Grand Canyon, Sedona red rocks, Monument Valley, Vote now on Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll

Arizona's scenery, from its saguaro cactus-lined deserts to rust-colored canyons and volcanic mountains, provides a backdrop for some of the most stunning views in the country.

The Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll launched last week, with 10 worthy contenders going head to head in a reader poll to determine the most stunning Arizona view everyone should see at least once. Round 1 of voting closed Sunday, with hundreds of readers voting to determine the three finalists.

Kathryn Severn shared a photo of the North Rim view from the Lower Observation Room at the North Rim Lodge on July 3, 2025.

The top three vote-getters have made it to the second round of the Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll.

The winner of the Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll will be announced on July 29.

But first, let's meet the final three contenders.

Grand Canyon

Formed millions of years ago through the uplift of igneous and metamorphic rock and carved by the Colorado River through erosion, the Grand Canyon is one of America's greatest geological treasures. Those who photographed and painted the canyon over the years have inspired generations of travelers with their depictions of the canyon's grandeur and vast scope, but nothing compares to seeing it for yourself. Travelers can do just that from overlooks on the South Rim, such as Mather Point and popular sunrise/sunset viewing spot Hopi Point, or the less crowded North Rim via Cape Royal and Bright Angel Point. (Please note: The North Rim is closed for the rest of the 2025 season due to the Dragon Bravo Wildfire.)

Sedona red rocks

The rust-colored hue of the sandstone buttes that tower over Sedona — a vibrant color that came from iron oxidation — captures the awe of travelers from around the world. About 3 million people visit Sedona each year to see the red rocks, often through hikes or Jeep tours. The landscapes based around the red rocks are not only celebrated for their beauty, but also are believed to have healing properties. Cathedral Rock, the marquee attraction of Sedona's red rock vistas, is considered a vortex that has healing energy. There's even a Roman Catholic church, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built within the buttes.

Monument Valley

Rising to 1,000 feet above the rugged desert landscape, the majestic sandstone buttes of Monument Valley anchor a dramatic scenic vista. Located on the Navajo Nation straddling the Arizona-Utah state line, Monument Valley's most famous formations are the Mitten Buttes (East Mitten and West Mitten) and Merrick Butte, which are closely situated together and appear almost as if they're in a row. If Monument Valley feels familiar, even if you've never been there, that's probably because you've seen it in a movie. Monument Valley was a filming location for 101 movies, mostly Westerns, by the Internet Movie Database's count.

Vote now on Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected].