Sedona Itinerary With Scenic Road Trip To The Grand Canyon

Sedona, Arizona is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever experience. The glow of the red rocks at sunset, the easy accessibility of fantastic hiking and biking trails, petroglyphs, ancient Indian cliff dwellings, and the nice weather make this a great family destination.

You’ll be surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, yet you’re never far from the town’s shops, art galleries, and terrific restaurants.

Sedona is within a 2 hour drive of Phoenix and roughly two hours from the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can easily combine a trip to Sedona with 1-2 nights at the Grand Canyon National Park. From Sedona, it’s a super scenic 3 hour drive to the Grand Canyon’s East Entrance with stops along the way at Sunset Crater National Monument and Wupatki National Indian Site.

Best Time of Year To Visit Sedona, AZ

The best time to visit Sedona is from March to May before it gets too blazing hot or in the fall. The hottest month of the year in Sedona is July, with an average high of 93°F and low of 69°F.

The coldest month of the year in Sedona is December, with an average low of 36°F and high of 55°F. September to November is also mild and great months to visit.

During the warm season, be sure to set out in the morning before it gets too hot. Remember to apply sunscreen, wear sturdy shoes, and always bring plenty of water.

Getting To Sedona, AZ

Fly into Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, AZ and drive 1:45 minutes north to Sedona or fly into Flagstaff, AZ and drive 48 minutes south.

If you have a late arrival time in Phoenix and plan to drive to Sedona the next day, consider staying overnight at the Scott Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. The kids will love the pool, and the rooms are nice as well.

What To See On The Way From Phoenix

Simply Awesome Tip! If you fly into Phoenix, make sure to visit Montezuma Castle on your way up to Sedona.

For more interesting stops on the way, see The Travel’s What To See Between Phoenix & Sedona On This Short Trip.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

If you have time, we really enjoyed our stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of the best preserved ancient cliff dwellings in North America.

An easy walking tour provides the history while you gaze upon the ruins. Allow about 1 hour to tour. Costs $10 per person; kids 15 and under are free. Admission is free with the America the Beautiful National Park Pass, which we recommend purchasing for this trip. Also available at REI stores.

If you don’t have time on your way up to Sedona, it’s close enough to be a worthwhile place to visit during your stay. (It’s about 30 minutes away.)

Where to Stay In Sedona

Although Sedona is known for its colorful red rock formations, it is also known for its traffic during weekends and peak season (March-May). You can avoid much of this congestion by staying in the Village of Oak Creek which is located just 15 minutes south of Sedona proper. This area provides excellent access to trails, shops, and restaurants.

This is our personal list of places that we have stayed in previously, have been recommended by friends we trust, or we have bookmarked as possibilities for future visits. Determine your budget and you’ll find plenty of options in this area.

Best Hotels in Sedona For Families

We stayed at the Hilton Sedona Resort in a one bedroom suite with a pullout sofa for the kiddos. Rooms come with a refrigerator, and the setting is beautiful. We would return in a heartbeat. It has beautiful views, a fantastic swimming pool, and a restaurant if you’re too tired to go out. Average nightly price $280.

Vacation Rental Properties

If you need more room, you’ll find plenty of AirBnb and VRBO vacation properties nearby. Here is a sampling of offerings in the Village of Oak Creek. All have a great location and have received excellent reviews.

Nice 2 bedroom townhouse, 1 King, 2 twins, sofa bed, sleeps 6. No pool access. Averaged $200 a night.

3 bedroom townhome, brick patio with a fire pit. Walk to restaurants, hikes, theaters, and grocery stores. Also a seasonal community pool. Averaged $300 night.

2 bedroom townhome in Canyon Mesa Country Club near Bell Rock. On-premise golf, tennis, hot tub, seasonal pool and more. Averaged $261 night. This additional 2 bedroom townhome is also available in Canyon Mesa Country Club.

3 bedroom 2 bath condo in DreamWest Sedona. Tennis, pool, patio and walking distance to shops and restaurants. $269 average nightly rate.

Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our VRBO or booking.com links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Disclosure Statement.

Easy Hikes In Sedona

The best way to experience the scenery of Sedona’s red rock formations is to explore this fantastic landscape on foot. Sedona offers 100’s of trails for any hiking level, and all of the hikes in this itinerary are suitable for a fun family outing.

The trails described here are short and relatively easy with amazing scenic views for just a small investment of time and effort. Perfect if you’re short on time or have little ones in tow.

Do I Need To Purchase A Red Rock Pass (Parking Pass)?

This was a bit confusing to us at first, but it’s actually pretty straight forward. Many of the hikes in the national forest surrounding Sedona require a “Red Rock Pass” to be displayed in your car when you park at the trailheads.

You will need a pass for most of our recommended hikes that we talk about here. Plan on purchasing either a weekly ($15) Red Rock Pass or a Daily Pass ($5).

Red Rock Passes are available for sale online as well as at most of the Visitor Centers, many grocery stores, gas stations, retail stores, and resorts. They are also offered at many of the trailheads.

Simply Awesome Tip: Consider buying the America the Beautiful National Park Pass ($80). If you have this pass, you can display it instead of a Red Rock Pass. Not only will it grant you admission to other sites we’ve mentioned on this trip (Montezuma Castle, Sunset Crater National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and the Grand Canyon National Park) but you’ll have admission to other national parks throughout the country for one year from date of purchase.

What is a Vortex?

You’ll often hear the term “vortexes” while visiting Sedona. A vortex is a swirling concentration of energy emanating from the earth that can affect the human consciousness and even one’s physical body.

Many people have reported feeling inspired by these beneficial spiritual energy sources, which are also said to facilitate balance, prayer, healing, and intuitiveness. The Bell Rock vortex is best known for serenity and solving problems from a higher (spiritual) perspective. See if you feel it!

Find more info about Sedona’s vortexes the Visit Sedona website.

Our Favorite Easy Hikes In Sedona

Maps courtesy of U.S. Forest Service. Click here to view Red Rock SE map in its entirety. Click here to view Red Rock NW Trails map in its entirety.

These hikes are rated easy and suitable for most families. All provide an easy and short walk to incredible vistas. If you’d like a longer hike, these hikes have both short and longer options. Something for everyone!

Remember to bring your Red Rock Pass, plenty of water, and hike in the cooler part of the day if at all possible. Our last visit was at the end of May, and we were ready for the pool by noon every day. It gets hot in a hurry!

Best Easy Hikes in Sedona

*If you only have time for a few hikes, Bell Rock, Baldwin Trail, and Fay Canyon would be considered our “must do” hikes of the ones mentioned here. Because of the short length of these hikes, you could hike more than one in a day.

Tip: Bell Rock would be a good one to combine with another hike as it is the closest to the Village of Oak Creek and you can make it as short or long a hike (scramble) as you’d like.

Note: Fay Canyon and Boynton Canyon trailheads are closest to Sedona and furthest from the Village of Oak Creek- each about a 35 minute drive from the Hilton Sedona in the Village of Oak Creek.

Bell Rock Trail

Bell Rock, one of the most prominent Sedona vortex sites, is an iconic red rock formation located just north of the Village of Oak Creek and is an easy one to spot. This is a favorite hike for kids who will love hiking and climbing about half way up Bell Rock to the “meditation perch.”

This is a moderate hike and will require supervision. It’s roughly 1.5 miles round trip depending on how much “bouldering” you do and how high you decide to climb up Bell Rock. The views are beautiful, and it’s a fun scramble.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need an end point on this hike. You can climb to any point that is safe and affords a great view. You can do as much or as little hiking as you’d like here- it’s a fun place to hang out.

Trailhead Access: Make sure you park in the north Bell Rock parking area (Courthouse Vista Parking Area) as the south side of Bell Rock is too steep to climb.

The Courthouse Vista Trailhead is north of Bell Rock. From the Village of Oak Creek, take 179 north and turn right toward Courthouse Vista, milepost 308.2. Remember to display your Red Rock Pass. Note that parking fills up quickly, especially in the morning.

After parking in the north lot, hike past the sign board and head to Bell Rock Trail. Follow it about 1/10th of a mile to its intersection with Courthouse Butte Loop Trail. 

You can either continue on Bell Rock Trail to explore the northeast area of Bell Rock or turn right and follow Courthouse Butte Loop for approximately 500 feet to a sign post on your left. Turn left here and begin climbing up towards Bell Rock.

Be sure to count the rock cairns and between the 10th and 11th cairn turn right and head towards the large flat rock shelf. You will see where you start to climb to Meditation Perch. 

All that being said, the in summary here is that you’ll find well marked trail signs to the base of Bell Rock and then it’s a general scramble to find a path up. Sedona Hiking Trail’s website has a helpful play by play with photos if you want to visualize it better.

Click here to view a map of the Bell Rock Trail.

Want To Make It A Longer Hike?

If you don’t want to scramble up Bell Rock or want to add more hiking distance, you can also walk the trail circling Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. The Bell Rock Pathway is an easy, wide and flat trail totaling 3.6 miles roundtrip. The Bell Rock Trail intersects the Bell Rock Pathway so it’s easy to combine these two.

Tip: Hiking the Bell Rock Pathway in a clockwise direction is recommended. Park in the Courthouse Vista Parking Area.

Baldwin Trail

The Baldwin Trail is another easy hike that you can make shorter or longer. You can hike the 3.3 mile Baldwin Loop Trail or simply take a short hike (roughly 1 mile) to the banks of Oak Creek with views of Cathedral Rock.

It is simply a gorgeous setting. Cathedral Rock reflected in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing is one of the most photographed scenes in the southwest.

We hiked the loop trail with its magnificent red rock views and picnicked at Oak Creek. This trail has so much variety with forest, creek, mountain and desert vibes throughout. During our trip, we returned several times to Oak Creek via the Templeton Trail to picnic, enjoy the views, take off our shoes and cool off in the creek.

Hike the loop trail clockwise and within roughly 1/2 mile you will reach its intersection with the Templeton Trail which takes you along the banks of Oak Creek. There are also several “social trails” that will also take you to Oak Creek.

Park at Baldwin Trailhead off of Verde Valley School Road. Click here to view map of the Baldwin Trail.

Your kids will enjoy seeing dozens of “buddha's” where visitors have stacked small river rock into beautiful stone pillars. Return the way you came to the trailhead for a shorter hike or return to the Baldwin Trail to continue the loop.

Tip: Photos of Cathedral Rock are best taken during the afternoon, but you’ll have to consider the heat of the day for the best time for your hike.

Directions: From the Village of Oak Creek, turn left on Verde Valley School Road and follow it to the end, roughly 4.5 miles. It will turn into a gravel road but is completely passable. Parking area is on the left. It’s roughly 13 minutes from the Hilton Sedona. Remember to display your Red Rock Pass.

V Bar V Heritage Site

The V Bar V Heritage Site is the largest known and best preserved petroglyph site in the Verde Valley. The rock art has been defined as Beaver Creek Style, which is diagnostic of the Southern Sinagua between A.D. 1150 and 1400.

Although not really considered a hike, it does require a short 0.5 mile walk from the parking lot on the flat, maintained trail from the Visitor Center to the petroglyph area. The volunteers on site are extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, and obviously passionate about what they do.

Directions: V Bar V Heritage Site is located 2.8 miles east of the junction of I-17 and SR 179 on FR 618. Watch for the entrance on your right less than one-half mile past the Beaver Creek Campground.

It’s a 15 minute drive south from the Hilton Sedona. Remember to display your Red Rock Pass.

Important: It is only open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9:30 to 3pm.

Boynton Canyon Trail/Boynton Vista Trail

The Boynton Canyon Trail is a 6 mile roundtrip hike. However, it is also the trailhead for a shorter (roughly 1.2 miles roundtrip), easier hike on the Boynton Vista Trail.

From the Boynton Canyon Trailhead, walk about 0.5 miles to its intersection with Boynton Vista Trail on the right. Follow it uphill to its two rock formations, both of which are considered vortex points. You’ll find beautiful views, and everyone will love scrambling up the rocks. Bring your camera!

Directions: From the Village of Oak Creek, drive 179 north to 89A continuing toward the west end of town. Turn north (right) on Dry Creek Road. Dry Creek Road ends at a " T " intersection. Follow the signs to Boynton Canyon. 

You'll find a parking lot and the trailhead just outside the entrance to the Enchantment Resort. Closer to Sedona, the Boynton Canyon Trailhead is about a 32 minute drive from the Hilton Sedona in the Village of Oak Creek. Remember to display your Red Rock Pass.

Tip: This hike is located in the same area of Sedona as the Fay Canyon hike (described below) if you want to combine the two.

Fay Canyon Hike

Fay Canyon Trail is another good hike with options for a short out and back or a longer 3.5 roundtrip hike. This easy hike through a canyon has wonderful views and intersects with a spur trail that leads to a natural stone arch and a narrow slot where the rocks have separated. The kids will have fun “disappearing” into the opening and enjoying the shade under the rock arch.

Arch Spur Trail: At about the 1/2 mile mark from the trailhead, look for a side trail up to the arch--it’s easy to miss. Those who don't know about it usually walk right past. You will have to scramble up this steep but short spur trail to see the arch (it’s not visible from the main trail).

We returned to the trailhead from the arch for an out and back hike of roughly 1.5 miles, but you could return to the original main trail and continue on for views of Bear Mountain for a total of about 3.5 miles including the spur trail to the arch.

Directions: From the Village of Oak Creek, drive north on 179 to 89A through Sedona to Dry Creek Road (152C) at the west end of town. Turn right and follow Dry Creek Road three miles to the Boynton Canyon intersection then turn left. Go about a half mile to the Fay Canyon parking area on the left. Cross the street to the trailhead. It’s about a 32 minute drive from the Hilton Sedona.

Additional Hikes in Sedona

If you have time (unfortunately we did not), the hikes below were also on our list although you should note that they are rated “moderate” rather than “easy.” Apparently, everyone loves Devil’s Bridge, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross looks like it would be a terrific destination hike.

Little Horse Trail/Chapel of the Holy Cross - 4 miles roundtrip; moderate; beautiful hike to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a church built into the rocks with spectacular views and peaceful atmosphere. Designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students.

Brin's Mesa - 4.4 miles roundtrip; moderate; the views on this hike apparently have a high “wow” factor. You’ll gain 500 feet to a mesa overlooking Mormon Canyon and Soldiers Pass.

Devil's Bridge - 2 miles roundtrip; moderate; the photos are super Instagram-worthy! Keep the kids close on this one.

Hiking Resources

The Hike House, 431 State Route 179, is a great outdoors shop and can offer you more suggestions. Their website has good hiking details too.

The book “Great Sedona Hikes” by William Bohan and David Butler is another good resource for great descriptions of local hikes and directions to the trailheads.

The National Forest Service covers the trails in detail along with maps.

Earth Trekker’s “12 Amazing Hikes in Sedona” is also a good resource.

Where to Eat in Oak Creek Village

The Village of Oak Creek has several restaurants nearby. You may want to consider avoiding uptown Sedona in the evenings. Because it’s more touristy, the traffic can be overwhelming and parking can be a challenge too.

Grocery Store

Clark’s Market is a full service grocery store within a 12 minute drive of the Hilton Sedona and located next to our favorite restaurant, Red Rock Cafe. It also has a terrific beer selection. 100 Verde Valley School Road.

Restaurants

Red Rock Cafe was our hands down favorite place to eat. Home of the giant cinnamon roll, it prides itself in serving a wonderful breakfast. They serve it all day along with lunch offerings, and it opens early at 7am and closes at 2pm.

We generally ate a light breakfast at home, packed snacks for a hike, and then stopped here on the way home for a hearty meal. Make sure to order the giant cinnamon roll (which feeds the entire family) at least once.

The Blue Corn Huervos Rancheros was also a hit, but everything we tried here was terrific. It’s located a 12 minute drive from Hilton Sedona, which made it very convenient. 100 Verde Valley School Road.

Miley's Cafe is also conveniently located near the Hilton Sedona (within a 10 minute walk). Miley’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tacos are the specialty, but they offer a wide selection on their menu including burgers and salads. Kids menu as well.

Famous Pizza is within a 5 minute drive of the Hilton Sedona and is located at 10 Bell Rock Plaza. Really good pizza! It has historically been voted Sedona’s best pizza. Take out available is probably preferable as it is a small place. Another location can be found at 3190 West Highway 89A.

Shadowrock Tap and Table (Hilton Sedona’s Restaurant) was average and a bit overpriced, but it offers lovely patio dining. Plus, at the time we were there, they offered a kids eat free with adult entree purchase. It would be worth a try for sure.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Sedona

Oak Creek Brewery offers pub food including fresh-made tamales and tasty beer. It’s roughly 15 minutes north of Hilton Sedona, near the junction of 179/89. It’s a good place to stop after hiking the trails in that area (Fay Canyon, Boynton Canyon, Devil’s Bridge).

Cowboy Club is another good choice in uptown Sedona. It has a fun western decor and a nice outdoor patio. They serve a broad selection of appetizers, burgers, salads, etc. It’s open for lunch and dinner and located a 15 minute drive from Hilton Sedona.

Elote Cafe appears on several “best of Sedona” lists. Serving award-winning modern Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. Reservations are required. Dinner only.

And if you want to dine with the locals, check out The Travel’s “This Is Where the Locals Eat In Sedona.”

Scenic Drive to Grand Canyon National Park From Sedona

Distance From Sedona To Grand Canyon

Get an early start to take a road trip to from Sedona to visit the Grand Canyon. Some people take a “day trip” from Sedona to visit the Grand Canyon National Park by way of its South Entrance. This route takes roughly 2 hours and is the shortest from Sedona.

If you can swing it though, we highly recommend trying to stay at least one or two nights inside Grand Canyon National Park entering through its East Entrance. Staying inside the park is such a special experience and the drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon’s East Entrance is the most scenic route.

From Sedona, this incredibly scenic drive takes roughly 3 hours of driving time but add on a few hours to visit four fascinating side stops along the way. Make a day of it and enjoy!

Stops On The Way To The Grand Canyon

1. Oak Creek Canyon to purchase Native American-made souvenirs and take in the views

2. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to witness evidence of an extinct volcano

3. The Wupatki National Monument where you can walk through the pueblos that were occupied 900 years ago

4. The Desert View Watch Tower in Grand Canyon National Park for your first views of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon

Note: To return to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Grand Canyon Village in Grand Canyon National Park would take about 3.5 hours.

Stop 1- Oak Creek Canyon

It is a beautiful drive north on US 89 to the Grand Canyon and driving through Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona is a treat. You’ll find several vendors at the Oak Creek Canyon Vista Overlook selling unique Native American crafts, pottery, and jewelry making it a great stop to take a break from the driving and stretch your legs. It’s roughly 45 minutes from the Village of Oak Creek.

Even if you don’t include the Grand Canyon in your trip, you should consider the opportunity to visit Oak Creek Canyon during your stay in Sedona.

Tip: At Midgely Bridge, there's a vista point with an especially unforgettable backdrop where you'll want to stop and use that wide-angle lens.

Stop 2- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Just 40 minutes from Stop 1, you’ll arrive at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Allow 1 hour to stop at the Visitor Center and hike the one mile Lava Flow Trail to see the black, jagged and twisted lava and ash formed from extinct volcanoes. Self-guiding trail booklets are available for purchase in the Visitor Center.

A $20 vehicle fee covers entrance to both Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments and admission is free with an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. Sunset Crater is a little over one hour’s drive from the Village of Oak Creek.

Stop 3- Wupatki National Monument

If you have time for just one of these National Monuments, go here. The drive to Wupatki National Monument is beautiful with views of the Painted Desert and the ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona in the distance. It’s located just 25 minutes from Sunset Crater National Monument.

Stop at the Visitor Center and take a self-guided walk through the pueblos that were occupied 900 years ago. Visitors can even go inside the largest pueblo. Allow an hour.

From Wupatki National Monument, you will drive 1 hour and 10 minutes to the east entrance of the Grand Canyon.

Stop 4- Grand Canyon National Park-Desert View Watch Tower

When entering from the east entrance, your first stop on the way to Canyon Village will be at the Desert View Watch Tower and Visitor Center. The tower is located roughly 40 minutes and 25 miles east of the park’s Canyon Village where you will be (hopefully) staying, so now is a good time to visit it.

Some of the finest views of the Colorado River and canyon geology are seen from here. Kids will love climbing the stairs of the tower, and it is the perfect place for their first glimpse of the Grand Canyon.

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon

If at all possible, stay inside the national park at one of their lodges or hotels. The lodging in the national park books quickly, so make your reservations well in advance.

Take what you can get, but if you have a choice, book either the Kachina Lodge or El Tovar Hotel. They are located directly on the canyon rim and are nicely suited for families.

Tip: If you can’t reserve your desired date, keep checking back on the website. You’ll be surprised how quickly availability can change. If you can only get one night’s lodging, go ahead and reserve it and check back frequently for the 2nd night.

Kachina Lodge

We stayed at the Kachina Lodge with a partial canyon view room. It was very nice and clean and offered an excellent location. You can walk to trails and restaurants from this location and the rim of the canyon was right out the front door. It seemed like the best price point inside the park for its excellent canyon rim location.

Tip: Request a partial canyon view room on the second floor. All rooms come with a refrigerator too. Average rates: $240 per night canyon side; $225 night street side.

El Tovar Hotel

A historic hotel on the rim of the Grand Canyon. The El Tovar Hotel is more expensive but beautiful. An excellent location within walking distance of trails and restaurants and the rim of the canyon is right outside. Starting at $263 night for 2 doubles and up to $538 for a suite.

Where to Eat at the Grand Canyon

El Tovar Hotel

Dining at historic national park lodges is a treat, so make reservations for dinner at the El Tovar Hotel. It’s a good way to experience the hotel if you’re not staying there. It’s next door to Kachina Lodge.

Bright Angel Restaurant

Bright Angel Restaurant serves diner-style dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. First come-first serve. No reservations needed.

Maswik Food Court

The food court will have something for everyone. It is located within Canyon Village, about a 15 minute walking distance from Kachina Lodge.

For a full list of eateries inside Grand Canyon National Park, visit the Grand Canyon National Park website

The Grand Canyon With Kids

The incredibly amazing views of the Grand Canyon will be a delight for everyone, but to get the most of your experience, try some of these kid-friendly activities.

Attend a Ranger Program

Check out the schedule of Ranger Programs and make sure you attend one or two. The rangers are well spoken and make the topics interesting for the whole family. It really made us appreciate our experience even more. Kids can also become a Junior Ranger. Highly recommend this activity!

Bike the South Rim

You can rent bicycles for the entire family from Bright Angel Bicycles inside the national park. Park at the Lot 4 parking area at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Their building is located directly off this lot.

During the summer, they open as early as 7am and they remain open during the winter season (weather permitting). Check their website for current hours of operation.

They offer bikes for both adults and children starting at $12 hour for adults/$9 for kids. Tip: Bike trailers and tag-alongs are also available for rent. Reservations are recommended, and you can make them online or give them a call.

Riders wanting an easy one-way 5 mile ride with 95% downhill or flat surfaces can shuttle to Hopi Point to ride from there to Hermits Rest on Bright Angel Bike’s “Red Bike Ride” route. They also offer other “routes” as well.

Check out their website for reservations and route descriptions to find one that best fits your family’s needs. Keep in mind that the Grand Canyon sits at 7000’ elevation, so high altitude fitness makes a difference here.

Walk the Rim Trail

The easy Rim Trail extends roughly 12 miles from the Village area near Kolb Studio to Hermits Rest. Begin from any viewpoint in the Village or along Hermit Road. The Rim Trail offers excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon.

By using the free in-park shuttle buses, you can customize your hike to meet your needs (hike one way and shuttle back or shuttle to your start point). Or, just stroll along the section closest to your lodging and enjoy the views.

Experience the Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel Trail leads from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon down the canyon to the Colorado River. The trailhead is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge.

Note: This is a strenuous 12 mile out and back hike and is not considered a day hike. However, you can always simply walk down the trail as far as you’d like and then return.

Important! Realize that walking up is much, much harder than going down and the temperatures are rising every minute during the warmer seasons.

At the 1.5 mile marker the elevation has already changed 1000 feet. Here you will find a rest station with water and restrooms (May-October). We did not make it this far with our young kiddos, but even our short walk on the trail was beautiful and fascinating.

Tips: Hike in the morning before it’s too hot, bring a camera, stick to a time limit, and bring enough drinking water. It is such a beautiful trail and experiencing it for even a short duration is memorable.

Good Turnaround Points on the Bright Angel Trail

First Tunnel
0.1 miles (0.2 km) roundtrip / 20 minutes

Second Tunnel
1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip / 1-2 hours / 590 feet (180 m) elevation change

1½-Mile Resthouse
3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip / 2-4 hours / 1,120 feet (340 km) elevation change

3-Mile Resthouse
6 miles (9.6 km) roundtrip / 4-6 hours / 2,120 feet (645 m) elevation change

Indian Garden - Check with a park ranger before attempting as a day hike.
9 miles (14.4 km) roundtrip / 6-9 hours / 3,040 feet (925 m) elevation change

Plateau Point - Check with a park ranger before attempting as a day hike.
12 miles (19.6 km) roundtrip / 9-12 hours / 3,080 feet (940 m) elevation change

Important! Consult a park ranger before heading down to the Colorado River for safety tips and overnight permits. Destinations below Indian Garden are not recommended day hikes due to the long distance, extreme temperature changes, and an approximately 5,000' (1,500 m) elevation change each way.

Summary

Combining a trip to the Grand Canyon with a visit to Sedona makes for a simply awesome trip. Hope this helps you plan your trip in sunny Sedona!

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