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Grand Canyon, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, surrounding area of Arizona advice

Posted on 9/13/23 at 10:25 am
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
116964 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 10:25 am
Alright so wife has family in Tucson and we have been to AZ a few times, my wife grew up going there every once in awhile. We have to go to an event there way out in May. She went to the Grand Canyon as a kid but would like to see it as an adult, I have never been. I am really interested in the wine country around Sedona, and she has also brought up wanting to see Antelope Canyon.

The thought was fly into Tucson for said event for a day or two, and then make the drive past Phoenix and make either Sedona or Flagstaff as a base of operations.

Logistically, this seems like a lot for a few days. I do not want to make this a week long trip or even longer, to be honest. Don't have the time. But Grand Canyon is about 2 hours from Sedona, a little less from Flagstaff, and Antelope Canyon is 2.5-3ish hours from any of those.

Anyone have any experience doing these things, the amount of time it actually takes, etc?
Posted by NCTigerFan
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2007
356 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 11:09 am to
We left Sedona and entered GCNP via the East Entrance. Spent the night at El Tovar in the Village. Left out of the same entrance, drove to Page, stopped at Horseshoe Bend, took an early afternoon tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, left Page and spent that night in Zion.

I think if you are pressed for time, were up for some driving and just wanted to “see” the GC (no hiking or tours, etc.), Day 1 you could leave Sedona (the drive north between Sedona and Flagstaff is really pretty), go in the East Entrance, see as much as you want to along Desert View Drive, turn around and head to Page (even seeing Horseshoe Bend on the way). Day 2 do your Antelope Canyon tour and go back to Flagstaff or even Sedona.

Some Desert View Drive notes pasted from itinerary from that trip:
- Highlights: Yavapai Point (Geology Museum with great views), Mather Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point and Grandview
- From Yavapai Point museum with Canyon on right, walk along rim trail for 3 minutes until a small trail on the right leading out to an open rock. Best unobstructed view at the South Rim.
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101996 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 11:34 am to
quote:

Logistically, this seems like a lot for a few days. I do not want to make this a week long trip or even longer, to be honest. Don't have the time. But Grand Canyon is about 2 hours from Sedona, a little less from Flagstaff, and Antelope Canyon is 2.5-3ish hours from any of those.



I spent a long weekend in Sedona a few years ago (I think it was 4 nights) and sort of got quickly over the 'new-ageiness' of the scene there, so we decided to 'what the hell' to drive up to the GC for a day (neither me nor my wife had ever seen it). We ate lunch at the El Tovar and then drove the rim road (stopping at spots) and headed back to Sedona. It was somewhat Chevy Chase/Vacation style, but I felt like we got a bit more out of it.

Flagstaff seemed nice, so I likely would have spent a night there if I had known to plan it.

If that's all you're looking for, it's worth the drive. The little canyon area above Sedona was my favorite part of that particular area.
Posted by Oopskie
Member since Apr 2007
2178 posts
Posted on 9/14/23 at 1:06 pm to
My wife and I took a road trip this summer and Sedona was our base while in arizona. The drive from Sedona to Flagstaff is absolutley beautiful. We used the east entrance to GCNP and highly recommend it. As far Sedona, we enjoyed it but just know that everything shuts down early, 8 pm in July.
Posted by lsunurse
Member since Dec 2005
129079 posts
Posted on 9/14/23 at 1:24 pm to
Make sure you book a tour for Antelope Canyon. Because it’s tribal land….the only way you can visit it is with a guided tour.

Add Jerome as a stop as well. Super cool little mining town with an old haunted hotel that used to be a hospital (I’ve stayed there). Maynard James Keenan from Tool lives there and has a winery as well. They have a small tasting room in Jerome (Caduceus Cellars). They also have quite a few other wineries in Jerome.
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 1:28 pm
Posted by YourHuckleberry
South of I-10
Member since Aug 2012
154 posts
Posted on 9/15/23 at 1:30 pm to
I've done this trip, or similar, twice in the past 5 years. The town of Sedona is similar to most tourist mountain towns...T-shirt shops, ice cream parlors, boutiques, spas, etc. The few good restaurants are worth staying there, but make sure to get reservations done plenty ahead of time. Your drive to Page/Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon will be a long one and I'd try to talk her out of that leg of the trip unless you commit to sleeping in Page for one night. I wouldn't want to drive there and back in one day and you won't make it back to Sedona in time for dinner or wineries anyway.

I'd save Page/Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon for a different trip to pair with Zion Canyon if you can. Dedicate a day for the red rocks area around Sedona and save your time from driving. Check out Devil's Bridge just outside of Sedona.



https://elizabethadventures.com/devils-bridge-sedona/
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