11 Day Arizona's Red Rocks and Majesty Self Drive

Arrive in Phoenix and settle in for three nights to explore the vibrant heart of Arizona. Known for its year-round sunshine and desert beauty, Phoenix offers a mix of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and culinary delights.
 

Head out of Phoenix, an easy 90 minute north, but enough distance to feel a world apart. From the lofty tips of the ponderosa pines in the Prescott National Forest to the pointy toes of cowboy boots tapping to music on historic Whiskey Row, Prescott is made up of a classic, yet singular, blend of Arizona splendor, Western culture, and hometown charm. Sitting at mile-high elevation in the forest/highdesert terrain of north-central Arizona, Prescott has long been known as a place that offers the best of all worlds: a four-season climate, but relatively mild temperatures year-around; home to one of Arizona’s most storied historic streets, but with a full range of modern amenities and shopping. Settle in for the night after exploring Whiskey Row and get ready to experience True West Real Adventure with a full itinerary of fun.
 

After a good night’s rest in Prescott in a charming bed & breakfast, branded hotel, or locally owned historic inn, get ready to hit the trails at sunrise and capture the colors from Watson Lake by kayak, foot, or horseback. Watch the rising sun transform the landscape with color across the water and the sky. Nurturing its Western heritage through the decades, Prescott has long been the home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo, a week of cowboy pageantry that attracts tens of thousands of people during the Fourth of July holiday. And year-around, an array of excellent museums and cultural centers – the Museum of Indigenous People, Sharlot Hall Museum, and Phippen Museum: Art & Heritage of the American West among them – help to preserve and showcase Prescott’s rich history.
 

Head over Mingus Mountain and wonder at the views of the sweeping prairies, roaming antelope, and towering trees as you descend the mountain and approach red rock country. Venture over Mingus Mountain and slow to a leisurely pace as you pass through the mining town of Jerome, Heart of Arizona Wine Country in Cottonwood, and approach the red rocks of Sedona. Driving Distance: 115 KM
 

Discover Sedona. Rediscover yourself. Feel yourself relaxed and energized at the same time. Hike the rocks, relax by the pool, take a tour, shop a little and wind it down with local eats. So much to love, and that’s just Day One. Looking for lodging? Keep it cozy or make it majestic. Hungry? Savor tasty treats cooked up by local chefs. Try a Jeep tour, a mountain bike ride, or an epic hike. Spend a day at the spa. Visit a vortex. Or do nothing at all except be with yourself. Sedona is ready. Treat Sedona like you're coming back. You, yes you, play the most important role in preserving Sedona's future. If you think Sedona is worth visiting, please protect it so that it's worth visiting again. Consider visiting in the summer and winter, less crowds mean more room to roam. Explore the lesser-known trails and hop on the free shuttle transportation to get you to and from. Most of all, take only pictures and leave only footprints.
 

As you leave Sedona, head up 89A, Oak Creek Canyon and marvel at the towering cliffs, changing terrain, and the views as you wind up the roadway. In less than an hour you’ll arrive in Flagstaff. Make your way up 7,000 ft. to the vibrant college mountain town of Flagstaff through one of America’s most beautiful scenic drives via 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. This 28-mile drive is one of Flagstaff’s seven wonders with plenty of trail and hiking options along the way. Arrive in Flagstaff and take a quick pic on Route 66 at the Flagstaff Visitor Center, hit the Flagstaff Brewery Trail for award-winning craft brew and discover downtown Flagstaff shops, restaurants and public art murals depicting native American culture, adventurers, pioneers, and lumberjacks. Topoff the day with a show at the Orpheum Theater and stargazing at the famous Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered and did you know, Flagstaff is the world’s first dark sky city! Driving Distance: 65 KM
 

For breakfast, try Macy’s European Café, Toasted Owl, Martanne’s Burrito Palace, Tourist Home All Day Café or Fat Bagels to name a few. Midmorning, discover the Colorado Plateau and history of indigenous cultures at the Museum of Northern Arizona with their award-winning collections. Next, escape to other worldly landscapes by hiking at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument that conveniently loops into an amazing tour of ancient pueblos at Wuptaki National Monument. Before heading south, make your way to Walnut Canyon National Monument to experience the Island Trail that leads you back in time providing direct access to more than 25 cliff dwellings and a glimpse into the life of the Native people archeologist called the Sinagua.
 

Visit Goldfield Ghost Town, once a busy bustling little outpost perched atop a small hill. Today, visitors can walk down Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings and tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine. Arizona has been the backdrop to hundreds of Hollywood Western movies and television shows. Tour the original buildings for Apacheland Movie Ranch including the Elvis Presley chapel in the movie El Charro at the Superstition Mountain Museum. Complete your Apache Trail experience with a sunset tour along Canyon Lake on a “Mark Twain” voyage aboard the Dolly Steamboat, a replica of a sternwheeler paddleboat. Driving Distance: 275 KM
 

Check out from the hotel and continue your journey to your departure airport to return the rental car.