Grand tour: Discover the natural wonders of Arizona

Millions of years old, a mile deep and visible from space, it’s no wonder the Grand Canyon is Arizona’s number one tourist attraction, and high up on any traveller’s bucket list.

But this is a state full of big, impressive natural wonders, with plenty of must-see moments that can be experienced in one unforgettable trip.

The North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon are both accessible, but most of its five million annual visitors flock to the south, which has more accommodation, amenities and trails.

Spectacular from any angle, there are plenty of viewpoints for those all-important photos, and those with a healthy level of fitness can take the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail down to the Colorado River winding through the canyon’s base.

By far the most fun way to reach the South Rim is by taking the Grand Canyon Railway train from Williams, a small, historic, “western”-style town with streets lined with saloons and barbecue joints.

During the comfortable two-hour journey in the traditional carriages a host of colourful characters entertain – transporting you right back to 1901, when the railway first opened to take early visitors to the Grand Canyon.

You’ll be itching for that first glimpse of the canyon as you disembark and it really is as breathtaking as you’d expect.

It’s almost incomprehensibly vast, but as the light changes the peaks, valleys and rock layers display their rugged beauty. It’s particularly special at sunrise and sunset, although be sure to bring extra layers of clothes, as temperatures significantly drop as the sun goes down.

Follow the Colorado River 140 miles upstream for another unmissable view, Horseshoe Bend.

The viewpoint at the top of the sheer cliff is the perfect spot to capture the river’s tight loop through the land a thousand feet below, although there’s not a guard rail in sight, so steady footing and a head for heights are recommended.

From here, we headed to nearby Lake Powell. Imagine the Grand Canyon filled with water and you’re not far off.

It’s America’s second-largest man-made lake (created with the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam) and even reaches Utah.

We took a leisurely boat trip around the water as the sun was setting, marvelling at the impressive rock formations that shape the lake.

Nearby Antelope Canyon, with its narrow, twisting rock walls of orange striations shaped by millions of years of weather, is worth a visit, although be prepared for crowds and a hurried, albeit informative, walk through by the Navajo guides who own the land.

One place you won’t feel crowded is Monument Valley, a couple of hours’ drive northeast. The View Hotel is one of just two accommodation options in the huge Navajo Tribal Park and, as its name suggests, the panoramas from the bedrooms, restaurant and terraces are stunning.

With blue skies and miles of barren orange sand, broken up with monolithic sandstone buttes, the iconic scenery has provided a backdrop for countless movies, from John Ford’s classic westerns to Forrest Gump.

Take a jeep tour with a Navajo guide to see rock formations such as The Mittens, The Elephant and The Three Sisters up close. It was one of many moments during my trip that made me feel incredibly small.

This is by no means all there is to see and do in Arizona, but these spots shouldn’t be missed. I left weary and dusty, but with a new sense of wonder for the world.

Laura travelled with the Arizona Office of Tourism (visitarizona.com). A Pullman Class adult ticket on the Grand Canyon Railway (thetrain.com) costs from $ 65 (£50). Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers rooms from $ 199.99 (£155) per night (thetrain.com/lodging-food). The View Hotel offers rooms from $ 209 (£162) per night (monumentvalleyview.com/the-view-hotel).