Last Updated: May 2, 2026
If you’re road-tripping through Arizona and looking for a laid-back base camp between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, Black Canyon City, Arizona is worth a longer look. Located about 45 miles north of Phoenix along I-17, it’s easy to overlook — but we spent a week here and discovered it punches well above its weight for outdoor activities, wildlife, and relaxation.
After Petrified Forest National Park and Sedona, our goal was simple: soak up some warmth before heading north to the Grand Canyon, restock at a nearby Costco, and wait on a few Amazon deliveries. What we got was fresh-squeezed juice every morning, daily hot tub soaks, a trip to a world-class botanical garden, and a visit to the largest public shooting facility in the United States. Sometimes the practical stops turn into the best ones.
