Grand Canyon & Sedona Self-Guided Tour (Shuttle Areas Included)

Overview

Witness the natural splendor of the Southwest with this combo tour of Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Experience Sedona’s spiritual power at huge red rock formations and discover why locals call this desert town a “a cathedral without walls.” Tour the south rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, and learn the history of the Hopi tribe who lived there. This tour combo is chock full of breathtaking vistas, unforgettable hikes, and hidden history. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Itinerary

1. Sedona Chamber of Commerce

   This quirky, drop-dead gorgeous town has tons to offer, from shops and galleries to unbelievable red rock hikes. But it’s also packed with unique, surprising history, as you’re about to discover. I hope you’re ready to explore a place like no other! Note: The tour is over 9 miles long, with more than 35+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

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2. Find a spot to park, then hop out of the car and head for the Tlaquepaque Arts Shopping Village. This market is a Sedona must-see. It’s absolutely full of shops and galleries featuring local arts and crafts, as well as plentiful food offerings if you’re feeling peckish.

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3. This is the trailhead for Cathedral Rock Trail, a steep 1.2-mile trek offering phenomenal vistas. It’s considered a challenging hike, with 800 feet of elevation gain, so make sure you’re prepared if you decide to make the journey. Otherwise, you can simply enjoy the views of Cathedral Rock!

   · 2 h

4. The trail name has nothing to do with some unearthed Sinagua artifact. It’s actually the title of a movie filmed in Sedona! See, long after the Sinagua vanished, Sedona became home to a handful of pioneer families. Among them: T.C. Schnebly, who saw a bright future for the community, even though it could barely even be called a community when he arrived. Schnebly built the area’s first hotel and general store, and created the first post office in 1902 to put it on the grid! The problem? This place didn’t even have a name yet!

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5. Call Of The Canyon Picnic Site

   Sedona changed forever in 1923, when filmmaker Zane Grey arrived with a film crew and a dream. Here, Zane shot the silent film Call of the Canyon, a western about a soldier returning from war. He wanted creative freedom he couldn’t get in LA, and was captivated by Sedona’s landscape.

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6. Chapel of the Holy Cross

   Back in 1931, the Empire State Building finished construction in New York. Uhhh so… what does that have to do with Sedona? Well, local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Staude saw that skyscraper and was so inspired she simply had to create something just as impressive in her home state of Arizona.

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7. At the bend in this road, you’ll find Marg’s Draw Trail, one of Sedona’s mid-length trails at 4 miles out and back. This trail’s famous for offering up-close views of Sedona’s famous red rocks. If you’re here in the spring, you can also catch cactus flowers blooming along the trail!

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8. From here, you can get a great look at Courthouse Butte. These majestic formations were one of the main reasons Hollywood came to Sedona in the first place. They just seem to scream “wild west,” don’t they? If you’d like to get a closer look, you can access a couple of different trails from this parking lot.

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9. Village of Oak Creek

   Village of Oak Creek, known to locals as “The Village,” this unincorporated community is chock full of shops and restaurants perfect for a post-tour break. The Village also boasts three huge golf courses for those who like to hit the links!

   · 2 h

10. The easy-to-access, scenic vista of Lover’s Knoll is the perfect spot for a romantic photo op. For some folks, it’s also the ultimate outdoor wedding destination!

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11. Here, you’ll find Pyramid Mountain Trail—named, of course, for that pyramid-shaped mountain directly in front of us. This 2-mile loop takes about an hour to hike and offers stupendous scenery the whole time. It also presents some insight into why some people consider this land sacred.

    · 5 min

12. It’s definitely worth the price, but if you’d rather not pay, you’ll have an option to turn around before the ticket booth.

    · 1 h

13. This Crescent Moon Picnic Site, offers much more than just a great place for a snack. This creekside sanctuary boasts spectacular views and swimming as well! Cathedral Rock is clearly visible from here, and this is one of the most photographed views in Sedona! Chances are if you’ve seen photos of Sedona, one of them was shot from right here

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14. This is Red Rock State Park, a small but mighty stretch of some of the prettiest wilderness in the Sedona area. This 286-acre park offers plentiful hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and scenic vistas.

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15. Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park! This awe-inspiring natural wonder is unlike any other place on earth, and your narrated driving tour will make sure you get the most out of your visit. Full of astonishing vistas, unbeatable hikes, and some surprising history, this national park is an absolute must-see for anyone in the USA.

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16. The tour begins near the South Entrance Station, where you'll be filled in on the different entrance fee options.

    · 10 min

17. You'll arrive first at the Visitor Center, where you can find maps and other park info, as well as restrooms and snacks.

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18. Your first overlook will be Mather Point, one of the park's most popular spots. The views here are simply incredible, offering clear line of sight up to 30 miles across the canyon!

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19. The next viewpoint is Yavapai Point, where you'll get more great views from the canyon's south rim and learn about the tribe for whom the point is named.

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20. The first stop within the village is the Hopi House, an incredibly accurate recreation of the ancient Hopi dwellings one might have found here while the tribe still occupied the area. This building is also the perfect place to pick up some handmade souvenirs from your visit!

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21. Want to get hands on with the Grand Canyon's geological history? Just stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum for some educational exhibits!

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22. As you continue on to Kolb Studio, the competitor to Lookouot Studio, you'll hear all about the bitter rivalry between the two which almost drove them both to ruin back in the 1900s.

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23. Up ahead are two buildings perched on the canyon’s edge. The one you can see right now is Lookout Studio, and you’ll find one just a little beyond it called Kolb Studio.

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24. For the next part of the tour, you'll hop on board the park's free shuttle. Don't worry, your audio tour guide will instruct you on exactly how to do this!

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25. The first stop on Hermit Road is Trailview Overlook, which offers views of the famous Bright Angel Trail, the grueling path which leads all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. You'll probably even see some exhausted hikers climbing it!

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26. Next up is Maricopa Point, which was once the site of a uranium mining operation. Get the unexpected history behind this while you appreciate the gorgeous views.

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27. After that is Powell Point, which offers more canyon magic and honors the explorer who risked life and limb to chart the Colorado River.

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28. The shuttle route brings you next to Hopi Point, where you'll learn about bald eagles, their importance to the Hopi tribe, and how to spot them.

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29. If you've been hoping for a great view of the Colorado River, that's up next at Mohave Point. Here, you'll get a bird's eye view of this tremendously powerful river.

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30. Monument Creek Vista, up next, offers a view of the most intense rapids in the park: Granite Rapids. You'll also hear about the first female river guide and how she got her start in the Grand Canyon!

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31. The next stop on your right is Pima Point, which sports one of the best views of Colorado. When you’re there, stop and listen. If the vista’s quiet, you can hear the rushing sound of water moving along the river.

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32. So where does all this stuff get its name? Well, back in the mining days, one particular miner had no interest in being around other people. He far preferred the rhythms of nature. He spent most of his life living near this spot, content to while away his days with only the rocks and birds and squirrels to keep him company.

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33. After the shuttle, the tour continues east along Desert View Drive. The first stop along this road is Pipe Creek Vista, a favorite for birders hoping to spot the canyon's rarer specimens, including even the ultra-rare California condor!

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34. The next landmark is the appropriately-named Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, which offers a good look at an oddly-shaped rock formation many claim looks exactly like a duck.

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35. After that is Grandview Point, and the view seriously is grand. This is also the trailhead for a hiking trail which leads below the canyon's rim and features some truly remarkable sights.

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36. After that you'll come to Lipan Point, offering another great river view along with some fascinating facts about the park's geology.

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37. The final viewpoint along this drive is Navajo Point, and last certainly isn't least in this case. Navajo Point is actually the highest viewpoint on the entire southern rim, standing at a staggering 7,500 feet above sea level!

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38. At last, you'll arrive at the iconic Desert View Watchtower, a truly impressive stone structure perched on the canyon's edge. Depending on the season, you can even climb to the top for a view unlike any other. The tour concludes here.

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39. A popular place for viewing sunrise & sunset, this remote lookout & shuttle stop offers restrooms.

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40. The South Kaibab Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Unlike the Bright Angel Trail which also begins at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and leads to the Colorado River, the South Kaibab Trail follows a ridge out to Skeleton Point allowing for 360-degree views of the canyon.

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41. Tusayan Ruins and Museum is a great stop for learning more about ancient cultures. We particularly enjoyed the walk through the ruins with the signage.

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How to use your ticket

Ticket handed over by the operator on site

IGNORE THE QR CODE ABOVE The QR code CANNOT be presented for a ticket onsite. The QR simply contains your tour access instructions. Please follow these instructions BEFORE you’re onsite because they require WiFi/signal. 1. Download my Action Tour Guide app: actiontourguide.com/app 2. Sign in/ register with your email (this is will automatically generate a one-time verification sent to your email. That code is NOT your tour password). 3. Go to “My Tours” and select “Enter Password”. Find your password in the instructions email sent by “Action Tour Guide” to you by email and text. 4. Download your tour NOW. Do not wait until you are onsite. BEFORE YOU START This is a self-guided audio tour. No guide will meet you. Entrance tickets, attraction tickets, parking, and transportation are not included. Your tour has lifetime access with no expiry. Use it on any date—no need to change your booking date. For walking tours, we recommend headphones. See how it works: actiontourguide.com/tutorial NEED HELP? Setup: actiontourguide.com/redeem FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq Call: 1-508-506-1844 Email: support@actiontourguide.com NOTE: Grand Canyon note: This is a self-guided audio tour, but some South Rim viewpoints require the free park shuttle during part of the year; private vehicles are not allowed on Hermit Road from March 1 to November 30. You’ll need to take the park shuttle to access an area that is not open to private vehicles. We recommend bringing headphones so you can continue listening to the tour while riding the shuttle. Note for International Visitors for the Grand Canyon: Starting in 2026, this park will have additional fees for non-residents. Visit NPS.gov for details.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Important: At Grand Canyon South Rim, private vehicles are not allowed on Hermit Road from March 1 to November 30. During that period, you must use the free park shuttle to visit Hermits Rest and related viewpoints.
• You’ll need to take the park shuttle to access an area that is not open to private vehicles. We recommend bringing headphones so you can continue listening to the tour while riding the shuttle.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
• You will receive confirmation immediately when you book.

Travelers

Pricing per vehicle (up to 4 people).

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 259648P32

Activity offered by Adventures with Action via Viator.