Phoenix Arizona Desert Adventure – Sonoran Desert & UTV Photography | Southwest Trip Day 1
Updated 2026 – Southwest road trip itinerary and photography guide
Our Southwest road trip began in Phoenix, Arizona, where we flew in the night before and stayed with family north of the city. The next day we headed out into the Sonoran Desert for a UTV adventure, exploring rocky trails, desert landscapes, and some incredible scenery before continuing the trip toward Sedona.
This was the perfect way to start the trip, giving us a chance to experience the Arizona desert before heading north into red rock country.
We were ending our ATV adventure as the sun began to set. Pulled off for a second and literally shot this through the front of the ATV.
Exploring the Sonoran Desert Near Phoenix
The Sonoran Desert is one of the most unique desert environments in the United States, with rugged terrain, cactus-covered hills, and wide open views. Our UTV ride took us through several different types of terrain, including rocky climbs, sandy washes, and fast open stretches where we could really see how big the desert is.
Desert Photography in Arizona
Most of the photos from this day were taken in the middle of the day, which isn’t always ideal for photography, but the desert colors and wide landscapes still made for some great shots. The Sonoran Desert has a very different look compared to the red rock areas around Sedona, and it was a great contrast for the start of the trip.
Night Photography in the Sonoran Desert
That night we had a full moon, which gave me a chance to try some night photography in the Sonoran Desert. With a long exposure under the full moon, the landscape was bright enough to look almost like daylight, while the stars were still visible in the sky.
Shooting during a full moon can be great for landscape photography because the moonlight lights up the foreground, making it possible to capture desert scenery, mountains, and cactus while still keeping the night sky in the photo. It was a perfect way to end the first day of the trip before heading north toward Sedona.
Next Stop – Heading into Sedona, Arizona
The next part of the trip would take into Sedona, Arizona.
Southwest Road Trip Itinerary – Phoenix, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Zion & Las Vegas
Tomorrow - Phoenix to Sedona Road Trip – Driving into Red Rock Country
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