Sedona to GCNP (and back) itinerary help

We%26#39;ll be driving up from the Scottsdale area early on a Friday morning in mid-June. Plan to get some breakfast and fill up the car and then continue on towards GCNP, probably arriving there around 11:30am or noon-ish. We plan to do our own thing, see the IMAX, visitors center, gift shop, etc. We will have a grandma, a toddler, big kid, 4 adults and 3 large dogs with us, so unfortunately, no major hiking or overnight stay. We plan to stay until sunset though, and drive back and stay overnight in Sedona.

Can anyone give me some help with the following:

1) the fastest route to GCNP for that time of day

2) pros and cons of entering at south rim, exiting at east entrance or vice versa

3) once we are there, the best spots to view with no major walking or hiking involved

4) what time will sunset be (roughly) then - 8pm?

5) fastest route back to Sedona if we leave GCNP around 8:30pm.

6) is there a shady spot somewhere we can unfold a blanket and let my 2 1/2 year old take a nap in the afternoon?

Thanks for your help!

Sedona to GCNP (and back) itinerary help

Hi,

Thank you for traveling, we appreciate your visiting our beautiful part of the U.S.

The fastest route to the Grand Canyon from Scottsdale - leaving around 7 to 8 a.m. is Interstate 17 north to Flagstaff, Interstate 40 west to Williams and Highway #64 from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This drive is about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and how fast you drive.

If you want the most scenic route that will give you a scenic drive along 23 miles of the Grand Canyon, take Interstate 17 north from Phoenix to Flagstaff, take Interstate 40 east to exit #201. Exit and turn left on Bus I 40 to U.S. Hwy #89. Take hwy 89 north out of Flagstaff to Cameron, AZ about 50 miles. Turn left - West on Hwy #64 and drive 31 miles to the East entrance of the Grand Canyon and Desert View Watchtower. This drive will take you about 4 hours from Scottsdale, AZ.

You now have the entire East Rim scenic drive of 23 miles from Desert View to the Grand Canyon Village area. There%26#39;s many viewpoints along this drive, and I recommend you stop at Desert View, Lipan, Moran, Grandview, and Mather. Each of these viewpoints have places to park and the walk to the views are easy.

After lunch in the village, you will want to take the free Park tram from the Bright Angel area to Hermits Rest. The tram takes about 2 hours and travels 8 miles from the Village to Hermits Rest at the end of the road along the Rim to the West. There%26#39;s some great viewpoints here as well, however, my favorite is Hopi Point.

Late afternoon drive south from the Canyon Village area about 6 miles on Hwy #64 to the village of Tusayan, the location of the IMAX theater. The film is shown every hour on the half-hour so you will want to time yourself to be in Tusayan by about 15 past the hour.

Sunset is great at Hopi Point, Yavapai Point and Yaki Point so any of these will be great views.

Enjoy your trip.

Sedona to GCNP (and back) itinerary help

Fastest route would be I-17 to I-40 west to AZ 64 at Williams and north to the park. Allow about 4 hours.

If you intend to see IMAX then it will be outside the main gate in Tusayan before you enter the park.

All view points are easy and involve minimal walking after you park your car at aech stop. Longest walks would be at GC Village for shops, eats and access to west rim shuttle.

If you leave via the east gate you%26#39;ll take AZ 64 down to 89, south to I-40 west to bypass Flagstaff, then I-17 south to 89A through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. About 2 hours from the east gate.

Lots of shade and quiet spots at any of the east rim view points in the afternoon. Try Grand View.