Day trips from Prescott
Sedona (90 minutes)
Red rock day. Drive AZ-89A through Jerome and Cottonwood. Full day at Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Oak Creek Canyon. Arrive before 9 a.m. to find parking.
Jerome (50 minutes)
Hillside ghost town turned art and wine destination. Walking-heavy half day. Best paired with Cottonwood or Sedona.
Cottonwood and Verde Valley (60 minutes)
Old Town Cottonwood walking, Verde Canyon Railroad, Tuzigoot National Monument, and Page Springs wineries. Full day.
Flagstaff (1h45m)
Lowell Observatory, Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and the San Francisco Peaks. Best as overnight but day-trip-doable.
Grand Canyon (3h15m)
South Rim. Long day. 6 a.m. departure, 9:30 a.m. arrival, full day on the rim, 3 p.m. departure to be home by 6:30 p.m.
Verde Canyon Railroad (90 minutes drive)
Four-hour scenic train from Clarkdale through Verde Canyon. Half-day plus drive.
Phoenix (2 hours)
Big-city day trip for shopping, sports, museums, and Sky Harbor airport runs.
Frequently asked
Best day trip?+
Sedona for first-time visitors. Jerome for character. Verde Canyon for trains.
Closest day trip?+
Jerome at 50 minutes.
Furthest reasonable day trip?+
Grand Canyon at 3h15m.
Most scenic drive?+
AZ-89A from Prescott to Sedona via Jerome.
Best wine day trip?+
Page Springs Cellars area outside Cornville, 75 minutes.
Train day trip?+
Verde Canyon Railroad from Clarkdale.
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