juliasgrandma

We only have enough time to take a day trip from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. Which tours would be the best? Any comments re: Pink Jeep tours to Grand Canyon from Sedona?

J62

It would be a very long day trip, but perfectly doable if you so choose. There really is no need to pay for a tour - they all will drive you to the exact same points along the rim that you can reach using your own car.

It's about a 2 1/2 to 3hr drive each way.

Postal

I did this trip a couple of uears ago. We left Sedona at 8 AM, went to main entrance of GC in about 2 hours, drove east along the rim with frequent stops, left via the east entrance and ate dinner at Cameron Trading Post, then returned to Sedona at about 10 PM

Very doable, didn't rush around, and it only made us want more time at the GC!

nlg

We were in Sedona a couple of years ago and we also left Sedona about 8am to drive to the Grand Canyon. We stopped at the Imax theater before we went into the Grand Canyon
and really enjoyed the movie. We drove around the rim and stopped and made pictures at several areas. We ate lunch at the El Tovar hotel-it was very nice and the views around the hotel were wonderful. We got back to Sedona about 6pm.

USNR

Depending on the weather, try to time your visit to the Grand Canyon so that you are there around sundown. After that, it's an easy drive back to Sedona in the dark. The day-trippers are long gone and the roads are wide open. Just be very careful with your speed. The highways go through jurisdiction patrolled by the Navajo highway police, and they are very strict on speed limits.

BeachGirl247

As stated it is doable. We left around 8 or 9. Picked up a sandwich for a picnic rimside. Took the bus to the different areas of the rim. Went down Bright Angel for 10 minutes or so. Stopped in at El Tovar for a glass of wine and enjoyed the view. Waited for sunset and saw the canyon in all its glory.

I would not take Hwy 89A back to Sedona as it is very dark and winding road. We weren't tired but it took it out of us to drive that route.

Stay until sunset. It will exceed all of your expectations.

juliasgrandma

Hi BeachGirl--
Thanks for the info. Why did you use the bus instead of your car to go around the rim? Also - what is the alternate way to get back to Sedona after darK/

J62

Regarding the bus, there are some areas that aren't open to private vehicles - the whole area west of Bright Angel towards Hopi point. That road is currently under reconstruction, so it's closed totally.

There are some areas, especially around BA/El Tovar where parking is very limited, so taking the shuttle bus avoids the hassle of having to drive around to find parking, only to realize you have to walk a long way.

For points towards the east entrance you can drive to each overlook and park. QED.

BeachGirl247

The alternate route is I-17 south to AZ 179 into Sedona. Mapquest says the I-17 route is 1hr 3min versus 52 min on 89A. It is longer but the speed is higher on I-17 so it comes out pretty close to the same.

We took the bus around the rim because the areas weren't open to car traffic.

juliasgrandma

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELPFUL INFORMATION!!!