spa in Carefree that is worth visiting. This resort has a world-class spa, two restaurants, and incredible views of the Sonoran desert. In the meantime, Carefree is just a few miles from Bartlett Lake, where visitors can enjoy water-based sports and picnics amid wildflower scenery.
Winslow
This Navajo County Town along Route 66 is a delightful destination with many laid-back things to enjoy. Once here, visitors can head to the nearby McHood Park to unwind with swimming, kayaking, and fishing activities. The park also offers facilities for camping and picnicking, and adventurers can even kayak or canoe to explore the dramatic Clear Creek Canyon. For a unique experience, the Homolovi State Park is the perfect place to visit. It is just 2 miles from Winslow, and this park is home to ancient pueblo ruins built by ancestors of the Hopi people between approximately 1260 and 1400 AD. Just walking through this beautiful park and looking at the pueblo ruins and petroglyphs is, no doubt, one of the most soothing things a person can experience in Arizona. The park even has a visitor center featuring baskets, pottery sherds, and other artifacts that, together with the pueblos, tell more about the daily lives of the ancient people who once inhabited this area.
Interestingly, Winslow is home to the historic La Posada Hotel, which was built in 1929 and reflects the timeless appeal of ancient architecture. A masterpiece of famous architect Mary Jane Colter, this hotel is uniquely beautiful and has hosted renowned people, including Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Staying at such a hotel sure promises to be an unforgettable experience as it evokes the feeling of living in a bygone era.
Strawberry
Strawberry is a delicious town surrounded by the Tonto National Forest with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of attractions to help people unwind. First of all, the nearby Fossil Creek is a beautiful place to loosen up with sights of waterfalls and water-based activities like swimming, kayaking, and tubing. The East Verde River is also available nearby for trout fishing, picnicking, hiking, and sunbathing. For some history, visitors can head to the Pine-Strawberry Museum in nearby Pine to see tools, weapons, clothing, and household items once used by the area’s easiest people, including the Mormon pioneers and Prehistoric people. After everything, visitors can head to the rustic Strawberry Inn for a cozy lodging experience.
Clarkdale
Clarkdale is a naturally scenic, quaint town in Yavapai County that offers a quieter alternative to the highly touristy Sedona nearby. Once here, the Verde River flowing through the town is the first port of call for calming activities like kayaking and canoeing activities. For fishing enthusiasts, Mingus Lake is the perfect place to revel in a catch amid the overlooking Mingus Mountain. Meanwhile, driving through the spectacular and grand scenery of Verde Canyon via the Verde Canyon Railway is incredibly soothing. This railroad trip connects Clarkdale with Perkinsville, and the round trip takes around 4 hours.
For some history, the Arizona Copper Art Museum invites visitors to check out its over 5,000 copper artifacts, while the Tuzigoot National Monument is a great place to see a pueblo ruin and discover the history of the area’s Sinagua people. The Tuzigoot National Monument is also home to the Tavasci Marsh, Arizona’s largest freshwater marsh, where bird lovers will be delighted with sights of birds like migratory songbirds and ducks. Even more exciting, Clarkdale is the gateway to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, where 11 miles of hiking trails offer access to stunning canyons, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Patagonia
Patagonia is a naturally endowed town perfect for year-round vacations, where relaxation is the goal. In Sonoita Creek, between the Santa Rita Mountains and the Patagonia Mountains, this town sure knows how to please retreat seekers. To begin, the town is just eight miles from Patagonia Lake State Park, where a lake sets the stage for recreational activities like fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. Even more exciting, the park is surrounded by the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, surrounds the Patagonia Lake State Park, and offers over 20 miles of trails for hiking and horse riding, wildlife and bird watching opportunities, and campsites. For bird lovers, the town hosts the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, which is a great place to marvel at some of Arizona’s beautiful birds, especially the beautifully tiny and super fast hummingbird. Before leaving, history enthusiasts can always stop at the Patagonia Museum to get a dose of the history and culture of eastern Santa Cruz County.
Pinetop-Lakeside
Pinetop-Lakeside is a unique town 7,000 feet above sea level and fenced by natural endowments like the White Mountains of Arizona and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. While its surrounding areas hint at adventures, the town is also ideal for relaxation, especially with attractions like Woodland Lake Park where visitors can unwind with activities like bird watching, fishing, and picnicking. Rainbow Lake is another great place near the town laid-back visitors will love as the waters offer boating and amazing fishing opportunities. The Rainbow’s End Resort is also near this lake and offers lakeside camping. Meanwhile, the Spa Estique in town is the perfect place to enjoy a wholesome retreat, as the facility offers everything from in-depth skin care and facials to a variety of massage therapies.
For something uniquely restorative, visitors can head to the White Mountain Nature Center to immerse in the natural splendor of the White Mountains by hiking, watching birds, and attending interesting shows. Away from nature, visitors to this town can also unwind at the WME Theatre with new releases.
Camp Verde
Camp Verde is an incredibly scenic town in the lush Verde Valley, perfect for a laid-back vacation full of peaceful activities. Naturally, the Verde River that flows through the town is an ideal first stop for kayaking and fishing. For similar adventures, the nearby Fossil Creek is the perfect alternative and it also has swimming holes and waterfalls. Even more interesting, this town is home to the Out Of Africa Wildlife Park, where wildlife lovers can get lost exploring many animals from Africa, such as Giraffes, Hyenas, and Zebras.
Notably, the Verde Valley is a popular wine region in Arizona, and a visit to Camp Verde is never complete without a taste of the area’s delicious wines. Some of the best places to get this experience near town include Clear Creek and Alcantara Vineyards. History aficionados to this town will also be delighted as the Montezuma Castle National Monument and Fort Verde State Historic Park are both in town. The Montezuma Castle Monument preserves a five-story structure built into a limestone cliff and used by the Sinagua people, while Fort Verde features artifacts and exhibits about the military history during the settlement of the Western frontier.
Page
Page is a small town featuring some of the most iconic natural draws in America, making it perfect for a restorative retreat in nature. This town is home to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, where Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam are found. At Lake Powell, opportunities abound for a wide range of water activities, from fishing walleye and bluegill to boating through famous rock formations. While in the area, visit the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook to witness the breathtaking views of the canyon and take pictures of the famous Horseshoe Bend and the legendary Colorado River, which is also great for rafting.
Page also invites history lovers to step back in time and learn about the leader of the first Colorado River expedition at the Powell Museum. In the meantime, nature lovers can further immerse themselves in the area’s wondrous geological beauty at the Waterholes Canyon, where craggy sandstone slot canyons shine in pink and red colors. This canyon is a peaceful alternative to the nearby and more famous Antelope Canyon.
Williams
Williams is one lucky town as it is one of the gateways to the world-famous Grand Canyon. Naturally, it is an energetic place of adventure, but there are still many ways to relax. Here, laid-back travelers can drive or walk through the Bearizona Wildlife Park to see North American animals like bears, bison, mountain goats, and wolves. Also, the Cataract Lake and Dogtown Reservoir are near Williams, offering great opportunities for fishing. Meanwhile, the Grand Canyon Go-karts is a great place to unwind with relaxing rides on carts.
Notably, Williams is home to the Grand Canyon Railway, where visitors can experience an exciting train ride for more than two hours through the desert landscape to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is a must-do when in town, as there are many adventurous things to do on the way.
Sedona
The town of Sedona is simply a magical destination distinguished by red sandstone formations and full of relaxing attractions and establishments. Famous as a hot spot for spiritual healing, this town is full of spas dedicated to helping folks unwind. A Spa For You, one of the town’s famous spa establishments, is an incredible place to get lost in a world of relaxation while enjoying a variety of massage therapies, including Japanese facial massage. Besides the spas, hiking through Sedona’s unique rock formations is a unique experience, and over 200 trails cover more than 400 miles to choose from. Meanwhile, the 6.1-mile Hangover Trail, the 4.6-mile Bear Mountain Trail, and the 1.5-mile Cathedral Rock Trail are some of the most popular trails to experience here. While the Hangover and Beer Mountain trails offer great best views of Sedona’s red rock scenery, the Cathedral Rock Trail is particularly exciting as it is easy yet leads to a majestic sandstone butte.
Visitors craving some water-based activities can head to Slide Rock State Park to enjoy a natural waterslide and swim inside natural pools. For similar experiences, the nearby Oak Creek Canyon is worth visiting as the area has swimming holes and even fishing holes.
Arizona's Most Relaxing Towns Await You
From Page with its gorgeous and massive Lake Powell to Sedona and its enchanting landscapes and parks, these small towns in Arizona are havens for laid-back retreats. Sneak away from the hustle and bustle and find peace in these beautiful towns while exploring a wide range of attractions and savoring the scenery. Whether you relax with rigorous adventures like hiking or prefer to unwind under the hands of massage therapists, these towns offer various ways to help you de-stress and rejuvenate.
