Sunset Crater Volcano Loop travels through two national monuments and offers excellent scenery and interesting history as it explores the terrain of the San Francisco Volcanic Field and Painted Desert. Scenery includes the volcanic lava flow, Sunset Crater, and multiple indian ruins. There are visitor centers located in both Sunset Crater National Monument and Wupatki National Monument that provide lots of information regarding the monuments as well as restrooms and water. The loop follows a two-lane highway with medium shoulder space for riding.

The ride from Jacob Lake to the North Rim is one of the most scenic and worthwhile rides in all of Arizona, offering excellent scenery as you travel through forested terrain to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There are some small climbs and descents along the route that offer some challenge as well. The ride follows designated scenic byways that are smooth and well-maintained, but the roadway is narrow and there is some traffic so be cautious and pay attention when riding. The ride can be done as a long out-and-back day trip or as a two-day trip. Food and accommodations are available at the North Rim and Jacob Lake.

The ride up Mount Graham is considered to be one of the most challenging rides in all of Arizona, as it climbs up one of the tallest and steepest mountains in the state. The ride climbs from 3400 feet up to over 9000 feet and requires expert hill-climbing skills to complete. The views from the top are excellent and are a great reward for the hard work it takes to get there. The pavement ends signaling the turning back point for this ride. The ride down is also challenging as the narrow road has sharp turns, sections of gravel, and traffic that prevent bikers from flying down the mountain, so be prepared to use your breaks and hold back on the speed.

The Sky Island Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic, but challenging cycling routes in all of Arizona, climbing up a steep highway to Mt. Lemmon. The ride is popular amongst serious riders who want to push themselves, as the steep climb up is extremely difficult and the ride down requires cautious riding on a steep downhill grade. The temperatures drops significantly as you leave the desert floor and climb into the mountain terrain and summer thunderstorms can also cause extreme drops in temperature. There are accommodations and food available at Mount Lemmon Ski Resort.

Featuring the Valley of Fire and views of Lake Mead, this route is that used by a very popular annual event in the Vegas area by the same name. Event details can be found at tdfire.com. This route features all the great pieces of a century+ ride, including great climbs (not too difficult at around 8.5% slope), downhills, flat sections, and of course, breathtaking views.

This short out-and-back ride follows Upper Red Rock Loop Road in Sedona, passing some of the most well-known and scenic red rock formations in the area. The ride also passes the road that leads to Crescent Moon Picnic Area which is a great resting spot for taking pictures and viewing Cathedral Rock. The ride follows a gradual downhill grade along a two-lane highway with a narrow shoulder so pay close attention to traffic along the way. The road does continue on after the pavement ends completing a loop back up to Highway 89A but this requires riding a short section of unpaved roadway.

This out-and-back trip along Hermit Road offers some very impressive scenery as it follows the rim of the massive Grand Canyon. The park road is only open to shuttle buses between March and November and sees little traffic during the winter months resulting in low-vehicle traffic all year. There are lots of good overlook points along the way that make excellent rest spots. There is lodging, food, and other amenities available at Grand Canyon Village.

Starting from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, this scenic ride travels along Lake Powell between the Glen Canyon Dam and Wahweap Marina, providing riders with amazing views along the way. Multiple overlook spots along Lake Shore Drive and Wahweap Marina make excellent resting spots, and the marina also offers a lodge with dining and access to the lake. The ride follows a two-lane highway with no shoulder so be cautious and pay close attention to traffic.

Saguaro National Park is a large natural area of classic Sonoran desert located in the Tucson area that offers some very scenic roadway for cycling. This ride follows Cactus Forest Drive located in the eastern section of the park, completing a loop of over 8 miles that is a good challenge for beginners. There is a steep downhill section, a strenuous climb, and lots of small rollers along the narrow roadway. The national park service does charge a small fee for bicycles entering the park.

This is a great ride full of hills, turns and big scenery. There is little traffic. Make sure that you are self-sufficient as there is no support anywhere on this ride. This is a two day ride. There are no towns on the ride so you will have to camp. There is no shoulder on the road so this should be only attempted by expert riders.