WELCOME TO FUN IN THE SUN
Your stay in San Tan Valley is more than just a getaway—it’s the start of your Southwest adventure. From quiet desert mornings to road trips through world-famous landscapes, there’s no shortage of places to explore. Here are a few of our favorite suggestions to help you shape your journey.
Close-to-Home Gems
Superstition Mountains [30 minutes away]: Lace up your boots for some of Arizona’s most iconic desert hikes. Trails like Peralta and Hieroglyphic Canyon offer golden light, wildflowers in spring, and a taste of the legendary Lost Dutchman history.
Salt River [25 minutes away]: Spend a day floating, kayaking, or hiking along the riverbanks. Keep an eye out for the wild horses that roam freely here—they’re a true Arizona highlight.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum [40 minutes away]: Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, with desert plants, shady trails, and excellent birdwatching.
Queen Creek Olive Mill [15 minutes away]: A local favorite where you can tour the groves, taste olive oils, and enjoy a delicious meal under the trees.
Perfect Day Trips
Sedona [2.5 hours north, below left]: Known for its red rock formations, energy vortexes, and unforgettable hikes. Don’t miss Cathedral Rock at sunset.
Tucson [2 hours south]: Home to Saguaro National Park, Mission San Xavier del Bac, and vibrant Southwestern food culture.
Phoenix & Scottsdale [1 hour north]: Museums, shopping, golf, and a lively restaurant scene if you want a day in the city.
Longer Adventures
White Mountains [4 hours east]: If you’re here in summer, the cool pine forests and lakes make a refreshing escape from the desert heat.
Grand Canyon [4.5 hours north]: One of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes—worth the drive for a bucket-list experience.
Petrified Forest National Park [3.5 hours northeast]: Step into a prehistoric desert full of fossilized trees, painted mesas, and wide-open skies.
Utah and the Grand Circle Parks [6 – 8 hours north]: Amazing arches, hoodoos, night skies, and landscapes etched by time, do not miss out on these stunning parks.
Colorado and the San Juan Mountains [8 hours northeast]: Stunning mountain landscapes offering up wildflowers in summer and fall foliage in the autumn months. Captured against snow capped mountains, the yellow aspens are a sight to see.
A Few Travel Tips
Plan for the seasons: Summers are hot, so start early if you’re hiking. Spring and fall bring wildflowers and cooler temperatures—ideal for exploring.
Pack layers: Evenings in the desert can cool down quickly, no matter how warm the day was.
Leave room for spontaneity: Some of the best memories come from taking a side road or lingering longer at a place that calls to you.
No matter how you choose to spend your time, San Tan Valley makes the perfect home base for your Southwest journey.
AMAZING SOUTHWEST NATURAL SCENERY
Row by Row: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, White Pocket, Mt Humphries Flagstaff, Mesa Arch Canyonlands, Canyon X (indigenous Tours Only), Dallas Divide, San Juan Mountains, Cathedral Rock Sedona, Fantasy Canyon, Horse Thief Mesa Utah.
