Itinerary suggestions

Question

We'll be visiting the first week in April. Here's what I have roughly planned:

Day 1--fly in, pick up rental car, drive to Willcox to overnight

Day 2--Chiricahua National Monument, overnight in Benson

Day 3--Saguaro West, overnight at Lodge on the Desert

Day 4--Saguaro East, same

Day 5--Mount Lemmon, sky program, overnight at the Lodge

Day 6--drive to Winslow, overnight at La Posada

Day 7--Petrified Forest, overnight in Show Low

Day 8--Sabino Canyon, overnight nearby

Day 9--Titan Missile Museum am, fly home pm

I was planning my Saguaro East day to coincide with a lot of ranger programs including the night ranger program but maybe if we're doing the one on Mount Lemmon, that's overkill. Also, on day 8, we'll have to drive from Show Low to Sabino Canyon. Maybe that's too much driving to then also fit that in. We love to hike so that's tops for us.

Answer

Your planned itinerary for early April in southern and eastern Arizona is ambitious but definitely doable, especially if you enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. Here’s a detailed assessment and some suggestions to optimize your trip:

Day 1 – Arrival and drive to Willcox:

Flying in and driving directly to Willcox is reasonable. Depending on your arrival time, you could stretch your legs at the Chiricahua National Monument visitor center or nearby hiking spots if you have daylight.

Day 2 – Chiricahua National Monument:

Chiricahua offers excellent hiking with the Rock Garden and Echo Canyon trails being popular moderate options.
Consider starting early to avoid afternoon heat and get the best light for photography.
Overnight in Benson is fine; it’s about 2 hours’ drive from Chiricahua, giving you a relaxed evening.

Day 3 – Saguaro West / overnight at Lodge on the Desert:

Saguaro West (Tucson Mountain District) has scenic drives, short hikes like King Canyon or Valley View, and great sunset viewpoints.
Ranger programs are available; if you enjoy guided hikes or educational talks, try to fit one in the morning or late afternoon.

Day 4 – Saguaro East:

Saguaro East (Rincon Mountain District) has longer hiking options if you’re up for it, like the Signal Hill or Mica View trails.
Ranger programs are plentiful, but if you’re doing the Mount Lemmon night program, you might skip night programs here to avoid fatigue.
Keep this day flexible; focus on what you most want to hike or photograph.

Day 5 – Mount Lemmon and night sky program:

Mount Lemmon is fantastic in April, with cool temperatures and spring wildflowers at lower elevations.
The SkyCenter night program is worthwhile, especially if you are interested in astronomy; it’s a different experience from the desert ranger programs.

Day 6 – Drive to Winslow / overnight at La Posada:

This is a long driving day (~4.5–5 hours), so plan for breaks and possibly some scenic stops like Meteor Crater if interested.

Day 7 – Petrified Forest:

Petrified Forest National Park has short hikes to viewpoints and petroglyphs; the Blue Mesa and Giant Logs trails are highlights.
Overnight in Show Low is about a 2-hour drive; manageable for an afternoon arrival.

Day 8 – Sabino Canyon:

Driving from Show Low to Sabino Canyon is about 4.5–5 hours. That’s a long day, especially if you plan to hike. Consider whether you’d prefer to split this into two days or skip Sabino to relax and explore Tucson area more.
Sabino Canyon has tram rides for easier access to multiple trailheads if you want to hike selectively without overexerting.

Day 9 – Titan Missile Museum / departure:

Morning visit to the Titan Missile Museum is doable before your afternoon flight.
Plan enough buffer time for rental car return and airport security, especially if you’ve driven long distances the previous day.

Suggestions:

Consider moving Sabino Canyon to Day 3 or 4 to reduce backtracking and long drives late in the trip.
If you want to maximize hiking, prioritize the hikes at Chiricahua, Saguaros, and Mount Lemmon; use longer drive days for scenic stops and minimal walking.
Ranger programs are great, but don’t feel obligated to do all night programs—one at Mount Lemmon might be enough.

Overall, your itinerary is rich and varied. With minor adjustments to reduce long drives and avoid back-to-back night programs, you should have a very enjoyable early April Arizona trip with plenty of hiking and desert experiences.

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