Scouting Sedona’s Greatest Driving Roads

Hovering purple rock canyons which might be crammed with lush, inexperienced valleys. Rock formations that appear to have been positioned there by some all-powerful being. In all places you look the world seems to be like nothing you’ve seen earlier than, and each nook you are taking brings extra breathtaking views and websites.

No, this isn’t a science fiction film, we’re speaking about Sedona, Arizona! A really one-of-a-kind spot that occurs to not solely be ethereally stunning but in addition occurs to have a few of the most excellent driving roads within the nation. We’ll begin our journey on the iconic Sky Rock Sedona resort, and set out for a set of views such as you’ve by no means seen earlier than.

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Purple Rock Scenic Byway

For one of many punchiest drives, you are able to do in a brief time frame, look no additional than the Purple Rock Scenic Byway / 89A loop.

You’ll begin on the legendary Sky Rock Sedona, and wind your method via the middle of Downtown Sedona alongside the Purple Rocks Scenic Byway (SR 179), passing by legendary spots just like the Tlaquepaque Arts & Procuring Village and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, each of which deserve an intensive exploration on their very own. Carry on transferring via the quaint village of Oak Creek, full with a few of the most beautiful vistas in the complete Sedona space, and take a fast cease on the Purple Rocks Customer Heart for an unparalleled view of the valley and the Purple Rock Vary.

Exit freeway 179 at Beaverflats Highway to begin making the loop again towards Sky Rock Sedona and onto Oak Creek Highway. Should you come in the summertime, make sure to cease off for a cool dip at one of many many swimming holes alongside Oak Creek! Head north on 89A, and take within the views of the Purple Rock Vary from the opposite aspect of the valley. There are numerous locations to cease alongside the best way right here and benefit from the beautiful views.

Take this route and in a matter of some hours, you may see the perfect that Sedona has to supply.

Purple Rocks Scenic Byway to Mingus Mountain

You probably have extra time, you owe your self a journey via the outdated mining city of Jerome and an exhilarating drive up Mingus Mountain.

Your journey for the primary a part of this trip will take you on the Purple Rocks Scenic Byway the place you’ll have the ability to cease and gawk on the unimaginable views of the Purple Rock Valley. As soon as you progress off the 179, you’ll journey via the cool outdated west city of Cottonwood, full with an iconic downtown that’s bustling with bars, eating places, and procuring. Hold following 89A for an iconic little bit of spooky enjoyable and sensible driving.

Those that love the supernatural (or simply the tremendous cool) will need to poke across the legendary ghost city of Jerome, recognized for its quite a few haunted places and attention-grabbing historical past. Subsequent, put in your driving sneakers as a result of the highway to the highest of Mingus Mountain is one heck of a trip. From the switchbacks in Jerome to the lengthy sweepers as your head up larger, it is a route born for a correct sports activities automotive. Cease on the high of Mingus Mountain and benefit from the peace, solitude, and a picnic lunch.

When you again down, you’ll observe 89A all the best way again to Sedona, however make sure to cease and benefit from the dozens of unimaginable views alongside the best way again to Sky Rock Sedona. A spotlight of this itinerary is a cease on the Sedona Wetlands Protect, which is without doubt one of the most ecologically numerous areas within the Southwest.

Sedona to County Nook

For all-out driving thrills and beautiful views, you may’t beat the Sedona Sky to Nation Nook run.

This one’s a straightforward one to drive because you mainly keep on freeway 89A the entire method via. Begin in Sedona and wind alongside the bottom of the Purple Rock Vary, stopping at one of many many scenic viewpoints alongside the route. Cruise via Cottonwood and Jerome, after which onto the actually difficult little bit of highway for this journey. 89A dips and winds its method via the Prescott Nationwide Forest, climbing in elevation to almost 8,000 ft earlier than descending regularly again in the direction of Kirkland.

What makes this route so entrancing is the views of the Valleys and peaks alongside the best way, and the magical transition from excessive desert to pine-laden forests. Should you like to drive or trip, it is a route that may not be missed.

A Bonus Highway for a Separate Day Journey

Should you love nature, you may’t presumably go to this area and not using a journey to the Grand Canyon. Not solely is that this unimaginable web site one of many wonders of the pure world, however the journey to and from the Grand Canyon is equally as enriching.

Earlier than you head to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, you’ll have to buy tickets for a particular time slot to enter the park. Do that properly prematurely, as a result of the Grand Canyon is without doubt one of the most visited Nationwide Parks on the planet! There are many methods to get to the Grand Canyon, however we advocate taking the scenic route via Flagstaff, alongside the scenic majesty of Freeway 180, after which onto Freeway 64. Alongside the best way, you’ll have the chance to look at because the treeline disappears right into a mock flatland that hides the key of the Grand Canyon just some miles forward.

Ensure that to pack a lunch and map out all of the actions you need to do when you get contained in the park. An absolute spotlight for these on a brief cease is Desert View Highway, which traverses 23 miles alongside the enduring South Rim of the Canyon. There’s a lot to see that you could be even want a second day! Gasoline is offered within the Grand Canyon Village however be cautious of higher-than-usual costs.

A As soon as-In-A-Lifetime Drive

You recognize what’s higher than stunning purple rocks and hovering mountains? How about experiencing these items behind the wheel of a bonafide supercar?!

Open Highway by Xtreme Xperience gives you the expertise of a lifetime by letting you slide behind the wheel of one among our bespoke supercars. That’s proper, YOU get to drive on the unimaginable roads that encompass the enduring Sedona, AZ space. Certain, you possibly can drive these roads in your minivan, however winding previous iconic landmarks like Cathedral Rock or Purple Rock State Park in a supercar is an expertise that can change your life.

You’ll have the ability to drive as much as three distinctive supercars from manufacturers like Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Relying on the expertise, you may drive all three automobiles within the fleet over the course of the day. Moreover working for a automotive journal, how else are you going to match three of the world’s greatest supercars?

Nice roads, nice websites, and nice vehicles. What might be higher than this on your subsequent journey to Sedona?