Proposed Itinerary - July 2025

Question

Hi! Wondering if my proposed itinerary (Flagstaff) makes sense. I have 4 hotels if I stay one night @ GCNP. Is 3 nights in Flagstaff too much, based on what I'd like to see? Appreciate your feedback!

Sat - (3 nights Flagstaff) Fly to Phoenix, rent car, Drive to Flagstaff-Hotel America, visit downtown. Lowell Obser

Sun - Flagstaff - Painted Desert Day & Walnut Canyon

Mon - Flagstaff - Wupatki/Sunset Crater

Tue - Grand Canyon Day - 1 night in Park - Bright Angel Lodge

Wed - (2 nights Page) Travel to Page

Thurs - Page - Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

Fri - (3 nights Sedona) Drive Page to Sedona

Sat Sedona - Oak Creek Canyon, Chapel Holy Cross

Sun Sedona - Montezuma Castle

Monday - Depart Phoenix Airport

Answer

Your proposed itinerary for July 2025 in northern Arizona is generally well-structured and doable, especially if you are looking for a mix of nature, history, and iconic sights. Staying three nights in Flagstaff is reasonable given your planned day trips, but it may feel a bit long if you prefer a faster pace or want to minimize hotel changes.

Here’s a breakdown and some suggestions for optimization:

Sat - Flagstaff arrival: Driving from Phoenix to Flagstaff and exploring downtown and Lowell Observatory is perfect for your first day. It’s an easy day to acclimate to the area and see some local sights.
Sun - Painted Desert & Walnut Canyon: This is a full day, and doable from Flagstaff. Consider starting early for Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park viewpoints. Walnut Canyon can be done in the afternoon, but keep an eye on timing.
Mon - Wupatki & Sunset Crater: This day is ideal from Flagstaff. Both sites are close enough to combine, and visiting Wupatki first followed by Sunset Crater can give you a logical flow.
Tue - Grand Canyon: One night at Bright Angel Lodge works well, especially if you want to maximize your time in the canyon. Consider an early morning or late afternoon hike, such as part of the Rim Trail or a short Bright Angel descent.
Wed/Thu - Page: Driving to Page and staying two nights gives ample time to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without rushing. Booking Antelope Canyon tours in advance is highly recommended.
Fri-Sun - Sedona: Three nights in Sedona allows you to see Oak Creek Canyon, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Montezuma Castle, and enjoy some light hiking. This pace is relaxed and gives you flexibility for spontaneous stops.

Suggestions for improvement or considerations:

If you prefer less time in Flagstaff, you could reduce it to two nights and still see Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater by prioritizing sites and starting early.
Check driving times between sites. Some, like Painted Desert or Grand Canyon, may require longer travel than expected, so starting early each day is important.
Consider early morning or late afternoon at Grand Canyon to avoid peak crowds and enjoy better lighting for photos.
For Sedona, the three nights are ideal if you want to include short hikes or explore the Red Rock Scenic Byway at a relaxed pace.

Overall, your itinerary is balanced, not overly packed, and allows for scenic drives, moderate hiking, and sightseeing. The three nights in Flagstaff give you a base for exploring nearby attractions without frequent hotel changes, which can be convenient.

With small tweaks based on your preference for pace, this itinerary should provide a comfortable and enjoyable northern Arizona experience.