Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix October 2025

Question

Hello

I would like some advice on our trip and if you think we should add or remove anything.

October 25th - We will by flying into Phoenix at 8:00am. Plan is to get the rental car and head to Page stopping along the way for anything interesting. We will stay overnight here.

October 26th – Plan to do a tour of Antelope Canyon mid-morning (thinking of doing the lower canyon tour). After the tour, we will head to Horseshoe Bend. We will head to the Grand Canyon to do some sightseeing and stay the night at Maswick Lodge.

October 27th - Looking at doing a portion of the South Kaibab trail turning around at either Ooh Aah Point or Cedar Ridge and then doing to then doing The Rim Trail. Head to Sedona.

October 28th – October 30th – Spend time exploring Sedona, walking around Tlaquepaque village, hiking, etc.

October 30th – Head back to Phoenix at some point and stay the next 2 nights.

October 31st – Explore Phoenix

November 1st – Head back home

Sedona:

Basic info – while we are not super hikers, we do hike frequently. We are on eastern time and plan to try to stick to that time as much as we can so we can get early starts with no issues.

Are any of the Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona worth it? I keep seeing that there is some scrambling for the Devil’s Bridge hike and the Cathedral Rock trail. Can anyone elaborate on the scrambling portion (like how much of a scramble)?

Are there hikes that you would recommend that aren’t popular because of social media? We don’t care about hiking the most popular. We really just want great views as we don’t really have that many in northern Indiana.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Answer

Your itinerary from Phoenix to Page, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and back to Phoenix in late October 2025 looks well-planned and feasible. Here’s a detailed breakdown with recommendations and insights for each segment of your trip.

October 25 – Phoenix to Page:

The drive from Phoenix to Page is roughly 280 miles and will take around 4.5–5 hours without extended stops. You might consider stopping at interesting points along the way:

Montezuma Castle National Monument: About 1.5 hours north of Phoenix, it offers a quick and fascinating stop to see well-preserved cliff dwellings.
Verde Valley viewpoints: Stop near Camp Verde for scenic views or a short trail if time allows.
Glen Canyon viewpoint: Just outside Page, a great spot to stretch your legs before checking into your hotel.

Overnight in Page gives you easy access to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend the next day.

October 26 – Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend, then Grand Canyon:

Antelope Canyon: Mid-morning lower canyon tour is perfect for avoiding early-morning crowds. Photography opportunities are excellent.
Horseshoe Bend: Short hike (~0.75 miles roundtrip) with some elevation change. Best viewed mid-day for lighting.
Drive to Grand Canyon: Approximately 2.5 hours. Arriving at the Grand Canyon in the afternoon allows for scenic viewpoints before sunset. Staying at Maswick Lodge is convenient for easy access to South Rim viewpoints.

October 27 – South Kaibab & Rim Trail, then Sedona:

South Kaibab Trail: Hiking to Ooh Aah Point (~1.8 miles roundtrip) or Cedar Ridge (~3 miles roundtrip) is moderate and offers excellent canyon views. The trail is exposed, so bring sun protection and water.
Rim Trail: Flat and scenic, excellent for a relaxed walk along the canyon edge with more viewpoints. Can be combined with shuttle stops to shorten the walk if desired.
Drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours) allows arrival in the late afternoon to settle in.

October 28–30 – Sedona Exploration:

Pink Jeep Tours: Popular tours include Broken Arrow and Diamondback Gulch. Some involve light scrambling and rock hopping. For Devil’s Bridge, the scramble near the top is steep but short (~10–15 minutes) and manageable for average hikers.
Less crowded hikes: Consider Boynton Canyon, Doe Mountain, or Fay Canyon. These trails provide fantastic views with fewer crowds compared to Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock.
Additional activities include walking around Tlaquepaque Village for art galleries, shops, and casual dining.

October 30 – Return to Phoenix:

The drive back is about 2 hours, allowing time to check into your hotel and relax or explore a bit of Phoenix in the evening.

October 31 – Explore Phoenix:

Desert Botanical Garden – Beautiful desert flora, short walking paths.
Papago Park / Hole-in-the-Rock – Easy hike with panoramic views of the city.
Old Town Scottsdale – For shopping, dining, and galleries.

Additional Tips:

Stick to early starts to avoid crowds at popular attractions.
October temperatures are mild, but mornings and evenings can be chilly; layers are recommended.
Reserve Antelope Canyon and any Pink Jeep Tours in advance, as they can fill up quickly, especially in fall.
Bring sunscreen, water, and good walking shoes for all hikes, even the easier ones.

Overall, your itinerary is realistic and balanced, allowing for sightseeing, moderate hiking, and some relaxation. The combination of well-known attractions and less crowded trails in Sedona will give you a rich variety of experiences with beautiful scenic views throughout your trip.

Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix October 2025

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