Peaceful Experience Ranch

Being so close to the Grand Canyon National Park (half an hour’s drive) means you can make the most of your visit(s), either buying a multi-day pass and going up there several times to explore everything thoroughly or setting off early to beat the crowds and make a full day of it. Guided tours, helicopter flights and other trips can all be organised locally. The Grand Canyon isn’t the only landscape worth seeing around here – less well known but still well worth visiting are places like Walnut Canyon National Monument (an hour), Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument (both an hour and 20 minutes). The area also has rafting trips in summer and skiing options in winter. For family days out, pay a visit to Raptor Ranch (10 minutes), home to Flintstones-themed buildings and colourful model dinosaurs, or take a driving safari at Bearizona Wildlife Park (40 minutes) to see bison, wolves and other native beasts.