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Day Trips from Munds Park: Sedona, Flagstaff, and Oak Creek Canyon

Aerial view of Arizona ponderosa pine forest with red rock formations in the distance near Munds Park

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Munds Park sits perfectly between Sedona and Flagstaff, making it one of Arizona's best bases for day trips. Here are the top destinations within easy reach of your cabin.

Day Trips from Munds Park: Sedona, Flagstaff, and Oak Creek Canyon

One of the most underrated things about staying in Munds Park? You're not just booking a cabin in the pines — you're planting yourself in the middle of three of Arizona's most spectacular destinations. Sedona is 25 miles south. Flagstaff is 20 miles north. Oak Creek Canyon runs right between them along one of the most scenic drives in the state. From your cabin doorstep, you can do all three in a single trip without retracing a single mile of highway.

Here's how to make the most of each one.

Table of Contents

Day Trip 1: Sedona's Red Rocks

Distance from Munds Park: ~25 miles south via I-17 and AZ-179
Drive time: 30–40 minutes

Sedona needs little introduction. The red sandstone formations that rise above the high desert floor are unlike anything else in Arizona — or the country. But what surprises most first-time visitors is how much there is to do beyond just looking at them.

Top Things to Do in Sedona

Hike Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock. These are two of Sedona's most iconic formations and both offer trails that range from easy strolls to moderate scrambles. Cathedral Rock at sunset is a genuinely unforgettable sight. Bell Rock, just off AZ-179 near the Village of Oak Creek, is a great option if you're traveling with kids or dogs.

Explore the vortex sites. Sedona is famous for its four primary energy vortexes — Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Whether or not you believe in the energy, the hikes to each one are beautiful. The Boynton Canyon Trail is consistently rated one of the best hikes in the area.

Take a Jeep tour. Pink Adventure Tours runs guided 4×4 tours directly over the red rock formations. It's a great option for groups who want the views without the hiking miles — and kids absolutely love it.

Walk Tlaquepaque Arts Village. This is Sedona's arts and shopping district, modeled after a traditional Mexican village. It's a great afternoon stop for browsing galleries, grabbing lunch, and picking up something to bring home.

Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Built directly into the red rocks south of Sedona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is rated the #1 attraction in Sedona. The views from the parking area alone are worth the stop — no hiking required.

Sedona Tips

  • Arrive before 9 AM at popular trailheads; parking fills fast on weekends
  • The Village of Oak Creek is 30–35 minutes from Munds Park and has less traffic than central Sedona — a good entry point
  • Dogs are welcome on most trails but check individual trail rules; Cathedral Rock allows leashed dogs

Day Trip 2: Oak Creek Canyon

Distance from Munds Park: ~15 miles south via AZ-89A
Drive time: 20–25 minutes

Oak Creek Canyon is the dramatic gorge that connects Flagstaff to Sedona along State Route 89A — and it's frequently listed as one of the most scenic drives in all of Arizona. The red-and-white canyon walls rise hundreds of feet above the creek as you wind south, with pull-offs, picnic areas, and swimming holes tucked along the way.

Top Things to Do in Oak Creek Canyon

Slide Rock State Park. This is the crown jewel of Oak Creek Canyon. Slide Rock State Park is a 43-acre historic apple farm where Oak Creek has carved a natural rock water slide into the creek bed. Swimming, wading, and sliding down the natural chute make this one of Arizona's most popular summer destinations. It sits 7 miles north of Sedona and is easy to combine with a Sedona day. Arrive early — the park uses a timed-entry reservation system on busy summer days.

Drive the whole canyon. The AZ-89A stretch from Flagstaff down through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona is only about 28 miles but takes 45–60 minutes because you'll want to stop. The switchbacks at the top (Oak Creek Canyon Overlook) offer a sweeping view of the entire canyon — one of the best photo spots in northern Arizona.

Fish Oak Creek. The creek below Slide Rock holds native Apache trout and rainbow trout. Several pull-off access points along AZ-89A allow bank fishing; check current Arizona Game and Fish regulations before you go.

Hike West Fork Trail. Just a short drive from Slide Rock, West Fork of Oak Creek is one of the most beloved hikes in the Coconino National Forest. The trail winds through a lush riparian canyon, crossing the creek multiple times. It's shaded, relatively flat, and stunning in fall when the cottonwoods turn gold.

Oak Creek Canyon Tips

  • Glass containers are prohibited in the creek — leave the wine bottle at the cabin
  • Slide Rock fills up fast on summer weekends; check the Arizona State Parks reservation page before heading out
  • The road narrows significantly on the upper switchbacks — not ideal for very large RVs

Day Trip 3: Flagstaff

Distance from Munds Park: ~20 miles north via I-17
Drive time: 20–25 minutes

Flagstaff is the cool-elevation college town that Arizonans escape to when Phoenix summers become unbearable. At 7,000 feet, temperatures run 20–30 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and the historic downtown along Route 66 makes it a genuinely fun place to spend a day.

Top Things to Do in Flagstaff

Explore downtown and Historic Route 66. Flagstaff's walkable downtown is lined with independent restaurants, breweries, shops, and galleries. The stretch of Historic Route 66 through the city center is great for lunch or an afternoon coffee stop. The official Flagstaff tourism site keeps an updated list of current events and dining.

Hike Walnut Canyon National Monument. Just east of Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon features a remarkable loop trail that passes ancient cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago. The Island Trail descends 185 feet into the canyon and passes 25 cliff rooms up close — it's one of the most accessible archaeological sites in Arizona.

Ride the Arizona Snowbowl gondola. In summer, Arizona Snowbowl opens its scenic gondola rides to the top of Humphreys Peak — at 12,633 feet, the highest point in Arizona. The views stretch for over 70 miles on a clear day and temperatures at the summit run dramatically cooler than the valley.

Visit Lowell Observatory. The historic Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill is where Pluto was discovered in 1930. Evening programs include telescope viewing and guided tours — a surprisingly memorable stop for families and astronomy buffs alike.

Wander the Museum of Northern Arizona. For a deeper look at the geology, art, and cultures of the Colorado Plateau, the Museum of Northern Arizona is an excellent half-day stop, especially with kids.

Flagstaff Tips

  • Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet — bring a light jacket even in summer; evenings cool down fast
  • Downtown parking is easiest on weekdays; weekends fill up along the main corridor
  • The drive north from Munds Park on I-17 is one of the most scenic interstates in Arizona — look for the red rock pulloffs just before the Flagstaff exits

The Perfect Loop: All Three in One Day

If you want to hit all three in a single day trip, here's the route that works best:

Morning: Drive south on AZ-89A through Oak Creek Canyon. Stop at the Oak Creek Canyon Overlook at the top for photos, then continue down to Slide Rock for a morning swim before the crowds arrive. Budget 2–3 hours.

Midday: Continue south into Sedona. Grab lunch in Tlaquepaque or at one of the restaurants along AZ-179, then spend the afternoon hiking Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock, or book a Jeep tour.

Late Afternoon: Drive back north through Oak Creek Canyon (just as beautiful in the opposite direction), then continue on AZ-89A north to Flagstaff for an early dinner downtown on Route 66.

Evening: Head back south on I-17 to Munds Park — a 20-minute drive.

Total mileage: roughly 80–90 miles. Total drive time without stops: about 2 hours. With stops, plan for a full 8–10 hour day.

Tips for Day-Tripping from Munds Park

Start early. Slide Rock and Sedona's popular trailheads see heavy weekend traffic by mid-morning. Leaving by 7:30–8 AM puts you ahead of the rush.

Bring layers. At 6,900 feet, Munds Park runs cool. Sedona at 4,350 feet will feel warm, but Flagstaff and the upper reaches of Oak Creek Canyon can be 20+ degrees colder than the valley.

Keep your base. One of the biggest advantages of staying in Munds Park is returning to a cabin each night instead of a hotel room. After a full day of hiking, coming back to a full kitchen, a hot shower, and a private deck in the pines resets you for the next day.

Pets are welcome. Both Bluejay Getaway and Munds Park Cozy Cabin are pet-friendly, and so are many trails in the area — Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and the Flagstaff area trails all allow leashed dogs.

Book before you go. Munds Park sits at the epicenter of some of Arizona's most popular summer destinations. Peak season dates fill up fast — if these day trips are on your list, the cabin should be your first reservation.

Ready to Book Your Munds Park Base Camp?

Bluejay Getaway sleeps 12 across 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms — ideal for larger groups who want the full Munds Park experience with room to spread out. Munds Park Cozy Cabin sleeps 9 across 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, perfect for families or smaller groups.

Both cabins are pet-friendly, fully equipped, and sitting within 30 minutes of everything on this list.

Check availability and book direct at SherrysMundsParkCabins.com — no OTA fees, no middleman.

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