Exploring AZ: 5 Hikes Paired with Delicious Places to Eat
Arizona travel writer Roger Naylor joins us to share 5 unforgettable Arizona hikes paired with the perfect local meal afterward. From Monument Valley and the Chiricahuas to Flagstaff and Tucson, we’re talking hidden gems, scenic trails, Sonoran hot dogs, Navajo tacos, and some of the best burgers in the state. If you’re looking for unique Arizona road trip ideas and outdoor adventures, this episode is packed with inspiration.
In a recent episode of the This Travel Tribe podcast, Arizona travel writer and author Roger Naylor shared some of his favorite hikes in the state — paired with the perfect post-hike meal.
Honestly? It’s the kind of combination that makes you want to load up the car and plan a road trip immediately.
From hoodoo-filled national monuments to quiet river trails near the Grand Canyon, here are five Arizona adventures that combine incredible scenery with memorable local food.
Get all of Roger’s info at his website! rogernaylor.com
1. Chiricahua National Monument + Bisbee Burgers
Hike: Heart of Rocks Loop
Tucked into southeastern Arizona near the New Mexico border, Chiricahua National Monument feels wildly underrated. Roger described it as the kind of place that would be on license plates if it were located in almost any other state.
The Heart of Rocks Loop takes hikers through a surreal landscape of towering rock formations, balanced boulders, and volcanic hoodoos shaped over millions of years. Along the trail, you’ll spot formations with names like:
Duck on a Rock
Mushroom Rock
Camel’s Head Rock
Big Balanced Rock
Kissing Rocks
The full hike is about 7.3 miles round trip and is considered moderate, with some climbing and higher elevation sections around 6,000–7,000 feet.
Why it’s worth the drive
Cooler mountain temperatures
Forested sections with shade
Incredible geology and photography
Excellent birdwatching opportunities
One of Arizona’s true hidden gems
Travel tip
This is best as an overnight or weekend trip from Phoenix. Stay in Bisbee for the full experience — an artsy former mining town filled with historic hotels, ghost tours, live music, and quirky charm.
Eat Here: Dot’s Diner in Bisbee
After hiking through the Chiricahuas, Roger recommends heading to Dot’s Diner, a retro 1950s-style diner located at the Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court.
The diner itself is a restored Valentine diner from 1957, complete with picnic tables and vintage roadside vibes.
Order this:
A classic burger
Fries and a milkshake
Anything enjoyed after earning it on the trail
Bonus experience
You can actually stay overnight in restored vintage Airstream trailers at the Shady Dell for a full retro Arizona weekend.
2. Tucson Desert Views + Sonoran Hot Dogs
Hike: Hugh Norris Trail
If you want classic Sonoran Desert scenery, this trail delivers.
Located in the western district of Saguaro National Park, the Hugh Norris Trail climbs toward Wasson Peak through forests of towering saguaros and expansive desert ridgelines.
The hike is about 10 miles round trip and considered moderate, but the views are the payoff.
Expect:
Sweeping desert panoramas
Ridgeline hiking
Endless saguaro cacti
Spring wildflowers after rain
Views stretching toward Mexico
Roger called this one of the trails that made him fall in love with the Arizona desert.
Eat Here: El Güero Canelo
Tucson is famous for its food scene, and Roger paired this hike with one of the city’s most iconic meals: the Sonoran hot dog.
At El Güero Canelo, the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon and tucked into soft buns before being topped with:
Pinto beans
Tomatoes
Onions
Jalapeño sauce
Mustard and other toppings
It’s messy, flavorful, and absolutely worth it after 10 miles on the trail.
Fun fact
El Güero Canelo earned a James Beard Award — for a hot dog!!!
3. A Peaceful Summer Escape in Flagstaff
Hike: Sandy’s Canyon Trail
When Phoenix temperatures hit triple digits, Flagstaff becomes the perfect escape.
Sandy’s Canyon Trail is one of those quieter hikes that locals love because it’s easy, scenic, and relaxing without requiring an intense workout.
The trail winds through:
Open grassy meadows
Pine forest
Sandstone canyon walls
Summer wildflowers
It also connects with the Arizona Trail if you want to extend your adventure.
Perfect for:
Families
Casual hikers
Summer afternoons
Slower-paced outdoor days
Sometimes the best hikes aren’t the hardest ones.
Eat Here: Tiki Grill
Flagstaff may not seem like the place you’d expect island-inspired food, which is exactly why Tiki Grill stands out.
Tiki Grill serves:
Fish tacos
Shrimp tacos
Blackened catfish
Burgers
Cajun fries
Vegetarian-friendly options
It’s casual, unexpected, and exactly the kind of local spot that makes road trips memorable.
4. Monument Valley: The Ultimate Western Landscape
Hike: Wildcat Trail
If you’ve ever imagined the American West, this is probably what you pictured.
Located in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, the Wildcat Trail loops around West Mitten Butte and offers some of the most iconic scenery in the Southwest.
Why this trail is special
It’s one of the only self-guided trails in Monument Valley
You hike directly on the valley floor
The scenery feels cinematic
Sunrises and monsoon clouds here are unforgettable
The loop is about 3.8 miles and relatively easy.
Roger described it as one of the trails that fulfills every childhood western movie dream.
Eat Here: Amigo Café
After exploring Monument Valley, stop in Kayenta at Amigo Café for traditional Navajo comfort food.
What to order
Navajo taco
Fry bread burger
Mutton stew
Burritos
The Navajo taco comes piled high with beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, and other toppings over warm fry bread — the perfect post-hike meal.
5. Marble Canyon + One of Arizona’s Best Burgers
Hike: River Trail at Lee’s Ferry
Near the northern edge of Arizona, the River Trail at Lee’s Ferry offers a completely different kind of desert beauty.
This short riverside trail follows the Colorado River through Marble Canyon, weaving past:
Historic ferry ruins
Old mining sites
Sandy riverbanks
Towering canyon walls
It’s peaceful, scenic, and rich with Arizona history.
Bonus activity
Lee’s Ferry is also famous for kayaking. Many visitors paddle the calm stretch upstream toward Horseshoe Bend before returning downstream.
Eat Here: Cliff Dwellers Restaurant
In the middle of nowhere — somehow — sits one of Roger’s favorite burgers in Arizona.
Cliff Dwellers Restaurant is part lodge, part general store, part fishing outpost, and part hidden-gem restaurant.
What makes it memorable
Incredible Vermilion Cliffs views
A remote desert setting
Huge burgers
Patio dining surrounded by canyon scenery
This is the kind of place where one hike turns into a three-day road trip.
Why Arizona Is Perfect for Road Trips
One thing Roger kept coming back to throughout the conversation was Arizona’s diversity.
Within just a few hours, you can go from:
Saguaro deserts
To pine forests
To alpine lakes
To red rock canyons
To Navajo Nation landscapes
To cool mountain towns
And along the way, there’s always somewhere good to eat.
Sometimes the best Arizona adventures aren’t the famous bucket-list stops. They’re the quiet hikes, roadside diners, hidden cafés, and scenic detours you discover in between.