If the idea that stunning escapes are only a long drive away is true, you’ll find it tested just outside Gilbert’s suburbs. You can slip into red-rock canyons, sip wine by a slow river, or wander historic streets without overpacking. Think short hikes with big views, lakeside fishing under pines, and a steamboat cruise that feels world-removed. Keep going to map the easiest routes and pick the day that calls to you.
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon: Red Rocks and Short Hikes
If you head north from Gilbert for about two hours, you’ll find Sedona’s soaring red sandstone—Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock—that beg for short hikes and picture-perfect stops. You’ll park, lace up, and choose a trail that matches your energy: the 1.4-mile Bell Rock Pathway eases you into wide views, while the 1.2-mile Cathedral Rock climb tests your legs on steeper sections. Midday heat pushes you to start early, and you’ll notice the desert giving way to cooler pockets as you drop into Oak Creek Canyon, often 10–20°F milder than the Valley. You can stroll the West Fork’s easy 1.2-mile day-use stretch, snack by the water, or cool off at Slide Rock’s shallow pools when fees allow. Back in town, Tlaquepaque’s galleries and restaurants sit framed by red walls, so you’ll end a day of short hikes with art, coffee, and one last sunset over the rocks.
Prescott and the Granite Dells: Historic Downtown and Lakes
A cool breeze greets you as you roll into Prescott’s historic courthouse square, where 19th‑century brick facades, boutiques, and cafes cluster around a lively landmark courthouse and invite a slow stroll. You’ll linger over coffee, watch locals pass by, then wander toward Whiskey Row on Montezuma Street to feel the Gold Rush pulse—restored saloons, live music, and a row of stories folded into the wood and brick. A short walk brings you to Sharlot Hall Museum, where restored homes and period gardens make territorial Arizona tangible for curious kids and history buffs.
Escape next to the Granite Dells, a surreal field of pink granite boulders framing Watson Lake. You’ll hike, scramble, or kayak among sculpted cliffs, camera ready for light that glances off rounded stone. Granite Dells State Park offers easy trails and shoreline views; at about 5,300 feet, Prescott’s cooler air feels like a well-earned relief from the desert heat.
Mogollon Rim and Woods Canyon Lake: Pine Forest Views
Pine-scented air greets you as the road climbs onto the Mogollon Rim, where a mile-high escarpment opens into cooler, forested country about two hours northeast of Gilbert. You feel the temperature drop as you follow AZ-87 to Payson and AZ-260, trading valley heat for stands of ponderosa. Old Rim Road unfurls with lookout pulls that reveal layered cliff faces and seasonal wildflowers framing distant canyons.
Woods Canyon Lake sits at roughly 7,200 feet; you can cast for trout from the shore, launch a small boat, or spread a blanket at a shaded picnic site within Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Short hikes to Black Top Mesa and Rim-to-Rim overlooks reward you with expansive vistas; dispersed camping and designated OHV routes invite a longer visit if you decide to slow down. The landscape feels immediate and alive, a cool, pine-scented counterpoint to the Valley, perfect for a restorative day trip.
Camp Verde and the Verde River Vineyards
Drive north to Camp Verde and you’ll find the Verde River’s cool, ribbon-like corridor where bald eagles and riparian birds often perch above quiet boating and picnic spots. Walk Alcantara Vineyards’ rows of 20,000 vines and sample tastings on the grass lawn with the river and oak-lined banks as your backdrop. With Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well close by, you can easily pack river recreation and vineyard tours into a single relaxed day trip.
Verde River Recreation
Nestled about 90 miles north of Gilbert, Camp Verde makes a perfect jumping-off point for Verde River recreation and riverside vineyards, where you can paddle or float a gentle stretch of Arizona’s rare year‑round river, hike along greenway preserves, and end the afternoon tasting wines on a lawn that overlooks the river confluence and limestone slopes. You’ll launch a kayak or tube into slow, shimmering water, scanning cottonwoods for nesting bald eagles. Trails ribbon along riverbanks, offering quiet spots for picnics and wildlife watching before a short drive to Montezuma Castle. Plan spring or fall for mild weather; in summer, go early or late. Pack water, sun protection, and a camera.
- Paddle calm stretches
- Tube leisurely floats
- Birdwatch riparian edges
- Hike greenway trails
Vineyard Tastings & Tours
Sip your way through Camp Verde’s Verde River vineyards, where Alcantara’s 87 acres of vines and a handful of nearby tasting rooms take advantage of the cool microclimate at the river–Oak Creek confluence. You stroll between rows of 20,000+ vines, learning 17 varietals on a guided tasting that often flows onto a picnic-friendly lawn. Plan 2–3 hours to savor several wines, listen for bald eagle calls, and join a short vineyard tour that explains irrigation and soil. Call ahead for seasonal hours, tasting fees (typically $10–$20 refundable with a bottle), and picnic rules. Combine this stop with Montezuma Castle or an Oak Creek Canyon Van shuttle for easy same‑day routing from Gilbert without an overnight.
Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well: Ancient Cliff Dwellings
Though the cliff dwellings look ancient and fragile, you’ll find them remarkably intact—Montezuma Castle preserves a five‑story, 20‑room Sinagua masonry structure tucked into a limestone cliff above Beaver Creek, with short paved trails and accessible boardwalks that make the site easy to explore without strenuous hiking. You’ll arrive after about a 90‑minute drive north on I‑17, walk a 0.3‑mile loop to the viewing platform, and feel the hush of the canyon as you imagine life here between AD 1100–1425.
Montezuma Well, six miles away, is a startling round sinkhole 55 feet deep, pouring over a million gallons daily and nurturing unique aquatic life and ancient irrigation ruins. Both sites have a small visitor center, interpretive exhibits, restrooms, and a modest entrance fee; an America the Beautiful pass works too. Expect 1–2 hours for Castle and 30–60 minutes at the Well—an easy, family‑friendly half‑day outing.
- Short paved trails
- Accessible boardwalks
- Visitor center exhibits
- Easy parking and fees
Tucson Day Escape: Sabino Canyon and San Xavier Del Bac
You’ll start the day breathing cooler, pine‑scented air as you hop the Sabino Canyon tram to trailheads, choosing anything from the easy Sabino Lake overlook to the strenuous scramble toward Seven Falls. After hiking and cooling off at creekside pools, drive into Tucson for a quiet, reverent afternoon at the White Dove of the Desert, where baroque frescoes and carved altars reward close, slow looking. It’s a satisfying loop—morning on the trails and afternoon in history—before you head back to Gilbert at dusk.
Sabino Canyon Hikes
Exploring Sabino Canyon feels like stepping into a living desert painting: shuttle trams hum up the 3.8-mile route while you hop off at trailheads that lead to shaded riparian stretches, rocky overlooks, and seasonal pools where mule deer often pause. At Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you’ll choose routes from paved creekside paths to the more demanding Bear Canyon–Seven Falls, watching water appear only after rains. The shuttle’s narration points out geology and wildlife as you plan a hike. Aim for cooler months or mornings to avoid heat, and expect to spend 4–6 hours if you add nearby stops. Pick trails that match your energy and enjoy quiet desert details like dripping rock and bird calls.
- Shuttle access simplifies route choice
- Short walks for easy outings
- Bear Canyon: 5.5-mile challenge
- Peak season: frequent trams
San Xavier Del Bac
A white silhouette against the desert sky, San Xavier del Bac invites you to step from Sabino Canyon’s scrubby trails into a cool, candlelit world of Baroque artistry; the mission’s carved altars, polychrome statues and faded frescos feel almost alive after a morning of sun and scrub, and you can wander freely (donations welcome) or join a guided tour to hear the site’s layered history. You’ll recognize the “White Dove of the Desert” after a roughly 2-hour drive from Gilbert. Inside the Baroque interior, regulated photography and the polychrome statuary reward close looking; there’s no admission to visit, though donations accepted. Pair this with Sabino Canyon’s 3-mile paved path, tram rides past creek pools and seasonal wildlife—restrooms, picnic areas and a small gift shop make it an easy fall through spring day trip.
Apache Trail and Canyon Lake: Scenic Drive and Short Cruises
If you head east from Gilbert toward Apache Junction, the Apache Trail unfolds into a rugged, partly unpaved ribbon of road that threads volcanic cliffs and Superstition Mountain vistas before dropping down to Canyon Lake. You’ll feel the drive tighten as gravel and narrow switchbacks replace highway comfort; cell service fades, so plan. Park in Apache Junction if you prefer guided tours or take a high-clearance vehicle and go slowly. At Canyon Lake, board the Dolly Steamboat for a 60-minute narrated cruise that frames Weaver’s Needle and the shoreline in clear, patient commentary—tickets run about $26–$30.
You can make this a 4–6 hour round trip from Gilbert with short stops at nearby curiosities. Key takeaways as you prepare:
- Expect narrow, steep sections and limited cell coverage
- Consider parking and joining an organized tour
- Allow time for Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat stops
- Bring water, a camera, and cautious driving patience
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do in Gilbert Today for Adults?
You can catch an early hot-air balloon flight, then savor breakfast at a downtown café, wander the Riparian Preserve’s ponds, join a Camelback e‑bike tour or ATV ride, and finish with drinks or a Hale Centre Theatre show.
Are There Good Day Trips From Phoenix?
Yes — you can escape Phoenix easily: drive to Sedona’s red rocks, stare over the Grand Canyon, wander Prescott’s Whiskey Row, hike the Mogollon Rim, or explore Tucson’s desert museums, each route offering striking scenery and rejuvenating variety.
How to Do a One Day Trip?
Leave early, hike briefly, eat locally, and drive home—plan a 2–3 hour radius, pack water and layers, check road and permit status, pick short scenic stops, savor moments, adjust pace, and return before nightfall.
What Is a Same Day Trip?
A same-day trip is when you leave home in the morning, explore a destination for several hours, then return that evening without overnighting; you’ll plan timing, pack essentials, and keep drives typically a few hours each way.
Conclusion
You’ll find easy drives that unwind your mind, short hikes that open your lungs, and quiet rivers that slow your pulse. You’ll wander red-rock trails that sing at sunset, stroll courthouse squares that whisper history, and paddle glassy lakes that mirror pine-rimmed skies. You’ll sip vineyard sun, stand beneath ancient cliffs, and glide past canyon walls—each trip a neat, doable day that leaves you refreshed, curious, and ready for the next small adventure.
