Northern Arizona is home to some of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited. You just can’t beat looking across the Grand Canyon, driving through Monument Valley, or exploring the incredible views of Antelope Canyon.
There is so much to see and do in the American Southwest, and it can definitely be overwhelming planning a road trip here, especially with limited time.
Beginning and ending in Phoenix, this 9-day northern Arizona road trip itinerary will take you to Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Page, and Monument Valley. You’ll get to see famous attractions like Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Devil’s Bridge, along with exploring volcanic landscapes, panoramic vistas, and vast canyons.
My husband, sister, and I have personally explored all of the places listed in this itinerary and I am so excited to share them with you! If you’re looking for the best way to spend a week in northern Arizona, this is the road trip for you.
I’ve linked more in-depth guides for each destination throughout this itinerary since I don’t have the space to go into a lot of detail here. Treat this post as your starting place for planning, but definitely read the other related posts for more details on each location.
This post is a long one, so feel free to use the Table of Contents below to navigate to the sections you’re looking for.
The Best Time to Visit Northern Arizona
The best time to do this northern Arizona road trip is in the spring or fall. Summer brings brutally hot temperatures and hordes of tourists, and winter can mean snow and potential road closures. Lots of attractions and restaurants in Page are also only open April through October.
When you think of visiting Arizona, you probably picture hot, desert landscapes. And while that’s true for the southern half of the state, areas in the northern half sit at a much higher elevation and experience different climates.
Flagstaff sits at 7000 feet and gets very snowy winters, but pleasant summers. Page, Sedona, and Monument Valley sit between 4000 and 5000 feet, so they do get very hot in the summer and cool in the winter.
Visiting in the spring or fall ensures the most comfortable temperatures for your trip. April, early May, and October are the best months for visiting northern Arizona, in my opinion.
Our Experience: We visited Flagstaff, Sedona, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon in late March and that is on the earlier side of when I would recommend going. We got a little bit of snow in Flagstaff and had lots of wind at Petrified Forest. We visited Monument Valley in mid-October and the weather was perfect.
Rental Car Information
You will be doing a lot of driving on this trip, so I’d recommend renting a car that you are comfortable in.
You won’t need a 4WD vehicle, but I would recommend an SUV or something with higher ground clearance for the Valley Drive at Monument Valley. All of the other places you’ll visit will be fine in any vehicle.
Northern Arizona Road Trip Itinerary Overview
You will start and end this itinerary in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is a convenient airport with lots of direct flights and a large rental car selection.
From Phoenix, you’ll drive north on I-17 toward Flagstaff and you’ll be on your way to an epic northern Arizona road trip!
Here is a high-level overview of your road trip itinerary:
- Day 1: Fly to Phoenix & Drive to Sedona
- Day 2: Sedona
- Day 3: Flagstaff
- Day 4: Day Trip to Petrified Forest National Park
- Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim
- Day 6: Page
- Day 7: Page
- Day 8: Monument Valley
- Day 9: Drive to Phoenix and Fly Home
You will stay in Sedona nights 1 and 2, Flagstaff for nights 3 and 4, at the Grand Canyon for night 5, Page for nights 6 and 7, Monument Valley for night 8.
The map below shows a high-level overview of where you’ll be exploring.
An Alternate Way to Do This Northern Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
This road trip itinerary has you spending the night in a different location almost every night. That is the most efficient way to do this road trip and minimizes driving time.
If you prefer having a home base for a few nights instead of picking up and moving every day, concentrate your stays in Flagstaff and Page. These two locations are convenient for planning day trips that still allow you to see everything in this itinerary. You will do some more driving, but the convenience of not having to pack and move hotels every night might be worth it to you.
Here’s how I would order this northern Arizona road trip itinerary if you want to do it this way. You will stay in Flagstaff for nights 1-4, stay at the Grand Canyon for night 5, and stay in Page for nights 6-8. The driving times listed next to the day trips are for the total round-trip distance.
- Day 1: Fly into Phoenix & Drive to Flagstaff
- Day 2: Flagstaff
- Day 3: Day Trip to Sedona (2 hours)
- Day 4: Day Trip to Petrified Forest National Park (3 hours)
- Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim
- Day 6: Page
- Day 7: Page
- Day 8: Day Trip to Monument Valley (4 hours)
- Day 9: Drive to Phoenix and Fly Home
I am going to describe this road trip as I have listed it initially, so feel free to move the days around to fit this version of the itinerary better if you choose to do it this way!
When we visited northern Arizona, we based ourselves in Flagstaff when we visited Sedona, The Grand Canyon, and Petrified Forest National Park and I would generally recommend it. The only thing I wish we did differently was spending a night at the Grand Canyon instead of returning back to Flagstaff the same day. It would have been great to see a sunrise and sunset on our trip!
But overall, I didn’t feel too bogged down by driving and Flagstaff is a great little town to explore in the evenings!
Where to Stay
If you do this road trip itinerary the way I have it laid out, here is where you’ll stay each night:
- Night 1: Sedona
- Night 2: Sedona
- Night 3: Flagstaff
- Night 4: Flagstaff
- Night 5: Grand Canyon South Rim or Tusayan
- Night 6: Page
- Night 7: Page
- Night 8: Monument Valley
If you do the alternate road trip itinerary, here is where you will stay each night:
- Night 1: Flagstaff
- Night 2: Flagstaff
- Night 3: Flagstaff
- Night 4: Flagstaff
- Night 5: Grand Canyon South Rim or Tusayan
- Night 6: Page
- Night 7: Page
- Night 8: Page
Fees & Passes Information
Admission to Grand Canyon National Park costs $35 per vehicle and admission to Petrified Forest National Park costs $25 per vehicle and the passes are good for 7 days.
This itinerary also has you visiting 3 National Monuments in Flagstaff and 1 just north of Phoenix. Walnut Canyon charges a fee of $25 per vehicle, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments cost $25 (the $25 fee gets you into both), and Montezuma Castle National Monument costs $10 per vehicle.
Sedona also has some hiking trails that require an Arizona Red Rock Pass, but the America the Beautiful National Park Pass is accepted at most of these locations as well.
All of that to say, you will want to purchase the America the Beautiful National Park Pass for this road trip. It costs $80 (vs. the collective $110 you would pay at each park separately) and will get you into all federal lands for one year.
You must order it ahead of time as they will ship you a physical pass.
Monument Valley is located on Navajo Land, and charges a fee of $8 per person to enter. Since it is on tribal land, your National Park Pass will not work here and you’ll have to pay the fee separately.
The Ultimate Northern Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
Related Posts About Destinations in This Northern Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
- 10 Amazing Hikes in Sedona, Arizona
- How to Hike to Devil’s Bridge in Sedona, Arizona
- Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte Loop: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
- Flagstaff Area National Monuments: How to See Them All in One Day
- Petrified Forest National Park: The Ultimate Itinerary & Guide
- Grand Canyon South Rim Itinerary: How to Spend 1, 2, or 3 Days at the Grand Canyon
- 12 Incredible Things to Do in Page, Arizona
- The Ultimate Monument Valley Travel Guide
Day 1: Fly to Phoenix & Drive to Sedona
Day 1 is all about getting to your destination. Arrive in Phoenix, pick up your rental car, and head north to Sedona. This drive will take you about 2 hours.
If you take a morning flight and have time, feel free to go on an afternoon hike in Sedona. Check out my guide on the top 10 hikes in Sedona to help you choose the best trail.
Grab dinner and check into your accommodations in Sedona.
Day 2: Sedona
Sedona is home to tons of incredible hikes. Spend your day here hitting the trails! Most of them are pretty short, so it’s possible to do 2 or 3 hikes in one day.
Sedona has exploded in popularity recently, so unfortunately this means crowded trails and full parking lots. Sedona does have a free shuttle program that will take you to the most popular trailheads.
I talk more in depth about hiking in Sedona in this blog post, so make sure to give that read for the best trails, parking information, the best time of day to hike each trail, and more.
I’ve suggested hiking trails in this itinerary below, but feel free to choose different hikes if you’d like!
Related: Top 10 Hiking Trails in Sedona, Arizona
Hike the Devil’s Bridge Trail
Start your day with hiking one of the best trails in Sedona! You’ll hike through gorgeous red rock scenery to the largest natural bridge in this part of Arizona.
I recommend getting an early start here, as this is a very popular trail. Parking lots will fill up quickly and a line forms to get a photo of you standing on the bridge as well.
There are a few different ways to hike to Devil’s Bridge, so I wrote a whole post on it here. The best way to hike it results in a 3.9-mile, moderate trail with 528 feet of elevation gain.
Related: How to Hike to Devil’s Bridge in Sedona, Arizona
Get Lunch in Sedona
Sedona has a ton of good restaurants to choose from. Grab lunch after your hike and gear up for a fun afternoon!
Go Shopping or Hike the Fay Canyon Trail
The Fay Canyon Trail is a great one to do midday because the parking lot is large, they allow overflow parking on the street, and most of the hike is through a shaded canyon.
You’ll scramble up some rocks at the end for a nice view of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and the red rock scenery. The entire trail is 2.4 miles with 298 feet of elevation gain.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also hike up to the Fay Canyon Arch. The arch is located off a spur trail and is easy to miss. I recommend downloading the AllTrails map and checking it frequently as you hike.
I’d estimate that doing both trails results in a total of 3.5 miles with a total elevation gain of 500 feet.
If you’re not up for another hike, check out some of the shops in Sedona. Tlaquepaque is a unique craft village packed with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. If you’re into handmade items, this can be a great way to spend a few hours in Sedona.
Hike the Birthing Cave Trail
The Birthing Cave hike is an easy hike through a flat, sandy wash up to the Birthing Cave (you will understand why it’s called that when you see it). From inside the cave, you have a gorgeous view of the red rocks out to the distance. I think this was my favorite hike we did in Sedona!
The only tricky part about this hike is making sure you turn left onto the more narrow trail when you get to the fork in the road. You will see a heart-shaped cave as you walk up this trail so you know you’re going the right way.
This trail clocks in at just under 2 miles round trip and can be done in an hour if you’re quick.
This hike is phenomenal for photography and is best done in the late afternoon when the afternoon sun is illuminating the red rocks you see from inside the cave.
Dinner at Mesa Grille
The Sedona Airport is located on top of a red rock mesa. The Airport Loop hiking trail circles the mesa and provides panoramic views of the area.
There is also a restaurant located here, called the Mesa Grille. This is a great place to get dinner and take in the views over the area at sunset. They have a patio and indoor seating, local beer, and great food at a reasonable price (all of my favorite things after a long day of hiking!).
You will need to make a reservation though, and you can do so here on their website.
If you get lucky, you’ll even see a plane or two land or take off! Don’t forget to visit the Airport Scenic Lookout located here as well.
That concludes your action-packed day in Sedona.
Where to Stay in Sedona
We visited Sedona 3 times via day trips from Flagstaff, so we didn’t actually stay here. There are tons and tons of hotels, spas, and Airbnbs to choose from, though. You can also stay in Flagstaff this night.
It feels pointless to list options here as there are so many for each budget, travel style, and family size. You can find everything from a motel to luxury resorts and everything in between.
On this road trip, you will only be spending one night in Sedona, so I find that a chain hotel is the easiest and most consistent option for a quick trip. The Holiday Inn Express or the Residence Inn seem like good options.
Day 3: Flagstaff Area National Monuments
Grab a quick breakfast and head north to Flagstaff and Walnut Canyon National Monument. This drive will only take an hour.
Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Wupatki National Monuments are all collectively managed by the NPS as the Flagstaff Area National Monuments. Today you will visit all 3!
All 3 of them are located within a 30 minute drive from downtown Flagstaff and visiting all of them is a great way to spend your time here.
If you want more details on visiting these National Monuments, check out my guide to the Flagstaff Area National Monuments here.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon is an incredible National Monument that preserves the dwellings and ruins of the indigenous people that inhabited the area in the canyon. It opens at 9 am and I suggest getting here as soon as they open because you have a very full day today!
Walk the short Rim Trail and hike down into the canyon via the 1-mile Island Trail. The Island Trail does involve going down 240 steps, but it wasn’t too strenuous.
Visiting Walnut Canyon will only take you 1-2 hours. Grab a quick lunch in Flagstaff before heading to your next destination.
Sunset Crater Volcano & Wupatki National Monuments
Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments are located along the same loop road north of downtown Flagstaff. Most people visit both Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano at the same time by driving this 34-mile scenic loop road.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is one of 600 cinder cones that surround the Flagstaff area. There are a few short, easy trails located off the main loop road. I recommend the A’a, Bonito Vista, and Lava Flow trails. If you want a slightly more strenuous hike and have time, do the Lenox Crater Trail.
Wupatki National Monument is home to several different pueblo sites dating back to the 1100’s and 1200’s. There are 4 different trails that spur off of the Loop Road that take you to the remaining dwellings: Wupatki, Citadel, Lomaki, Wukoki, Nalakihu, and Box Canyon.
Spend your afternoon exploring the dwellings and marveling at the desert-grassland scenery with the San Francisco Peaks in the background!
Dinner in Flagstaff
Flagstaff is home to a ton of great restaurants and breweries. You can visit all 8 local breweries to complete the Flagstaff Brewery Trail and redeem your passport for a free pint glass at the Visitor’s Center. We did this over the course of 5 evenings, but doing all in one night is likely unreasonable. Pick one or two to enjoy for your evening in Flagstaff.
Dark Sky Brewing, Lumberyard Brewing, and Beaver Street Brewing were my favorites for food and beverage, but you can’t go wrong with any of the 8.
Optional: Stargazing at Lowell Observatory
If you’re up for it, head to Lowell Observatory for some late-night stargazing.
Lowell Observatory is one of the oldest observatories in the United States. It was founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell, the astronomer who discovered Pluto!
They have various stargazing tours along with museum exhibits that stay open late. More information can be found on their website here.
We did this exact itinerary for our day in Flagstaff and had a very full day, but it is definitely doable!
Where to Stay in Flagstaff
My husband and I actually stayed with my sister in Flagstaff when we visited northern Arizona in March and April of 2024, so we didn’t stay in a hotel. There are plenty of chain hotels to choose from, so I would go with the DoubleTree by Hilton, the Hilton Garden Inn, or another similar mid-grade option.
Day 4: Petrified Forest National Park
Today you will be visiting Petrified Forest National Park as a day trip from Flagstaff. There are some fun stops along the way that I will describe as well.
Restaurants will be few and far between on this day, so I recommend packing a picnic lunch to bring with you in the car.
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
Directly on your way to Petrified Forest is the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark and Barringer Space Museum. It’s located 45 minutes west of Flagstaff right off I-40.
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark is exactly what you think it is- a 600-foot deep crater caused by an iron-nickel meteorite.
This site is on private land (hence the name “Natural Landmark” instead of “National Monument”), so you will need to purchase a ticket for the guided rim tour and to visit the museum.
Photos don’t do the Meteor Crater justice to understand how big it is. Seeing this place in real life was mind blowing!
It only takes about an hour to visit, and the stop is well worth it. Tickets and more info can be found here.
Petrified Forest National Park
When you’re done at Meteor Crater, hop in the car and drive an hour to Petrified Forest National Park.
Petrified Forest National Park is a truly underrated place to visit with an absolutely fascinating geologic history. It is a small park, so it’s possible to see everything in just half a day.
Spend the day driving the main road that travels through the park and exploring the short trails and overlooks to see petrified wood, colorful badlands, and desert landscapes. Eat your picnic lunch when you get hungry.
For more details on the best things to do and how to structure your day here, check out my ultimate Petrified Forest itinerary and guide.
I think Petrified Forest is a highly underrated park that a lot of people miss out on! The colorful petrified wood is absolutely gorgeous, but my favorite areas of the park were the Blue Mesa and Painted Desert.
Enjoy one more night in Flagstaff when you return from your adventures of the day.
Related: Petrified Forest National Park: The Ultimate Itinerary & Guide
Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim
Get ready for a fun-filled day at the Grand Canyon! I also recommend packing a lunch for this day as well.
The Grand Canyon South Entrance Station is located about an hour and a half from Flagstaff. I recommend trying to enter the park before 9 am to avoid lines at the gate if possible.
There is a lot that goes into planning a day at the Grand Canyon, so check out my ultimate Grand Canyon South Rim Guide for more details. I’ll summarize the itinerary here for your convenience, but that post has all the information on the park shuttles, best viewpoints, an itinerary, and more.
Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints
Start your day at the Grand Canyon South Rim by parking your car at Grand Canyon Village and heading straight to the Hermit’s Rest Red Line shuttle stop on the west end of Grand Canyon Village. You can walk the Rim Trail here or take the Blue Line Shuttle.
The shuttle will take you along the 7-mile road and stop at viewpoints along the way. The Rim Trail also runs along this road, so you can walk between some of the viewpoints or hop on and off the shuttle as you please.
Rim Trail & Ooh Aah Point
Return back to Grand Canyon Village and eat your lunch in your car or at one of the picnic tables. Explore this area of the park and take in the views from Mather Point and along this portion of the Rim Trail.
Hop on the Orange Line and head to the South Kaibab Trailhead and Yaki Point. If you’re up for it, hike down to Ooh Aah Point for a total of 1.8 miles with 685 feet of elevation gain.
If you’re not up for hiking into the canyon, you can walk a longer portion of the Rim Trail. Head left from the Visitor’s Center to walk to the Yavapai Point Geology Museum (about 0.7 miles) or head right toward the Pipe Creek Vista. We found that going right was much less crowded than going left.
Dinner & Sunset
Check into your hotel in Tusayan or in the park and relax for a few hours before grabbing dinner.
After dinner, head back to the park to watch an iconic sunset over the Grand Canyon. Any of the easily-accessible points near Grand Canyon Village are great locations.
Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon
The best place to stay at the Grand Canyon is at one of the 6 in-park lodges or in Tusayan.
Staying in the park is the most convenient, especially if you want to see a sunrise and sunset. But it will cost more than external lodging.
Tusayan is just 5 minutes from Grand Canyon Village and has a good selection of hotels and restaurants:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon
- Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel
- The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
Day 6: Page
Today you will spend the day driving the Desert View Drive in the Grand Canyon, driving to Page, and doing an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Powell. Page is home to famous attractions like Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and the Glen Canyon Dam.
Related: 12 Best Things to Do in Page, Arizona
Desert View Drive
The Desert View Drive is a scenic, 23-mile road that takes you from Grand Canyon Village to the east exit of the park. Make sure to stop at the Desert View Watchtower on your way. It’s the last stop at the end of the drive and was our absolute favorite view of the Grand Canyon.
There’s just something about being able to see the Colorado River that puts everything into perspective!
You can also go up in the tower and take in the view from the top floor. Tickets are free, first come first serve, and only 25 people at one time are allowed so the line can get long. More info on the Desert View Watchtower can be found on the NPS website here.
Drive to Page
Finish your drive to Page. From the Desert View Watchtower, it’s about a 2 hour drive.
If you’re hungry, make sure to stop in Cameron because there aren’t any restaurants in between Cameron and Page.
Lake Powell Boat Cruise
Arrive in Page to make it in time for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Powell.
Lake Powell Marina offers a variety of different cruises. Boating on Lake Powell is the only way to truly understand how deep the lake is.
There are lots of tours that range from 90 minutes to an all day excursion. We did the Navajo Canyon tour and thought 3 hours was the perfect amount of time, but shorter tours are also offered.
The tours do change based on the water level of the lake, so the ones we were offered might be different from the ones today. See what tours are available and book ahead of time on the Lake Powell website here.
What I loved most about doing a boat tour in April was how empty the lake was since the true boating and swimming season is in the summer. Lake Powell is packed with yachts and houseboats in the summer, which would severely detract from the experience. This is one of the main reasons I recommend visiting Page in the spring and fall instead of summer.
Dinner at the Rainbow Room
Once you return from your boat cruise, I suggest having dinner at the Rainbow Room in the Lake Powell Wahweap Marina.
The Rainbow Room is an upscale dining experience with a casual dress code, so come as you are (seriously, everyone was in hiking clothes or jeans when we were there). There are absolutely gorgeous views of the lake that surround the whole restaurant, so there isn’t a bad seat. The food and drinks were incredible too!
The Rainbow Room is open seasonally from April 1st to October 31st and requires reservations ahead of time (book a reservation online here). We had no trouble getting one just a few hours in advance, but I imagine it is busier in the summer months!
Where to Stay in Page
Page is a relatively small town, but there are plenty of chain hotels and local restaurants to make a great home base for exploring the attractions here.
We stayed at the Best Western Plus at Lake Powell and would recommend it. There is another Best Western right next to it with a view of Lake Powell, but it is slightly pricier.
Day 7: Page
Page is a great little town full of incredible outdoor attractions. Lots of the best things to do here are located very close to town, so you can do a lot in just one day.
Related: 12 Incredible Things to Do in Page, Arizona
Antelope Canyon Tour
Start your first full day in Page with a morning tour of Antelope Canyon.
The most important thing to know about Antelope Canyon is that it is actually 2 separate canyon tours: Upper and Lower. Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land, so you have to book a guided tour with a Navajo guide in order to visit. You cannot visit either canyon section on your own.
Upper Antelope Canyon is the most famous portion. It’s got the famous light beams, taller walls, and is wider and more accessible than Lower Antelope. To get photos of the famous light beams, you’ll want to book your tour when the sun is highest in the sky, between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. A tour to Upper Antelope Canyon will cost you about $95.
Lower Antelope Canyon is a bit more adventurous, narrow, and requires climbing down a few steep ladders. A tour here costs about $55 vs. the $95 you’ll spend touring Upper.
Both canyons are amazing in their own ways, and you can definitely visit both! Tours last about an hour each. We decided on Lower Antelope with Ken’s Tours because it was cheaper and we were up for the more adventurous experience.
Book your Upper Antelope Canyon tour here and your Lower Antelope Canyon Tour here. Book well in advance because tours will sell out!
Glen Canyon Dam
Spend some time exploring the Glen Canyon Dam after your Antelope Canyon tour.
The Glen Canyon Dam is located in the heart of Page and is the second-largest concrete arch dam in the world (behind the Hoover Dam). It stands 563 feet high and supplies over 7 states with hydroelectric power from the turbines.
The Visitor’s Center has an impressive museum where you can learn all about the Colorado River Storage Project, how the dam was constructed, and Lake Powell’s importance in supplying water and electricity to the surrounding areas.
There is also a wonderful dam overlook outside of the visitor’s center.
Hike the Beehive Trail
Grab lunch in Page and then head for the Beehive Trail (it used to be called “The New Wave” so your map might have it named differently).
The trailhead is located across the street from the Glen Canyon Dam. It’s a short, 1.5-mile hike with some stunning rock formations.
We had a blast taking photos along this trail and we mostly had it all to ourselves!
Horseshoe Bend
Relax in your hotel after your hike and grab an early dinner in Page. Next, head to Horseshoe Bend for sunset. The trailhead is just a few minutes drive south of Page.
Horseshoe Bend is a famous, 270-degree bend in the Colorado River with a 1000-foot drop. It’s accessible by a short, 0.75-mile hike to the rim. There isn’t any fencing around the dropoff to the canyon, so make sure you watch your footing and don’t stand too close to the edge!
This view was the most breathtaking scenery we experienced on our northern Arizona trip. Unlike the scenery at the Grand Canyon and other views in Arizona, you really feel up close and personal with the view.
Even though Horseshoe Bend is located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the parking lot is owned by the city of Page and requires $10 to park (your National Park Pass won’t work here).
Expect huge crowds here at sunset. There is a lot of room to spread out at the viewpoint, but the small platform with the best view for photos will be packed with people. Be patient and you’ll be able to get your photo!
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also set your alarm clock and come back here tomorrow morning for sunrise. I’ve heard it’s much quieter at sunrise vs. sunset.
Day 8: Monument Valley
Monument Valley Tribal Park is located in northern Arizona off of US Highway 163. From Page, this is about a 2 hour drive.
You can visit Monument Valley as a day trip from Page, or plan to stay the night there. Staying in Page means more driving today, but it also puts you an hour closer to the airport for your flight tomorrow and means you don’t have to pack up and move again for just a 1 night stay. You will have plenty of time at Monument Valley regardless of which option you choose.
Check out my ultimate Monument Valley travel guide for more details on visiting this incredible place!
Forrest Gump Point
You’ll actually want to drive north past the entrance to Monument Valley first. Forrest Gump Point is located off of Highway 163 just north of the park. This is the part of the movie where Forrest stopped running.
There are signs and 3 areas to pull off the road, so you can’t miss it. The speed limit through this area also drops to 45 mph.
You’ll also likely see a lot of people in the road taking pictures too. Grab that incredible photo from the road with the Monument Valley rock formations in the background!
Valley Drive
Enter Monument Valley Tribal Park and head to the Visitor’s Center. Grab lunch at the View Restaurant, located inside the Visitor’s Center.
Head for the scenic Valley Drive after lunch. This is a 17-mile dirt road loop through the scenic red rock formations. You’ll get up close and personal with the region and you get to explore at your own pace.
You’ll get a map and instructions for doing the drive at the entrance station after you pay the fee.
The Valley Drive hours vary depending on the season as well. In peak season (May through September) it is open from 6 am to 8 pm and in the off season (October through April) it is open from 8 am to 5 pm. They will stop letting cars into the scenic drive 2.5 hours before closing. Check the latest information and hours of operation here.
You don’t need 4WD for this drive, but I’d recommend a high-clearance vehicle. We saw lots of 2WD SUVs on this drive and they did just fine. We had a Jeep Grand Cherokee and had no issues.
It took us about an hour and a half to do this drive, and that included a lot of stopping for photos.
Where to Stay at Monument Valley
Monument Valley is located in a very remote area so restaurants and hotel options are minimal.
If you’re choosing to stay the night here instead of visiting on a day trip from Page, here are some options close by:
- Goulding’s Lodge: Hotel and campground with a rich history dating back to the 1920’s. There is a restaurant, convenience store, pool, and gift shop on site. We ate lunch here and the Navajo taco was excellent.
- The View Hotel: Hotel, cabins, and campground with a trading post.
Day 9: Drive to Phoenix & Fly Home
Your last day in Arizona concludes with driving to Phoenix and flying home. If you’re coming from Page, this will take you about 4 hours. If you’re coming from Monument Valley, it will take about 5 hours.
If you have time before your flight and want one more quick stop, I recommend checking out Montezuma Castle National Monument. It’s located right off of I-17 about 1.5 hours north of Phoenix.
There is a short, paved trail to view the ancient, 20-room apartment built into the side of a giant limestone cliff. The history here is absolutely amazing!
You can also see the Montezuma Well. It is a sub-unit of Montezuma Castle, but is located 11 miles north. The Montezuma Well is a giant limestone sinkhole that the indigenous people used to create irrigation paths for their crops.
Both sites are a quick stop and worth it, in my opinion!
If You Have More Time
Make a day trip to Grand Canyon North Rim from Page. If you are visiting between May 15th and October 15th, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be open. It will take you about 2.5 hours to drive here from Page, but there is an in-park lodge you can stay at. The scenery on the way is gorgeous too! We haven’t yet visited the North Rim, but I’ve heard it’s a much more peaceful experience than the South Rim.
Spend more time hiking in Sedona. If you have an extra day or two to spare and you like hiking, I recommend staying longer in Sedona. There are a ton of great hikes that can easily fill a whole week! Check out the top 10 hikes in Sedona for inspiration. I also have posts on how to hike to Devil’s Bridge and a guide on hiking the Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop.
Spend more time at the Grand Canyon South Rim. If you are fascinated by the Grand Canyon, consider adding another night here to your itinerary. Take a helicopter tour, further explore hiking into the canyon or along the rim, or attempt the strenuous Rim-to-River hike! My Grand Canyon South Rim guide covers all the things you can do here. I also have a guide to visiting the Grand Canyon in the winter if off-season travel is your thing.
If You Have Less Time
With less time, you could skip Monument Valley and leave it for a future trip (you can visit here on a day trip from Moab, Utah too). You could also skip Petrified Forest, but it is less convenient to visit on a different trip so you might prioritize it over Monument Valley for now.
Here’s how I would structure a shorter trip in northern Arizona:
- Day 1: Fly to Phoenix & Drive to Sedona
- Day 2: Sedona
- Day 3: Flagstaff
- Day 4: Day Trip to Petrified Forest National Park
- Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim
- Day 6: Drive to Page, Lake Powell Boat Cruise
- Day 7: Page
- Day 8: Drive to Phoenix and Fly Home
With even less time, I would skip Page for now and plan to return here on a different trip.
A 5-6 day trip will still allow you to visit Sedona, Flagstaff, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon. With this itinerary, I would recommend staying in Flagstaff for almost the entire trip, but spend your first or last night at the Grand Canyon so that you can catch a famous sunrise and sunset here.
Do you plan to visit Northern Arizona soon? Let me know if this itinerary was helpful in the comments below!
-Megan
