We are booked to stay in one of the Lodges in the Grand Canyon on Oct 7. If it is still closed, any suggestions of hiking/walking trails outside of the Park? Should we stay in Williams? We are already heading to Sedona on the 8th. Should we stay in Sedona the extra day? I don't know the area at all so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stay in Flagstaff. Climb Humphreys Peak.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cocon...55110&actid=50

This is supposed to be a great hike. However its in the National Forest so it may be closed as well. Same goes for Humphreys Peak. If they are also closed, just go to Sedona for the extra day.

I would not stay in Williams. It's a nothing little town on the high desert in the middle of nowhere. Agree that Sedona would be a good destination for an extra day.

I could certainly be wrong but I'm guessing national forests will be accessible. One doesn't pay to get in the way we pay to enter national parks so they don't open/close in the same way. Yes. they're federal entities but pretty much wide open unlike the parks and monuments.

In any case, if, while you were thinking about it, Sedona booked up by the rest of the GC refugees, Flagstaff is a great town, a "real" place with real people, good restaurants and full of tree huggers who enjoy the outdoors. You'll find plenty of open places to hike all around. Ask at your accommodation if you decide to go, if it isn't all booked by now too.

The Navajo Parks and State Parks will all be open. Just google the states near by and you will get a list of lots. I'd look to Monument Valley and/or Antelope Canyon for a start.

Bummer you had to cancel your GC visit.

Prior to a Paria canyon backpack trip a few years ago my friend I stayed a couple of nights in the Marble Canyon Lodge. This is at Lee's Ferry where the rafters put it. It has a Grand Canyon-ish feel to it. There are a few other lodges near there.

Lots of options for things to do in the area. My photos are here:
http://www.pbase.com/mangoman/paria

The very last photo was taken from a day hike. You can see the Navajo Bridge at in the far distance where the river makes it last curve. (Click on "Original" to get full sized image). Marble Canyon Lodge is right there. The next to last image of the old truck is within easy day hike on the Paria Trail. Also options for visiting the riverbank.

Good luck.

You could drive around to the North Rim--the Kaiparawits (sp???) Plateau has gorgeous drives and places where you can get right to the edge of the GC. You could check at the visitors center at Jacob Lake Inn/cabins. Or go up to Page and see Antelope Canyon. The state forests and parks are all open. Check out the Arizona state parks web page.

I'd add the extra day in Sedona. It's a beautiful base for many hikes and explorations in the area. There is a state park there, many many trails with outstanding landscapes and views, you are 30 min from Jerome, 30 min from Flagstaff, much less to Oak Creek Canyon, Montezuma's Well, etc.

Hmm, You could try West Rim and look at the Indians Glass Walkway thing. This would be my last resort and I think it's a ripoff, but given the circumstances. If you are adventurous, you could hike, horse ride, or helicopter into Havasu Falls area. I am assuming those are open

http://www.npr.org/2013/10/03/228719...ands-stay-open

It looks like the National Forest lands will remain open, so that is good news. Much of the land around Sedona is also National Forest.

There are nice hikes right outside the Enchantment Resort property in Sedona. Then visit the spa and have a fantastic treatment! Definitely not Federal land.