GCNP-Page-Sedona Trip

Question

Our trip is in two weeks! Hoping for some guidance as I try to get my plans more specific.

Family of 7, ages 15-71.

Monday May 26: arrive at PHX airport 10:30 am. Get rental van, have lunch, drive to GCNP. Walk around rim area, have dinner, after sunset drive to hotel in Tusayan.

Tuesday May 27: Go back to GCNP, take shuttle to Hermits Rest and view some of the stops. Which are best? Lunch at the village. Drive out the east exit, heading to Page, stopping at key viewpoints. Which are best?

I think we will have time for a stop at Horseshoe Bend or Glen Canyon Dam on our way to Page for dinner and overnight stay. Which would be better for this late afternoon time?

Wednesday May 28: Go to Horseshoe Bend or Glen Canyon Dam, then go to Canyon X tour at 10:20. Lunch after tour, then on to Sedona to vrbo at Village of Oak Creek (3 nights). Should we drive 89A through Sedona, or take I-17 to 179 and north to Oak Creek? I am thinking the latter. We might be arriving around 5:00. Any sights to see this evening near Oak Creek?

Thursday & Friday May 29-30: We have these two full days to see the Sedona area. We are not doing a jeep tour. We want to do scenic drives with stops for sights, and maybe a few short easy hikes. If the afternoons are hot, we can return to vrbo for swimming and go back out in evening (if we’re not worn out). Any suggestions on how to best organize these two days?

Saturday May 31: Leave early for PHX return flight at 1:44 pm.

Thanks!

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious but very doable, and it sounds like you have a good balance of sightseeing, light activity, and travel. Here’s a detailed guide to help organize your trip efficiently.

Monday, May 26 – Arrival & Grand Canyon Rim

After arriving at PHX at 10:30 am and picking up your rental van, plan for lunch near the airport or en route. The drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim from PHX is roughly 3.5–4 hours, so expect to arrive mid-afternoon.

Once at the South Rim, short walks along the rim near Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Grand Canyon Visitor Center are ideal for first-time visitors and all ages. These stops offer incredible views without strenuous hiking.
Dinner in Tusayan is convenient, as several restaurants are located near the hotels.
If time allows, a quick stop at Desert View for sunset can be magical, but sunset viewing at Mather Point is easiest and closest.

Tuesday, May 27 – Hermits Rest & Drive to Page

Take the Hermit Road shuttle early. Recommended stops include:

Maricopa Point – wide canyon views, good for photos
Hopi Point – popular for sunrise/sunset, panoramic views
Pima Point – quieter, excellent geological views
Hermits Rest – historic viewpoint and small gift shop, endpoint of shuttle

Lunch at the Village Marketplace or Bright Angel Lodge café is convenient before heading east.

Driving out the East Rim (Desert View Drive) towards Page:

Stop at Desert View Watchtower – historic structure, panoramic views
Grandview Point – excellent vistas

For a late afternoon stop before Page:

Horseshoe Bend – better for late afternoon light, iconic photography spot
Glen Canyon Dam – more industrial, less scenic than Horseshoe Bend; skip if pressed for time

Wednesday, May 28 – Page to Sedona

If you didn’t do Horseshoe Bend on Tuesday, go early Wednesday morning; it’s a short hike from the parking lot and easier before crowds.
Canyon X tour at 10:20 am is perfect timing; leave 45–60 minutes for arrival and check-in.
Lunch in Page after the tour, then head south to Sedona.
Driving route: Take I-17 south to 179 and north into Village of Oak Creek. This is faster and less winding than 89A from the north, though 89A offers scenic Red Rock views if you have extra time and energy.
Evening sights near Oak Creek: Sunset at Airport Mesa overlook, stroll along Oak Creek Canyon, or visit Chapel of the Holy Cross if time permits.

Thursday & Friday, May 29–30 – Sedona Exploration

Focus on scenic drives and easy hikes. Suggested organization:

Day 1: Scenic drives via Red Rock Loop Road, stop at Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock (short hike), and Courthouse Butte. Afternoon swimming at VRBO if hot.
Day 2: Drive along Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, stop at Slide Rock State Park (optional for photos or light activity), and explore Schnebly Hill Road viewpoint areas if your vehicle allows. Sunset at Airport Mesa or Cathedral Rock.

For both days, start early to avoid heat and crowds, take breaks in shaded areas, and allow flexibility for family needs. Sedona’s scenery is beautiful even with minimal hiking, so plenty of stops for photos and overlooks will satisfy the experience.

Saturday, May 31 – Departure

Leave Oak Creek early to reach PHX by 11:00 am–11:30 am for your 1:44 pm flight. The drive is about 2 hours without stops.

This itinerary balances sightseeing, manageable walking, and travel time, while giving you flexibility to rest and enjoy the scenery with a family ranging from age 15–71.

GCNP-Page-Sedona Trip

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