Itinerary check

Question

My family of 3 (2 adults 1 tween) will be arriving to PHX for 7 nights. We plan to rent a car, hit a grocery store, and pack our own lunches to save time and money We want to see the following: painted desert and petrified forest, horseshoe bend, a slot canyon, sedona, grand canyon.

Does this itinerary work out?

Weds june 18 arrive Phx 4:15pm, collect rental car, drive to Holbrook, stop at grocery store along the way. Overnight Holbrook (or nearby).

Thurs June 19 half day visit to petrified forest & painted desert. Eat picnic lunch. Drive to Page via Flagstaff, stopping for dinner to break up the drive. Overnight Page.

Fri June 20 morning to Horseshoe Bend overlook. Afternoon to a slot canyon tour (i read 1:45 is a good afternoon time?). Evening rest & dinner. Overnight Page

Sat June 21 something on the water either Lake Powell kayaking or a horseshoe bend float tour. Drive to Sedona. Overnight Sedona.

Sun June 22

Mon June 23

Tues June24

Wedd June 25 drive to PHX, return car, check in by 2:45pm for a 4:45pm depature time.

We're not sure how to spend our time in Sedona. We enjoy mild hiking. Possibly a horse ride. We'd like to go to GCNP from here. Could we do it as a day trip from Sedona or should we drive there on the 21st and spend the night there? We would like at least 1 full day relaxing at our sedona resort.

Thanks in advance for the expertise of TA!

Answer

Your proposed itinerary is ambitious but generally workable. Below is a detailed review along with suggestions to optimize your time, especially in Sedona and the Grand Canyon:

Wed June 18: Arrival Phoenix → Holbrook

Arriving at 4:15pm gives you limited daylight for the drive. Picking up your rental car and stopping at a grocery store along the way is realistic. The drive to Holbrook is about 3.5–4 hours, so you may arrive late. Consider grabbing dinner along the way or at Holbrook.

Thu June 19: Petrified Forest & Painted Desert → Page

Half-day in Petrified Forest & Painted Desert works if you start early (8–8:30am). Picnic lunch is a great idea.
Drive from Holbrook to Page via Flagstaff is about 3.5–4 hours. Stopping for dinner in Flagstaff is a good break.
Overnight in Page is perfect for the next day’s activities.

Fri June 20: Horseshoe Bend + Slot Canyon

Morning visit to Horseshoe Bend overlook is ideal to avoid crowds and heat.
Afternoon slot canyon tour (1:45pm) works well. Antelope Canyon tours are timed, so pre-booking is recommended.
Evening rest and dinner, overnight in Page.

Sat June 21: Water activity → Sedona

Morning options: kayaking on Lake Powell or a float tour. These typically last 2–4 hours, so plan accordingly.
Drive to Sedona in the afternoon (approx. 3–3.5 hours). Arriving in late afternoon allows you to settle in and enjoy dinner.

Sun June 22 – Tue June 24: Sedona & Grand Canyon

Since you want at least one full day to relax at your Sedona resort, here’s a suggested approach:

Day 1 (Sun): Relaxing morning at your resort, maybe a short mild hike (Bell Rock or Fay Canyon) or a short horse ride. Afternoon: explore Sedona town, galleries, and dining.
Day 2 (Mon): Day trip to Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s about 2.5 hours each way from Sedona. Start early to maximize time at viewpoints such as Mather Point, Yavapai, and the Rim Trail. Return to Sedona in the evening.
Day 3 (Tue): Optional second short hike, Pink Jeep tour, or scenic drive through Red Rock Loop Road. Keep this day more flexible to relax and enjoy Sedona.

Wed June 25: Return to Phoenix

Drive back to PHX (2–2.5 hours), return car, and catch your 4:45pm flight. Leaving Sedona by 12:00–12:30pm gives you enough buffer.

Additional Notes & Tips:

If you prefer a more relaxed Grand Canyon visit, consider spending one night near the South Rim instead of a day trip from Sedona. However, the day trip is doable if you start early.
Book all guided tours (slot canyon, float/kayak, Pink Jeep) in advance, as June is busy.
Stay hydrated and bring sunscreen; June in Arizona can be hot.
Mild hikes in Sedona: Bell Rock Trail, Fay Canyon Trail, Cathedral Rock lower trail.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible, balances sightseeing with relaxation, and allows for mild hiking and scenic exploration. The key is to start early on busy travel days and pre-book tours to maximize your experience.

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