The Ultimate Guide to Summer Activities Near Munds Park, Sedona, and Flagstaff

Phoenix hits 110°F. You don't have to.

Munds Park, Arizona sits at 7,000 feet in the world's largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest, where summer highs stay in the low 80s and evenings drop into the 50s. It is two hours north of Phoenix via I-17 and perfectly centered between three of Arizona's most iconic destinations: Sedona (45 minutes south), Flagstaff (30 minutes north), and the Grand Canyon South Rim (about 2 hours north).

If you want to escape the heat without flying anywhere, this is your spot.

Here is everything worth doing within reach of a Munds Park cabin this summer.

Munds Park: Right Out Your Door
Sedona: Red Rocks & Swimming Holes (45 min)
Flagstaff: Mountain Town with Everything (30 min)
Grand Canyon: The Day Trip of a Lifetime (2 hrs)
Where to Stay

Munds Park: Right Out Your Door {#munds-park}

You don't need to drive anywhere on your first morning. Munds Park has its own trail system with over 100 miles of hiking, a fishing lake, and the kind of forest quiet that Phoenix residents forget exists.

Crystal Point Trail

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 2.1 miles one way | Elevation: ~6,860 ft

Crystal Point is the most popular hike in the park, and it earns the reputation. The trail winds through dense ponderosa pine with panoramic views from the top. There is a tradition worth honoring: sign your name in the register inside the ammo boxes at the summit. Every hiker who has been up there before you did the same thing.

The full Odell Lake Loop via Crystal Point adds distance for those who want more — 4.6 miles total, about 2.5 hours, with 689 feet of elevation gain. It is rated easy, so families with older kids handle it well. Trail details on Gaia GPS

Odell Lake

A 26-acre reservoir tucked in the forest at 6,466 feet, Odell Lake is one of those places that locals know about and visitors drive past on I-17 without realizing it's there. Managed by Pinewood Country Club, the lake supports northern pike, yellow perch, and fathead minnow. Bring poles. It is a quiet, shaded spot perfect for a low-key morning.

Access the lake via the Crystal Point Trail from the Iron Springs trailhead. The route connects to Munds Canyon Trail No. 240 along the way. Coconino National Forest trail info

Pinewood Country Club & Kota's Coffee House

Pinewood Country Club in the heart of the community has a nine-hole golf course that runs all summer. It is a low-key round with forest views and no pretension. After your round, Kota's Coffee House is the spot for breakfast. Small menu, good coffee, crayons for the kids, books on the shelves. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, so plan accordingly.

Off-Road ATV Trails

The Coconino National Forest directly adjacent to Munds Park opens up to hundreds of miles of off-road access for ATVs and UTVs. Rental companies operate in the area. For a group of adults, a half-day ATV run through the pines is one of the better summer afternoons available anywhere in Arizona.

Sedona: Red Rocks & Swimming Holes {#sedona}

Distance from Munds Park: ~45 minutes south via I-17 and SR-179

Sedona in summer means early mornings. The red rocks absorb heat fast, so the best hikes start before 9 AM. That said, Sedona also has some of the best natural swimming in Arizona, which makes afternoon visits entirely worthwhile.

Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park is exactly what it sounds like: a natural water slide carved into red sandstone by Oak Creek, worn smooth over thousands of years. Kids lose their minds. Adults do too, once they get past the first slide.

It gets crowded on summer weekends. Arrive before 9 AM or go on a weekday. Beginning May 1, 2026, vehicles can no longer queue and wait on Highway 89A — you need a reservation or timed entry. Check the Arizona State Parks site before you go.

Entry fee: $30 per vehicle (up to 4 people) | Address: 6871 N Hwy 89A, Sedona

Wet Beaver Creek — The Crack

About 20 minutes south of Sedona near Camp Verde, Wet Beaver Creek is a lesser-known gem. A short hike (about 4 miles round trip) leads to a slot canyon and a series of swimming holes that stay cold all summer. The trailhead is free. It is less crowded than Slide Rock and arguably more scenic. Bring water shoes and a dry bag.

Cathedral Rock & Bell Rock

If you want the iconic Sedona photo, Cathedral Rock at sunrise delivers. The hike is short (1.5 miles round trip) but steep at the top — rated moderate. Bell Rock is even more accessible, with a flat loop trail and the famous red butte rising from the valley floor. Both are within minutes of Sedona's Village of Oak Creek.

For the best light, either of these early in the morning on a weekday is a completely different experience from the afternoon crowds.

Jeep Tours

If hiking in 95°F heat doesn't appeal, a jeep tour does the same scenery from the comfort of an open-air 4×4. Multiple outfitters operate out of Sedona, with tours ranging from 90 minutes to a full day. Pink Jeep Tours and Sedona Red Rock Jeep Tours are the most established operators.

Flagstaff: Mountain Town with Everything {#flagstaff}

Distance from Munds Park: ~30 minutes north via I-17

Flagstaff is a real city at 7,000 feet with a university, a downtown full of restaurants and breweries, and world-class attractions within minutes of each other. It is the easiest day trip from Munds Park and easy to fill a full day.

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory is where Pluto was discovered. It sits on top of Mars Hill with multiple telescopes, a planetarium, and an interactive kids' zone that genuinely teaches while entertaining. Summer nights are when it shines — literally. The evening telescope viewings are worth planning your whole day around.

Summer hours: Mon 1pm–11pm | Tue Closed | Wed Noon–10pm | Thu–Sun 1pm–11pm
Plan your visit at lowell.edu

Dress in layers. Flagstaff summer days hit the low 80s but nights drop into the 40s–50s on Mars Hill. Even in July.

Arizona Snowbowl

Without snow, the Snowbowl transforms into a summer mountain adventure park. Chairlift rides take you up to 11,500 feet for views that stretch across four states on a clear day. Mountain biking trails run for miles. The vertical drop is real and the downhill runs are serious. Arizona Snowbowl summer info

San Francisco Peaks Hiking

The San Francisco Peaks are Arizona's highest mountains, and the Humphreys Peak Trail climbs to 12,633 feet — the highest point in the state. The full summit is a serious day hike (10 miles, 3,400 ft gain). The Kachina Trail at the base is a beautiful, easier alternative through aspen groves that runs about 10 miles one way (most people do an out-and-back section).

Wildflowers are at their peak in July and August on the lower slopes. If you have one summer morning to spend in Flagstaff, the aspen groves on the Kachina Trail are hard to beat.

Downtown Flagstaff: Route 66, Food, and Breweries

Historic Route 66 runs through downtown Flagstaff, lined with local shops, galleries, and restaurants. The Museum of Northern Arizona is one of the best in the state for understanding the geology, history, and culture of the Colorado Plateau. For craft beer, Flagstaff's brewery scene is serious — Lumberyard Brewing, Wanderlust Brewing, and Mother Road Brewing are all worth a stop.

Grand Canyon: The Day Trip of a Lifetime {#grand-canyon}

Distance from Munds Park: ~2 hours north via I-17 and US-180

The Grand Canyon South Rim is a two-hour drive from Munds Park. If you have never been, this summer is the time. If you have been, you already know it's worth going back.

The South Rim Village has multiple viewpoints accessible by shuttle — Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Desert View are the most visited. The Bright Angel Trail descends into the canyon from the South Rim; the first 3 miles to Indian Garden (now Havasupai Gardens) is a popular out-and-back. Start before sunrise if you go in summer and turn back no later than 10 AM. The canyon heats up fast and the climb out is harder than it looks.

For groups staying multiple days, consider the East Rim Drive and Desert View Watchtower for fewer crowds and equally staggering views. National Park Service Grand Canyon info

Pro tip: Book your parking reservation at the South Rim entrance in advance during summer. The park fills early on weekends.

Where to Stay: Make Munds Park Your Base Camp {#where-to-stay}

Everything above is better when you come home to a cabin in the pines.

Sherry's Munds Park Cabins has two fully equipped vacation rental cabins in the heart of Munds Park — just minutes from Crystal Point trailhead and an easy drive to all of it.

Bluejay Getaway sleeps 12 across four bedrooms and three baths. Pet-friendly, with a full kitchen, game room, multiple outdoor spaces, and a fireplace for those cool summer nights. It is the right size for large families or a group of friends who want to actually spend time together rather than scattered across separate hotel rooms.

Munds Park Cozy Cabin sleeps 9 across four bedrooms and two baths. Also pet-friendly, with a massive stone fireplace, a dining table that seats the whole group, and outdoor decks with pine forest views in every direction.

Both cabins are Superhosts on Airbnb and book out fast in summer. If a weekend in the pines is on your list this season, check dates now at SherrysMundsParkCabins.com.

Have questions about what to do near Munds Park? Drop them in the comments below.