A Phoenix to Sedona drive is likely one of the very unlikely, lesser-discussed street journeys within the US. Unlike most of the US’ mammoth street journeys, this Sedona street journey can simply be tackled in a day. And the route splits Arizona in two – heading north up to central Arizona and passing a number of the greatest locations to go to in Arizona as you go. Only simply over two hours in size, the Phoenix to Sedona drive covers 117 miles. It whisks you from one in all Arizona’s most iconic large cities into the center of pink rock nation. The drive incorporates pink rocks galore and tons of mountain climbing trails. There are cultural sights, too, like Montezuma Castle National Monument.
In this information, we’ll cowl every part value realizing concerning the Phoenix to Sedona drive – which is definitely lots. There’s an final itinerary developing, plus solutions to some widespread FAQs, and even some issues to do in Sedona and Phoenix. You can simply squeeze these items in earlier than and after your day journey of a lifetime. Let’s get began.
Phoenix to Sedona Drive Itinerary
So, you’re prepared to sort out the Phoenix to Sedona drive. This is well one in all Arizona’s high street journeys – and day journeys – and we’ve ready the final word itinerary so that you don’t miss out on a factor. You’ll be reducing by way of central Arizona and the dramatic desert panorama. Surrounded by pure magnificence, that is the right day journey for wildlife, mountain climbing, or animal lovers. We’ll first cowl probably the most direct route, then present an alternate route for those who fancy a detour.
Best Sedona Tours From Phoenix
Below are a number of the high excursions from Phoenix to Sedona. These are nice for those who don’t have a automotive.
Top Activities and Tours:
The easiest method to full the Phoenix to Sedona drive is to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. From Phoenix Airport, lease a automotive, drive to Sedona utilizing this itinerary, and then fly from Sedona Airport. Or, for those who actually need, you may drive again to Phoenix after spending a number of nights in Sedona. If you propose a return journey, that is the right time to make the most of our various route – you get one of the best of each worlds.
Got your paper and pen prepared? Then let’s begin. This is the final word itinerary to expertise the Phoenix to Sedona street journey.
1. Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Distance from Phoenix: 55 minutes Time required: 1 hour
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is an enormous leisure space and one of many first notable sights you move as you start your Phoenix to Sedona drive. Lake Pleasant has over 100 campsites and RV spots – it’s a massively standard pure getaway for these residing in Phoenix. When driving from Phoenix to Sedona, it’s best for an early morning refresher, thanks to its wealth of water actions. You may go for a dawn kayak. Or, for those who go away it till 10 am, take a journey on the world’s largest floating waterslide at H2. Whoa!
Pack swimwear and a towel; use Lake Pleasant as the right wake-up spot. It is sweet to begin your day with some exercise, and in summer season particularly, Lake Pleasant has a beautiful ambiance.
2. Rock Springs Cafe in Black Canyon City
Distance from Phoenix: 49 minutes Time required: half-hour
Black Canyon City is just a little desert city as soon as used for mining. The previous mining city is now a quick stop-off level on the drive from Phoenix to Sedona. However, the unassuming city has one main draw – Rock Springs Cafe. The cafe has an aesthetic trucker vibe, with a faint signal etched in true Southern hospitality type on its partitions.
The cafe is stuffed with character with hyperlinks to the previous bootlegging days and over 100 years of native historical past. Its particular pies are simply an added bonus. Rock Springs ships pie all around the US and serve them to guests on arrival. We counsel stopping by for a fast brunch after your water actions on Lake Pleasant.
3. Badger Springs Trail
Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour 10 minutes Time required: 1 hour
Badger Springs Trail is a 1.5 miles hike with a trailhead throughout the Agua Fria National Monument. Short however candy, this path is simple to full and appropriate for hikers of all capabilities as long as they’ve fundamental mobility. The path drops you down alongside the banks of the Agua Fria River, immersing you in Arizonian wildlife and taking you to some spectacular Perry Mesa petroglyphs hidden inside a canyon.
Badger Springs Trail is ideal for spending an hour or so stretching your legs. The path is comparatively busy however not packed, so it’s a good alternative to see some petroglyphs with out straining your neck to peer over crowds.
4. Agua Fria National Monument
Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour 10 minutes Time required: 1 hour
Now that you simply’ve formally entered the central area of Agua Fria National Monument, you may genuinely respect the 71,000 acres of protected pure house. Badger Springs Trail is an effective way to begin your time within the nationwide monument – particularly with its historical past, wildlife, and Agua Fria River entry.
However, after this, we’d counsel spending just a little further time within the space with binoculars, simply taking a break from driving and having fun with the views. You can spot coyotes, mountain lions, mule deer, and even antelope if you’re fortunate.
You can detour to the Pueblo La Plata web site at this level in order for you as properly. Visiting Pueblo La Plata entails a 40-minute drive by way of a distant desert panorama to see an historic Native American Settlement.
5. Montezuma Castle National Monument
Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour 45 minutes Time required: half-hour
Speaking of Native American historical past, Montezuma Castle is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Arizona. The 20-story cliff dwelling is a outstanding early settlement lower into limestone rock. This historic stone pueblo is likely one of the US’ most revered historic sights. You can take a ranger-led tour of Montezuma Castle or go to independently. It is only a brief stroll from the parking space alongside a paved monitor – taking beneath 10 minutes to full. While you may’t enter Montezuma Castle, you may get fabulous views from simply exterior.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is located simply exterior of Camp Verde. It is well among the best historic sights you may add as a stop-off on your journey from Phoenix to Sedona, and you must positively tick it off.
6. Red Rock Scenic Byway
Distance from Phoenix: 1 hour 50 minutes Time required: 20 minutes
Many folks say that the Red Rock Scenic Byway is a gateway to Sedona. The scenic drive is roughly 7.5 miles lengthy and cuts by way of some spectacular pink rock formations. Since Sedona is famed for its pink rocks, it’s no surprise this coming into street is stuffed with brilliant, cherry-red rock options.
Driving, it solely takes 20 minutes; this byway is on the direct route from Phoenix to Arizona. It is the best attraction to mix with this street journey – you gained’t have to exit of your manner. And in truth, the one manner this may take further time is in order for you to cease and take some fast pictures.
7. Bell Rock
Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours Time required: 1-2 hours
Bell Rock is a dramatic pink rock butte you move simply earlier than coming into Sedona. As a ultimate stop-off earlier than coming into town, we suggest stopping and mountain climbing (or mountain biking) up Bell Rock. The path is just 0.8 miles out and again, however you’ll attain an elevation achieve of 203 toes – so be ready to get barely out of puff.
This path is ranked as reasonable, and you’ll want to deliver some water and sound, sturdy footwear. However, it’s one in all Sedona’s most iconic hikes, so it’s implausible to full. The panoramic view you get on this hike makes all of it worthwhile.
Alternate Route: Via Verde Valley Wine Trail
Fancy a special drive again to Phoenix? Or would you favor to skip over the scenic byway and Bell Rock in favor of an excellent wine tour? Looping up to Old Town Cottonwood is a good alternate route on the Phoenix to Sedona drive. You can incorporate one of many fabulous wine excursions on the Verde Valley Wine Trail.
If you detour this manner, you may as well go to the Verde Canyon Railroad and Tuzigoot National Monument – beautiful and participating sights. If you could have youngsters it’s your decision to cease on the Africa Wildlife Park, although we don’t suggest visiting establishments like this, this appears to be properly run. Use your individual judgment. The railroad, specifically, is greatest for individuals who don’t need to hike Bell Rock or have compromised mobility.
Since wine excursions are just a little incompatible with single-day street journeys, we recommend stopping in a single day in Old Town Cottonwood for those who select this selection. Unless you could have a chosen driver, getting two days out of this various Phoenix to Sedona route is greatest.
What To See and Do in Phoenix
After touchdown at Phoenix Airport, go away your self a day or two to settle earlier than heading on your Phoenix to Sedona drive. So how will you preserve your self entertained? What are a number of the greatest issues to do in Phoenix? Forget a day journey for at the least the primary couple of days, as there may be simply a lot to see on this Arizona metropolis. You can go to a buying village, take a look at Arizona’s artwork galleries, or choose any of the sights beneath.
Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum is likely one of the most original museums within the US, not to mention Arizona or Phoenix. There are over 15,000 artifacts – which is actually virtually unfathomable. Phoenix’s creative, cultured character is unattainable not to love. And having the Musical Instrument Museum to respect improves Phoenix tenfold. Don’t simply go to the exhibitions; Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum has a 300-seat theater and hosts common performances. See if one aligns along with your go to dates, and cease by the present store after.
Frontier Town
Frontier Town is tremendous cool. The recreated previous west settlement is sort of a little time capsule and a implausible place to uncover an immersive Western expertise in the midst of town. It isn’t only a Western pop-up attraction, although; it acts as a totally practical buying heart.
Think snapping footage in entrance of aesthetic, previous west-style surroundings whereas rummaging by way of store after store of cut price buys. If you need to cease by a present store or two, simply add Frontier Town to your itinerary. Is it a vacationer entice? A little bit bit. But it may nonetheless get a smile out of even the grouchiest adults.
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is just a little solace amid Downtown Phoenix. It is run primarily by volunteers and has a peaceable ambiance, making it the best place to slink away to get pleasure from a brief stroll and some inexperienced house. The backyard has tiny pagodas, limitless water options, quaint pink bridges, and ceramic wind bells. And when you’ve had a soothing stroll, there’s a tea backyard and tea home the place you may seize a standard beverage to finish the expertise.
Frank Lloyd Wright Spire
Frank Lloyd Wright Spire doesn’t make many high suggestions relating to issues to do in Phoenix. Located within the suburbs in close by Scottsdale, Frank Lloyd Wright Spire is a outstanding feat of structure – a 125-foot tall jagged spike of blue that juts out above the boulevard. The spire is an ode to the late architect primarily based on his proposed design as Arizona’s new state capitol in 1957. You can discover from the bottom of the spire and stroll across the park it’s situated in.
What To See and Do in Sedona
The Phoenix to Sedona drive is perhaps a day journey, however you may nonetheless spend a number of days visiting Sedona when you arrive. Our recommendation: deal with your probability to go to Sedona as a brief getaway. Spend at the least a number of days there after driving from Phoenix to Sedona. These are the highest choice of all of the issues to do in Sedona throughout your keep. Who is aware of, perhaps you’ll plan a Sedona street journey to someplace particular close by, just like the Grand Canyon?
Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon is a surprising pink rock gorge and an absolute dream to cease by once you go to Sedona. The canyon is ideal for getting that pink rock surroundings and includes a swimming gap and a pure waterslide. Oak Creek Canyon is lower than 10 minutes away from Sedona by automotive.
You can simply use it as a half-day exercise – simply pack some swimwear, a towel, and snacks. Photographers ought to deliver a digital camera too. Alternatively, for those who fancy a extra energetic manner of reaching the canyon, lease a motorbike and cycle to Oak Creek Canyon. The canyon is simply half-hour away by bike, so biking is a possible addition to this attraction.
Cathedral Rock Trail
When visiting Sedona, scary hikes are a should. Cathedral Rock path is as scary because it will get, and this steep hike ascends abruptly to a saddle that lies between two pink rock formations. The 1.5-mile spherical hike shouldn’t be for the faint-hearted, however positively, an achievement to get your blood pumping. Technically talking, Cathedral Rock Trail isn’t demanding of hikers’ expertise – it requires psychological power to persevere by way of the ascent.
You’ve most likely seen Cathedral Rock earlier than, but when not, take a look at an image now. The sandstone butte is well one in all Arizona’s most well-known sights. The jagged collection of mounds make up the huge butte, and it’s a transfixing sight whether or not you climb it or not. Moreover, Cathedral Rock is a 12-minute drive from Sedona and stunning at sundown.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Chapel of the Holy Cross is an summary Catholic church relationship again to the Fifties. The bizarre-designed church juts up with floor-to-ceiling home windows and overlooks the pink rocks scattered exterior. The towering concrete landmark seems to be extra like a spaceship than something spiritual – an actual piece of recent structure. Totally free to enter; it is likely one of the hottest sights in Sedona. Tourists find it irresistible for its novel modern attract. It even has its personal on-line present store.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon shouldn’t be in Sedona itself. However, it’s only a 2-hour drive from Sedona, so the city is a implausible base for a day journey to probably the most well-known canyon. The canyon is likely one of the US’ hottest sights. People flock to the canyon to admire its dramatic surroundings, bask in helicopter rides, and head out on mountain climbing trails.
But, it’s removed from only a fairly face. Stretching 278 miles, it encompasses 11 related tribes’ ancestral homelands and boasts the Great Unconformity. The Great Unconformity is a lacking layer within the rock sample. It stays a complete thriller to geologists all around the world.
The Grand Canyon is far more possible as a day journey from Sedona than Phoenix. So benefit from venturing on this Phoenix to Sedona drive and keep in Sedona for a number of days, including on a day journey additional north to the Grand Canyon. It is a fairly direct route, heading up by way of Flagstaff or Grand Canyon Junction.
Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout
Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout is likely one of the most stunning locations to admire the views close to Sedona. It is a superb sundown level when the pink rocks are illuminated in beautiful shades of pink. The viewpoint overlooks western Sedona and sits on the finish of the airport street – therefore the title.
The huge car parking zone is free to get pleasure from. So pack a picnic, deliver some blankets, and settle in for a romantic night overlooking Sedona. Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout is likely one of the most romantic issues to do in Sedona for sundown and even after darkish for those who fancy some star gazing.
Phoenix to Sedona Drive: FAQs
The Phoenix to Sedona drive is a bucket record street journey. And this route is a breeze to full in a day journey – ultimate for individuals who have little time in Arizona. So, what else is there to know? As promised, listed below are the solutions to your mostly requested questions.
Is Sedona well worth the drive from Phoenix?
Definitely, Sedona affords a wholly completely different perception into Arizona than what Phoenix affords. You’ll expertise actual ‘red rock country’ and street journey a ridiculously scenic route to get there. Sedona itself is stuffed with mountain climbing trails and tradition. It can be an ideal base to get pleasure from snowboarding or head to the Grand Canyon.
What is one of the best scenic route from Phoenix to Sedona?
The greatest scenic route from Phoenix to Sedona is through the Red Rock Scenic Byway. On this route, you’re surrounded by pink rocks, and it’s beautiful at sundown. If you need an iconic manner to enter Sedona, select this route.
Is the drive from Phoenix to Sedona straightforward?
The drive from Phoenix to Sedona is very easy. You keep on the Arizona Veterans Highway for many of the journey, solely altering to Highway 179 (the scenic byway) for the final half-hour of the drive. It is tremendous easy to navigate.
What is the street like from Phoenix to Sedona?
The street from Phoenix to Sedona is fundamental and straightforward to drive. You are purely touring on highways – beginning on the Arizona Veterans Highway and switching to Highway 179. The highways run by way of desert terrain and are comparatively quiet when you’ve exited Phoenix.
To Conclude
The Phoenix to Sedona drive is fairly iconic, that’s for positive. The pink rocks of Sedona and the desert panorama you move on this street journey are irresistible. You’ll have a superb time whether or not you cease by the traditional stone pueblos at Montezuma Castle National Monument or take one of many three mountain climbing trails listed on this information. The better part is that the Phoenix to Sedona drive is simply two hours lengthy – that means you could have all day to fill with thrilling sights and stop-off factors.
Looking for extra Arizona inspiration? Why not plan to keep in an aesthetic, conventional cabin? These are the greatest cabins in Arizona for those who can tempt your self to cease driving and keep put for an evening. Trust us, you’ll respect the attractive views and heat ambiance.