Are you even an American if you don’t visit the Grand Canyon in your lifetime? A Grand Canyon road trip was a bucket list item for us, so we decided to fly into Phoenix and road trip all the way through Sedona, Flagstaff, the south and north rim of the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park.

And here’s all the specific details! Including a map of everywhere we stopped along the way.

This itinerary took us six days, with 4 main days of exploring. I would recommend planning an extra day on both ends of the four days for travel, so six full days total.

The Ultimate Grand Canyon road trip guide

 

Day One: Travel to Flagstaff

 

Flagstaff Airbnb

We flew into Phoenix, rented a car and drove up to Flagstaff where we spent our first two nights. We stayed this Airbnb for only $70 per night which was perfect for the one thing we needed: Sleep! It’s a totally private room attached to a house with its own entrance, so even though it’s cheap you still get your privacy.

Grab breakfast at Tourist Home Cafe

The cutest cafe and freshest donuts in Flagstaff goes to Tourist Home Cafe. You can choose to eat in or just take pastries and coffee to go like we did. Make sure to get the churro donut – it’s sweet and crispy on the outside and warm and fluffy and moist on the inside!

Eat dinner at Mother Road Brewery and Pizzicletta

Mother Road Brewery and Pizzicletta are located in the same building but you can order wood-fire pizza in the brewery side and vice versa. We chose to sit in the brewery being there was a wait for a table in the little Pizzicletta restaurant and loved the vibe! Both the beer and pizza were delicious – especially after a full day of hiking!

Day Two: Sedona

 

Take a ride on Pink Jeep Tours

We started our day bright and early with a Sedona Pink Jeep Tour through the Coconino National Forest. There’s a few different tours you can take, but our local friends recommended the Broken Arrow tour which is 2 hours and takes you through different terrain, has knowledgeable guides, and gives you plenty of time for photo ops! We had so much fun on this tour – it’s bumpy but so different than anything we’ve ever done. Such an adventure!

Drink a prickly pear margarita at 89 Agave

Downtown Sedona is a BUSTLING place! There’s plenty of restaurants and shops, but being our main purpose of being there was to ride in jeeps and hike, we only stopped for a bite to eat. We chose 89 Agave because of the nice outdoor patio, but stayed because of the amazing prickly pear margarita and elote. So good!

Hike Devil’s Bridge Trail

The other highlight of our day in Sedona was Devil’s Bridge Trail. It took us about 3 hours total to hike from the trailhead. There’s not a lot of parking, so you might have to park on the street. The hike itself isn’t that difficult, but it can get hot so bring plenty of water! The views along Devil’s Bridge Trail are absolutely breathtaking. Take your time and take plenty of photos!

Day Three: Grand Canyon South Rim and travel to the North Rim

 

Hike down into the South Kaibab Trail

On day three, we woke up early again and drove to the main event of our Grand Canyon road trip: the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. While here, we hiked the South Kaibab Trail into the canyon. PLEASE take a hike into the canyon when you’re there and don’t just sit at the top – it’s so surreal being IN the canyon! It was starting to make for some bad conditions, so we only made it a few miles before heading back up. We saw some amazing views though and I would definitely recommend this trail for anyone who wants to go into the canyon just for a day hike. It’s not advised to hike all the way to the bottom and back in one day.

Take a road trip stop at Cameron Outpost

After our morning hike we started the 4 hour drive from the South rim to the North rim. It’s really not that far away geographically, but the roads take you WAY out of Grand Canyon National Park and around to get there. So, our first stop was at the Cameron Outpost. The outpost has a shop with Native American-made goods, a restaurant, and even an art gallery. The perfect place to stretch your legs!

Walk across the Navajo Bridge

Our next stop was the Navajo Bridge. You’ll drive over the bridge parallel to this on your way to the North Rim, but make sure to pull into the parking lot to take in the views! It’s free to get in and park, so don’t miss it!

Eat dinner at Cliff Dwellers Restaurant

For dinner, stop at Cliff Dwellers Restaurant. It feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere (which it basically is) but the food is awesome. You can even sit on the patio! We ordered a few beers and I ordered the turkey sandwich. One of our favorite meals of the trip because of the location, food, and service!

Get a treat at Jacob Lake Inn

 On your way into the North Rim, stop by the Jacob Lake Inn restaurant and gift shop and get gas if you need it. We stayed here on our third night (see more on that below) but even if you’re not staying make sure to check it out. It’s truly the gathering place of the area. The main lodge has a warm crackling fire, with a restaurant right across the hall that serves local beer, amazing desserts (including homemade pie and cookies), and all the yummy food you would expect from a diner in the middle of nowhere. 

Rest up at Jacob Lake Inn

There’s not many places to stay that make for easy access to the North Rim. We chose Jacob Lake Inn which had everything we needed and more. Jacob Lake Inn will forever be the coziest place I’ve ever stayed, even though it just had the basics. There isn’t any wifi, but that’s ok because instead, visitors gather in the main lodge each night to sit by the fire and chat! So great!

Day Four: Grand Canyon North Rim

 

Take in the views at the North Rim

The majority of people who visit the Grand Canyon visit the South Rim, but if you have the chance to make it to the North Rim, please do it! It’s way more peaceful with less people. We visited in May on a morning with an unanticipated snowfall, so it was extra beautiful! The only lodge that’s actually on the Grand Canyon grounds is The North Rim Lodge. Stop here for food, drinks, coffee, or whatever you need!

Ride a mule into the North Rim

Riding mules into the base of the Grand Canyon has always been a bucket list item of mine. We opted for the morning ride, but because of the snow, the entrance to the North Rim closed for the morning and we weren’t able to enter. They were easily able to put us on the ride starting at noon once the entrance was open. Anyways, we had the most amazing time! I have zero riding experience and managed the mules just fine – these animals do this trek every day and are so good at what they do. The views into the canyon were breathtaking and our guide Dillon did a great job making everyone feel comfortable.

Day Five: Zion National Park

 

Stay at Under the Canvas Zion

Under the Canvas Zion offers glamping at its best and has locations at national parks around the country. So, when we decided to add Zion National Park to our Grand Canyon road trip list, I knew exactly where I wanted to stay! Click here to see why you need to stay here too!

Hike Angel’s Landing

We only had one day in Zion National Park, so we decided to hike Angel’s Landing – the craziest hike I think we’ll ever do! This hike isn’t for the faint of heart or those who are scared of heights. And my one piece of IMPORTANT ADVICE is to WEAR HIKING BOOTS! You’ll be on a lot of slippery rock, only holding onto a rope, so you will definitely want grip. Cole just wore running shoes and his hike was much more difficult than mine, even though he’s more daring.

To get there, we drove into the park, past the first lot and parked a few stops up where there was way more space. We then took the free park bus to the 6th stop to start our hike to the top of Angel’s Landing. This is a busy hike so the earlier you can get there the better. It took us about 3.5 hours total with LOTS of other people and LOTS of switchbacks before you even get to the Angel’s Landing trailhead. All in all, this hike was unforgettable and the views are out of this world!

Refuel at MeMe’s Cafe

After our hike to Angel’s Landing, we needed to fuel up for our drive back to Arizona. We stopped at MeMe’s Cafe in Springdale for a few beers and one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I’ve ever had! We loved the casual setting and home cooked food.

Day Six: Travel 

 

Stay in a sheep wagon

Our last night was spent in Page, Arizona on our way back to Phoenix. This Airbnb is located on a Native American Reservation that has been in the family for 18 generations. We stayed in a real covered wagon, ate traditional Navajo food, and loved meeting all the animals on site! Click here to book. 

Related post: Covered Wagon Airbnb Review

Be amazed at Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend has to be one of the most amazing sites in Arizona. It’s so majestic, and we almost didn’t even go! It costs $10 per car to get in, is crazy busy with tourists, but if you walk a few yards from the main vantage point, you can escape all the craziness and still get amazing photos. (I’m surrounded by 100s of people in the second photo, and no people in the third!) Note that it requires a bit of walking to get to horseshoe bend, so be prepared!

Whew! What a trip! You could easily extend it to a few more days, as we moved pretty quick from place to place. But either way, this Arizona and Utah road trip itinerary will be one that you’ll never forget. I hope you enjoy your Grand Canyon road trip as much as we did!