Grand Canyon and Sedona: Self-Guided Driving Tour

Embark on a self-guided driving tour of the Grand Canyon and Sedona, exploring stunning landscapes, spiritual sites, and hidden history. Download the Tour Guide App for an immersive experience.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sedona Chamber of Commerce - This quirky, drop-dead gorgeous town has tons to offer, from shops and galleries to unbelievable red rock hikes. But it’s also packed with unique, surprising history, as you’re about to discover. I hope you’re ready to explore a place like no other!

Note: This 60+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Canyon and Sedona in 2-3 hours

  • Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village - Find a spot to park, then hop out of the car and head for the Tlaquepaque Arts Shopping Village. This market is a Sedona must-see. It’s absolutely full of shops and galleries featuring local arts and crafts, as well as plentiful food offerings if you’re feeling peckish.
  • Marg’s Draw Trailhead - At the bend in this road, you’ll find Marg’s Draw Trail, one of Sedona’s mid-length trails at 4 miles out and back. This trail’s famous for offering up-close views of Sedona’s famous red rocks. If you’re here in the spring, you can also catch cactus flowers blooming along the trail!
  • Broken Arrow Trail - The trail name has nothing to do with some unearthed Sinagua artifact. It’s actually the title of a movie filmed in Sedona!

See, long after the Sinagua vanished, Sedona became home to a handful of pioneer families. Among them: T.C. Schnebly, who saw a bright future for the community, even though it could barely even be called a community when he arrived. Schnebly built the area’s first hotel and general store, and created the first post office in 1902 to put it on the grid! The problem? This place didn’t even have a name yet!

  • Call Of The Canyon Picnic Site - Sedona changed forever in 1923, when filmmaker Zane Grey arrived with a film crew and a dream. Here, Zane shot the silent film Call of the Canyon, a western about a soldier returning from war. He wanted creative freedom he couldn’t get in LA, and was captivated by Sedona’s landscape.

  • Chapel of the Holy Cross - Back in 1931, the Empire State Building finished construction in New York. Uhhh so… what does that have to do with Sedona?

Well, local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Staude saw that skyscraper and was so inspired she simply had to create something just as impressive in her home state of Arizona.

  • Cathedral Rock Trail - This is the trailhead for Cathedral Rock Trail, a steep 1.2-mile trek offering phenomenal vistas. It’s considered a challenging hike, with 800 feet of elevation gain, so make sure you’re prepared if you decide to make the journey. Otherwise, you can simply enjoy the views of Cathedral Rock!

  • Courthouse Vista - From here, you can get a great look at Courthouse Butte. These majestic formations were one of the main reasons Hollywood came to Sedona in the first place. They just seem to scream “wild west,” don’t they?
    If you’d like to get a closer look, you can access a couple of different trails from this parking lot.

  • Village of Oak Creek - Village of Oak Creek, known to locals as “The Village,” this unincorporated community is chock full of shops and restaurants perfect for a post-tour break. The Village also boasts three huge golf courses for those who like to hit the links!

  • Lover’s Knoll - The easy-to-access, scenic vista of Lover’s Knoll is the perfect spot for a romantic photo op. For some folks, it’s also the ultimate outdoor wedding destination!

  • Munds Mountain Trail - Here, you’ll find Pyramid Mountain Trail—named, of course, for that pyramid-shaped mountain directly in front of us. This 2-mile loop takes about an hour to hike and offers stupendous scenery the whole time. It also presents some insight into why some people consider this land sacred.

  • Crescent Moon Ranch Road - It’s definitely worth the price, but if you’d rather not pay, you’ll have an option to turn around before the ticket booth.

  • Crescent Moon Picnic Site - This Crescent Moon Picnic Site, offers much more than just a great place for a snack. This creekside sanctuary boasts spectacular views and swimming as well! Cathedral Rock is clearly visible from here, and this is one of the most photographed views in Sedona! Chances are if you’ve seen photos of Sedona, one of them was shot from right here

  • Red Rock State Park - This is Red Rock State Park, a small but mighty stretch of some of the prettiest wilderness in the Sedona area. This 286-acre park offers plentiful hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and scenic vistas.

  • Grand Canyon National Park - Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park! This awe-inspiring natural wonder is unlike any other place on earth, and your narrated driving tour will make sure you get the most out of your visit. Full of astonishing vistas, unbeatable hikes, and some surprising history, this national park is an absolute must-see for anyone in the USA.

  • Grand Canyon Village - The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you’ll be filled in on the different entrance fee options.

  • Grand Canyon Visitor Center South Rim - You’ll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.

  • Mather Point - Your first overlook will be Mather Point, one of the park’s most popular spots. The views here are simply incredible, offering clear line of sight up to 30 miles across the canyon!

  • Yavapai Point - The next viewpoint is Yavapai Point, where you’ll get more great views from the canyon’s south rim and learn about the tribe for whom the point is named.

  • Hopi House - The first stop within the village is the Hopi House, an incredibly accurate recreation of the ancient Hopi dwellings one might have found here while the tribe still occupied the area. This building is also the perfect place to pick up some handmade souvenirs from your visit!

  • Yavapai Geology Museum - Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon’s geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!

  • Kolb Studio - As you continue on to Kolb Studio, the competitor to Lookouot Studio, you’ll hear all about the bitter rivalry between the two which almost drove them both to ruin back in the 1900s.

  • Lookout Studio - Up ahead are two buildings perched on the canyon’s edge. The one you can see right now is Lookout Studio, and you’ll find one just a little beyond it called Kolb Studio.

  • Hermit Road - For the next part of the tour, you’ll hop on board the park’s free shuttle. Don’t worry, your audio tour guide will instruct you on exactly how to do this!

  • Trailview Overlook - The first stop on Hermit Road is Trailview Overlook, which offers views of the famous Bright Angel Trail, the grueling path which leads all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. You’ll probably even see some exhausted hikers climbing it!

  • Maricopa Point - Next up is Maricopa Point, which was once the site of a uranium mining operation. Get the unexpected history behind this while you appreciate the gorgeous views.

  • Powell Point - After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.

  • Hopi Point - The shuttle route brings you next to Hopi Point, where you’ll learn about bald eagles, their importance to the Hopi tribe, and how to spot them.

  • Mohave Point - If you’ve been hoping for a great view of the Colorado River, that’s up next at Mohave Point. Here, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of this tremendously powerful river.

  • Monument Creek Vista - Monument Creek Vista, up next, offers a view of the most intense rapids in the park: Granite Rapids. You’ll also hear about the first female river guide and how she got her start in the Grand Canyon!

  • Pima Point - The next stop on your right is Pima Point, which sports one of the best views of Colorado. When you’re there, stop and listen. If the vista’s quiet, you can hear the rushing sound of water moving along the river.

  • Hermit’s Rest - So where does all this stuff get its name? Well, back in the mining days, one particular miner had no interest in being around other people. He far preferred the rhythms of nature. He spent most of his life living near this spot, content to while away his days with only the rocks and birds and squirrels to keep him company.

  • Pipe Creek Vista - After the shuttle, the tour continues east along Desert View Drive. The first stop along this road is Pipe Creek Vista, a favorite for birders hoping to spot the canyon’s rarer specimens, including even the ultra-rare California condor!

  • Duck on a Rock Viewpoint - The next landmark is the appropriately-named Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, which offers a good look at an oddly-shaped rock formation many claim looks exactly like a duck.

  • Grandview Point - After that is Grandview Point, and the view seriously is grand. This is also the trailhead for a hiking trail which leads below the canyon’s rim and features some truly remarkable sights.

  • Lipan Point - After that you’ll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park’s geology.

  • Navajo Point - The final viewpoint along this drive is Navajo Point, and last certainly isn’t least in this case. Navajo Point is actually the highest viewpoint on the entire southern rim, standing at a staggering 7,500 feet above sea level!

  • Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower - At last, you’ll arrive at the iconic Desert View Watchtower, a truly impressive stone structure perched on the canyon’s edge. Depending on the season, you can even climb to the top for a view unlike any other. The tour concludes here.

  • Yaki Point - A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.

  • South Kaibab Trail - The South Kaibab Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Unlike the Bright Angel Trail which also begins at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and leads to the Colorado River, the South Kaibab Trail follows a ridge out to Skeleton Point allowing for 360-degree views of the canyon.

  • Tusayan Ruins and Museum - Tusayan Ruins and Museum is a great stop for learning more about ancient cultures. We particularly enjoyed the walk through the ruins with the signage.

What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Witness the natural splendor of the Southwest with this combo tour of Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Experience Sedona’s spiritual power at huge red rock formations and discover why locals call this desert town a “a cathedral without walls.” Tour the south rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, and learn the history of the Hopi tribe who lived there. This tour combo is chock full of breathtaking vistas, unforgettable hikes, and hidden history.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
450 AZ-64
Arizona 64
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.7
(29 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Camilogutierrezmejia
Jul 8, 2024
Nice and easy - It’s easy and friendly, good narration and complete description of all the visited places, enough alternatives to make the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katepq4744ad
Jul 7, 2024
Grand Canyon and Sedona Tour - My family loves to do our own thing when we site see. This app allowed us to do just that without missing any of the popular parts of the attractions. It worked well for us and we will definitely use it again for our next vacation. I love the narration and the fact that I don’t have to click anything as we stroll along. It narrates automatically. Bring a charged battery pack for long tours as the gps may drain the battery.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marysue_p
Feb 29, 2024
Great way to see the Grand Canyon - Walking the rim trail and seeing the sights was awe-inspiring. The stories on the audio tour were fun and engaging.
Review provided by Viator
Marypi9081ic
Feb 29, 2024
Great tour; easy to use. - The app worked well. We didn’t follow it exactly because we didn’t know it included getting on a shuttle and riding. The stories were good, the directions were great, and it’s a favorable option to riding in a van with strangers for hours. For the price it’s a great value.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_t
Jun 18, 2024
Great tour for the price - This was a very good tour for the price. Navigation was ar times difficult and it was hard to pick up where we had stopped to take pictures.
Review provided by Viator
D5600kksydneyb
Apr 20, 2024
Worth the price - The views were incredible. If you can, take some of the trails. Shoshone point was incredible and worth the trip. Easy hike you can also find on all trails to make sure you make it to the true lookout, as this just brings you to the trailhead. I wish it was a little easier to follow and the navigation went into the car, but overall, we liked it and it had us stop at some good places we probably would’ve missed. Great deal for the price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
Apr 15, 2024
Worth the Price - The app was easy to use and helpful. I didn’t realize there was a section from Bright angel to Hermits rest where you had to take the park bus to visit but those sections but that’s my fault. Other than that it was worth the money compared to paying for a guided tour with a transportation.
Review provided by Viator
Meander795956
Mar 6, 2024
Use the phone app, download the tour, and following - I was not able to figure it out how to use the self guided tour in the beginning. It only works when you drive by the location and the audio will automatically pop up from your phone download. After figuring out, it becomes very handy to follow through the driving tour. For some reason it is not Bluetooth with my car, so I can only use it by phone. It created some frustration by the technical difficulties. I used the tours in Grand Canyon East Gate entrance and Sedona full tour. The both worked fine.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dennis_u
Jun 12, 2024
App need updating - Based on the app not working and not up to date on park restrictions. None There is nothing more to say other than I would like my money refunded
Review provided by Viator
Susan_h
Mar 30, 2024
Horrible app. - I reserved a tour well in advance. I was charged for the tour, but the day it was to start, the reserved tours disappeared from my downloads and did not show in the app. I spent 30 minutes on the phone with ' support's. He couldn't' fix the issue either Although he did provide a tour I didn't want or need so, I never used that either.. I ended up unable to have any driving tour unfortunately. I total waste of money.
Review provided by Viator
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