Is it better to stay in Flagstaff or Grand Canyon?

Stay inside Grand Canyon and you'll have the place to yourself before and after the day-trippers arrive and leave; stay in Flagstaff and you'll have access to a much greater choice of bars and restaurants, plus be closer to those other natural attractions.



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Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim is 79 miles, a 1 hour 30-minute drive. Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Canyon East Rim is 124 miles, a 2 hour 5-minute drive. Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Canyon North Rim is 207 miles, a 3 hour 40-minute drive.

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Short answer: In general, it's a nicer experience to stay inside the park in Grand Canyon. Long answer: Staying inside the Grand Canyon National Park is a one-of-a-kind experience but it's not for everyone, and it may just not be possible for you at all.

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The town of Tusayan, which is just 15-20 minutes away from the main Visitor Center on the south rim, has a great selection of places to stay. Grand Canyon Junction (formerly known as Valle) is further out (about 30 minutes to the rim), but is another good option. If you want a hotel, stay in Tusayan, which has plenty.

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How many days should you spend in the Grand Canyon? If you're visiting the South Rim, you'll want 2-3 days. For the North Rim, plan on visiting for 1-2 days. If you want to see both rims, give yourself 4-5 days!

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Sedona's greatest appeal is its spectacular scenery and multiple art galleries. Its main strip offers many choices of restaurants and souvenir shopping and has a touristy feel. Flagstaff, meanwhile, offers a small-town eclectic atmosphere with a main plaza amid a grid layout of shops.

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With three days in Flagstaff, you'll be able to enjoy charming downtown and still have plenty of time for other adventures. From day trips to the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend to ziplining above pine forests, opportunities for fun abound in this northern Arizona city.

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With just one day at the Grand Canyon South Rim, you can see several viewpoints and even hike into the canyon. Unless you want a super relaxed Grand Canyon vacation on the rim or an adventurous rafting trip down below, one to three days at the Grand Canyon is usually enough time for the highlights.

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Where to stop between Flagstaff and Grand Canyon North Rim?
  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. 6082 Forest Service Rd 545, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. ...
  • Wukoki Pueblo Ruins. ...
  • Wupatki National Monument. ...
  • Little Colorado River Gorge Overlooks. ...
  • Desert View Watchtower. ...
  • Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center. ...
  • Cliff Dweller's Stone House.


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Going to The Grand Canyon was an easy day trip from Flagstaff. Since it's only about an hour and a half drive it gave us the whole day to spend exploring the South Rim. It is Grand Canyons most accessible section and it is literally filled with dozens of magical viewpoints.

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The Grand Canyon's Best Scenic Viewpoints
  1. Mather Point, South Rim. ...
  2. Redwall Bridge, North Rim. ...
  3. Hopi Point, South Rim Trail. ...
  4. Plateau Point, Bright Angel Trail. ...
  5. Shoshone Point, South Rim. ...
  6. Desert View. ...
  7. Angel's Window, North Rim. ...
  8. Black Bridge or Silver Bridge view from the River.


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Flagstaff is only 29 miles from Sedona, and it sits at an elevation is 7,000 feet.

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Driving Distance from Sedona, AZ to Grand Canyon Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim is 113 miles, a 2 hour 10-minute drive. Sedona to Grand Canyon East Rim is 153 miles, a 2 hour 45-minute drive. Sedona to Grand Canyon North Rim is 236 miles, a 4 hour 20-minute drive.

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How many days should you spend in the Grand Canyon? If you're visiting the South Rim, you'll want 2-3 days. For the North Rim, plan on visiting for 1-2 days. If you want to see both rims, give yourself 4-5 days!

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