Northern/Central AZ loop/itinerary
 

Hi,
I'm trying to put together an itinerary for a trip that loops around Northern Arizona from Phoenix and want to get an idea on how much time I should allow. On the first day I'll be leaving from Phoenix and stopping at Montezuma's castle, Sedona, Jerome and Oak Creek Canyon. Given that some of the roads may be curvy and slow going would it be possible for me to make it up to lodging in Grand Canyon National Park in the evening or is it wiser to stay the night in Flagstaff and drive up in the morning? I also plan to see Painted Desert, Navajo National Monument, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly and Petrified Forest and wanted to get some idea of how much time I should allow to get from place to place and how much time people typically spend in these parks. I'm assuming I'll be staying in Kayena, Chinle and Holbrook, unless peopel have other suggestions.

You've got a lot of questions in your post. I can only help you with the drive from Phoenix to Flag. It's 2 hrs., and mostly flatlands. From Phoenix south to Sedona took us an hour (I think) and there were many winding roads. I think you can easily make the entire trip in one day and make the stops you want, spend an hour or more in each, then head on up to the South Rim. It's an easy day trip but remember to check to see when it gets dark when you're planning your travel because it gets reeeaaaalll dark out there at night. I'm not crazy about driving in that kind of darkness myself.

I don't know about the other stops in AZ that you're asking about but maybe this will bump your quiery back up and others will have some ideas.

I'm thinking differently about this than Tandoori Girl. It seems to me that the drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff with stops at four places along the way will make for a VERY long day. (The four stops you've listed are neat places that you shouldn't rush through.) I wouldn't want to add another 1 1/2 hours of driving onto the end of it. I'd definitely stay in Flagstaff.

Stay the night in Flagstaff. You've got a full day planned and there's no need to push on to the Canyon that day. There will also be better dining options for the evening in Flagstaff than at the GC. The previous advice assumes a drive straight up I-17. You will be straying from I-17 to visit these other areas. And while I-17 may be basically straight, it does not go primarily through flatlands. Phoenix is a little over 1,100' above sea level, Flagstaff is just under 7,000'. Major elevation change. Monument Valley is not to be missed, it coupled with a visit to the tribal park can fill a whole day. There isn't much to recommend for accomodation (Certainly nothing luxurious) but there are a few passable motels in Kayenta (I'd stay there on this particular day). When you visit Petrified Forest NP, I'd bypass Holbrook (Possibly the ugliest town in all AZ) and check out the La Posada hotel in Winslow, which has been lovingly restored. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.laposada.org/menu.htm

Have a good trip.

Hi lisatravels,

You don't mention how much time you have for this trip.

Montezuma's Castle will take about an 1 hour. I guess it depends on what you want to do in Sedona. Driving thought won't take much time but it's a pretty drive. We just drove though Jermoe.

When you exit the Grand Canyon on Hwy 64 going west towards Cameron, make sure you allow time to stop at the different overlooks of the Grand Canyon. As you drive north on Hwy 89 you will see what I consider a better example of the Painted Desert than the actual National Monument.

Navajo National Monument you could probably do in about an hour and a half (including the drive time on Hwy 564). You will only be able to see Betatakin ruins from a far off overlook from the Sandal Trail, which is a one mile round trip walk. To really see the ruins up close, you have to be there first thing in the moring for the guide tour and they only take 25 people per day for a 5 mile hike that takes almost 4 hours.

Monument Valley can be seen in a short time but you need a several hours if you want to take a guided tour. I would suggest spending the night either in Gouldings or Kayenta.

Canyon de Chelly will take an hour or two if you just want to stop and see some of the overlooks I would suggest driving out on the South Rim road to the Spider Rock overlook and taking the short walk to see Spider Rock. If you have more time you can hike down to White House Ruins (the only hike you can take into the canyon with out a Navajo guide) Or if you have half a day or all day, I would recommend taking one of the jeep tour into the canyon. Very scenic and educational. You will see several ruins. There are a few nice looking motels in Chinle and the Thunderbird Motel in the park.

On the way from Canyon de Chelly to Petrifed Forest you will pass right by the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic site which is worth a 15 minute or so stop.

Painted Desert is just a couple of overlooks. Petrifed Forest has many short to long hikes. I would recommend taking at least one so you can see the petrifed wood up close. Plan on one hour if you just drive though and longer depending on how many stops and hikes you want to take.

If you are headed back to Flagstaff, then you will pass right by Walnut Canyon National Monument. This might be a better choice than Navajo National Monument to see cliff dwellings up close. I would allow 2 hours.

Utahtea

Another vote for Walnut Canyon dwellings; they were better than what we saw in the Navajo and Hope lands.

As long as you're making the effort to do this great trip, please do take the Indian guided tours of Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly, they are both terrific and cannot be seen, with justice, from a viewpoint...We visited the Navajo Nat'l Monument in February, for the first time, since it was very snowy, icy and cold, and they'd seen numerous bobcats earlier in the day, we just saw the film and looked at the exhibits, but walking down to see the dwellings must be really interesting.

there are some options around the grand canyon--some people enjoy hiking into it--but that would take most of the day to hike in and out.

seeing sunsets and sunrises in monument valley is quite a gift.

Thank-you all for your advice. This really helps me plan my trip.