Memorial Day Trip

Question

Our family is planning a trip to the area over Memorial Day weekend. We will be there Wed. through Monday (or maybe Tuesday). We are 2 adults plus 2 college aged kids. I was just reading someone else's itinerary (land in Phoenix, then page/Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley Grand Canyon then end up in Sedona for the last few days. This would be ideal and all places we would love to visit. However, I feel like perhaps Sedona would be most impacted by the holiday weekend and wondering if we should do Sedona the first few days instead.

I would love any thoughts on how best to handle the holiday weekend to avoid or manage crowds.

Thanks!!!

Answer

Planning a Memorial Day trip in Arizona can be tricky because holiday weekends tend to bring larger crowds, especially to popular destinations like Sedona and the Grand Canyon. For your itinerary—landing in Phoenix, visiting Page/Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, and ending in Sedona—you can strategize to minimize the impact of crowds while still enjoying your stops.

Here are some considerations for timing and crowd management:

Sedona: Being very popular for Memorial Day weekend, Sedona will likely be busiest on the actual weekend days (Saturday-Monday). If you stay there the first few days (Wednesday-Friday), you’ll enjoy quieter trails, easier parking, and a more relaxed pace before the crowds arrive. This also allows you to explore popular hikes like Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock in the morning without long waits.
Grand Canyon: Crowds can be significant at the South Rim over the weekend. Visiting midweek can be advantageous. If possible, plan your Grand Canyon visit for Thursday-Friday rather than Saturday-Sunday to avoid peak traffic and parking challenges.
Page/Antelope Canyon: Tours are timed and limited, so crowds are managed more by the tour operators. Booking early-morning tours will allow you to avoid the largest groups, regardless of the day of the week.
Monument Valley: It’s typically less crowded than Sedona or the Grand Canyon, but early morning or late afternoon is ideal for both lighting and fewer visitors.

Suggested approach:

Arrive in Phoenix Wednesday; head straight to Sedona for the first 2-3 days (Wednesday-Friday). Enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and sightseeing before the holiday weekend peaks.
Then move toward Page/Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Grand Canyon on Friday-Sunday. Book tours and accommodations in advance for these areas, as they fill quickly over Memorial Day weekend.
If you prefer a more relaxed pace during the actual holiday weekend, you could reverse Sedona to the end, but expect more crowds and limited parking, especially for trailheads. Plan early starts for popular hikes.

Additional tips for managing crowds:

Start hikes early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak traffic and parking issues.
Use shuttle services where available (e.g., Grand Canyon) to bypass parking congestion.
Book accommodations and any tours as far in advance as possible.
Check local traffic updates, especially around Sedona and the Grand Canyon, as holiday weekends can have significant delays.

Overall, staying in Sedona earlier in your trip (midweek) is generally the better option for avoiding heavy crowds and enjoying a more relaxed experience.

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