Arizona road trip: Sedona to Grand Canyon and Canyon de

Explore Arizona's geological wonders across 6,003 km, visiting iconic red rock formations in Sedona including Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock, the vast Grand Canyon National Park, ancient cliff dwellings at Canyon de Chelly and Montezuma Castle, plus dramatic landscapes like Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Petrified Forest National Park.

Distance
6002.6 km
Mode
route
Start
Welcome to Arizona
End
Zion National Park
Stops
29
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Arizona — Desert state renowned for dramatic red rock formations, vast canyons, and year-round sunshine attracting millions of outdoor enthusiasts annually.
  2. Virgin River Gorge — Striking reminder of nature's transformation between St. George, Utah and Beaver Dam, Arizona
  3. Cathedral Rock — Striking red sandstone formation near Sedona featuring twin peaks that tower above Oak Creek Canyon, popular for hiking and photography.
  4. Sedona & Cathedral Rock — Glowing red rocks and iconic Cathedral Rock formation in the Red Rock region
  5. Bell Rock — Iconic cone-shaped butte near Sedona rising 3,600 feet, accessible via scenic hiking trails offering panoramic views of the surrounding red rock landscape.
  6. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — Established November 9, 2000, featuring Coyote Butte and Pariah Canyon
  7. Canyon de Chelly — Monument within Navajo Nation boundaries in the Four Corners region
  8. Willow Springs Lake — Cold water lake on the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona, part of the rim lakes system
  9. Courthouse Butte — Iconic red rock formation north of Oak Creek village in Yavapai County
  10. Grand Canyon National Park — Extraordinary natural wonder from the depths of the Grand Canyon
  11. Meteor Crater — Impact crater site in Arizona
  12. Chiricahua National Monument — Remote monument in southeastern Arizona
  13. Glen Canyon Dam — Massive concrete arch dam creating Lake Powell, a crucial water resource for the Southwest and gateway to stunning canyon exploration.
  14. Coconino National Forest — Expansive forest covering 1.8 million acres with ponderosa pines, alpine meadows, and hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes.
  15. Antelope Canyon — Slot canyon formation in northern Arizona
  16. Grand Falls — Waterfall feature in Arizona
  17. Montezuma Castle National Monument — Well-preserved cliff dwellings in central Arizona
  18. Wupatki National Monument — Ancient pueblo ruins in northern Arizona
  19. Lake Pleasant — Reservoir in central Arizona
  20. Petrified Forest National Park — Ancient fossilized forest and Painted Desert in northeastern Arizona
  21. London Bridge — Historic 1831 granite bridge relocated from London to Lake Havasu in 1968, now an unexpected landmark spanning a desert waterway.
  22. Lake Havasu — Man-made reservoir on the Colorado River offering water sports, sandy beaches, and a scenic setting surrounded by desert landscape.
  23. Wukoki Pueblo — 12th-century ancestral Puebloan dwelling ruins standing four stories high, showcasing sophisticated stone construction techniques of ancient Arizona inhabitants.
  24. Lake Powell
  25. Monument Valley — Iconic desert landscape with massive rock formations on Navajo Nation lands
  26. Horseshoe Bend — Colorado River viewpoint with dramatic meander formation
  27. Rancho Sahuarita — Historic Spanish colonial ranch south of Tucson preserving 19th-century hacienda architecture and desert ranching heritage in southern Arizona.
  28. Green Valley
  29. Zion National Park — Created by the Virgin River topography

Useful for your trip

Timing
Cathedral Rock attracts hikers, spiritual seekers, and nature enthusiasts all year round.
Tip
Cathedral Rock is one of the most photographed landmarks in Arizona with unbeatable panoramic views from the top.
Tip
Bell Rock Pathway is a must-hike for visitors to Sedona, featuring one of the area's most well-known energy vortices.
Tip
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a 280,000-acre unspoiled area with diverse landscapes including plateaus, canyons, and some of the most spectacular trails in the world.
Tip
Virgin River Gorge is located between St. George, Utah, and Beaver Dam, Arizona in northwest Arizona.
Timing
Virgin River Gorge has typical Mojave Desert climate with hot summers and mild winters.
Tip
Canyon de Chelly is within the Navajo Nation boundaries in the Four Corners region and reflects one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America.

Video on this route

ARIZONA: The Wild Desert That Never Sleeps | Travel Video 4K

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