General Accommodation Notes

The historic park lodges (Thunderbird or Maswik) have lots of character, but the rooms are very basic - nothing fancy. The National Park Lodges are dated and worn, please note this to guests. We stay in these accommodations for their unbeatable locations and charm, not for their amenities. When we stay at the Grand Canyon, specific accommodation types vary - some types are bigger/better than others and we are at the mercy of the NP service, though each departure will always be in the same room type so there's no variation within trips.

Pre-Trip Hotels

Post-Trip Hotels

Published Trip Date Transfers

Transportation from the airport to the hotel is provided for pax arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary, and from the hotel back to the airport on the final day of the tour.

Early Arrivals

Late Departures

TRANSFER CHART

Notes

Vehicle Details

Internal Flight Details

Train Details

Boat Details

Other Details

Itinerary

Hikes

FAQ

1. Q: Can you accommodate CPAP machines on this trip?
   A: For those with sleep apnea, CPAP machines can be accommodated on this adventure as long as advance notice has been given. It is a good idea to bring an extension cord, to ensure you can place your machine where you need it. It is highly recommended that you also bring a letter from your doctor stating your medical need for such a device. This will make it easier to carry as hand luggage on flights.
   
   Q: Are there ATMs available?
   A: ATMs are available throughout the trip.
   
   Q: Are credit cards accepted?
   A: All major credit cards are accepted at most locations throughout the trip. Visa and Mastercard are the most reliable.
   
   Q: What is the climate like?
   
   Flagstaff: At a higher elevation, Flagstaff has a semi-arid climate. In April and May, daytime highs are between 55–70°F, with chilly nights in the 20–40°F range. By September and October, temperatures warm to 60–70°F, but nights cool to 30–40°F. Occasional rain or early snowfall can occur in October. High elevations mean stronger UV rays. 
   
   Sedona: Sedona has warm spring and fall months. In April and May, temperatures range from 70–85°F during the day, cooling to 40–50°F at night. By September and October, daytime highs stay around 75–85°F, with cooler evenings around 45–55°F. Precipitation is minimal, but late summer can bring monsoon rains. 
   
   Grand Canyon: April and May are mild, with daytime highs between 60–70°F and lows from 30–40°F. September and October offer similar temperatures (60–76°F), with cooler evenings dropping to the 30s and 40s. The region gets some summer monsoon rain, but precipitation is relatively low overall.
   
   Petrified Forest National Park: Spring and fall are pleasant, with April and May temperatures ranging from 70–80°F during the day and cooling to 35–45°F at night. In September and October, expect daytime highs of 72–82°F and nights around 40–50°F. Rain is infrequent, but occasional storms may roll through during these months. UV rays are strong in the daytime. 
   
   Each location has mild, comfortable weather in these periods, making them ideal for outdoor exploration!
   
   In the Spring and Fall the weather can differ from one day to the next or from early morning to mid-day to evening. All travelers should have adequate clothing for a wide range of weather conditions, as the climate in these parks can be highly unpredictable.  Afternoon thunderstorms are always possible, so lightweight, WATERPROOF rain gear and sturdy hiking shoes are essential. Also, the sun can be extremely strong so sun hats, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and lots of sunscreen are recommended year-round.
   
   Grand Canyon 
   Month High Low Precipitation
   
   April 60° 32° 1.5in
   
   May 69° 39° .9in
   
   September  76° 46° 1.8in
   
   October 64° 36° 2.0in
   
   
   Flagstaff
   Month High Low Precipitation
   
   April 60° 29° 1.5in
   
   May 68° 37° .7in
   
   September 73° 46° 2.4in
   
   October 63° 34°  1.9in
   
   
   Sedona
   Month High Low Precipitation
   
   April 76° 46° 0.8in
   
   May 85° 54° .5in
   
   September 88°  61° 1.9in
   
   October 78° 50° 1.3in
   
   
   Petrified Forest
   Month High Low Precipitation
   
   April 70° 37° 0.5in
   
   May 80° 45° . 0.3in
   
   September 82° 52° 1.2in
   
   October 72° 43° 0.9in
   
   
   
   
   
   

DATE / TIME OF YEAR

Date/Time of Year
Seasonality
Trip seasonality: late April- mid May. And then mid September- mid October. We do not run these trips mid-summer (July and August) because it is HOT, rainy and oh so busy. Hiking in the heat in July and August can be pretty brutal in these parks. Mid-July through early September is also monsoon season, which means the afternoons can bring lots of rain. The crowd's mid-summer are also very large, so we try to run during shoulder season to avoid these. April and May are cooler months that tend to be less busy in the parks. September and October also cool down quite a bit and tend to have slightly less crowds than the mid-summer NP rush.

April/May
In April and May there is still some potential for late Spring storms and cooler weather. Gearing up for potential winter weather is more important on these early departures. Spring, especially May, is a great time of year for wildflowers and photography. Spring is also the best time to visit to see wildlife since this is the time of year the animals are out and about, mating, etc. Birds are also great this time of year.

September/October
Fall is great for photography. September is when you usually start seeing some Aspen changing colors, though the real color change doesn't begin until beginning to middle of October. In the fall, wildlife starts to wane. October and November is generally another dry period, and one of the best times to be in the region. Late October to November can see much cooler temperatures and even snow, which makes for a wonderful photo opportunity.

Photographers
Spring is the best time for wildlife photography (a lot more macro photography), whereas Fall is best for sweeping landscapes, dramatic photography, and fall colors.

Binos, scopes, trekking poles