In this Flagstaff to Sedona road trip itinerary I share all the best stops to make along the way, and what to expect at each location. How to Get from Phoenix to Sedona - TripSavvy Curious working mill and car graveyard. Absolutely amazing. The animals are very calm and present so that you can see them as you drive through. I cant recommend it enough! It is also the go-to spot for taking in a breathtaking sunset over the red rocks one of the most memorable things you can do on any Sedona vacation. The people of Flagstaff were saddened when Pluto was demoted as a planet, however the observatory remains a great place to come and learn about the universe, discovery, and peer into space. Loved the experienced. Housed in an attractive Craftsman-style stone building amid a pine grove, this small but excellent museum spotlights local American Indian archaeology, history and culture, as well as geology, biology and the arts. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 11,265. The park fills up quickly on weekends with local families bringing chairs, blankets, and coolers and setting up camp along the water. 928-774-3358, In 1894 Boston businessman, author, and scientist Percival Lowell founded this observatory from which he studied Mars. How far is Flagstaff from Sedona? Its so when passengers take their shoes off. This is the popular and beautiful Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona from Flagstaff. Along the way youll find peaceful hiking trails, overlook vistas, and popular state parks offering iconic Sedona views. They really made it fun and easy as a beginner. 6 More Things to Do on a Drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff. Unfortunately, all the planets and the Milky Way were below the horizon, so the night viewing was not as fun as I expected but still a very unique experience. What a wonderful place! Leaving the City of Sedona, Joanne Keene hired as Flagstaff deputy city 1. One of the most popular destinations in Sedona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, is a Roman Catholic chapel built directly into the red rocks. The Museum of Northern Arizona is a repository for natural history specimens and indigenous materials from the Colorado Plateau, including zoology, fine art, botany, geology, and anthropology collections. From the lookout point youll be rewarded with views of Sedona, Coffee Pot Rock, Capitol Butte, Oak Creek Canyon, Sterling Canyon and Verde Valley. There are moments as your driving that you think you cant wind and twist any more, then you turn a simple corner and WOW the road opens up and the views are overwhelming, expansive and unending. Experience outstanding views of the heavens and wide-screen, cinematic multimedia shows. The docent gave interesting history and made our self tour cime to life! The history of Tuzigoot is fascinating of course, but the experience is walking those pathways in and around the monument, and especially to the top. fun music and attractions around this area. Crooks Fire sends smoke into Verde Valley - Sedona Red Rock News Friendly knowledgeable Visitor Center in Train Depot still used by Amtrak. My favorite time of year is fall and time of day is mid to late afternoon. Overall a great way to spend an hour. Lowell Observatory was founded in 1894 by an astronomer and a mathematician from Bostons Lowell Family known as Percival Lowell. Ancient hilltop pueblo with a nearby visitor center featuring artifacts of the Sinaguan Indians. Turn right on AZ-89A and continue into Sedona, Arizona. Filled with American Indian artifacts, fine art, and natural science displays, the Museum of Northern Arizona is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Colorado Plateau. The Temps were down in the mid 30's. Sedona is a city in central Arizona that is famous for its red rocks and scenic views. Distance from Grasshopper Point to Midgley Bridge: 3 minutes / 1 mile. Otherwise it's a different and cool type of hike. One of the most ethereal sights in Sedona, the Cathedral Rock is hard to miss. My suggestion is (if you plan the same and it's your first time there) to not stop at the first signage you come across. You start out up in the lush rugged forests of Flagstaff and work your way down (in direction (south) and in altitude) to the canyon and rock formation surrounded town of Sedona, AZ. Keene will fill Flagstaff's deputy city manager role that was vacated by Shane Dille way back in February of 2022. Despite its name, the location isnt an airport; instead, 3.5 mile loop around one of the citys most iconic natural landmarks: Table Top Mountain. You will need a Red Rock Pass to park here. We understand this is a private shop, but its clear the owners intention is not to share knowledge, joy, and win friends, but just to show off his tiny lifelong possessions. Nasty owner. This is a very unique attraction, and whether youre spiritual or not, its worth a visit for the architectural beauty alone. All of the food was warm not hot. There are many parking spots but the lot often fills up and vehicles will queue in a line. Book with confidence with our Low Price Guarantee and 24/7 support. How far is it from Sedona, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ? That time of day really allows you to take in the beautiful colors of the surrounding cliffs as the sunlight sneaks away. I have read stories about people being incredibly rude about masks before but this was my first time encountering it. Hiking boots recommended. The hike starts off with incredible views right from the start and is the perfect hike any time of year. Distance from Flagstaff to Griffiths Spring Trail: 15 minutes / 7.5 miles. Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. Dont we look legit? kids alike. Parking Situation: There are several parking spaces located down a packed dirt road. Bring more water than you think (some refill areas available) and remember you are at 7000 ft elevation so not as fast as you think. I am in great shape. Getting to Sedona | Visit Sedona Driving Distance from Sedona, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ - Travelmath The trail head is on the opposite side of the road. Here astronauts learned about the moon and detailed maps were Modern 1950s chapel with a striking location atop red rock buttes & wide views of the Sedona area. Incredible. Christopher Fox Graham is the managing editor of the Sedona Rock Rocks News, The Camp Verde Journal and the Cottonwood Journal Extra. He kept us up to date with what was going on during our trip to and from the canyon. Sedona's population is currently around 10,300 inhabitants. Seriously I was starving! Sedona is a breathtaking desert town and is one of the best day trips from Phoenix. To beat the heat of the summer jump in your best ride and head north to a roller coaster ride filled with views of breathtaking rock formations and a kaleidoscope of wildlife and foliage along Highway 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff. Great place to visit. Originally established to study mars, the observatory has contributed to the scientific community in a multitude of ways. A fun family activity! There are also drinks you can buy at the saloon prior to dinner and a bar at dinner. Established in 1928, the Museum of Northern Arizona is a private and nonprofit museum where the materials and natural history specimens from the Colorado Plateau are preserved. Distance from Midgley Bridge to Sedona: About 3 minutes / 1.6 miles to city center. There's a lot of people by 9:30am! Grand Canyon National Park to Flagstaff: 90 minutes / 79 miles. We ate in the old buffet that is now a sit down with a menu restaurant. On average, Flagstaff has 288 days of sunshine per year, which is more than the national average of 205 days. Understated quarters in a quaint train-inspired property offering a casual restaurant & a cozy pub. Coconino National Forest - Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive The bus journey time between Flagstaff and Sedona is around 40 min and covers a distance of around 30 miles. Flagstaff is a city in northern Arizona that is known for its snow-capped mountains and forests. I'm looking forward to visiting again in the spring. Source: The Mine Museum explores Jerome's history as a booming copper-mining town. Get directions from Phoenix to Flagstaff and directions from Flagstaff to Sedona, Grand Canyon and more. Park with a mining museum in historic Douglas Mansion, plus a picnic area & outdoor displays. During your day in Sedona, you can choose one of the many hikes or tours offered! It's a relatively short , paved path loop which passes by the historic hillside interesting plaques. Photo The distance from Sedona to the Grand Canyon is 114 miles with the total drive time being around 2 hours on the route through Williams on I-40 and Highway 64, taking you to the South Rim. No toast or bread of any kind, they only had scrambled eggs, corned beef and hash (taste like it came out of a can) hard bacon, good sausage links, cubed potatoes, small danishes that (taste like they came from the supermarket) and white gravy. Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. Originally established to study mars, the observatory has contributed to the scientific community in a multitude of ways. Enough parking place, picnic benches, clean bathrooms. The group of cliff dwellings that make up Walnut Canyon National Monument were constructed by the Sinagua people, who lived and farmed. to the present via exhibits & artifacts. The historic train station, built in 1926, was formally the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad depot. Flight distance is approximately 24 miles (38 km) and flight time from Sedona, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is 02 minutes. The stretch of road. :-) Also the fact that they only accept cash is a little inconvenient as there is now where close to go and get it if you forget. In 1989 the city developed a code to reduce light pollution in order to increase efficiency of the telescopes, which actually makes any spot around the city good for star gazing too! Kids will love the paved Pluto Walk, which meanders through a scale model of our solar system. Day Trips from Sedona | Flagstaff, Grand Canyon & Jerome It offers hikers a 360-degree panoramic views of almost every major red-rock landmark along the perimeter at an elevation of 4,500 feet. It was a splurge, but we had a great time! If youre planning on completing the full length of any of the hikes (with the exception of the first one which is quite short), youll need more than two days to complete all the stops below. r/bicycling . Parking Situation: There is a paid lot on the right hand side of the road. It is well put together EXCEPT the bath exhibit they need to remove the trashy mannequins, its just ruins the display they dont have a museum shop . splash ! Airport Mesa is a short and easy drive 5 minutes uphill, with the Sedona airport located at the top. . Cars were going 15mph. 2040 Mormon Lake Rd, Mormon Lake, AZ 86038, USA. Purchased the three night package traveling to the Grand Canyon. Rand-McNally named Highway 89s panoramic path through Oak Creek Canyon one of the most beautiful drives in America, designating it Arizonas first scenic route. From Flagstaff to the South Pole, it is mi (km) in the north. I also include the distance between each stop and what the parking situation is like at each location. For reference, here are the driving distances between popular destinations in the area. This is a natural landmark and the site of a meteor crater impact thousands of years ago. Everyone was super friendly and the ghost town and unique antiques were so interesting. Be sure to bring lots of water for this one. by Wikimedia Commons user The Grand Canyon is located 1.5-hours northwest of Flagstaff; while both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are located about 2-hours north . It ends in Flagstaff, Arizona. Comments from past hikers on Alltrails include: Challenging with beautiful views,. Intense elevation gain,. and my personal favorite, HARD! The distance from Flagstaff to Sedona is just 29 miles and about 48 minutes. The Airport Mesa overlook is one of Sedonas most popular destinations for photography. My favorite hike in the Sedona area. Humphrey lift lines were long but moved a lot better. Kaldari Down below I identify each of the stops as youll encounter them from north to south along the 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona. Sitting atop a hill just west of downtown, this national historic landmark famous for the first sighting of Pluto, in 1930 was built by Percival Lowell in 1894. Save for later! Distance from Flagstaff, AZ to Sedona, AZ - Check-Distance.com so this was a treat for him and the So I guess, thanks for that rude dude. The road trip from Los Angeles to Sedona is between 480 and 490 miles, depending on the route you choose. The lift lines for the Aspen were insanely long yet they were still allowing single riders. The rock formation itself is also quite spectacular. Historic Route 66 has Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s. Stop #2: Montezuma's Castle. Pizza looks good, $25. If you're getting there after 9am Good be with you because you'll be waiting about 20-30+ min for a parking spot. Best stops along Flagstaff to Sedona drive. Also a shout out to the guy at the desk (sorry, didn't catch you name but it was the morning of 4/27). To the east, Tuzigoot National Monument preserves an ancient hilltop pueblo. I will be back. There is a 1 mile hike to reach the top which is not pretty easy and the sunset view was amazing. Before reaching this city, you can always stop in Slide Rock State Park, which is an Oak Creek Canyon preserve that is located at the bottom of a 1912 homestead and has natural slides that are perfect for kids. A trip to Sedona wouldnt be complete without hiking Airport Mesa. The animals in pens are also friendly for the most part. I wish they selected something other than a star or star clusters for viewing, but I understand that the choice might have been limited given the location of more fun viewing objects. From the various overlook points youll get sweeping views of Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona off in the distance. After dinner, there's a surprisingly good concert out on by very talented musicians. Good diorama of the interior of the "castle". Ive driven this route in the winter when my mom and I spent Christmas in Flagstaff and took the Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon (tip: read this story for our Grand Canyon National Park Itinerary). Slide Rock State Park is one of the most popular attractions in Sedona. Definitely worth the stop! Three restaurants: one very inexpensive ($8) for 1/2 chicken, mashed potatoes, veggie and roll. Flagstaff and Sedona are 45 minutes far apart, if you drive non-stop . It's super cool. Yes it was safe and so cool to see the black spots and solar prominences. For first time adventurers I recommend taking this amazing drive in warmer weather allowing you to have a more relaxed experience. Updated on 03/29/22. Williams. We had just visited and our only thing was it was bitterly cold. It should be no secret by now if youve read my blog before, but Im completely obsessed with Sedona and visit here quite often. This smoke-free hotel includes 2 restaurants, an indoor pool, and a 24-hour gym. We paid $18 per adult to get it to interact with the deers and see other animals. More than once I thought - how tall is that fence? & I have a fairly zoos are antiquated viewpoint. With all of the activities and comfortable seating on the train the train ride went by fast. Distance from Slide Rock State Park to Sterling Pass Trail: 1 minute / 0.7 miles. Sedona to Grand Canyon National Park: 2 hours 10 minutes / 114 miles. 271 Lake Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336 | 35 Photos | MLS #6550576 - Movoto I love the schedule the park arranged. Flagstaff vs Sedona - 2023 Comparison for Visiting & Living - Strategistico The hike is considered moderate, although it should really be marked as easy for 80% and intermediate for 20%. and 29 miles (46.67 kilometers) by car, following the AZ 89A route. Locals hiking around me verbalized Fort Creek Trail was their favorite too. Directions to Sedona, AZ - MapQuest Hours / Access: Gate is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. MLS# 532879. . Youll only need to drive a few hundred feet off the main road to reach the parking spaces. You will be driving through what is known as the Old Creek Canyon on road 89A (also known as "Oak Creek Canyon Drive"). Cars pack the dirt lot at the bridges north end. Distance from Harding Springs Trail to West Fork Oak Creek Trail: 3 minutes / 1.2 miles. Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend from Flagstaff It was a great learning opportunity for our kids about common courtesy. I would give this trail 5 stars but the $11 fee to park is a little high in my opinion and your regular red Rock passes that everyone stops and buys in town do not work there. Admission Fees to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Food was outstanding and the prices were very low. The straight line flight distance is 410 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.3x of the flight distance. I didnt personally go in the water as I had a cast on my arm at the time, but I was told the water is deeper than it looks. Please visit this place. The spruced-up Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel has 298 rooms, which makes rounding one up a breeze, even in peak season. This hike is estimated to take about 3 hours 30 minutes to complete. Route 89A winds its way through 23 miles of spectacular scenery not commonly associated with the usual image of Arizona where pine forests are more abundant than desert cacti. The gift shop had some nice caps marked down on clearance which made me very happy. Beautiful place overall. The outdoor viewing deck was awesome! Typically 14 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Excluding Flagstaff and Sedona, there are nine (9) stops you can make along the way. The drive through area combined with the walking area seems to be quite unique to me. Flagstaff downtown and particularly Heritage Square is a beautiful area for socializing with great food/restaurant options. The animals are VERY well taken care of. 1.8-mi. You must tour! Seriously, this app does it all! There are only a handful of spots, so arrive early. Probably best from the safety of your vehicle or inside a building, right?. We did the Oak Creek Canyon West Fork Trail in the morning and the Airport Mesa Trail in the afternoon (the latter one was the highlight of the day for me). Once you reach the top of Cathedral Rock, head to the right-hand side where you will see a ledge sticking out. This time we did visit over a holiday week. This chapel is built into a hillside which is quite unique and a cool thing to see and photograph. Where do I get to when I dig a hole in Flagstaff through the centre of the earth? Amazing museum! Scottsdale vs Sedona: What's Better For Vacation? - IMtheExplorer Book Now. The viewing area of Cathedral Rock looks over the valley and directly towards the setting sun, which is perfect for great photographs. Just to the East of Flagstaff lies Walnut Canyon, so called due to its populations of Arizona walnut trees, among other walnut species. Option A: At exit 298, turn right onto ramp (0.2 Miles) Turn left (West) onto SR-179 (0.1 Miles) Keep straight onto SR-179 (14.5 Miles) Option B: At exit 287, Turn LEFT onto AZ-260 west toward 89A. Source: Years later she decided to have it built back at her native home of Arizona at 780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, about 4 miles south of the Sedonas Y section. There are also various Native American vendors near Oak Creek Canyon vista at the canyon top who sell various Indian crafts and artisan designed jewelry. 89A) is a 24-mile drive between Flagstaff and Sedona. The jaunt took us along a series of switchbacks and hairpin turns that starts at an elevation of 4,500 feet in Sedona and climbs to 6,900 feet by the time you reach Flagstaff. Ride will start at 7:15 after the Flagstaff Bike Month proclamation announcement and the recognition brick award . Cathedral Rock can be seen anywhere along Hwy 179 or experienced up close via one of its hiking, biking, or horseback riding trails. Take advantage of the business center and free WiFi in public areas. Designed to preserve, interpret and study the cultures and natural beauty of the Colorado Plateau, the Museum educates guest on the traditions and cultures of Southwestern Native people. Take Highway 89A South from Flagstaff. I would recommend to everyone! Flagstaff Airport (FLG) to Sedona - 2 ways to travel via bus - Rome2rio Between Flagstaff and Williams on your Sedona to Grand Canyon road trip is the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, although it has a lot more than deer. Closest Airport to Sedona AZ? There are 3 with Only 2 Near Sedona. Drive through the Navajolands of Northern Arizona. Red Cross volunteers have opened a shelter at Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff. Staff were all friendly and helpful. If youd like to get this blog post in video form you can watch my YouTube video linked above. Youll find plenty of great photo opportunities here too. We spend an AMAZING time at the Deer farm! As older folks, my husband and I considered this a luxury. They have also marked some of the areas so you know what it is. Current time in both locations is 1:58 am. You have about 3 hours at the canyon, enough to see the sights and a little walking. He explained the real reason for wearing face masks. From Flagstaff, take I-17 South to Highway 89A. All the cute little stores had fun souvenirs and we really enjoyed the saloon singers! There is a catholic gift shop in the church. Cottonwood's downtown has lots of personality, great coffee shops and bars, and gifts shops, and restaurants. The actual shuttle ride was fine. The 24-mile-long closure (mileposts 375-397) affects most of the highway between Sedona and Flagstaff as crews battle the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon. Driving Distance from Sedona, AZ to Grand Canyon. I cant imagine anyone not loving this app! Renowned red rock formation in Coconino National Forest & a popular spot for sunset photography. Good gift shop! Come ride with us to start Flagstaff Bike Month. Need to be at the trailhead before 8 to have a shot. Love this place so much. Grand Canyon Day Trip from Flagstaff - Grand Canyon Questions Went there yesterday, very cold windy day and enjoyed every minute. Thank you for also being such gracious hosts. We were there for 1 amazing hour. From the little courtyard and path up to the chapel, you get amazing views of the red cliffs surrounding Sedona. Driving distance from Flagstaff, AZ to Sedona, AZ is 29 miles (47 km). Average USA gas price used for calculation is $4.70 per gallon of regular gas. With its red rock landscapes and upscale resorts, Sedona is one of the most popular getaways from Phoenix. Scottsdale to Sedona: 2 hours 7 minutes / 125 miles. Tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. round-trip trek with juniper, prickly pear cactus & a big sandstone arch with scenic views. used under CC BY-SA 3.0. One of the most popular hiking trails is that of West Fork, a 3-mile long tail that begins in a meadow and follows the West Fork through rock formations and shady groves. Wildlife park offering a drive-thru experience starring wolves, bears, bison, mountain goats & more. The Native American Cliff Dweller was responsible for building the Walnut Canyon from 1100-1250 AD. 3 Arcosanti. The Chapel of the Holy Cros is rated, #1 of the 10 Best Attractions in Sedona by USA Today's 10Best.com." Parking Situation: There is free parking along the side of the road. What a TREAT this place is. Stayed in Sedona for 2 weeks. But I have the choice to wear of not wear one if I want to. Route settings. Visit the 200-acre (80-hectare) campus to explore the vast array of exhibits as well as the museums majestic surroundings.More. When he told me that I couldnt wear a mask, and I kindly responded oh okay and left, he chased me out and started trying to argue with me. Best Phoenix to Sedona Drive Stops Agua Fria National Monument. Home to the discovery of Pluto, the Lowell Observatory is a working research centre open to visitors and currently houses the Discovery Channels telescope. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Visiting Oregons Fort Rock State Natural Area, How To Visit Provins, a Paris Day Trip for Families, Staying at the Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge in Costa Rica, The Great American Road Trip in Billings, Montana, rustic cabins, cottages and bed and breakfast inns. Really fun place for the whole family. Our tour guide was nice but needs to hone her public speaking skills. The pandemic shut down the buffet but not the quality of the food or the very reasonable prices. Be sure to check the forecast before you go, but you can use the below temperature averages as a general guideline. 10 Best Stops on the Phoenix to Sedona Drive The chapel is a triumph of architecture in its simplicity and beauty. You could check out Museum of Northern Arizona and Walnut Canyon National Monument, or the always popular Arizona Snowbowl! Dont think about it - just click download right this minute. He came out looking for a fight. This stunning area is also home to many rustic cabins, cottages and bed and breakfast inns that add considerably to the charm of the creek. Follow US-89A south for 25 miles into Sedona. There's a fun place to leave the kids while you gamble, swimming pool for guests of hotel. Road Trip From Los Angeles To Sedona - LazyTrips The iconic Chapel of the Holy Cross is perhaps the most recognized landmark within Sedona. McCarran International Airport was the fifth-busiest airport in North America, and 10th in the world (year end 2004 per Airports Council International). 167 likes, 34 comments - Tina (@tee.explores) on Instagram: "Arizona Fall leaf peeping guide! Built to a dual pinnacled spur, about 250 feet high, and extending out a thousand foot rock wall, the chapel is said to be as solid as the rock of Peter, and this unique Catholic Church will put its visitors close to the heavens. Built in 1956, it is also considered a vortex site and the visuals created by this church rising out of the Sedona red rocks never fails to amaze.