The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip: Grand Canyon, Sedona, Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley

By the Backseat View

Arizona- Land of Red Rock and Endless Sky

Arizona is a state of dramatic extremes- towering canyon walls, red rock deserts, pine-covered mountains, and wide-open skies. Few places on Earth feel as ancient, vast, or visually striking. Arizona delivers iconic landmarks alongside quiet desert moments that linger long after the trip ends.

There are numerous ways to experience Arizona, and the English language can’t capture the beauty found here. Let’s hit Arizona’s highlights, then go over the Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary.

Arizona Travel Guide

Iconic Attractions

1. Grand Canyon National Park

It’s one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and needs no introduction. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the Grand Canyon’s vastness is impossible to capture in photos. Sunrise and sunset along the South Rim are unforgettable.

We have done the Grand Canyon on a day flight tour from Las Vegas. The tour included a stop at Bryce Canyon, which is stunning. The plane landed, and we joined a bus tour and spent a day enjoying the canyon views.

2. Monument Valley

Massive sandstone buttes rising from the desert floor create one of America’s most iconic landscapes. It’s best experienced with a Navajo-guided tour for deeper cultural insight. Do you remember the point where Forrest Gump stops his cross-country run? Well, this is it.

3. Antelope Canyon

A slot canyon near the town of Page is renowned for its swirling sandstone walls and mesmerizing light beams. The Upper Canyon is easier to visit, being wider and flatter than Lower Antelope Canyon. Guided tours are required and booked months in advance. Combine with nearby Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell for a longer trip.

Hidden Gems

1. Sedona’s Hidden Trails

Beyond the popular red rock hikes are quieter paths like:

• Doe Mountain-1.5 mile round-trip, moderate, with 360-degree views of Boynton Canyon. Go at sunset and wait for the stars to come out, then hike back with headlamps for an unforgettable night.
• West Fork– known for red rock scenery, lush vegetation, and numerous creek crossings
• Boynton Canyon is a six-mile round-trip hike offering serenity with towering red cliff scenery. People combine this with Subway Cave.
  

2. Phoenix’s Best Trails

• Piestewa Peak is a 2.4-mile challenging trail with steep inclines, but the view is awesome.
• Butcher Jones Trail is a 5.8-mile kid-friendly trail that is rated easy with excellent views. For sunset, travel 1.4 miles down the trail, then turn around after sunset.
• Canyon of the Waterfalls is 4.7 miles with a seasonal waterfall within the Superstition Mountain Range.
  

3. Chiricahua National Monument

Often called a “Wonderland of Rocks,” this remote park features towering stone spires and peaceful trails with far fewer visitors. This place is off the charts and completely overlooked. It’s south of Phoenix near Tucson.

4. Jerome

A former mining town perched on Cleopatra Hill, now filled with art galleries, historic buildings, and sweeping desert views. Quirky, artistic, and full of character. It was known as the “Wickedest Town in the West” and is reputed to be haunted. The entire town is preserved as a National Historic Landmark. It’s a day trip from Sedona. I mean, who doesn’t want to eat at the Haunted Hamburger or the Asylum? With more time, you can overnight at the Grand Hotel, visit the museum and shop at Nelly Bly.

Best City to Visit

Sedona

Sedona isn’t a city in the traditional sense- it’s a landscape experience. It’s two hours north of Phoenix and two hours from the Grand Canyon. If your flight lands in Phoenix, you will pass Sedona on your way to the Grand Canyon. It’s also near Flagstaff, Jerome, and Williams for day trips.

Why it stands out:

• Surrounded by red rock formations
• World-class hiking steps from town, such as Cathedral Rock, Keyhole Cave, Devil’s Bridge, Chapel Trail, Bell Rock, Subway Cave (6 miles), and Seven Sacred Pools on the Soldiers Pass, then onto the cave.
  

• Spiritual sites and scenic drives
• Excellent food at Hudson’s, Elote (reservations), Indian Garden, Secret Garden, and Mariposa.
• Several wellness retreats and spas like Spa of Sedona & New Day
• Stunning sunrise and sunset views – The airport has a scenic lookout for sunsets.
• Stargazing (Dark Sky Community)
• Sedona Wolf Sanctuary (reservations weeks in advance)
  

Best Nature Experience

Hiking the Grand Canyon

Even walking partway down into the canyon- such as the South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trail- gives perspective on its scale. Early mornings offer cooler temps and fewer crowds. Hiking the Grand Canyon is the “correct answer.” However, I’m just going to stand on top and wave at the serious hikers. I am not climbing back up.

Best Small Town

Williams

A historic Route 66 town that serves as the gateway to the Grand Canyon via the Grand Canyon Railway.

Why travelers love it:

• Nostalgic Route 66 charm
• Bearizona Wildlife Park with a drive-thru and walk-thru park with bears, wolves, bison, and large cats.
• Grand Canyon Deer Farm
• Family-friendly atmosphere
• Easy access to the Grand Canyon, an hour’s drive
• Mountain town feel with classic diners
  

Best Animal Encounters

1. Desert Wildlife in Saguaro National Park-Spot desert tortoises, Gila monsters, and a wide variety of birds.
2. Wild Horses- Salt River-See herds roaming the Salt River area near Phoenix while kayaking or tubing.
3. Elk & Deer- Northern Arizona
4. Coconino National Forest and areas near Flagstaff offer frequent elk sightings, at dawn and dusk.

5. Zoo’s

Arizona is blessed with so many animal attractions. Here are the top contenders.

• Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park near Phoenix
• Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde (between Phoenix and Sedona)
• Bearizona Wildlife Park & the Grand Canyon Deer Farm in Williams
• Phoenix Zoo– Most popular attraction in this section.
• Butterfly Wonderland & OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale (near Phoenix)
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson has a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden. Tucson also has Reid Park Zoo.
  

Unique Arizona Experiences

• Hot air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise (Phoenix has Rainbow Ryders & Sedona has Northern Light Balloon Expeditions)
• Jeep tours through Sedona’s red rock terrain (several companies)
• Stargazing in Flagstaff (a certified Dark Sky City)
• Walking Route 66, in historic towns
• Floating Horseshoe Bend by kayak

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) & Fall (September- November) have ideal weather, blooming desert flowers, great hiking conditions, and fewer crowds

This is your perfect Spring Break & Fall Break trip!

Whew, that’s a lot of facts. Now, let’s put it all together for the perfect Arizona Road Trip. Y’all know I travel with my boys, so this road trip is flexible with less than three hours of driving most days.

Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Since we are visiting so many National Park Areas, buy the America the Beautiful Pass, which is good for all year.

Day 1– Arrive in Phoenix

(A Las Vegas arrival is also an option, with a four-hour drive to Sedona.)

• Visit the Phoenix Zoo
• Go on a hike- Camelback Mountain or Dobbins Lookout
• Desert Botanical Gardens
• Visit Old Town Scottsdale with boutiques, galleries, and nightlife. Scottsdale is called the “Beverly Hills of the West.”

Day 2– Phoenix to Sedona

• 2-hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona
• Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
• The Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park (600 species)
• Stop in Jerome
• Arrive in Sedona

Day 3- Sedona: Red Rocks & Reflection

Morning:

• Sunrise at Airport Mesa
• Hike Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock
• Lunch in downtown Sedona and explore shops

Afternoon & Evening

• Scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon
• Visit the Wolf Sanctuary
• Sunset at Red Rock Crossing or Boynton Canyon
• Option: Book a Jeep Tour through the red rock terrain with Arizona Safari Jeep Tours, which usually last 3 hours.
• Personally, I would add another day here for hiking.

Day 4- Grand Canyon

Morning: Drive 2 hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim

Midday:

• Walk Rim Trail
• Hike partway down South Kaibab Trail
• Picnic with canyon views

Afternoon:

• Visit Desert View Watchtower
• Spot condors along the rim
• Watch the sunset over the canyon

Park Lodging:

• El Tovar -$350 plus -upscale & views on the rim of the canyon
• Bright Angel Lodge (cabins)
• Kachina Thunderbird Lodges on the rim, but no canyon views
• In the town of Tusayan
  

Day 5- Antelope Canyon

• 2.5-hour drive – need to book a tour EARLY!
• Antelope Canyon 2-hour Tours– Book MIDDAY slots when the light pierces the upper canyon!
• Tip: Rent a kayak at Wahweap Marina in the late afternoon to explore nearby coves when the day-trippers have departed.
  
• An Incredible view is a short drive up to Glen Canyon Dam Overlook.

Lodging:

• Stay in the town of Page for a convenient, practical area.
• Lake Powell area for boating near the Wahweap Marina is the Lake Powell Resort
• Overnight inside Antelope Canyon for an Authentic Navajo Nation experience.
• Greenhaven is a quiet escape community with Horseshoe Bend views about a mile from commercialized Page with Marble Canyon Lodge or Hampton Inn.
  

WAVE Permits

• The WAVE is a world-renowned sandstone formation with vibrant red and orange stripe patterns. You basically can’t go, so everyone wants to.
• Apply to win an impossible (64 people a day..4% chance of winning) WAVE permit 4 months in advance or the day-before lottery on Recreation.gov.
• Apply two days before using the recreation.gov app.
• When applying, which trailhead to enter: Wire Pass, answer yes to hiring a guide, license plate: UTAH, for the number put GUIDE, recreation fee: NO

Hiking the Wave

• If you apply for a permit on Monday and win, you show up on Tuesday at 8:30 sharp for a safety briefing before being handed a permit. Then, hike on Wednesday with one gallon of water per person.
• The Wave is a 1.5-hour drive from Page, then a moderate 6.5-mile round-trip hike, with no official trail, so download maps at AllTrails. It takes ALL DAY!
  

Day 6- Lake Powell & Horseshoe Bend

• Horseshoe Bend Overlook has the dramatic views over the 1,000-foot-deep canyon to the river.
• Take a boat tour on Lake Powell to see Glen Canyon Dam & fish for bass, catfish, and walleye.
• Kayak the coves
• If you are pushed for time, combine Horseshoe Bend with Antelope Canyon Day. This is my flexible day in case someone gets sick (never fails).
  

Day 7 – Monument Valley

• Monument Valley is a two-hour drive from the Lake Powell area & we are returning to Lake Powell for overnight.
• Must-See View Points: West & East Buttes, Merrick Butte, John Ford’s Point, & Three Sisters.
• Best at sunrise for fewer crowds.
• Take a Navajo-guided jeep tour for legends, history, and hidden arches.
  

Option 2: Route 66 & Flagstaff

• It’s a two-hour drive from the Horseshoe Bend Area, so overnight in Flagstaff.
• Flagstaff is a train town.
• Ride the Grand Canyon Railway
• Explore Flagstaff’s downtown
• Ride the scenic chairlift to the Arizona Snowbowl.
• Visit Walnut Canyon National Monument- cliff dwellings
• Walk the 1-mile-long Lava River Cave
• Stargazing in Flagstaff- visit the Lowell Observatory
  

Day 8- Williams

• Drive 6 hours to Williams for overnight.
• Explore the Bearizonia
• The Grand Canyon Deer Farm to feed and pet deer.
• Driving Route 66
  

Day 9: drive back to Phoenix

• 2.5 Hours (3.5 hours if flying out of Vegas)
• Stop at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park- Let’s go on a Safari!
• The Butterfly Wonderland & Aquarium
  

Day 10- Fly out

• If you have a late flight out, drive back to Phoenix & fly out on the same day.
• It’s easy to extend this trip another week and see the National Parks in Utah.
  

Final Thoughts on Arizona

Arizona feels timeless. Its vast landscapes, deep canyons, and quiet desert moments invite reflection and awe. Whether you’re hiking red rock trails, watching condors soar, or standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, Arizona leaves travelers feeling small- in the best possible way.

Thank you so much for reading my Arizona Road Trip. Time’s a Ticking so book that trip & make those memories! Here are a few more places to explore. The Ultimate 10-Day Washington Road Trip Guide starts in Seattle, visits Lavender Farms, the rainforest of Olympic National Park, then continues to Oregon’s waterfalls and ends in Mount Rainier National Park.