Two Day Grand Canyon Itinerary & Travel Guide (2024)
This two-day Grand Canyon itinerary will explains how to plan a weekend trip from Scottsdale, or a couple-day stop on a road trip. I’ll share where to stay, what to do, and other travel tips.
This itinerary was based on a weekend trip from Scottsdale, which is where I live. It’s also a great extension if you are planning a Scottsdale vacation.
The Grand Canyon is also great road-trip stop between Scottsdale and southern Utah. Two days in the Grand Canyon would be the perfect addition to a national park trip to Bryce Canyon, Arches, Moab, or Page Arizona.
Keep reading to learn about how to get to the Grand Canyon, the best glamping near the national park, what to do in Sedona, and some easy hikes.
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Two Day Grand Canyon Itinerary
Day 1: Sedona Day Trip
Early Morning: Depart Scottsdale early in the morning to get ahead of the crowds and beat the heat
Morning: Sedona is two hours from Scottsdale, directly in between Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon. After an early departure from Scottsdale, arrive in Sedona around 9 AM for a quick hike. Below, I recommend some of the best hikes in Sedona.
Lunch: Take advantage of the amazing food scene in Sedona to grab lunch. Keep reading for restaurant recommendations.
Afternoon: After lunch, spend a bit of time exploring downtown Sedona. There are many great local shops with clothes, souvenirs, art, and gemstones. Want to spend more time in Sedona? Check out my long weekend guide.
Late Afternoon: From Sedona, drive the additional two hours to the Under Canvas campground near the Grand Canyon and get settled into camp.
Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at Under Canvas, surrounded by amazing views and nature.
Evening: Hangout fireside at camp, listening to live music, socializing with other travelers, and roasting some smore’s. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep for a busy day 2.
Day 2: Grand Canyon National Park
Early Morning: Wake up early to drive a quick 30 minutes to the South Rim entrance of Grand Canyon national park.
Morning: Spend the morning exploring the national park, doing one of the hikes recommended below. I recommend starting with your more difficult hike, such as Bright Angel, while the temperature is still low.
Lunch: Either pack in a lunch or visit a lodge for a lunch break. This is the time to rest your legs between hikes.
Afternoon: To make the most of your time in the national park, head out on a second hike. I recommend choosing an easier hike, such as the South Rim trail, for the afternoon, since it will be hotter, and you may be tired from the past two days of hiking.
Evening: Depart the Grand Canyon to return to Scottsdale or continue on your road trip. If you are headed back to Scottsdale, Prescott or Sedona are good stops for dinner.
This two-day Grand Canyon itinerary is great because it is a good balance between adventure and hiking, and also relaxation. Stopping in Sedona also allows you to break up the drive, while getting to explore an additional destination.
If you are starting this itinerary in the north and heading down to Scottsdale, simply reverse this itinerary. If you aren’t planning to head to Scottsdale at all, Sedona can easily be added as a day trip from the Grand Canyon.
The Best Short Hikes in Sedona
Little Horse (4.3 miles, 564 feet) – The little horse trail is one of my favorite hikes in Sedona. The parking lot is small, so plan to arrive very early to snag a spot.
The trail is mostly flat and winds through the Sedona desert, with surrounding red rock views. There is also an optional detour to view a scenic chapel on the mountain.
Sedona Airport Loop (3.2, 416 feet) – I love a loop trail to be able to experience unique views for the entire hike, this one is a great length for you to complete on route to the Grand Canyon.
Seven Sacred Pools (1.1 miles, 108 feet) – A quick and easy hike that can easily be combined with another hike in the same day. This hike has great views of the rock formations, and has water views at the end, living up to its name.
Oak Creek Trail (1.3 miles, 45 feet) – This hike is great if you are short on time, you will quickly be rewarded with creek and mountain views from this short hike.
Devil’s Bridge (3.9 miles, 521 feet) – The Devil’s Bridge is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, due to its unique formation and amazing views. The hike ends on a narrow rock “bridge” so avoid this one if you are afraid of heights.
Cathedral Rock (1.2 miles, 741 feet) – This is another one of the most popular hikes in Sedona. It is short, steep, and has amazing views at the end.
Where to Eat in Sedona
Following a hike, you will surely be hungry for lunch. Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Sedona:
Creekside Bistro – This restaurant is perfect after a hike. The outdoor patio overlooks a flowing creek and has amazing views. There is no dress code, so it is ok to show up in your hiking gear. The menu consists of great lunch items such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
Hideaway House – Hideaway house is another great, casual option for lunch in Sedona. They have a broad menu that will appeal to many tastes, including pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and more.
Mariposa – Mariposa is one of the best restaurants in Sedona, serving upscale Latin-inspired food. However, it is high end and will require you to freshen up after your hike. It is also very popular and requires reservations months in advance.
Top Hikes Near the Grand Canyon South Rim
There are viewpoints of the Grand Canyon that you can reach by car. However, the best way to truly experience it is by hiking. The below hikes are my three favorite hikes in the South Rim Grand Canyon.
South Rim Trail (13 miles) – The South Rim Trail is a 13-mile paved trail that follows the outer rim of the Grand Canyon. There are many segments of the trail that you can hike, but I recommend Mather point to the Bright Angel lodge. This route is 3 miles each direction and will allow you to see the best views of the canyon.
Bright Angel Trail (15.3 miles, 4,478 feet) – This trail goes from the outer rim of the Grand Canyon all the way to the Colorado River at the bottom of the Canyon. This trail is long, and very difficult. It also requires a permit to complete. I recommend doing the first part of this trail, but the entire hike is not necessary.
South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Ahh Point (1.8 miles, 685 feet) – This difficult, but short hike is a great way to get amazing views from in the Canyon without as much of a time commitment as the Bright Angel trail. Be sure to arrive early because this trail is very popular.
Glamping Near the Grand Canyon National Park – Under Canvas
When visiting the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend staying nearby the night before. This will allow you to get into the park early to beat crowds and the heat.
The best place to stay near the Grand Canyon National Park is the Under Canvas Grand Canyon glamping resort. This resort is the perfect mix of luxurious and rustic.
There are 90 tents at varying price points and sizes. There is also a large reception tent with a delicious onsite restaurant, live entertainment, included activities, and campfires.
During my recent two-day trip to the Grand Canyon, everyone in my group agreed that our stay at Under Canvas was the highlight of the entire trip. It was amazing to surround the campfire and roast smores under the stars.
Sleeping in a cozy, luxurious cabin, surrounded by the sounds of the outdoors was the perfect amount adventurous without the hassles of traditional camping.
Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon
1. Compare Price of Annual Pass Versus Day Pass – A day pass for the Grand Canyon is $30 per car and an annual pass for all national parks is $80.
If you plan to spend more than three days in a national park this year, opt for the annual pass to save some money.
2. Arrive Early to Save Time – We arrived in the park at 8:30 am and had no wait at the entrance booth and found a parking spot immediately.
When we left the national park around noon, the wait to get into the park was over an hour and all parking spots were full. Arrive early to save yourself valuable time.
3. Check the Forecast – People tend to assume that Arizona is always warm. However, near the Grand Canyon can get very cold in the winter, and even snow.
Be sure to check the forecast prior to your visit and pack accordingly.
4. Utilize Shuttles if Needed – If you arrive later in the day, or it is unusually busy, park shuttles are a great way to get around when parking is unavailable.
What to Wear to the Grand Canyon
When deciding what to pack for the Grand Canyon, focus on comfort and function over fashion. Throughout the camp and the park, athleisure and hiking gear is appropriate.
In the above collage, I share outfit ideas for lounging around camp, an easy hike, and a challenging hike (from left to right).
These simple combinations of pants and comfortable shirts are both cute and functional for your trip.
Summary of Scottsdale to Grand Canyon Road Trip
This two-day Grand Canyon itinerary is the best way to see the Grand Canyon, hit a couple popular hikes, and enjoy the beauty of the area in a short amount of time.
From Scottsdale, this is the perfect weekend trip to see the popular destinations of Sedona and the Grand Canyon, explore nature, and enjoy some cooler temperatures.
The biggest takeaway from this guide is to arrive to hikes early to take advantage of lower temps and smaller crowds. Beside that, enjoy the amazing hikes and beautiful views.
If you are visiting Arizona, check out all of my Arizona travel guides to learn the best places to visit and things to do in the state.
Related Posts:
- Complete Guide To A Weekend In Scottsdale Arizona
- Page Arizona Itinerary – Travel Guide And Tips
- Two Days In Tucson – The Top Things To Do And Weekend Itinerary
- Long Weekend In Sedona Arizona – The Best Itinerary And Travel Guide
- Glamping At The Grand Canyon: Review And Guide Of Under Canvas Camping
- 101 Creative Arizona Instagram Captions For Photos & Reels
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