(17) Meet the Flintstones, Near Williams Photo by Richard Maack

Whether it’s the White Mountains or white-knuckle drives, frigid winters or scorching summers, Arizona has it all. So read on for adventures that will take you from Broadway theater to backcountry biking and will have you sleeping everywhere from a wigwam to the principal’s office. Think of it as a year’s worth of weekends, sorted by seasons.

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SPRING

1 Wake up in a Wigwam Holbrook
Historic Route 66 serves up many blasts from the past, and here’s a gem. Guests at Holbrook’s Wigwam Motel stay in stucco “wigwams” complete with cable TV. Original owner Chester Lewis apparently saw a wigwam village in Kentucky in 1938 and brought the idea to Holbrook. Profits from dime-operated radios went to the Kentucky proprietor in exchange for his plans, thus creating a “chain” before chains were the “in” thing.
Elevation: 5,069 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north to Flagstaff, then I-40 east to milepost 285. At the exit, turn right and head into Holbrook on Hopi Drive. The motel is at 811 W. Hopi Drive.
Driving Time: 3 hours (187 miles)
Hours: Check in between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m; check out at 11 a.m.
Rates: One double bed, $48 plus tax; two double beds, $54 plus tax
Info: 928-524-3048 or wigwam-motel-
arizona.com
Travel Tip: Forget WiFi and strap on your cell phone. Ma Bell never patronized these 14-foot diameter rooms.

2  Houston Mesa Road Payson
Rim country can be explored from the ground up, the rim down or via the multitude of roads that zigzag through it. A can’t-miss drive is Houston Mesa Road, abundant with cross-sections of the Mogollon Rim that include river crossings, ancient dwelling ruins and ample access to hiking and biking trails. The developed Houston Mesa Campground has flush toilets, showers, drinking water and picnic tables.
Elevation: 4,982 feet
Directions: Take Highway 87 north to Payson. From there, go north one mile and turn east onto Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road).
Driving Time: 1.5 hours (94 miles)
Rates: Tent camping sites at Houston Mesa are $20 per night. No RV hookups.
Lodging: Call 877-444-6777 to reserve a Houston Mesa campsite, or look for nearby Payson lodging at paysonrimcountry.com.
Info: Visit recreation.gov, then search for “Houston Mesa” under “park or facility name.”
Travel Tip: There is a quaint old water wheel plus a few modest waterfalls along the East Verde River near the Water Wheel campsite. Camping here is primitive but free.

3  Wilson Canyon Trail Sedona
This easy trail in the Coconino National Forest offers excellent views of Sedona’s red rock canyon walls, but if you time it right, you may see splashes of wildflowers as well. According to local author Christina Maxa’s book, Arizona’s Best Wildflower Hikes: The High Country, April is peak wildflower season along this trail. Experienced wildflower buffs will see the Palmer’s penstemon, mountain mahogany and Arizona bladderpod. The rest of us will just bask in the beauty of all the pretty flowers. The hike is three miles round-trip.
Elevation: 4,500 to 5,000 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north to Highway 179 into Sedona. At Highway 89A, go north 1.9 miles to the parking area on the north end of Midgely Bridge.
Driving Time: 2 hours (121 miles)
Hours: The trail is open year-round.
Fee: $5 Red Rock pass
Lodging: Visit fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/campgrounds for camping info in the Coconino Forest. For Sedona lodging, check out visitsedona.com.
Info: fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/wilson-canyon-tr.shtml