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Sedona to Cochise loop from Phoenix

A spring or autumn loop from Phoenix to Sedona and Prescott, south to Tucson and Cochise Stronghold, and back via Oak Flat. Mainly for climbers and hikers, with riding in Sedona.

Fly into Phoenix (PHX)Best Mar, Oct-Nov5 stops733 mi / 1,180 km15.7 h driving13 days suggestedLoop, back to the startUnited States
ClimbingHikingMountain BikingRunning

When: Every stop lists Jun-Aug as too hot (Sedona July averages a high near 97F); March, October and November are peak at all five. Dec-Feb suits the southern stops but Sedona and Prescott get cold nights and occasional snow.

Getting there: Fly into PHX; major rental companies at the airport rental car center.

Customize this trip

Route: OpenStreetMap road data (OSRM). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Spots: OpenBeta and our guides.

Day by day · 12 nights, 13 days

  1. Start in Phoenix (PHX): pick up the carDrive to Sedona: 120 mi / 193 km · 2 h 18 min
  2. 1

    Sedona

    AZ, United States

    93Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 3 nights

    Red rock buttes, slickrock singletrack and a creek-carved canyon, all inside the Coconino National Forest.

    Biggest draw
    • Hangover Trail · 5.0/5 · Mountain BikingExtremely technical, exposed ledge singletrack above Oak Creek Canyon; sources rate it the hardest of the classic Sedona rides. Experienced riders only.
    Also here
    • Hiline Trail · 5.0/5 · Mountain Biking
    • Slim Shady Trail · 5.0/5 · Mountain Biking
    • Bell Rock Pathway · 5.0/5 · Mountain Biking
    Full Sedona guide →
    Drive to Prescott: 67 mi / 108 km · 1 h 30 min
  3. 2

    Prescott

    AZ, United States

    77Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 2 nights

    Granite domes and desert trails above Arizona's mile-high frontier town

    Biggest draw
    • Black Canyon National Recreation Trail · Hiking
    Also here
    • Black Canyon Trail · Hiking
    • King Dome · Climbing
    • Bloody Basin Boulders · Climbing
    Full Prescott guide →
    Drive to Tucson: 212 mi / 341 km · 4 h
  4. 3

    Tucson

    AZ, United States

    53Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 3 nights

    Saguaro giants, sky-island granite, and desert trails under a blazing Arizona sun

    Biggest draw
    • Saguaro National Park Valley View Trail V2 · HikingA gentle trail offering expansive views of the iconic saguaro cactus forest.
    Also here
    • Mount Lemmon - Windy Point · Climbing
    Full Tucson guide →
    Drive to Cochise Stronghold: 82 mi / 132 km · 1 h 48 min
  5. 4

    Cochise Stronghold

    AZ, United States

    44Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 2 nights

    Cochise Stronghold granite in the Dragoon Mountains: Apache history meets classic desert climbing

    Biggest draw
    • East Stronghold Bouldering · Climbing
    Also here
    • Rockfellow Group · Climbing
    • Out-of-Towners Dome · Climbing
    • Lost Canyon Area · Climbing
    Full Cochise Stronghold guide →
    Drive to Oak Flat: 185 mi / 298 km · 4 h 18 min
  6. 5

    Oak Flat

    AZ, United States

    54Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 2 nights

    Ancient Apache homeland and desert granite — bouldering amid Arizona's dramatic high desert

    Biggest draw
    • Entrance Boulders · Climbing
    Also here
    • Hidden World South · Climbing
    • Warm-up · Climbing
    • Wash Boulders · Climbing
    Full Oak Flat guide →
    Drive back to Phoenix: 67 mi / 108 km · 1 h 42 min
  7. Back in Phoenix: drop the car and fly home.
Plan it

WHEN, HOW FAR, WHAT TO BRING

When to go

Best: Mar, Oct-Nov. Every stop lists Jun-Aug as too hot (Sedona July averages a high near 97F); March, October and November are peak at all five. Dec-Feb suits the southern stops but Sedona and Prescott get cold nights and occasional snow.

All 5 stops are in peak or shoulder season in Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec.

Number = stops in peak or shoulder season that month. Darker = more stops at peak.

  • Sedona: peak Mar-May, Oct-Nov, avoid Jun-Aug
  • Prescott: peak Mar-May, Oct-Nov, avoid Jul-Aug
  • Tucson: peak Jan-Mar, Oct-Dec, avoid Jun-Aug
  • Cochise Stronghold: peak Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov, avoid Jun-Sep
  • Oak Flat: peak Feb-Mar, Oct-Nov, avoid May-Sep

Driving split

15.7 h on the road over 6 drives: about 2.6 h per drive on average, 733 mi (1,180 km) in total.

Longest day: Cochise Stronghold to Oak Flat, 4 h 18 min.

No single drive is over 6 hours.

Drive times are free-flow estimates from OpenStreetMap roads, without stops, traffic or border queues.

Sports and gear

  • Climbing · every stopBring: harness, shoes, helmet, rope and quickdraws (or rent locally).
  • Hiking · Sedona, Prescott, TucsonBring: boots, layers, map or offline maps, water.
  • Mountain Biking · Sedona, Prescott, TucsonBring: helmet, gloves, pads; check the bike-park pass and bike rental.
  • Running · Sedona, Prescott, TucsonBring: trail shoes, hydration vest, headlamp for long days.
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