Day Trip
Flagstaff to Sedona: the Oak Creek Canyon day trip
Sedona is about 30 miles south of Flagstaff, a 45-minute drive down US-89A through Oak Creek Canyon — one of the most scenic drives in Arizona. You descend roughly 2,500 feet from Flagstaff's pine forest into Sedona's red-rock desert. It's an easy half- or full-day trip for red-rock hikes, Slide Rock State Park, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and the shops and galleries of uptown Sedona.
- Distance
- ~30 mi
- Drive time
- ~45 min via US-89A
- Elevation drop
- ~2,500 ft (cooler up top)
- Don't miss
- Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive
What's the drive from Flagstaff to Sedona like?
Take US-89A south out of Flagstaff and you'll wind down Oak Creek Canyon on a series of switchbacks, dropping from cool ponderosa forest into warm red-rock country in under an hour. The Oak Creek Canyon Vista near the top is a worthwhile pull-off, and the creek-side stretches are lush and shady. (I-17 to AZ-179 is slightly faster but far less scenic — take 89A at least one direction.)
Because Sedona sits about 2,500 feet lower than Flagstaff, it's noticeably warmer — a great way to find sunshine on a cool or snowy mountain day.
What should you do on a Sedona day trip?
- Slide Rock State Park — a natural rock waterslide in Oak Creek (go early; it fills up in summer).
- Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock — iconic red-rock formations with short, dramatic hikes.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross — a modernist chapel built into the rocks with sweeping views.
- Uptown Sedona — galleries, shops, and patios with red-rock backdrops.
- Devil's Bridge — the area's most photographed natural arch (long but popular hike).
What should you know before you go?
Many Sedona trailheads now require a Red Rock Pass for parking, and the most popular lots (Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge) fill early — arrive before mid-morning. Bring more water than you think you need; the desert is hot and dry compared to Flagstaff. Summer afternoons can bring monsoon storms, so plan hikes for the morning.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Sedona from Flagstaff?
Sedona is about 30 miles south of Flagstaff — roughly a 45-minute drive down US-89A through scenic Oak Creek Canyon, dropping about 2,500 feet from pine forest to red-rock desert.
What is the most scenic route from Flagstaff to Sedona?
US-89A through Oak Creek Canyon is the scenic route, with switchbacks, creek-side forest, and the Oak Creek Canyon Vista overlook. I-17 to AZ-179 is a little faster but much plainer — take 89A at least one way.
Related guides
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