Here Are 12 Mistakes Every Tourist Makes When Visiting Arizona

There is a thin line that separates a fun trip and one that’s completely spoiled because of a funny or stupid mistake. As excited you are about exploring the beautiful Grand Canyon State, you should be wary of these common tourist mistakes in Arizona. Come on, you know you can do better.

Mistake #1: Having only one destination: The Grand Canyon.

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You’re in the Grand Canyon state. Therefore, you should visit the Grand Canyon. We get it. But there are a lot of other cool things to do in Arizona aside from hiking one of the world’s best wonders.

Many tourists prefer to tour this destination because they want to make the most out of their stay in Arizona. And understandably so. You really shouldn’t leave without seeing this crazy canyon right in front of your eyes. But if you’re staying a bit longer and you have extra time to spare, you should consider making your itinerary extra colorful, and we don’t mean literally.

Go tour Phoenix and see all the cool murals they have. Grab a bite at the awesome restaurant that’s 200 feet below the ground in Peach Springs. Find serenity and be in awe of the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona. Or maybe, you can tour the Arizona towns with the funniest names.

Seriously, we could go on and on. Just do a bit more research and see what other destinations you can squeeze into your remaining days in the state. It will be worth it.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to drink water.

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Here’s the thing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re out for a quick morning jog in the city, or if you’re planning to hike the highest point in Tucson. No matter what happens, drink your water! Did you know that an average of 118 people die every year in Arizona from excessive heat? The majority of those deaths (95%) occur between May and September.

You should always, always, always hydrate yourself by drinking water, or else Arizona’s heat will kill you. We’re not joking. The rule is to drink more water than you normally do and bring more water with you than you think.

Mistake #3: Brushing off the signs of heat-related illnesses!

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If you don’t want to catch any heat-related illness such as heat stroke, you better drink water and watch out for any warning signs. It will be extremely difficult for you to tour the place especially if you’re not acclimated to the heat.

Some of the red flags you need to be alert about include dizziness, nausea, rapid and strong pulse, a throbbing headache, and extremely high body temperature (above 103°F). And of course, since heatstroke is a big emergency, you need to know how to deal with it when you’re in such a situation. Go to a shaded area, keep cool, and hydrate. Then, have someone call the medical assistance to avoid further complications.

Mistake #4: Messing with the cactus (or any of the state’s other desert plants).

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One of the great things about Arizona is that they keep a protective eye on their assets and wonders, such as their desert plants. There’s a lot of those in their land, and they plan to keep it that way. You should know that you absolutely cannot pick up, shoot, ram, or even dig up cactus and other native plants without a permit because these are protected plants. 

If you mess with Arizona’s plants, you better wear your grown-up pants and pack up a lot of courage because the cactus cops will arrest you. Violators are slapped with fines of $500 per plant and given a punishment of up to six months in jail. If you want to bring home a cactus to your home so much, why not just visit a cactus farm complete with everything you need? That is the safest choice, no doubt.

Mistake #5: Taking a lot of pictures and not minding you’re at the edge of the cliff.

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There are a lot of challenging hikes in Arizona that will lead you up and let you enjoy breathtaking views of the valley, as well as awesome rock formations. Do yourself a favor and remember to prioritize your safety above everything else. We understand that the glorious scenery before you need to be captured and cherished. But we sure hope it’s not at the expense of your life. Every year, a tourist falls off the side of the cliffs. The accident occurs mostly at the Grand Canyon or the famous Horseshoe Bend at Page.

If you’re taking a photo, do not stand too close to the edge to avoid tripping or sliding down. You need to be 101% more careful.

Mistake #6: Disturbing the wildlife.

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So you’ve picked a destination. You decided to relax, commune with nature, and see the wildlife up close. Now what? Well, this is not just one of the tourist mistakes in Arizona, but also a general mistake you can commit almost anywhere. Do not disturb the wildlife around you. Just go about relaxing in your spot, take a photo from afar, and be done with it. The animals want to stay in their own space, and you should respect that.

Mistake #7: Insisting to pass by a flooded area.

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When traveling across Arizona, you might come across signs that indicate “Do not enter when flooded.” Flash floods can happen within a moment’s notice, and there’s a chance you’ll be swept away to danger. Many unsuspecting drivers have fall victim to roads with water deeper than it looks. There is a “Stupid Motorist Law” in Arizona that states that any motorist who becomes stranded after driving around the barricades to enter a flooded stretch of roadway will be charged for the cost of their rescue.

Mistake #8: Not keeping an eye out for the rattlesnakes.

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This is probably one of the scary tourist mistakes in Arizona if you have a fear of reptiles. A lot of people prefer taking on a challenge during springtime because it’s warm enough, and not too hot. Apparently, you’re not the only one looking forward to this season. The snakes do, too. Arizona has a wide variety of snakes with as many as 40 species. The place is also home to about 19 different species of rattlesnakes, which is greater than anywhere in the world.

If you see one, don’t get freaked out. It’s totally normal, and they are just there in the natural environment, soaking up the beauty of the place the same as you. Think that they are not out to get you. So just keep your distance and slowly walk away.

Mistake #9: Vandalizing archaeological sites.

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We don’t want to give you any idea, but we still need to put it out here. Vandalizing archaeological sites and ancient ruins in Arizona is a stupid thing to do and you should know better. No matter where you are, it’s important to be a responsible and respectful traveler. If you don’t have an appreciation for common cultural and natural heritages, then at least leave it alone. Think of that as your way of protecting and preserving it so it can be enjoyed by others.

Mistake #10: Not planning a scenic road trip.

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Some say the best part of traveling is reaching your destination. We hate to argue, but sometimes, it’s also about the journey. They say don’t experience the beauty of Arizona from your car. We say, do it. Have the busy cities, high pine-filled mountains, and beautiful deserts as your view and plan an Arizona scenic road trip today! It’s worth it.

Mistake #11: Leaving trash behind.

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Imagine hiking up a beautiful trail and being in awe of nature’s raw and unfiltered beauty, only to see a mountain pile of trash blocking your way a few meters later. That sounds gross, no?

One of the bad tourist mistakes in Arizona include leaving trash lying around. It’s not cool because you should only be leaving your footprints there, not your garbage. If you get hungry and you need to snack up on your energy bar, by all means, do it. But don’t leave your trash behind. Put it in your bag. It’s easy.

Mistake #12: Ruining your trip because you committed any of these mistakes.

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We’re not perfect. You may have already committed one thing from this list of tourist mistakes in Arizona, before getting the chance to read this article. Life is the best teacher. So when something happens, do your best to get over it and strive to be better in the future. Of course, there are no do-overs if you fall off the cliff or die from heatstroke, so it’s best to avoid those two.

That’s it. Enjoy the beautiful Arizona!