3-Day Itinerary for Flagstaff, AZ - Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend, and more!

3-Day Itinerary for Flagstaff, AZ - Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend, and more! Day 1: Arrival & Flagstaff base

Where to stay:Since you’ll be based in Flagstaff for most of the trip, pick a comfortable hotel or lodge that gives you a base to relax. According to recent data, typical hotel prices in Flagstaff range around $125/night (low-season) to ~$233/night (peak). Budget Your Trip+1For example:

• A budget-friendly motel: you can find rooms for as low as $50-$90/night in off-peak times. orbitz

• A mid-range stay might cost ~$150/night.

• If you want something more upscale, expect maybe ~$250+ depending on season.

Suggested lodging: Pick something near downtown Flagstaff or along the US-180/Route 66 corridor so you’re convenient to restaurants and can easily head out in the morning.

Afternoon/evening:Arrive in Flagstaff, check-in, maybe stroll around historic downtown (it has a charming mountain-town feel). Get dinner: you’ll have altitude (Flagstaff sits around 7,000 ft) so take it easy your first night.

Evening tip: Go for a quick scenic drive around nearby forest roads or simply enjoy the starry sky (Flagstaff has relatively low light-pollution) before turning in.

Day 2: Grand Canyon Vista + Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend

Morning: Depart early from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon South Rim for a “grand vista” – one of the must-do views. The recommended route: take US-180 north from Flagstaff to Valle, then turn onto AZ-64 north into the park. PlanetWare+1 This route gives you some scenic build-up (pine forests around Flagstaff and then high-desert views).Arrive at a viewpoint like Mather Point or Yavapai Point and take a rim-walk (very manageable) just to soak in the immensity of the canyon.

Midday You drive your own car to the parking lot ~5 miles south of Page, Arizona along US-89. Horseshoe Bend+3Visit Arizona+3CityBit Travel+3

• There is a fee for parking/entry to the lot: $10 per standard passenger vehicle (and $5 for motorcycles) for the lot operated by the city of Page. CityBit Travel+3Horseshoe Bend+3Any Travel Tips+3

• The trail from the lot to the overlook is about 0.6-0.7 miles one-way (so ~1.2-1.4 miles round-trip). Horseshoe Bend+2Any Travel Tips+2

• Important notes: The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset; you cannot park along the highway US-89 side. Also, your federal “America the Beautiful” pass or national park pass does not cover this local lot. National Park Service+1

• So yes — you can DO it by yourself (drive in your car, pay the lot fee, walk the trail) — no need to book a bus or van tour for this part.

  

  This is trickier: Upper Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo Nation land near Page, AZ and you cannot simply drive your car to wander in without a guide. Many sources state that you must join an authorized tour with a Navajo guide. National Park Express+2Navajo Tours+2

• How it typically works: You book a tour ahead of time with a licensed operator. The cost includes the guide, transportation from the meeting point to the canyon, and the Navajo permit fee. Navajo Tours+1

• Some specifics: One article says, for Upper Antelope Canyon, the price generally includes the Navajo permit fee (~$8) and you must arrive and check in at the operator’s office/meeting point in Page. Then the guide drives you across the sandy wash in a 4×4 to the canyon entrance. Visit Arizona+1

• There is mention that parking at Antelope may be free (for your car) once you have booked the tour, but the key constraint is you need to be part of a tour group. Antelope Canyon Tours+1

• In short: You do drive yourself to Page, but you cannot go into Upper Antelope Canyon completely independent; a tour with guide is required.

  
  

Recommendation

• For Horseshoe Bend: Drive in yourself, pay ~$10 for the vehicle, walk the trail.

• For Upper Antelope Canyon: Drive yourself to meet the tour, but you must have a pre-booked guided tour to go inside the canyon.

• Important: Book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance — slots fill up, and it’s the only legal way to enter the canyon.

• Timing tip: For Horseshoe Bend aim for sunrise (cooler, fewer crowds). For Upper Antelope choose a time when light beams are best (midday often).

• Logistically: On your road trip from Flagstaff, you’d drive to Page, stop at Horseshoe Bend, then proceed to your Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Then you can return to Flagstaff or continue onward.

Evening:Return toward Flagstaff (or stay overnight in Page if you prefer to split the drive — but for this 3-day itinerary we’ll assume you stay in Flagstaff). Dinner back in Flagstaff, maybe enjoy a local brew or dessert.

Day 3: Slide Rock + Jeep Tour near Scottsdale + Depart

Morning:Check‐out (or pack up lightly) and drive toward the Sedona/Scottsdale area for your next set of adventures. First stop: Slide Rock State Park. This is in Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona (which is on the way toward Scottsdale from Flagstaff).Entrance fee: Peak season (May–Sept) per vehicle (1-4 people): $30. Off-peak (Oct–Apr) per vehicle: $20. Additional adults: ~$5 each. Arizona State Parks+1Here you can do a short nature trail and enjoy the slide-rock creek fun (if the weather allows) or simply soak in the scenery.

Midday:Head toward Scottsdale, Arizona (or the nearby Sonoran Desert area) for a guided jeep tour. Example tour: a “Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour” from Scottsdale is priced at ~$175 per person for a 2-3 hour off-road adventure. A WordPress Site+1 Other tour companies list ~$195. expedia Choose one that gives a mix of rugged desert views, flora/fauna narration, and maybe a sunset photo stop.

Afternoon/Evening:Wrap up your trip: After the jeep tour, you can grab dinner in Scottsdale (or on the way) before heading back or flying out (depending on your plans). If time allows, linger in Scottsdale’s Old Town, maybe enjoy some southwestern cuisine, and then depart.

Additional Notes & Tips

• Driving distances & times: Flagstaff to Grand Canyon is about 1.5 hours if you go via US-180 → AZ-64. PlanetWare

• Elevation & weather: Flagstaff is high elevation; pack layers. Desert parts (Slide Rock, Sonoran Desert) may be warmer.

• Book in advance: Especially the slot-canyon tours (Antelope).

• Vehicle & fuel: You’ll be doing quite a bit of driving – from Flagstaff to canyon to Page to Sedona to Scottsdale. Ensure gas tank is filled, check for remote stretches (for example near the Grand Canyon east entrance).

• Accommodation tip: Since you’re using Flagstaff as base for two nights, aim to stay there nights 1 & 2, then night 3 after the jeep tour you might stay in Scottsdale (or head back to Flagstaff depending on departure).

• Flexibility: If you get tired on Day 2 from the long drive to Page + canyon, you could adjust by doing just the Grand Canyon in the morning and postpone Antelope to another trip.

• Wit tip: Think of Day 2 as “Big Vista in the morning, slot-canyon selfie in the afternoon, REM sleep at night.” For Day 3: “Slide, Jeep, and go home (or onward) like you conquered Arizona.”