Phoenix to Grand Canyon and Monument Valley Road Trip
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
- Phoenix–Page drive via US-89 — Phoenix to Page; depart around 4:30 AM for the roughly 4.5–5-hour drive, allowing time for fuel and a brief rest stop; arrive early for tour check-in and parking.
- Antelope Canyon — Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park; take a required guided tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, allowing about 2 hours.
- Big John’s Texas BBQ — Downtown Page; enjoy a casual lunch of barbecue, approximately $15–30 per person, for about 1 hour.
- Horseshoe Bend — Just south of Page; walk the 1.5-mile round-trip trail to the iconic overlook, allowing 1–1.5 hours.
- Lake Powell — Page waterfront; relax at a shoreline viewpoint or take a short sunset visit after the day’s driving, allowing about 1 hour.
Early Morning Drive
Leave Phoenix around 4:30 AM for the roughly 4½–5-hour drive to Page via US-89. Fill up before leaving the city, then plan a quick rest and fuel stop around Flagstaff or Cameron; sunrise will find you on open desert highways, with long stretches between services. Page operates on Mountain Standard Time year-round, one hour ahead of Phoenix in October, so double-check your guided Antelope Canyon confirmation and arrive at the operator’s check-in point 30–45 minutes early. Tours are required, typically cost about $60–100 or more per person depending on the canyon and operator, and parking is generally handled at the tour staging area.
Late Morning and Lunch
Spend about two hours on your guided Antelope Canyon tour, following your guide through the narrow sandstone passageways and keeping in mind that bags, tripods, and sometimes larger cameras are restricted. Afterward, drive back into downtown Page for lunch at Big John’s Texas BBQ, a relaxed local favorite on North Navajo Drive; allow roughly $15–30 per person and check the day’s hours, as seasonal schedules can change. The restaurant is casual and counter-service, making it a good fit after an early start rather than a long sit-down meal.
Afternoon and Sunset
From Page, drive south on US-89 for about 10 minutes to Horseshoe Bend. The signed parking area charges an entrance fee—typically around $10 per passenger vehicle—and the sandy, mostly exposed 1.5-mile round-trip trail takes about an hour to 90 minutes. Bring water and sun protection even in October, and stay well back from the unguarded cliff edges. Finish with a slower hour at Lake Powell, using a nearby shoreline viewpoint for sunset and a chance to stretch before tomorrow’s long drive; conditions and access vary by water level, so follow posted signs and avoid wandering onto unstable shore areas. If you are staying in Page, this is an easy, low-pressure ending—just keep dinner and an early bedtime in mind for the next morning’s departure.
Monument Valley
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park — Monument Valley; start with the scenic Valley Drive, a 17-mile route through the park’s buttes and mesas, allowing 2.5–3 hours.
- The View Restaurant — Monument Valley Tribal Park; have lunch with panoramic views, approximately $20–40 per person, allowing 1 hour.
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center — Park overlook area; learn about Navajo history and geology while viewing the classic panorama, allowing 45–60 minutes.
- Forrest Gump Point — US-163 near Mexican Hat; photograph the famous highway perspective toward Monument Valley, allowing 20–30 minutes.
- Goulding’s Lodge Museum — Goulding’s Trading Post area; explore the small museum documenting the region’s film history, allowing about 1 hour.
Morning
Begin at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, ideally around 8:00 AM. Pay the park entrance fee—typically about $8 per person, though fees and payment policies can change—and allow 2½–3 hours for the 17-mile Valley Drive. The unpaved road is manageable in a normal vehicle when dry, but it is rough and can become difficult after rain; drive slowly, carry water, and expect limited cell service. The most dramatic stops include the Mittens, Elephant Butte, and John Ford’s Point, where local vendors may be present. Leave extra time for photographs rather than trying to rush the loop.
Midday and Afternoon
Have lunch at The View Restaurant, conveniently located near the park overlook, with roughly $20–40 per person and about an hour for the meal. Seating looks toward the valley, so request a window table if available; hours can vary seasonally, and it is wise to check the current schedule or ask your lodging to call ahead. After lunch, spend 45–60 minutes at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center, browsing the exhibits on Navajo culture and the area’s geology while enjoying the classic panorama from the overlook. Then drive about 25 minutes north on US-163 to Forrest Gump Point, the roadside pull-off made famous by the film—park fully off the highway and watch for fast-moving traffic before stepping out for photos.
Late Afternoon and Evening
Return toward Goulding’s Lodge Museum, near the historic trading-post area, for about an hour exploring its compact collection of movie memorabilia, photographs, and local history. It generally closes in the late afternoon, so check the day’s hours before making the drive from Forrest Gump Point. Finish with sunset views around Goulding’s Lodge or your nearby accommodation; the valley is especially striking as the buttes turn copper and purple. Keep dinner plans flexible—restaurant choices are limited in the immediate area—and carry snacks, water, and a full tank since services are widely spaced.
Grand Canyon South Rim
- Mile 0 of US-163–US-160–US-89–US-64 drive — Monument Valley to Grand Canyon South Rim; depart around 5:00 AM for the roughly 3-hour drive, arriving near sunrise; refuel and use restrooms in Kayenta or Cameron.
- Mather Point — Grand Canyon Village; take in the first South Rim panorama and sunrise light, allowing 45–60 minutes.
- Bright Angel Trail — Grand Canyon Village; hike a short section of this dramatic canyon trail rather than attempting the full descent, allowing 1.5–2 hours.
- El Tovar Dining Room — Grand Canyon Village; have a sit-down lunch with canyon views, approximately $25–50 per person, allowing 1–1.5 hours.
- Hermit Road viewpoints — West Grand Canyon Village; use the seasonal shuttle or permitted transport to visit viewpoints such as Hopi Point and Powell Point, allowing 2–3 hours.
- Grand Canyon South Rim–Phoenix via I-17 — Depart around 3:30–4:00 PM for the roughly 4–4.5-hour return drive; stop near Flagstaff or Camp Verde for fuel and dinner before arriving in Phoenix.
Early Morning Arrival
Leave Monument Valley around 5:00 AM on the drive toward Grand Canyon Village, following US-163, US-160, US-89, and US-64. The drive takes about three hours in good conditions; top up in Kayenta or Cameron, since services are sparse before the park. Aim to enter Grand Canyon National Park with a little buffer for wildlife, darkness, and the entrance station, then go straight to Mather Point for 45–60 minutes of sunrise views. Parking is plentiful but fills quickly around first light, and October mornings can be near freezing, so bring a warm layer.
Morning Hike and Lunch
From Mather Point, drive or walk the short distance to the Bright Angel Trailhead in Grand Canyon Village. Spend 1½–2 hours hiking only as far as feels comfortable; the first section is steep on the return, so allow roughly twice as much time to climb back and carry water and snacks. Do not try to reach the river on this schedule. Afterward, have a proper meal at El Tovar Dining Room, where a historic lodge setting and canyon-facing windows make the $25–50-per-person range worthwhile. Reservations are helpful, though the dining room’s hours can change seasonally—check the current schedule before leaving Monument Valley.
Afternoon Rim Views and Return to Phoenix
After lunch, use the seasonal shuttle along Hermit Road rather than moving your car between overlooks. Spend two to three hours hopping off at Hopi Point and Powell Point, with time to simply watch the canyon change color in the afternoon light; shuttle service and road-access rules vary by date, so confirm the October schedule at the visitor center. Depart Grand Canyon Village around 3:30–4:00 PM via AZ-64 and I-40 toward I-17 and Phoenix. Plan a fuel and dinner stop near Flagstaff or Camp Verde; the drive is roughly 4–4½ hours, and arriving in Phoenix late evening is realistic after a full day.
No packing list attached yet.
