Epic 7-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary: From Phoenix to Page

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If you’re craving an epic adventure in the American Southwest, this 7-day Arizona road trip itinerary is for you! From the red rocks of Sedona to the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon and the slot canyons of Page, Arizona is packed with unreal landscapes that deserve a spot on your bucket list. And what better way to experience it all than with a week-long road trip?

In this guide, I’m breaking down the best stops from Phoenix to Page, with plenty of stunning views, hikes, and must-see spots along the way. So grab your road trip snacks and get ready for an unforgettable week exploring the best of Arizona!

7-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1-3: Phoenix and Scottsdale

Phoenix and Scottsdale are super close, so we bounced between the two a lot. We made Phoenix our home base, staying at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix. I love Kimpton hotels and the fact that they have public bikes, a pool, and daily wine hour (yes, free wine!).

Phoenix and Scottsdale kind of reminded me of Tampa and St. Pete. Both places are full of things to do, so you’ll never get bored!

Things to Do in Phoenix and Scottsdale

Changing Hands Bookstore

First, we stopped at Changing Hands Bookstore. If you don’t know this by now, I have an obsession with speakeasies, bookstores, and libraries. So when I read about Changing Hands Bookstore, I knew we had to go.

It had an awesome variety of book genres, a great area to read or get work done, and it even had a book bar. And get this, it’s called First Draft. I’m sorry but I died at how clever that was! Okay, now that I’m done geeking out…just know that it’s a great stop if you’re looking for a new read or just want to experience a cool vibe and grab a drink!

Desert Botanical Garden

Another must on your list of things to do in Phoenix is the Desert Botanical Garden. The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to explore, get some steps in, and see some beautiful flora.

It’s open daily from 7 AM – 8 PM and general admission costs $24.95-29.95. The garden sits on 40 acres and has over 50,000 plant displays which include over 4,000 different species. In addition to having several cacti and other sorts of desert plants, they also feature several trails, a butterfly pavilion, and greenhouses where you can observe various tree and plant species.

Camelback Mountain

Ahhh Camelback Mountain…my old friend. Okay, more like a foe, but whatever. It’s still a must! We made the mistake of going midday, you know when the scorching Arizona sun was beating on us.

Camelback Mountain is one of the most popular and well-known hikes in Phoenix. It’s a 2.4-mile challenging hike with an
elevation gain of 1,322 ft. It offers amazing views of Phoenix once you reach the top. Learn from my rookie mistake and go early in the morning. Also, be sure to take plenty of water!

Dobbins Lookout at sunset

Dobbins Lookout is a moderately challenging 4-mile out-and-back hike. It’s one of the most stunning views in Phoenix, especially around sunset. You have the option to make the hike or drive to the summit. The road is open for vehicles to drive here most days between 5 AM – 7 PM.

Hot air balloon ride

Take in stunning views of the Sonoran Desert on a thrilling hot air balloon ride. You’ll have the perfect morning feeling like you’re floating on a cloud followed by a Champagne breakfast. Each flight lasts around an hour, and hotel transportation is available.

I have done a hot air balloon ride in Tampa, and it was so magical! It’s truly a surreal experience that you can’t really explain.

Enjoy some of the amazing restaurants and eateries Phoenix has to offer

With all the fun you’ll be having, you’re definitely going to work up an appetite! Phoenix and Scottsdale have some awesome spots to grab a bite, so here are a few top picks:

• Coffee – Sip Coffee and Beer, Dutch Bros
• Brunch – Luci’s at the Orchard, Hash Kitchen
• Lunch/Dinner – Fat Ox, Culinary Dropout

For more suggestions check out this list of great restaurants in Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Day 3-4: Sedona

You’ll know you hit Sedona when you begin to see all of the gorgeous red rocks. Sedona is a resort town, as well as a popular tourist destination. There are many red rock formations, hiking trails, art galleries, wineries, and vortexes for you to explore! This fun mix of activities made Sedona one of my favorite Arizona road trip stops. Below I’ve compiled my top picks for things to do in Sedona.

We ended up staying at the Holiday Inn Express Sedona – Oak Creek. What I love about Holiday Inn Expresses is that they include breakfast (always thinking of little ways to save during my trips). This stay came equipped with everything we needed, and the location was perfect.

Book the Holiday Inn Express Sedona directly with IHG here, or check out other hotel options for your stay here!

Things to Do in Sedona

Winery hopping

You can’t leave Sedona without stopping by a winery (or three)! Lucky for you, several are clustered together, making it easy to hop from one to the next. We checked out DA Winery, Javelina Winery, and Oak Creek Winery—each one had its own vibe, and we loved them all.

Many of the wineries here are part of the Verde Valley Wine Trail, so if you’re looking to explore more, check out the full map. Don’t feel like driving? This all-inclusive wine tasting tour takes care of everything—transportation, tastings, and even a picnic lunch!

Want to add a little adventure to your wine day? This water-to-wine kayak trip lets you paddle down the Verde River before relaxing with a tasting at one of Arizona’s top wineries. You’ll even get a $20 credit for extra pours, snacks, or a souvenir to take home!

Experience a vortex

If you’ve never heard of a vortex before, it’s basically a spot where the earth’s energy is extra strong—people say they feel recharged, inspired, or just totally at peace after visiting one.

Whether you’re into meditation, journaling, or just want to see what all the hype is about, taking a moment to soak in the energy is definitely worth it.

Sedona’s four most well-known vortexes are at Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and Bell Rock. Each one is said to have a different type of energy—some pull downward into the earth, while others spiral upward. No matter what, it’s a unique experience you won’t want to miss!

Enjoy a hike

We did Cathedral Rock at sunset, and wow—just wow. Plus, it’s a vortex, so you’re getting a two-for-one experience! If you’re putting together a Sedona itinerary, this hike needs to be on it.

It’s a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail, but don’t let the short distance fool you—it’s a bit of a climb, with some nearly vertical sections. Good hiking shoes with traction are a must.

At one point, we accidentally followed another group off-trail, so do yourself a favor and download the AllTrails map before heading out—it saved us!

Other popular hikes? Devil’s Bridge (3.9 miles, best at sunrise, about 2 hours round trip) and Birthing Cave (2 miles, less than an hour). All worth the effort!

Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross

Built right into Sedona’s red rock buttes, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is easily one of the most iconic spots in town. Its most striking feature is a massive 90-foot iron cross that doubles as both decoration and structure.

The chapel was commissioned by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a local rancher and artist. She originally planned to build it in Budapest, but when World War II changed those plans, she brought the vision home to Sedona instead.

It’s open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, so swing by to check out the architecture, soak in the views, and snap a few photos—it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in Sedona for a reason!

Eat at The Hudson

I didn’t get to try too many restaurants in Sedona, but The Hudson was so good that I’d bet it’s one of the best.

Perched on a hillside with killer views of the red rocks, this spot serves up seasonal American dishes with creative twists on classic comfort food. Their cocktails and wine selection were just as impressive!

The vibe is industrial-chic with a great patio, open dining area, and a central bar. If you can, make a reservation—it’s a popular spot! We didn’t have one but grabbed happy hour drinks at the bar while waiting for a patio table, which worked out perfectly.

Grab Firecreek Coffee on your way out

We just really enjoyed our stop here on the way out! Delicious coffee and some yummy baked goods you can snag for the road!

Slide Rock State Park

This was the one thing on our Sedona list we, unfortunately, didn’t get to check out, but I wished we did! Slide Rock State Park has a few short nature trails and a swimming hole where you can cool off after a long day roaming through the town. It has even been named one of America’s top 10 swimming holes.

The park gets its name from the 80-foot-long slippery chute that is worn into sandstone visitors get to enjoy. It’s vehicle admission only and there are no walk-ins or drop-offs.

Hours and prices vary by season.

Day 4-5: Flagstaff and Page

Things to Do in Flagstaff

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

One of the coolest spots in Flagstaff, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument gives you a firsthand look at the effects of volcanic eruptions in Arizona. There are several hiking trails, including a 1-mile loop at the base of the crater. Just a heads-up—hiking to the summit isn’t allowed, so plan to explore from the trails instead. Good shoes or boots are a must if you’re hitting the trails!

Entrance is $25 per vehicle, but if you’re road-tripping to Utah next, consider grabbing the America the Beautiful Pass. It’s $80 for the year and gets you into over 2,000 parks across the US—totally worth it!

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, making it one of the oldest observatories in the US. Discover planets, faraway gas clouds, and distant galaxies at night with the Giovale Open Deck Observatory’s six cutting-edge telescopes and Flagstaff’s renowned dark sky.

Admission is $25 for adults, aside from Tuesdays when it is $18.

Grand Falls

Grand Falls is a chain of natural waterfalls in the Painted Desert on the Navajo Nation, 30 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. It’s also known as Chocolate Falls due to its hue. It is higher than Niagara Falls at 185 feet. It empties seasonal rain or snow melt into the Little Colorado River beneath.

The view trail is 1.1 miles out and back and is considered to be easy with a small amount of elevation gain. Be sure to check the conditions before going. There are certain months when the falls don’t have much flow and may not be worth the stop. March and April are the best times to visit because of the melting snowfall.

Page, Arizona

We wrapped up the day in Page, Arizona, staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Page – Lake Powell. Page may be a small town, but it’s packed with adventure, from epic hikes to jaw-dropping scenery.

If hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry—there’s still plenty to check out. Antelope Canyon is an absolute must with its stunning, otherworldly rock formations, and you can’t miss Horseshoe Bend. This iconic viewpoint, shaped by the Colorado River over thousands of years, is hands down one of the most breathtaking sights in the country.

There are so many beautiful views in Page—it’s seriously one of those places that never stops impressing!

Day 5-6: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon

Okay, so we definitely packed a lot into these two days, but honestly, it was totally worth it! We kicked things off with a quick 10-minute drive from our hotel to Horseshoe Bend. We made it there around 6:30 AM and stayed for about an hour before heading to our Antelope Canyon tour.

Next, we made our way to the Grand Canyon, but we didn’t get super caught up in hiking. Instead, we cruised through, stopping at some of the viewpoints to soak it all in.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is one of those must-see spots. It’s a horseshoe-shaped meander in the Colorado River, and it’s pretty jaw-dropping. From the parking lot, it’s about a 0.6-mile walk to the viewpoint.

Just a heads-up, there’s a $10 fee per vehicle to park. Even if you’ve got a National Parks Pass, you’ll still need to pay because the lot is managed by the city of Page.

Timing your visit is key. We got there for sunrise, which was nice, but we ran into some shadow issues on the bend and river that would’ve been better avoided. For the best shots, try visiting late morning or midday when the sun is higher up—no shadows and way better lighting!

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon was hands down the most unique experience and my favorite part of the entire 7-day Arizona road trip! This stunning slot canyon, located on Navajo land and protected by Navajo Parks and Recreation, can only be visited through an authorized tour company.

While the tours can be a bit pricey, trust me, it’s totally worth it! Going with a tour group was actually a blast—they were super informative, took a bunch of photos for us, and gave us plenty of laughs along the way. The canyon was formed over hundreds of years by water running through Navajo Sandstone, and the smoothness of the walls is truly wild to see!

You can choose between Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, with the main difference being the size. Upper Antelope is wider at the bottom, which is where you get those iconic light beams. Lower Antelope, on the other hand, is smaller and shaped like a “V,” but it’s just as incredible.

We went with the Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which was nearly half the price of the Upper, and it didn’t disappoint! While we didn’t get as many of those signature light beams, the experience was still breathtaking.

Be sure to book your tour for Upper Antelope Canyon, or Lower Antelope Canyon in advance! And if you have time, kayaking Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is such a cool way to explore the area!

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is absolutely massive—277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep! It was formed by millions of years of erosion from flowing water, and its sheer walls are almost vertical in some spots. It’s no surprise that people come from all over the world to witness this natural wonder up close, so you definitely don’t want to miss it on your Arizona road trip!

Did you know the Grand Canyon is the second most visited National Park in the US? Most visitors check out the South Rim (about 90% of them, actually) since it’s easier to get to and offers more amenities. The North Rim is a bit more secluded and harder to reach.

We decided to explore the South Rim, and it was so worth it! You can get around by car, hike, or hop on the free shuttle. Check out this guide for how to spend a day visiting the Grand Canyon!

After all these incredible adventures, we made our way back to Sedona to stay at the Holiday Inn Express Sedona – Oak Creek for one more night. We had plans to head back to Scottsdale in the morning, so it made sense to start winding down our road trip and head that way after visiting the Grand Canyon.

Day 6-7: Scottsdale

The great thing about Scottsdale is that it’s right next to Phoenix, so if you missed anything earlier in your Arizona road trip, you can easily check it out here!

I’ll be honest, we didn’t get to dive too deep into Scottsdale since this was the last day of our 3-week road trip (between Utah and Arizona) and we were totally wiped. That said, we did enjoy Old Town Scottsdale! It has such a charming vibe, and the bars were definitely a highlight. The Old Town district is packed with shopping, restaurants, art galleries, museums—basically all the good stuff.

If you’re craving some outdoor fun, sunrise at Papago Park and hiking Tom’s Thumb Trail are super popular.

Are you ready to experience this 7-day Arizona road trip itinerary for yourself?!

And there you have it—a 7-day Arizona road trip itinerary that’s packed with epic sights, hikes, and experiences! I hope this guide helped you plan out the perfect trip. Let me know in the comments which spot you’re most excited to visit!

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other West Coast blog posts:

Joshua Tree day trip

One day in Palm Springs

LA to Joshua Tree road trip itinerary