A nine-hour guided day trip from Sedona in a small Mercedes Sprinter van, up Oak Creek Canyon to the South Rim, with four or five viewpoint stops including Desert View and Yavapai Point, free time in Grand Canyon Village and lunch.
Sedona is about two and a half hours by road from the South Rim, close enough for a day trip but far enough that many visitors would rather not drive it twice in a day. This tour, run by the Sedona branch of the Pink Jeep company, swaps the jeeps for a Mercedes Sprinter van and takes you up and back with a guide. The tour is called Grand Canyon Premier and lasts about nine hours door to door.
The route starts with one of the prettiest drives in Arizona, north through Oak Creek Canyon, where the red rock gives way to pine forest as you climb toward Flagstaff. At the canyon you get about four hours inside the park, covering both the main South Rim and the eastern Desert View area. The tour makes four or five viewpoint stops, including the Desert View Watchtower and Yavapai Point, which has one of the widest views from the village area, and allows free time in Grand Canyon Village. Lunch is included.
Compared with driving yourself, you lose flexibility: you cannot stay for sunset, and the stops follow the guide's plan. In exchange, you skip about five hours of driving, the hunt for parking at popular overlooks, and the need to navigate the park on your first visit. The guide's commentary on geology and history adds a lot for most first-time visitors. A private version of the same tour is offered for small groups who want their own vehicle.
Check the details before you book. Check whether park entry is included, and note that non-US residents aged 16 and over may owe the National Park Service's nonresident fee on commercial tours, so ask how both are handled. Winter can bring snow above Flagstaff and on the rim between November and March, which can delay or cancel tours. Check current lodging status inside the park before you plan an overnight stay, and bring snacks since food service in the park can be limited.
What to expect
The experience
The tour departs from Sedona. Confirm the meeting point or pickup arrangements and the start time when you book. North through Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff, then on to the park. Allow about two and a half hours each way. About four hours in the park, with four or five stops including the Desert View Watchtower, Yavapai Point and free time in Grand Canyon Village.
Best time
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons; summer is hot at the rim. Snow on Interstate 17, Route 89A and Route 64 can affect winter tours. Keep a backup day if you can.
How long
Plan for about 9 hours.
Tips
Lunch is included. Bring water and snacks, as services in the park have been limited under water restrictions. A Mercedes Sprinter van, which keeps the group smaller than a full-size coach. You head back to Sedona in the afternoon, arriving in the evening about nine hours after you left. Bring a layer, as the rim sits about 2,500 feet higher than Sedona and is usually much cooler. Driving yourself is cheaper and lets you stay for sunset. The tour saves about five hours behind the wheel and adds a guide. Ask whether park entry is included and how the nonresident fee is collected if you are not a US resident.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors based in Sedona who want a guided first look at the South Rim without driving.
- Families
- A long day on a coach. Bring snacks, charging cables and something for children to do, and check the minimum age when you book.
- Couples
- No driving means you can both enjoy the scenery and the stops; sit toward the front for the best views.
- Pair with
- Pairs well with Desert View Jeep Tour or South Rim Airplane Tour if you have a second day.
- Time needed
- About 9 hours.
Good questions
How long is the tour from Sedona?+
About nine hours in total, with roughly four hours inside Grand Canyon National Park.
Which viewpoints does it visit?+
Four or five stops, including Desert View and Yavapai Point, plus free time in Grand Canyon Village. The exact stops can vary with conditions.
Is lunch included?+
Yes, lunch is included in the tour price.
Is the park entrance fee included?+
Check when you book whether park entry is included. Non-US residents aged 16 and over may also owe the nonresident fee, which applies on commercial tours.
Is there a private option?+
Yes. The operator offers a private version of the tour for groups who want their own vehicle and guide.
