A Weekend Itinerary for Munds Park, AZ: Exactly What to Do for 2 Days

Munds Park sits at 6,900 feet in the Coconino National Forest, about 90 minutes north of Phoenix. It's a small mountain community — a few hundred full-time residents, pine-lined streets, and a level of quiet you simply cannot find in the valley. But what makes it such a reliable weekend destination is that it combines genuine mountain seclusion with easy access to some of Arizona's biggest draws: Sedona is 25 miles south, Flagstaff is 20 miles north, and Oak Creek Canyon runs right between them.

If you have two days and want to make the most of them, here's exactly how to do it.

Before You Arrive

The one thing that catches first-time Munds Park visitors off guard is how fast summer and fall weekends fill up. If you're planning a trip, the cabin is the first reservation to make — not the last. Once you have your base locked in at SherrysMundsParkCabins.com, the rest of the trip plans itself easily.

Both Bluejay Getaway (sleeps 12, 4br/3ba) and Munds Park Cozy Cabin (sleeps 9, 4br/2ba) are pet-friendly and fully stocked with everything you need for a self-sufficient stay. Bring your groceries and your dog.

Day 1: Settle In, Explore Local, and Head South to Sedona

Morning — Arrive and Get Comfortable (8:00–10:00 AM)

If you're driving up from Phoenix, aim to leave by 7:00 AM to hit Munds Park before 9:00. The drive on I-17 north is one of Arizona's most scenic interstates — the elevation gain through the Verde Valley is dramatic, and the temperature drops noticeably as you climb.

Once you arrive at the cabin, get settled, unpack, and let everyone breathe. Open the windows and listen to the pines. If you brought a dog, they'll immediately want to explore the yard.

Before you leave: Stock the kitchen. The Safeway and Bashas' in Flagstaff (20 minutes north on I-17) are the nearest full grocery options. Or stop at the Munds Park General Store for basics — it's small but convenient. A well-stocked cabin kitchen is the whole point of staying in a cabin, not a hotel.

Late Morning — Sedona via AZ-89A Through Oak Creek Canyon (10:00 AM–12:00 PM)

Take AZ-89A south from Munds Park rather than I-17. This route runs through Oak Creek Canyon and is unambiguously one of the most beautiful roads in Arizona. The canyon walls rise hundreds of feet above the highway as you descend, and there are pull-offs worth stopping at — especially the Oak Creek Canyon Overlook at the top of the switchbacks.

En route: Stop at Slide Rock State Park for a quick look. If swimming is on the agenda, plan time here on Day 2 instead — arriving early matters at Slide Rock, and you'll want the afternoon for Sedona on Day 1.

Afternoon — Sedona (12:00–5:00 PM)

Sedona warrants its own multi-day trip, but for a day visit, focus on two or three things rather than trying to see everything.

Lunch: Tlaquepaque Arts Village, just off AZ-179, has several good restaurant options and is worth a short walk through even if you're not shopping. Alternatively, head to the Village of Oak Creek — it's quieter than central Sedona and has solid dining options with less traffic.

Choose your afternoon activity:

Hike Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock. Bell Rock (off AZ-179 near the Village of Oak Creek) is the easier of the two — mostly flat walking with some scrambling if you want it. Cathedral Rock at sunset from the base is genuinely spectacular. Both allow leashed dogs.
Book a Jeep tour. Pink Adventure Tours runs guided 4×4 excursions over the red rock formations. Great for groups who want views without the hiking miles.
Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross. No hiking required — just drive up and take in one of the most photographed views in the Southwest. It's rated the #1 attraction in Sedona on TripAdvisor and takes about 30–45 minutes.

Late afternoon: Drive back north through Oak Creek Canyon on AZ-89A. Slide Rock State Park is on this route and worth a quick drive-by even if you're not stopping — the canyon from the road is beautiful in the afternoon light.

Evening — Cabin Dinner (6:00 PM+)

Return to the cabin by early evening. This is the part hotel stays can't replicate: a full kitchen, a covered deck in the pines, and nowhere you have to be. Cook dinner, sit outside, and listen to the quiet. At 6,900 feet, summer evenings in Munds Park cool down into the 60s — bring a layer.

If you want to drive out for dinner, Flagstaff's downtown is 20 minutes north and has a walkable stretch of restaurants along Historic Route 66.

Day 2: Morning in the Pines, Afternoon at Slide Rock, Evening in Flagstaff

Morning — Trails and Pine Air (8:00–11:00 AM)

Day 2 is for slowing down and actually using the mountains you drove to.

Munds Park area walks: The Munds Park area sits within the Coconino National Forest. The community's paved loop (Pinewood Country Club area) is an easy 2–3 mile walking route good for morning coffee walks. For forest trailheads, the Schnebly Hill Road access and the upper Wet Beaver Creek area are within 30–45 minutes.

Stay closer to the cabin: Honestly, a quiet morning on the cabin deck with coffee and pine trees is its own thing. You don't have to be doing something every hour. That's the point of a cabin weekend.

Late Morning — Slide Rock State Park (11:00 AM–2:00 PM)

Drive south on AZ-89A into Oak Creek Canyon. Slide Rock State Park is about 25 minutes from Munds Park and is one of Arizona's most beloved summer destinations for good reason — Oak Creek has carved a natural rock water slide into the creek bed over centuries, and on a warm summer day, it's genuinely fun for all ages.

Practical notes:

Book a timed-entry reservation in advance at azstateparks.com — the park uses a reservation system on busy summer weekends
Glass containers are prohibited in the creek area
The park opens at 8 AM; arriving close to opening gets you easier parking and less crowded swimming

Budget 2–3 hours here. The surrounding area is also a 43-acre historic apple orchard — the old farmhouse and irrigation ditches are worth exploring while you dry off.

Afternoon — Flagstaff (2:00–6:00 PM)

Drive back north through Oak Creek Canyon (it's just as beautiful heading up) and continue on AZ-89A into Flagstaff.

Flagstaff's historic downtown is compact and walkable. Route 66 runs through the center of town and is lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and locally owned shops. At 7,000 feet, temperatures here run noticeably cooler than Phoenix — a light jacket may be warranted even in summer.

Worth your time in Flagstaff:

Lowell Observatory: Where Pluto was discovered in 1930. Afternoon tours run daily and include telescope viewing. A surprising highlight for families.
Walnut Canyon National Monument: 10 minutes east of downtown, this NPS site has a remarkable trail that passes ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings up close. The Island Trail descends into the canyon and loops back in about an hour. Genuinely worth the stop.
Flagstaff Brewing Company or Lumberyard Brewing: Both are solid downtown options for a late-afternoon beer and a meal before driving back.

Dinner in Flagstaff: The downtown core has options for every appetite — pizza, pub fare, Mexican, and casual American. Budget an hour and a half for a relaxed dinner before heading back.

Evening — Back to the Cabin (7:00 PM+)

The drive south from Flagstaff to Munds Park on I-17 takes about 20 minutes and runs through open ponderosa forest. You'll be back at the cabin by early evening.

If you're checking out in the morning, take a few minutes to sit on the deck one more time. Morning in the pines is its own reward, and Munds Park doesn't let you leave without one last quiet moment before the interstate pulls you back to Phoenix.

Quick-Reference Weekend Overview

	Day 1	Day 2
Morning	Arrive, grocery run, settle in	Cabin coffee, morning walk
Midday	Drive AZ-89A, Sedona lunch	Slide Rock State Park
Afternoon	Bell Rock hike or Jeep tour	Walnut Canyon, downtown Flagstaff
Evening	Cabin dinner on the deck	Flagstaff dinner, drive back to cabin

Tips for a Smooth Weekend

Pack layers. Munds Park evenings drop into the 60s in summer. Flagstaff can feel almost cool. Sedona at 4,350 feet runs warmer during the day but cooler at night than the valley.

Fill the gas tank in Flagstaff or Camp Verde. Options are limited in Munds Park itself.

Download offline maps. Cell service in parts of Oak Creek Canyon and on some forest roads is spotty. Download your route before you leave the cabin.

Pets are welcome throughout. Both cabins are fully pet-friendly, and most of the activities on this itinerary accommodate dogs on leash. Bell Rock, Walnut Canyon (leash required), and the forest walking routes around Munds Park are all dog-accessible.

Book Before the Weekend You're Picturing Is Gone

Summer and fall weekends in Munds Park fill up faster than most guests expect. If this itinerary is what you have in mind, the cabin is the piece to confirm first.

Bluejay Getaway sleeps up to 12 across 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms — the right size for a large family or a group of friends. Munds Park Cozy Cabin sleeps up to 9 across 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, ideal for smaller groups and families.

Both are pet-friendly, fully equipped, and sitting at the center of everything on this list.

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