Desert to red rock to canyon rim — Arizona's two most-visited landscapes, connected by a single drive.
Head north on I-17 — the desert starts climbing into pine forest surprisingly fast.
Red rock formations right at road level — Cathedral Rock is the classic viewpoint.
A high-elevation college town, and the last real stop before the canyon.
The South Rim — Mather Point is the classic first look, a short walk from the visitor center.