Planning Your Trip to Sedona & a Grand Canyon Day Trip

A simple step-by-step guide to the perfect Northern Arizona getaway

Getting to Sedona

  • Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
    • Most common and best option
    • Wide range of flights and rental cars
  • Drive from Phoenix to Sedona
    • ~2 hours scenic drive
    • Beautiful red rock approach on Highway 179
  • Alternative airports:
    • Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (50 miles north)
    • Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas – ~4 hour drive)

Where to Stay in Sedona

  • Stay at El Portal Sedona Hotel
  • Historic 1900s adobe-style boutique hotel
  • Only 12 unique rooms — book early
  • Walk to:
    • Oak Creek
    • Shops & galleries
    • Restaurants
  • Central location = one of the best in Sedona

Explore Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

  • Visit Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
  • Just steps from your room
  • Features:
    • 40+ shops & galleries
    • Restaurants & wine tasting
    • Beautiful Spanish-style courtyards
  • A must-see Sedona experience

Day Trip to the Grand Canyon (Easy & Worth It)

  • Distance: ~100 miles from Sedona
  • Perfect one-day trip

Suggested Plan:

  • Leave Sedona by 8:00 AM
  • Drive to the East Entrance (recommended)
  • Explore scenic viewpoints along Desert View Drive
  • Return to Sedona by dinner

Tips:

  • Ask your hotel staff for the best route
  • Bring water, snacks, and a camera
  • Most visitors only need one full day

Best Sedona Hiking Trails (Top 10)

Sedona has 100+ trails — here are 10 favorites:

  • Cathedral Rock (iconic views)
  • Devil’s Bridge (largest natural arch)
  • Bell Rock Pathway (easy & scenic)
  • Airport Mesa Loop (sunset favorite)
  • Soldier Pass Trail (Seven Sacred Pools & cave)
  • Boynton Canyon (vortex energy site)
  • West Fork Trail (shaded canyon hike)
  • Fay Canyon (easy & family-friendly)
  • Doe Mountain (flat-top panoramic views)
  • Broken Arrow Trail (red rock adventure)

Take a Scenic Drive to Jerome & Cottonwood

  • Drive 45 minutes west on Highway 89A

Stops:

  • Jerome
    • Historic mining town
    • Shops, art galleries, incredible views
  • Cottonwood
    • Great for lunch or dinner
    • Wine tasting rooms
    • Relaxed, local vibe

Dining & Travel Tips

  • Sedona offers some of the best dining in Arizona
  • Options for every budget
  • Dress is casual everywhere

Important tips:

  • Restaurants typically close early (8:00–8:30 PM)
  • Make dinner reservations in advance
  • Sedona lifestyle = early mornings, early evenings

Final Thought

  • Sedona is not just a destination — it’s a place to slow down, recharge, and reconnect
  • Combine it with a Grand Canyon day trip, and you have one of the most memorable experiences in the American Southwest