Grand Canyon road trip: the best of nature on four wheels
Difficulty
Distance
Recom. Days
Trip type
Grand Canyon Road trip
Grand Canyon Road trip
Stop One: Explore the arts in Sedona
Stop One: Explore the arts in Sedona
A desert town in Arizona, this thriving little hub is surrounded by pine forests, steep canyon walls, and red-rock buttes. It’s well known for its mild climate and a killer arts community. Uptown is littered with spas, New Age shops, and art galleries while the outskirts of the town offer numerous access points to the Red Rock State Park.
Sedona is a hub for quaint urban culture combined with some of the best natural landscapes in the world. Whether you’re into grazing good food at excellent restaurants or hiking Arizona’s natural wonders, you can do it all from Sedona.
Visiting
Sedona
1
Recom. Days
117 miles
from Phoenix
1h54 min
drive
Visit
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
The largest natural travertine bridge in the world, this is a must-see on your way from Phoenix to Sedona. Adult admission is $7 a day.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
This monument is a set of well-preserved dwellings used by the Sinagua people. Adult admission is $10 for seven days.
Devil’s Bridge
A natural arch in Sedona. The only way to get there is to hike. Admission is free.
Parking
Parking in Sedona
Uptown Sedona has heaps of free parking – four all-day free lots and five 3-hour free lots. Metered parking along Main Street in Uptown is in effect from 9 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Outside of those hours is free. Parking will start from $2 for the first hour and steadily increase from there.
Public Parking, Sinagua Garage
Free
A free parking garage with some great views.
Public Parking, Red Rock News Lot
Free
Open from dawn to dusk, start your canyon adventure here
Eat at
Tii Gavo
$$
Featuring an outdoor terrace and fire pit, this restaurant is the perfect place to sit back and dine while you take in the scenery.
Elote Cafe
$
With a menu inspired by the owners travels across Oaxaca, Veracruz, Puebla, and his native Arizona, this cafe isn’t to be missed.
Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits
$$$
What started as a saloon and pool hall is now an attraction unto itself. Visit and soak up the history of this charming place.
Stay at
Rancho Sedona RV Park
$$
This tranquil RV park is well shaded and has plenty of amenities. Prices depend on your date of travel.
Munds Park RV Resort
$$
Directly adjacent to Coconino tiol Forest, this park is cool and calm with a neighborhood feel. Prices depend on your date of travel.
Stop Two: Indulge your love of the outdoors in Flagstaff
Stop Two: Indulge your love of the outdoors in Flagstaff
Situated in the high country mountains of northern Arizona, Flagstaff is renowned for being a year-round excellent destination.
Winter sees an average of 108 inches of snowfall in downtown while Spring sees the local contiguous emerald green ponderosa pine forest come to life with blooms. Summer temperatures average in the low 80s, sporting crystal blue skies and crisp mountain air. Fall sees the city turn into a panoramic canvas of foliage, with the eye overtaken with reds, oranges, and purples.
Visitors to Flagstaff can expect urban excitement and natural wonders, all at your RV doorstep. Whether you’re into outdoor winter sports or are looking for a place to take in some good food, Flagstaff has it all.
Visiting
Flagstaff
2
Recom. Days
29,5 miles
Sedona
43 min
Sedona
Visit
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
For the science nerds in the audience, this monument is one of the best in the area. Prices can range from free up to $25 per vehicle.
San Francisco Peaks & Arizona’s Highest Point
The once volcanic mountain range of San Francisco Peaks contains 6 of the highest peaks in Arizona. Hiking the area is a must.
Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Chairlift
This Scenic Chairlift offers an awesome bird’s eye view of Arizona. A trip will cost you $29.
Parking
Parking in Flagstaff
Most county and city lots are free after 5 pm on weekends. Flagstaff also has plenty of on-street metered parking – pricing is $1 per hour with no time limit.
P1D Nau parking lot
$$
A clean, well-lit parking lot.
Parking Lot Flagstaff Shopping Center
A well-positioned shopping center car park.
Eat at
Shift Kitchen & Bar
$$
Specializing in share plates, this is a great restaurant to visit with friends and family.
Delhi Palace
$
Touted as the best Indian food in Flagstaff, this restaurant isn’t to be missed if you’re in the mood for a sumptuous curry.
Pizzicletta
$$
Wood-fired pizzas that cook in less than two minutes. Now that’s service!
Stay at
Woody Mountain RV Park & Campground
Surrounded by majestic pine trees, this park is a beautifully shady spot from which to explore the area. Prices range from $40 to $65 per night.
Mormon Lake RV Park and Campground
Located a little way south on the banks of Mormon Lake, this RV park has everything you might need. Pricing starts from $46 per night.
Fort Tuthill County Park
Located just 10 minutes outside the city, this park isn’t to be beaten on location. Prices start from $20 per night.
Stop Three: Embrace the wonder of the Grand Canyon
Stop Three: Embrace the wonder of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the most fascinating places in the world. An area of unparalleled natural wonder, it sports a number of geologic features, extensive fossil records, and rich archaeological history.
Erosion by geological activity and the Colorado River did the job of creating the canyon we see today. It’s one of the United States’ most popular tourist attractions, drawing crowds of over five million people per year. Those who visit the area can partake in hiking, running, rafting, sightseeing, and helicopter tours.
The Grand Canyon is $35 for a seven-day pass.
Visiting
Grand Canyon
2
Recom. Days
78.3 miles
from Flagstaff
1h27 min
drive
Visit
Ride a mule
A number of trails allow visitors to experience them from the back of a mule.
Raft the Colorado River
For those more adventurous, rafting the Colorado River is a great way to experience the canyon.
Take a helicopter tour
Mulitple helicopter tours service the area allowing visitors to experience the canyon from the air.
Take a desert jeep tour
For those not keen on hiking, you can take a desert jeep tour and experience the sights on four wheels.
Parking
Parking in the Grand Canyon
There is free parking at each major viewpoint along the Grand Canyon.
Eat at
Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room
$$$
Located on the rim, this exquisite restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with some of the best views in the area.
Roughrider Saloon
$$
Located in the Grand Canyon Lodge Complex, this saloon is a great way to experience U.S. culture.
Deli in the Pines
$$
Located in the Grand Canyon Lodge Complex, this restaurant offers lunch and dinner.
Stay at
North Rim Campground
This picturesque campground offers RV parking and all major amenities
Bright Angel Campground
A shaded backcountry campground alongside Bright Angel Creek, this campground is quiet and serene.
Desert view campground
This is a non-reservable campground so get in quick for a spot!
Stop Four: Lake Powell – the ultimate recreation destination
Stop Four: Lake Powell – the ultimate recreation destination
An artificial reservoir on the Colorado River, Lake Powell is an impressive vacation spot that’s visited by around two million people per year.
It starts in northern Arizona and weaves up into southern Utah. Man-made, it stretches 186 miles long, covering an impressive amount of territory across the west. The reservoir sports 96 major canyons, 2,000 miles of shoreline, endless warm water, and some of the most awesome scenery in the area, putting it on the map as a national recreation destination.
Whether you’re into rock climbing, watersports, or simply taking in the sights, Lake Powell is a must-see stop on your Arizona road trip.
Visiting
Lake Powell
1
Recom. Days
138 miles
from Grand Canyon
2h31 min
drive
Visit
Kayak the lake
Hire a kayak and take the lake in at your own pace.
Take a boat tour
For those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the sights, a boat tour is a great way to experience the area.
Antelope Canyon
This is one of the most photographed slot canyons in America, and for good reason!
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
The tallest natural bridge in North America, this national monument isn’t to be missed.
Parking
Parking in Lake Powell
Lake Powell is host to a number of marinas that all have parking available.
Bullfrog Marina
$
This parking spot can get busy during the high season so get in early for availability.
Antelope Point Marina & RV Park
$
A great place to explore the area with recreation equipment rentals available.
Eat at
Rainbow Room
$$
Some of the most stunning views in the area with spectacular food to boot.
Driftwood Lounge
$$
Just a short trip from the Lake Powell Resort, this restaurant comes highly rated.
BirdHouse
$
This is the home of the best chicken rolls in the area.
Stay at
Wahweap RV & Campground
$$
A solid RV park with showers and laundry facilities. Pricing depends on your date of travel.
Bullfrog Basin Campground
$$
RV park with all the amenities you need. Pricing depends on your date of travel.
Stanton Creek Campground
$$
Primitive camping with some of the most awesome views of the area. Pricing depends on your date of travel.
Page Lake Powell Campground
$$
Amazing views and all the amenities you might need. Pricing depends on your date of travel.
280 miles
from Lake Powell
4h18min
drive