A Sedona to Grand Canyon road trip is
the perfect way to add a little adventure into your Sedona vacation. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is located 3 hours north of Sedona making it a relatively easy day trip or road trip opportunity. Believe me, if youve never been to the Grand Canyon before, its totally worth it. Once you arrive at Grand Canyon National Park, youll have plenty to see and do, even if you only plan to visit for the day. Ill include my
favorite things to do at the Grand Canyon down below, but once youre there, Im sure youll have no problem filling up your day. So if youre ready, gas up your car and lets get this Sedona to Grand Canyon road trip under way. Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links it helps to support this site at no extra cost to you.  A few quick notes on this Sedona to Grand Canyon itinerary. This post assumes youve already spent at least one day in Sedona (hopefully more) enjoying all the sights. If not, I encourage you not to miss Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock, Red Rock Crossing, Red Rock State Park, Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout, or stargazing at night. Youll want to get an early start on the day of your road trip to the Grand Canyon. I would leave by 7:00 a.m. at the latest to ensure you have a full day to visit the park and enjoy a few stops along the way. The drive north on State Route 89 is absolutely beautiful, so Im including a few stops between Sedona and Flagstaff in case you want to get a closer look. In the event that you dont have a car or dont want to drive, you can also take a one way Grand Canyon Railroad tour from Sedona. Its a little pricey, but its definitly a unque experience. Traveling Soon? Dont forget your travel insurance.
Stop 1: Oak Creek CanyonOak Creek Canyon has been described as a sort of mini Grand Canyon and is located about 12 minutes north of Sedona. If you havent already visited Oak Creek Canyon while you were exploring Sedona, now is the perfect time to stop for a quick look. As youre driving north out of Sedona youll cross the Midgley Bridge pictured above. Just past the bridge on the left youll find a small parking lot. Try and find a spot and walk down the stairs to the overlook. Its absolutely beautiful and definitely worth the quick stop.
Stop 2: Slide Rock State ParkSlide Rock State Park is another easy stop thats totally worth the extra effort. The park is home to a famous swimming hole in Oak Creek. Even better, theres an 80 foot long sandstone water slide, which is of course where the park gets its name. Even if you dont have time to swim or enjoy the water slide, this section of Oak Creek is worth seeing. Park your car in the parks main lot and head over to the paved walkway to the right of the ranger station. Youll take this paved walkway about 10 minutes or so until you see the stairs for Slide Rock on your right. At the bottom of the stairs youll be able to continue on the rocks towards the swimming hole and slide rock. Bring good shoes for this one, the rocks can get slippery. I estimate this stop at Slide Rock State Park will take about 30 to 40 minutes. If youre in a hurry to get to the Grand Canyon, you could easily make this stop about half that time if you move at a brisk pace and dont linger too long at the swimming hole.
Stop 3: Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor CenterOnce youve made it into Grand Canyon National Park, make your way over the Visitor Center and find a parking spot. At the Visitor Center you can get information about the park, Grand Canyon tours, and use the restroom after your long drive. This stop will also put you near one of the parks best lookouts over the canyon. That stop is next.
Stop 4: Mather Point LookoutThe views from Mather Point Lookout are incredible and this is one of my favorite lookouts at the Grand Canyon. The downside is that its also one of the busiest due to its proximity to the Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Village. Youll have the opportunit to escape the crowds a bit later. For now, just enjoy the view.
Stop 5: Grand Canyon VillageGrand Canyon Village is where youll find most of the parks lodging and restaurants. If youll be staying the night inside the park you can get checked into your room. If not, you may want to get lunch at one of the parks restaurants. You can also walk around the village and see the historic buildings and the old Grand Canyon Railroad Depot. The Grand Canyon Railway is actually still in operation with trains running between the Grand Canyon and Williams, Arizona. You can also find gift shops, ice cream, and a variety of other services. Once youve settled into your room or had grabbed some lunch, make your way back to the car so you can drive along the rim of the canyon to the other lookout points.
Stop 6: Desert View WatchtowerThe Desert View Watchtower is the easternmost lookout inside Grand Canyon National Park and my favorite place to go when I visit. I find the crowds are usually fairly light on this side of the park, and you cant beat that view. Once you find a parking spot, walk over to the left of the watchtower and find a place to sit along the edge of the canyon. Dont worry, its not a steep drop right here, but do be careful. Its actually quite peaceful in this spot, I could sit here for hours. If youre looking for a good sunrise spot at the Grand Canyon, this would be my choice. Once youre done taking in the view, make your way back over to the watchtower. You can get some good photos in and around the watchtower. To the right of this picture you will find stairs to climb to the top of the watchtower. Take your time to explore a bit, then head back to the car.
Stop 7: Tusayan Musuem and RuinsTusayan is one of over 4,000 archaeological sites located within Grand Canyon National Park. The Tusayan Museum and Ruins is a former Pueblo Indian site. Visitors can tour the musuem and ruins and learn about the history of the area which dates back to around AD 1185.
Stop 8: Grandview PointGrandview Point is where you can see vast sections of both the eastern and western portions of the Grand Canyon. Youll also get to see the Colorado River down below. If youre looking for an extremely challenging hike, the notoriously difficult Grandview Trail can be accessed from this lookout.
Stop 9: The AbyssThe Abyss lookout is located west of Grand Canyon Village along Hermit Road. This road requires taking a shuttle if youre visiting the park between March and November. You will take the Red Shuttle from Grand Canyon Village. Here is a map of the Red Shuttle stops along Hermit Road. The Abyss will be the 6th shuttle stop. If youre visiting the park from December to February, you may drive your personal vehicle on Hermit Road. The Abyss is known for its stunning red rocks and steep canyon views.
Stop 10: Sunset at Hermit’s Rest ViewpointIf you can time it right, try to catch sunset at Hermits Rest. This is the lookout closest to the west rim and looks westward over the canyon. For the best photos, arrive in time for golden hour. Final ThoughtsIf you have extra time, consider taking a Grand Canyon day tour organized by the park. The tours are incredibly interesting and youll learn a lot about the Grand Canyon. If you have even more time to spare, consider taking a trip up to the North Rim, the Little Colorado River Gorge, or nearby Horseshoe Bend. All are worth a visit if youve never been. Be sure to stop at Cameron Trading Post on your way out of the eastern section of the park if you still want souvenirs. I hope youve enjoyed this Sedona to Grand Canyon Road Trip Ininerary and that Ive helped inspire your next trip. If youd like to support this blog please consider sharing this post. As always, thanks for reading. Related PostsThe drive from Flagstaff to Sedona is one of the most beautiful drives in the… How to Visit Meteor Crater in ArizonaThe meteor crater in Arizona makes for a fun and unique stop when visiting popular… How to Catch an Epic Grand Canyon SunriseA Grand Canyon sunrise if the perfect way to begin your day while vacationing at… Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Road TripA Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip is the perfect addition to your southwestern… The Ultimate Phoenix to Sedona Road Trip ItineraryIf youre looking for some adventure on your Phoenix to Sedona road trip, this post… 12 Incredible Day Trips from PhoenixDay trips from Phoenix make the perfect way to explore the best of Arizona during… Eden Fite Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds I help busy people find creative ways to travel more. Can you do a day trip from Sedona to the Grand Canyon?A Sedona to Grand Canyon Day is a popular option as Sedona is a great base for exploring Arizona as there are a number of great hikes and shopping to enjoy. Driving from Sedona to the Grand Canyon will take approximately 2.5 hours each way meaning that you shouldn't spend too long lying in bed in the morning!
Is it easy to drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon?Planning a Sedona to Grand Canyon Drive
The drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon will be an easy one if you are going to the South Rim. It's a short drive, and the road conditions should be good in summer, although crowded. There will be plenty of gas stations and restaurants in Flagstaff and Williams.
Which Rim of Grand Canyon is closest to Sedona?Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim is 113 miles, a 2 hour 10-minute drive. Sedona to Grand Canyon East Rim is 153 miles, a 2 hour 45-minute drive. Sedona to Grand Canyon North Rim is 236 miles, a 4 hour 20-minute drive. Sedona to Grand Canyon West Rim is 242 miles, a 4-hour 10-minute drive.
Is Flagstaff or Sedona closer to Grand Canyon?Despite having few things to do, Flagstaff is located closer to major tourist sites such as the Grand Canyon. You can book onto a Grand Canyon full-day tour from either Sedona or Flagstaff. To get to the Grand Canyon, driving from Flagstaff will take 1.5 hours, however from Sedona it will take around 2 hours.
|
Distance from sedona az to grand canyon
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 muatrau Inc.
