This itinerary is perfect if and only if you want to rush and barely have time to enjoy the places you came to see. I hope you don't, and you won't follow exactly what we did. Add one or two more days to your trip, or cut out one or two of our stops!
DAY ONE
Arrive mid-morning to Phoenix International Airport. Pick up your rental car.
Drive north on I-27 to Williams (2.5hrs)
Stop at the Grand Canyon Deer Farm
Continue driving north on Hwy 64 to the Grand Canyon National Park (1hr)
Take the free park shuttle to a viewpoint for sunset. Hopi Point and Yavapai Point are often recommended, but any spot you can enjoy the setting sun in peace will be memorable.
Check into the Bright Angel Lodge
DAY TWO
Wake up early and drive east to Yaki Point for sunrise
Continue driving east along the rim, stopping along the way at scenic viewpoints
Leave the park and head north to Page (2–3hrs, depending on seasonal road closures)
Head immediately to Waterholes Canyon
Note: When we visited Waterholes, we only needed a permit from the Navajo Nation's Park & Recreation office to self-tour the canyon. Due to its increased popularity, the only way to access the canyon today is with a tour guide through Waterhole Canyon Experience.Â
Drive 2 miles down Hwy 89 to the Horseshoe Bend parking lot. It's a short hike to the viewpoint.
Enjoy sunset at Horseshoe Bend
Stay at the Comfort Inn at Lake Powell ($60/night in the off-season!)
DAY THREE
Leave Page, driving south towards Tuba City (1hr)
Visit Coal Mine Canyon (directions)
Note: When we were in Arizona in 2017, no permit was needed to visit Coal Mine Canyon. Now visitors must purchase a permit ($12 in 2020) from the Navajo Parks & Recreation office in Cameron, Arizona or on the Navajo National Parks website.
Get back on the road and head south to visit Sunset Crater (1.5hrs)
Continue south to Sedona (1hr)
Drive to Airport Mesa for sunset ($3 for parking)
Check into the Star Motel (about $170/night in the off-season)
Note: We stopped in Sedona for one night because it was a convenient middle-distance from Page to Phoenix. I would not do this again. Unless you plan to stay and hike in the surrounding area, stopping in Sedona is not worth the expensive hotels or traffic!
Grab dinner at the only place without a 2-hour wait, such as 89 Agave
DAY FOUR
Continue south back towards Phoenix (3hrs)
Take a short hike at Lost Dutchman State Park
Return to Phoenix International and drop off your rental car
Take your early evening flight back home