Experiencing Northern Arizona's canyons & cultures

Sunset Crater Volcano under a blue sky and white clouds.

From the Grand Canyon's depths to Indigenous heritage sites, this seven-day road trip features breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural history. Explore some of the most notable destinations in Northern Arizona and on the Navajo Nation on this trip filled with hikes through canyons, stargazing, and cultural demonstrations.

Duration
7 days
Perfect for
Hikers, history enthusiasts, photographers, and road trippers.
Highlights
Grand Canyon vistas, ancestral Puebloan cultural sites, volcanic landscapes, and historic trading posts.
Day 1 and 2

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim

Grand Canyon under clear blue sky, layered rock formations visible.

Journey

Begin your journey at Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, starting with a scenic drive along Desert View Drive before strolling along the 13-mile accessible Canyon Rim Trail. Stop at overlooks along the way, from Navajo Point to the Desert View Watchtower.

Wooden sign reading "Ooh Aah Point" overlooking the Grand Canyon.

Hike

Spend your second day exploring the depths of the Grand Canyon below the rim. Choose between: Hike the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round-trip) or Cedar Ridge (3 miles round-trip) for spectacular canyon views. For a longer and more challenging route, take the Bright Angel Trail down to Havasupai Gardens (9 miles round-trip) descending past historic rest houses and rock tunnels.

Grand Canyon at sunset, cliffs bathed in warm light, shadows on canyon floor.

Gaze

Wrap up the day at Yavapai Point for a breathtaking canyon sunset, then experience one of the best night skies in the US at an astronomy program hosted by park rangers.

Day 3 to 5

Navajo Reservation Monuments

Red rock arches with colorful foliage below in a canyon landscape.

Navajo National Monument

Drive northeast to Navajo National Monument and experience astounding ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Take the Sandal Trail (1 mile) for a scenic overlook of Betatakin, a 13th-century cliff dwelling tucked into the canyon walls.

Hiker gazing at a sunlit Canyon de Chelly with tall rock formations.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Visit the sacred lands of the Navajo people at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Hike the White House Trail (2.5 miles round-trip, seasonal hike) to see one of the most famous cliff dwellings in the Southwest. Take the South Rim Drive for scenic overlooks before taking a Navajo-guided jeep or horseback tour to the canyon floor, where you’ll see petroglyphs and ancient dwellings.

Hubbell trading post building with a colorful rug hanging on a railing.

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Visit Hubbell Trading Post, the oldest operating trading post in the Navajo Nation. Walk through the historic store, which still serves as a local community hub. Browse authentic, handmade Navajo rugs, jewelry, and crafts. Then take a ranger-led tour of Hubbell’s family home to learn about the site’s role in Navajo history.

Day 6

Flagstaff Area Monuments

Lonely tree on Sunset Crater under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Head west to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to walk through lava flows and cinder fields on the many monument trails. Take the Lava Flow Trail (1-mile loop) for a close-up look at the volcanic landscape that shaped the region. After, trek down the Lava’s Edge Trail (3.4 miles), meandering under ponderosa pines and over volcanic cinders along the jagged edge of the Bonito Lava Flow.

Wupatki ruins under a bright blue sky.

Wupatki National Monument

Just a short drive away, explore Wupatki National Monument, home to a great density of cultural sites and many well-preserved Puebloan villages, mainly from the 1100s, that served as trading hubs. Do not miss the Wupatki Pueblo, home to a large ballcourt and a natural blowhole sacred to the ancestral Puebloans and their descendants.

Hotel Monte Vista sign on a brick building under a clear blue sky.

Spend a night in town

Spend the evening in Flagstaff, grabbing dinner in town and watching the sunset from Buffalo Park or on the patio of one of the town’s many breweries before preparing for your final day of adventure.

Day 7

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Paved path leading to a modern building, flanked by wooden fences and wildflowers.

Get oriented

Finish your Northern Arizona road trip at Walnut Canyon National Monument, whose visitor center includes an educational park film and information about the park to help you organize your day.

Island Trail and surrounding greenery.

Venture

Hike the Island Trail (.9 mile roundtrip) to see ancient cliff dwellings up close. Along the way, enjoy stunning canyon views and interpretive signs. See more pueblo remains and canyon perspectives from the Rim Trail (0.7 roundtrip).

Walnut Canyon landscape under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Reflect

Take in one last breathtaking vista before heading back to Flagstaff or continuing your journey through the Southwest.

Sedona red rock formations under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
Optional add-on

Exploring Sedona’s Red Rocks

If you have extra time, extend your adventure by heading south to Sedona, renowed for its towering red rock formations.

Visit Smart

Plan ahead

Many locations are remote, with limited facilities. Carry extra food, water, and fuel, and check for road closures before your trip.

Stay informed

Some sites, like Canyon de Chelly, require Navajo guides for off-trail access. Check visitor center hours and availability for tours and ranger programs ahead of time.

Stay hydrated

Arizona’s high-desert climate can be dry and hot during the day, cold at night. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and layers.

Leave no trace

These lands hold deep cultural significance for many Indigenous communities. Stay on marked trails, respect historic sites, and follow Leave No Trace principles.

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