Most people visit northern Arizona and stay in Sedona or in Flagstaff. Both are great options — but there's a smarter way to experience the region, especially if you're traveling with a group of 4–8 people, have a dog, or want to actually decompress between adventures.
Stay in Munds Park. Specifically, at Blue Jay Vista.
Here's why Munds Park is the ideal base camp for exploring Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock, and more — and how to build a complete northern Arizona trip around it.
The Geography That Makes This Work
Munds Park sits between Flagstaff and Sedona on I-17, at about 6,900 feet elevation in the Coconino National Forest. Look at the map and you'll see why it's such an effective base:
| Destination | Drive Time from Munds Park |
|---|---|
| Flagstaff (downtown) | ~20 minutes north on I-17 |
| Sedona (uptown / trailheads) | ~30 minutes south on I-17, then AZ-179 |
| Slide Rock State Park | ~30 minutes |
| Oak Creek Canyon (full drive) | Start in Sedona, exit in Flagstaff |
| Walnut Canyon National Monument | ~30 minutes |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | ~90 minutes north on I-17, then AZ-64 |
Everything is close. Nothing requires a long committed drive that ties up a whole day — you leave when you want, return when you want, and come back to the pines and the deck.
Contrast this with staying in Sedona (where you're 45+ minutes from Flagstaff and 90+ from the Grand Canyon) or Flagstaff (where you're 45+ minutes from Sedona and the red rocks feel distant). Munds Park is the center of the action.
Sample 5-Day Itinerary
This is a suggested framework for a 5-night stay at Blue Jay Vista. Adjust for your group's pace and interests.
Day 1: Arrive and Settle In
Arrive in the afternoon (check-in is 4:00 PM). Groceries in Flagstaff on the way up (Whole Foods and Sprouts are just off I-17 in Flagstaff, ~20 minutes). Get settled, explore the cabin, fire up the gas grill on the deck for dinner. Light a fire in the fire pit as it cools off. Pour a glass of wine and listen to the pines.
Day 2: Sedona Day (Red Rocks + Town)
Leave by 9:00 AM to get ahead of the parking crunch. Head south on I-17 to AZ-179.
Morning: Hike Bell Rock Trail or Cathedral Rock (both moderate, 1–2 hours, spectacular). Grab a Red Rock Pass from the machine at the trailhead ($5/day).
Afternoon: Drive into Uptown Sedona for lunch. If the weather or group calls for shopping and galleries, Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is the nicest retail experience in the area — genuine galleries, not trinket shops.
Evening: Dinner at Mariposa (reserve in advance) or try The Hudson for a more casual vibe. Head back to the cabin before 9:00 PM to catch the stars from the deck.
Day 3: Flagstaff Day (Culture + Beer)
Flagstaff is only 20 minutes away, so this can be a leisurely day.
Morning: Lowell Observatory opens at 10 AM for day programs — plan about 90 minutes. The exhibits are engaging for kids and adults alike.
Late morning: Head to the Museum of Northern Arizona for an hour of context on the region's geology and indigenous history.
Lunch: Downtown Flagstaff. Mother Road Brewing or Lumberyard Brewing are both great options with good food and local beer.
Afternoon: Walk Route 66 and browse the independent bookstores and shops. Or drive 15 minutes east to Walnut Canyon National Monument — a stunning, uncrowded archaeological site.
Evening: Cook at the cabin. The fireplace is especially nice this evening.
Day 4: Grand Canyon Day Trip
Leave by 7:30 AM. The Grand Canyon is 90 miles north — arrive around 9:00 AM before the tour buses fill the rim.
Morning: Park at Mather Campground (typically less crowded than the main visitor lot) and walk east toward Mather Point and Yavapai Geology Museum. Take time to genuinely stand at the rim and absorb the scale — it takes a few minutes to compute.
Midday: Pack your own lunch and eat at a rim viewpoint rather than waiting in the lodge lines. The Rim Trail west toward Hermits Rest has viewpoints that are just as dramatic with far fewer people.
Afternoon: If anyone in the group wants to hike below the rim, Bright Angel Trail descends to Havasupai Gardens — a rigorous 6-mile round trip. Do NOT attempt the full corridor trail in the heat of summer. A mile or two down and back gives the experience without the risk.
Return: Back to the cabin by 7:00 PM. Pizza or simple pasta dinner. You'll sleep well.
Day 5: Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive + Slide Rock
Morning: Drive from Munds Park south through Sedona to the junction with AZ-89A, then north through Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff. This route runs through the bottom of the canyon along the creek — one of the most beautiful drives in the American Southwest. Stop at the Grasshopper Point picnic area or any of the multiple pulloffs.
Slide Rock: Stop at Slide Rock State Park for a few hours. The natural red rock water slides and swimming holes are particularly perfect in mid-summer when water flow is right. Arrive before 10 AM on weekends — it hits capacity by late morning.
Flagstaff lunch: Emerge from the canyon in Flagstaff, grab lunch, and leisurely drive the 20 minutes back to the cabin.
Final evening: Fire pit dinner. The last night is always a good one.
Why This Beats Alternatives
vs. Staying in Sedona: Sedona accommodations at comparable quality are significantly more expensive. The town is also crowded and loud during peak season. Munds Park is serene, and you can visit Sedona every day without living in the tourist scrum.
vs. Staying in Flagstaff: Flagstaff hotels and rentals place you further from Sedona (45 min each way). The red rock experience — which is often the primary reason people visit the region — requires a longer daily commitment. Munds Park puts you 30 minutes from both.
vs. Staying in Scottsdale/Phoenix: The drive from the Phoenix metro to any of the northern Arizona attractions is 1.5–2.5 hours each way — exhausting day trips that eat 3–5 hours of driving per day. Munds Park eliminates all of that.
Blue Jay Vista: The Cabin
Blue Jay Vista is a 1,950 sq ft, 3-bedroom + loft mountain chalet in Munds Park on a private 1-acre lot. Sleeps 6–8. Dogs welcome. Over 200 five-star reviews on Airbnb and VRBO.
Highlights:
- Wraparound deck in the pine canopy
- Outdoor fire pit and gas grill
- Wood-burning fireplace
- Whole-house AC + full kitchen + WiFi
- Steps from Pinewood Country Club golf course
- Nightly rates from $199.99 USD in low season
Book directly at bluejayvista.com for the lowest price (no platform service fees).
Questions? Email [email protected] or call 480-280-5890.