The best free things to do in Arizona in 2026 include hiking iconic trails like Cathedral Rock, Camelback Mountain, and Devil’s Bridge, watching the sunset at Horseshoe Bend, exploring scenic drives such as Oak Creek Canyon and the Red Rock Scenic Byway, visiting landmarks like the Chapel of the Holy Cross, wandering Papago Park, and enjoying free cultural activities, museum days, and Old Town districts across Phoenix, Sedona, and Scottsdale.
Arizona is one of those places that surprises you twice. First, when you get there, because nothing prepares you for how wide the sky feels, and again when you realise how many unforgettable things you can do without spending a single dollar. The state is basically a giant outdoor museum, an open-air art gallery, and a natural theme park rolled into one… and most of it is free.
If you’re planning a 2026 Arizona trip and want the biggest experiences for zero cost, here’s your hand-picked list of the 10 best free things to do in Arizona.
1. Horseshoe Bend – The View That Stops Everyone Mid-Sentence
Horseshoe Bend looks like someone pressed pause on the Colorado River just long enough for it to curve perfectly around the red rock cliffs. It’s dramatic, cinematic, and humbling all at once, and the best part? It’s free to view.
The short walk from the parking area leads to a cliffside lookout that feels like a movie set. Sunrise gives you a soft glow; sunset gives you a sky that looks like melted gold. Either way, bring water and a phone with plenty of storage. You’ll need it.
2. Cathedral Rock, Arizona’s Red-Rock Cathedral
Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most photographed landmarks, a towering red formation that glows like fire when the sun hits it just right. You don’t have to climb it to appreciate it. Even from the lower trails, you get postcard views for free.
If you do hike, be ready for a bit of scrambling. But the payoff? Seeing Sedona spread out beneath you in every shade of orange and gold that nature could come up with.
3. Devil’s Bridge Trail, A Natural Rock Bridge Worth the Walk
Devil’s Bridge is exactly what it sounds like, a tall, narrow rock arch that looks like something out of an old adventure novel. It’s free, popular, and absolutely worth the effort.
Go early. Not just to beat the crowds, but to avoid hiking back under the midday sun. Once you reach the bridge, take your time. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, the real thing feels bigger, bolder, and far more epic.
4. Oak Creek Canyon, One of America’s Most Beautiful Drives
If Arizona had a greatest-hits album, Oak Creek Canyon would be track one. The scenic 30-mile drive between Flagstaff and Sedona twists through forests, red rock cliffs, and creek valleys, giving you one stunning view after another.
You can stop at overlooks, picnic by the water, or pull over for short hikes, all free. If you’re driving through midday, the sunlight dripping through the canyon walls feels like something you’d expect on a movie set.
5. Red Rock Scenic Byway, The Highway That Doubles as a Sightseeing Tour
Welcome to the most beautiful 7 miles you’ll ever drive. This stretch, SR-179, rolls through Sedona’s red rock country with Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and other formations rising on both sides like giant sculptures.
It’s free, fast, and ridiculously photogenic. Even if you’re not a “pull over for photos” person, you’ll pull over for photos.
6. Chapel of the Holy Cross, Architecture Meets Red-Rock Drama
Built right into Sedona’s red cliffs, this chapel is one of Arizona’s crown jewels, peaceful, dramatic, and completely free to visit.
Inside, sunlight pours through the massive windows. Outside, the view spills across the entire red rock valley. Even if you’re not into architecture, standing here feels like pressing pause on the world for a few minutes.
7. Old Town Scottsdale, A Walk Through Arizona’s Western Charm
Old Town Scottsdale is the kind of place where you can walk for hours without needing a plan. Art galleries, cowboy-inspired storefronts, sculptures, neon signs, it’s old west meets modern Arizona.
It’s totally free unless you let yourself get tempted by turquoise jewelry (you probably will, but that’s between you and your wallet).
8. Camelback Mountain, Arizona’s Most Famous Hike
This is the hike everyone talks about, and the one visitors are always slightly shocked by. Yes, the views are incredible. Yes, it’s free. But Camelback is a workout. Think stair-climber meets scramble meets “why didn’t I bring more water?”
Reach the summit, and Phoenix spreads out below you like a giant map. Go early morning or late afternoon; the sun is not your friend here.
9. Papago Park, A Desert Playground with Iconic Rock Formations
Papago Park feels like someone dropped a cluster of red sandstone buttes into the middle of the city. The trails are easy, the scenery is gorgeous, and Hole in the Rock is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Phoenix.
Climb up, sit inside the “hole,” and watch the sunset dip over the desert. It’s a five-star moment that costs exactly zero dollars.
10. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, Free to Stroll, Beautiful to Experience
Yes, it’s a shopping village, but it’s also one of Sedona’s most atmospheric places, full of Spanish-style courtyards, archways, balconies, fountains, and ivy-covered walls.
Even if you don’t buy a thing, wandering the stone paths feels like stepping into a little European plaza dropped into the middle of the desert. A surprising number of visitors go just to take photos… and honestly, they’re not wrong.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of Arizona is that the landscapes do most of the storytelling for you. You don’t need a ticket to feel tiny next to Cathedral Rock. You don’t need a tour guide to understand the silence at Oak Creek Canyon. And you don’t need a budget to chase a sunset at Papago Park.
Whether you’re road-tripping through the state or spending a weekend in one hub, these 10 free things to do in Arizona deliver the best of the Southwest without draining your travel budget.
FAQs’
What are the best free attractions to visit in Arizona?
Some of the top free attractions include Horseshoe Bend, Cathedral Rock, Oak Creek Canyon, Papago Park, Camelback Mountain, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. These offer incredible scenery without any entry cost.
What is the best month to visit Arizona for outdoor activities?
October to April is ideal. The weather is cooler, trails are easier to hike, and outdoor sightseeing feels comfortable. Summer is doable but extremely hot.
Do national parks in Arizona ever offer free entry?
Yes. The National Park Service offers several fee-free days, including at Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro. Dates vary each year.
Is Sedona expensive to visit if I want to explore the red rocks?
Not necessarily. Many of Sedona’s best experiences, Cathedral Rock views, Devil’s Bridge Trail, and the Byway drives, are completely free. Parking fees may apply in some areas.
Can I enjoy Arizona without renting a car?
You can, but you’ll miss most scenic spots. Arizona’s best free activities (Horseshoe Bend, Sedona trails, scenic drives) are easier with a car. Public transport is limited outside cities.