Waterholes Canyon: A Hidden Slot Canyon Only Reachable by Water
How to reach Waterholes Canyon, a sandstone slot canyon near Lee’s Ferry that you can only get to by kayak, plus safety tips for flash floods.
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Field Notes
Explore Arizona Like a Local
The best adventures start with a little local knowledge. Welcome to Field Notes, where our TrekWest guides share their favorite hidden gems, scenic hikes, secret viewpoints, local favorites, and insider tips from decades of exploring Northern Arizona. From the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking overlooks to Flagstaff’s winding trails and Sedona’s red rocks, we’re sharing the places we love, the stories behind them, and everything you need to get out and explore Arizona like a local.
From the trail
Trip notes and local favourites from our guides.
Old Caves Crater: An Ancient Pueblo Hiding on a Volcano Near Flagstaff
A free 2.5 to 3.5 mile hike up an extinct cinder cone to Sinagua cave dwellings, 15 minutes from downtown Flagstaff. Trail facts and directions.
Sycamore Canyon: A Red Rock Hike Without the Sedona Crowds
Parsons Trail #144 in Sycamore Canyon near Clarkdale: distance, difficulty, directions and local tips for a quieter red rock hike.
Camp Verde: A Day Trip Worth Taking, Less Than an Hour from Flagstaff
Kayaking, pecan orchards, wine, antiquing, Montezuma Castle and more: a stop-by-stop day trip guide to Camp Verde, Arizona.
Fossil Creek: How to Reach Arizona’s Turquoise Waterfall Swimming Holes
Directions, permits, road conditions and safety tips for Fossil Creek, one of Arizona’s best swimming holes. Know before you go.
Kayak Horseshoe Bend from the Bottom: A Lee’s Ferry Backhaul Guide
How to paddle the Colorado River around Horseshoe Bend from Lee’s Ferry with a motorboat backhaul, which outfitters to call, and what to bring.
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook: A Quick, Spectacular Stop in Page
A short sandstone-step walk to a river view of Glen Canyon Dam. Address, trail length and photo tips for the overlook in Page, Arizona.
Where to See Fall Leaves in Flagstaff: Our Favorite Spots
Five places to see fall color around Flagstaff, from downtown streets to Snowbowl Road and Schultz Pass, with crowd and driving tips.
Where Locals Love to Eat in Flagstaff: Sosta and Macy’s European Coffee House
Two Flagstaff favorites from our guides’ “Places Locals Love to Eat” series: Sosta downtown and the long-running, vegetarian Macy’s.
A Private Tour Done Your Way: Volcanoes, Ruins and the Grand Canyon’s East Rim
One of the biggest perks of a private tour is rewriting the itinerary. A recent day: Sunset Crater, Wupatki, Cameron Trading Post and the East Rim.
Why a Sunset Tour Is the Best Way to See the Grand Canyon
Many visitors find the Grand Canyon underwhelming at midday. Golden hour is why the photos look the way they do. Here is why we recommend a sunset tour.
Arizona’s Best Water Hikes: A Guide to Desert Oases
A guide to Arizona's best water hikes: hidden grottos, turquoise falls and swimming holes in the desert.
Finding Your Basecamp: Where to Stay When Visiting Grand Canyon
Where to stay when you visit the Grand Canyon: how Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan and the park itself shape your trip.
Flagstaff Arizona’s Best Day Hikes
A local's list of Flagstaff's best day hikes, from Humphreys Peak to Fatmans Loop, with difficulty ratings and tips.
Packing Snacks for Your Hike: Think Like an Astronaut!
How to pack hiking snacks like an astronaut: calorie-dense, light and easy to eat at altitude.
The Ultimate Guide to the Grand Canyon Rim-to-River Day Hike
What to know before hiking from the Grand Canyon's South Rim to the Colorado River and back in a day: the climate zones, timing, water and risks.
Take Your Own Food Tour of Flagstaff, Arizona
Ten fun and delicious places to eat in Flagstaff, Arizona, from brunch spots and cafés to artisan pizza, chosen by locals.
Getting here
Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: Drive Times, Routes and Why We’d Base in Flagstaff
How far is the Grand Canyon from Phoenix? About 230 miles and 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Routes, where to stop, and why a night in Flagstaff turns a long day into a great one.
Sedona to the Grand Canyon: Day Trip, Drive and Tour Options
Sedona to the Grand Canyon South Rim is about 115 miles and 2 to 2.5 hours through Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff. How to do it as a day trip, what to stop for, and your tour options.
Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon: The 80-Mile Drive and How to Do It Right
Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon South Rim is 80 miles and about 1.5 hours on US-180. Routes, winter driving, what to see on the way, and why Flagstaff is the best base for the canyon.
Compare your options
Las Vegas or Flagstaff? Choosing Your Base for the Grand Canyon
From Las Vegas, the real Grand Canyon (the South Rim) is 4.5 hours away; the West Rim Skywalk is 2.5 hours but outside the national park. What each option gets you, and when Flagstaff is the smarter base.
Helicopter, Van or On Foot: How to Choose Your Grand Canyon Tour
Thinking about a Grand Canyon helicopter tour? Here is an honest comparison with a guided rim tour and a day hike: what you see, how long you get, who each suits, and how to combine them.
Rafting the Grand Canyon vs Seeing It from the Rim: Which Trip Is Right for You?
Grand Canyon rafting trips range from a half-day float below Glen Canyon Dam to 18 days of whitewater. What each involves, how far ahead to book, and how to pair the river with a day at the rim.
South Rim vs West Rim vs North Rim: Which Grand Canyon Is Right for You?
The South Rim, the West Rim Skywalk and the North Rim are hours apart and very different. Distances from Flagstaff, Las Vegas and Phoenix, seasons, crowds, fees and what each one is for.
Grand Canyon Railway vs a Small-Group Tour from Williams: Which Should You Book?
The Grand Canyon Railway leaves Williams at 9:30 am and gives you about 3 hours 45 minutes at the rim. Here is how that compares with a guided small-group day from Williams, and how to combine the two.
Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon: Can You Do All Three in One Trip?
Yes, but not in one day. Distances between the South Rim, Page, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, the booking rules for the slot canyons, and a two or three-day plan from Flagstaff that works.
How to Choose a Grand Canyon Tour Company: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Book
Big bus, Jeep, van or private guide? Nine questions that separate a great Grand Canyon tour from a long day in a coach: group size, what is included, where you stop, who your guide is, and the cancellation policy.
Plan your visit
Things to Do at the Grand Canyon South Rim: A Guide’s List
The best things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim, ranked by people who go every day: the overlooks worth stopping for, the Village, walks below the rim, Desert View, sunset spots and what to skip.
Grand Canyon Day Hikes: Bright Angel, South Kaibab and the Rim Trail (and When to Go Guided)
The best Grand Canyon day hikes from the South Rim with honest distances and elevation: Rim Trail, Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, Skeleton Point, 3-Mile Resthouse and Havasupai Gardens. Plus when a guided hike is worth it.
How Much Does a Grand Canyon Trip Cost? Fees, Tours and What’s Included
What a Grand Canyon visit really costs in 2026: the $35 vehicle entrance fee, the non-resident surcharge, parking, lodging in Flagstaff vs the park, food, and what a guided tour includes so you can compare fairly.
Grand Canyon Itineraries: 1, 2 and 3 Days from Flagstaff
Hour-by-hour Grand Canyon itineraries for one, two and three days using Flagstaff as your base: the South Rim done properly, a hike below the rim, sunset, and add-ons to Sedona, Wupatki and Page.
The Grand Canyon with Kids: A Family Guide from People Who Take Families Every Week
Visiting the Grand Canyon with children: the safe overlooks, the Junior Ranger programme, how far to walk below the rim, where to eat, how to handle altitude and heat, and why a small-group or private tour works well for families.
Sedona
Sedona Hiking for First-Timers: Trails, Timing and Guided Options
The best Sedona hikes for a first visit, with distances, parking realities and the Red Rock Pass: Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, Bell Rock, West Fork, Fay Canyon and Doe Mountain. Plus quieter red-rock alternatives and private guided days from Flagstaff.
Sedona Tours Without a Jeep: Red Rock Hikes, Scenic Drives and Private Days Out
Sedona tours compared: the famous Jeep rides, guided hikes, the scenic drives you can do yourself (Red Rock Loop, Oak Creek Canyon, Schnebly Hill) and private guided days that pair Sedona with the Grand Canyon.
Sedona Jeep Tours: Are They Worth It, and What Are the Alternatives?
What a Sedona Jeep tour actually is (1.5 to 3 hours on rough forest roads like Broken Arrow and Schnebly Hill), who it suits, what it costs you in time, and the hiking, scenic-drive and private-guide alternatives.
Things to Do in Sedona: A Flagstaff Guide’s Short List
The things to do in Sedona that are worth your limited time: the best red rock viewpoints, Oak Creek swimming holes, the Chapel, Tlaquepaque, short hikes, sunset spots, and what to skip, from guides based 45 minutes up the canyon.
Sedona to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend: Distance, Drive Time and How to Plan It
Sedona to Page, Arizona (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) is about 165 miles and 2 hours 45 minutes each way through Flagstaff. Why it is not a day trip, the booking rules for Antelope Canyon, and a two-day route that adds the Grand Canyon.
Phoenix or Scottsdale to Sedona: The Drive, the Stops, and Whether to Keep Going to Flagstaff
Phoenix to Sedona is about 115 miles and 2 hours on I-17 and SR-179; Scottsdale adds 15 minutes. Where to stop on the way, how long Sedona needs, and why continuing 45 minutes to Flagstaff opens up the Grand Canyon.
