It’s difficult to grasp just how vast the West is. When you think of the red rock canyons, what might come to mind probably includes the three sandstone buttes of Monument Valley with a cowboy riding through, or perhaps the towering red column that inspired the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction in Disneyland. And then, of course, there’s the Grand Canyon itself.
The tough part about all these? They’re each hundreds of miles away, some not even in the same state. But these are some of the most gorgeous formations in the world (in my humble opinion), so of course, you’ll want to see them all. All it takes is a little planning.
My recommendation for hitting the most iconic formations of Arizona: Start in Sedona and make your loop. Here’s a logistical loop to help you move from the “never have I ever” category and into “been there, done that.”
Sedona to Grand Canyon Itinerary
BriYYZ, CC BY-SA 2.0
Sunset Point in Black Canyon City
1. Phoenix to Sedona: Sunset Point
In reality, the Sedona to Grand Canyon itinerary starts in Phoenix, as that’s the closest international airport. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive, but the views always make it seem faster! As you move from city to a desert filled with saguaros to rolling hills replacing cacti with trees, it really takes your breath away—especially because you climb a good 3,500 feet in elevation on this drive. About halfway through the drive, I always try to make a stop at Sunset Point, simply because it’s one of the prettiest rest stops in the country (although I’ve not visited many rest stops, I’ll admit). It’s properly named, as sunset is the best time to be there to watch the golden light disappear layer by layer over each canyon with a brilliant sky overhead. This is Exit 252 on Interstate 17, and you can make your stop on the way to Sedona or on your way back; it’s easily accessible either way.
Amanda Anderson CC BY-SA 2.0
Snoopy Rock in Sedona, AZ
Ryan Hiebendahl CC0
Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ
2. Sedona: Bell Rock, Snoopy Rock and Devil’s Bridge
When you first exit the freeway, you’ll probably be wondering what the big deal is. Sedona’s unique landscape is tucked away, but once you turn into Oak Creek Village, you’ll see it.
The biggest challenge with Sedona is tearing yourself away from your current spot. The good news is you can’t go wrong. Even the Chipotle in town has such dramatic sweeping views.
Three red rock formations I recommend for a first-time visit: Bell Rock, Snoopy Rock and Devil’s Bridge. For Bell Rock, you can either challenge yourself with a steep climb, or take a leisurely drive up to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a church built into the mountain with incredible views. Snoopy Rock is so named because it resembles the beloved Peanuts character lying on his back. You’ll see it as soon as you approach the hiking path, and you’re welcome to hike up the steep, 6.5-mile trail for even better views.
Last, Devil’s Bridge is very popular for a reason: it’s a practically impossible natural sandstone bridge you can walk onto. Devil’s Bridge Trail is a long hike before you make it to your destination, but worth it. Rise early to beat the traffic; otherwise, be prepared to take a shuttle (parking will be full) and wait a good hour for your photo op.
Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress
Grand Canyon Village
3. Grand Canyon Village
Drive about 2 hours for the splendor that is Grand Canyon Village, the south side of the park that is much closer and has all the views you need for a first time experience.
You can visit the onsite museum, stop at the “Ooo and Ah” point for photos, even hike down a little bit. It’s about 14 miles down to the river, so you likely won’t be doing that hike (that’s another adventure), but because the Colorado River has carved through this natural wonder for billions of years, there are visible different layers to the canyon, and even going down a few miles is a completely new perspective. Even if you sit on a bench and take it in for a while, the Grand Canyon simply isn’t overrated—it always looks like I’m somehow staring at massive painting. It really is that grandiose.
There is a lot of wildlife here as well. It’s not uncommon to see a giant California Condor hovering overhead or a bighorn sheep nonchalantly pass by. Just remember that it’s a bit slippery and easy to lose your step.
4. Page: Horseshoe Bend
For another iconic Arizona red-rock view, make the drive out to Page, Arizona to see Horseshoe Bend. It’s not part of the Grand Canyon, but it certainly feels like it. Also carved by the Colorado River, this 1,000-foot-deep, horseshoe-shaped rock formation is one of the best photo ops in the state. It’s located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which has several more places to explore if you’re up for adventure, like Antelope Canyon. Keep in mind that some of these places require permits to visit and the wait time can be long, so plan accordingly.
Mikesanchez1109, CC BY-SA 3.0
Sunset Crater in Flagstaff, AZ
Bonus: Sunset Crater
From Page, you’re about four hours away from Phoenix. I tend to like stops on long drives, so if you’re like me, use this opportunity to stop in Flagstaff instead, particularly for Sunset Crater. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is the youngest volcano in the state, formed less than 1,000 years ago, and it looks exactly like what you’d imagine a freshly scarred landscape to be: dramatic, otherworldly and quietly powerful.
The volcanic cinder cone glows red and orange, as if it’s permanently holding onto the memory of fire. Walking through the park, you’ll see hardened lava flows and jet-black ash fields, with lots of great hiking trails to take in the wonder of the cooled lava rocks around you. It’s the last stop before the drive back to Phoenix, after you’ve had your fill of Arizona’s geological wonders and are ready to call it a trip.
To plan your trip through Arizona, head to visitarizona.com.