Flagstaff to Sedona? Safest way with a Class A + tow behind?

[daved9664]

Hey friends.

I just read a post on this forum that 89A from Sedona to Prescott is not recommended for big rigs.

But what about Flagstaff to Sedona? I have a 34' with a tiny tow behind. Should I take 89A from flagstaff or 17 South then "Schnebly Hill rd"

Also, whats the cheapest rv park in sedona? Any good bon docking options? I found two parks there but theyre rates are sky high.

Thanks

[2gypsies1]

First, 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona will be undergoing construction all summer and will close completely at night and one-lane at other times so it will be very slow-going. Also, it's not recommended for big rigs.

https://www.azdot.gov/mobile/media/news/2017/03/08/project-making-safety-improvements-to-state-route...

OP, you said you were coming from Winslow, AZ and want a reasonable place to stay for visiting Sedona. I would highly recommend you take the route:

Winslow, Hwy 87 to 260 west. At this point you will have a fairly steep downhill to I-17 at Camp Verde. It's a popular RV route so it's very doable. Just downshift before you begin the downhill so you won't use the brakes as much. It's a beautiful drive. (Even if you continue to Flagstaff and take I-17 south you will have a long downhill.) From Camp Verde continue west on 260 to Cottonwood and stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. It's very nice and has big sites. It's an easy drive into Sedona which is a madhouse.

We've done this drive many times and stayed at Dead Horse Ranch. We love it!

[Janss]

By now, I think you've figured out that the "safest way" is, without question, I-17 to Exit #298 (Hwy 179).

rjxj gave you good boondocking info.

There is only one RV park in Sedona, that mentioned above, Rancho Sedona. Distant Drums is just off I-17 at exit #289, across the freeway from a casino. Dead Horse Ranch State Park in nearby Cottonwood is also a good alternative. And there are several other private RV parks in Cottonwood and Camp Verde.

Hwy 89A between Sedona and Cottonwood is a wide 4-lane highway, easy for RV with toad. I have driven my 33' motorhome with toad many times in and through Sedona, though I do not drive it Uptown (touristy area) and not through Oak Creek Canyon.

Roy Ken, I enjoyed reading your description of the town I've lived in for over 25 years 🙂

[mileshuff]

89A From Cottonwood to Prescott:Not Advised, very tight turns.
89A From Cottonwood to Sedona: Ok
89A From Sedona to Flagstaff: Not Advised, steep, tight turns.
Schnebly Hill Road from Sedona to I-17:Not Advised, dirt, narrow, no guardrails

RV's should take 179 from Sedona to I-17.

The only decent RV park in Sedona is Rancho Sedona. It's nice and well run. It is on Schnebly hill rd but only 1/4 mile off 179 on a short section which is paved.

There are also decent RV parks near Cottonwood or on I-17 at Camp Verde such as Distant Drums.

[azrving]

89A is not an RV route for me. I drove my pick up from Flagstaff to Sedona, there is a sign at 89A south and 17 that says limited length vehicles. There is no way in the world you want to go through Jerome. If there are a lot of fudgies parked in town it may be difficult to get through or even turn around. Drive to Jerome in your towed and report back here. 🙂



After boondocking at Cinder Hills orv area near Flagstaff and pulling our FW we took 17 south to 260 toward Cottonwood. We boondocked at E Thousand Trails Rd.

When we left the Cottonwood area I then took 17 to 169 into Prescott and then 89A from Prescott to Congress and noticed a vehicle length restriction sign when leaving Prescott. It wasn't terrible while pulling a 30' FW and a double tow utility trailer but some people like to bypass that section too. The view is excellent when heading south and approaching the decent into Congress.

E TT Boon

89A from Cottonwood to Sedona isn't bad for rv but I wouldn't want to maneuver in Sedona. The boondock spots along 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona weren't very good, too much dirt road with minimal choices.

[RoyF]

I have done 89A towing a 35-ft fifthwheel. South (west?) of Jerome there are several very tight turns, but I made it by driving very carefully, always checking the mirror to make sure that I was clearing those rock walls on tight right-hand curves.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Do NOT take schnebly hill. Unless they fixed it lately it's not fit for a car.

[chuckm99]

89A is fine except for that one section 15-20 miles north of Sedona where the elevation changes dramatically with lots of switchbacks. The hill is less than a mile long, but not for the faint hearted. A storm came up as we were going north (up the hill) and it was white knuckle for me. I think without wind and rain, it is probably ok.

17 to 179 is a lot easier drive.

[Ivylog]

I did alt89 last summer all the way down to Cottonwood pulling my toad. Beautiful scenic road that was downhill to Sedona so maintaining the speed limit is not a problem. Biggest problem is slow moving rubbernecking four wheelers and very few places to pass them and they are not about to pull over even though they have six held up. CGs in Cottonwood are more reasonable but not great. I would take it again in my rig as you sit up high and can see better than in a car.

[RoyB]

You certainly DO NOT want to take 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona... The canyon roads will eat you up haha...

Go look at the 89A road using GOOGLE MAPs in SAT view and zoom down until you see cars on the road. Walk that down to Sedona and see what you think...

Going down I17 and then cross over to Sedona using the big roads would be the best way to tow something into Sedona.

SEDONA is a high class place for the rich and famous to go back in the woods so to to speak haha... Everything there is high DOLLAR $$$ unless you are from there and know where to blend in...

Have shopped along the main drag several times and found lots of shops... One high rock called BELL ROCK in the south part of town is suppose to be a space portal from outer space. All kinds of strange things going-on around it...

I get very strong Indian sensations/vibrations all around the beautiful red rock formations and the such... Guess my somewhat Cherokee Indian heritage is showing when I am there haha... It is very beautiful watching the Sun come up and set on the very bright RED ROCKS each day...

Roy Ken

[daved9664]

Yet Another edit!

213 is known as stoneman lake rd and is no where near safe for rigs. Called Happy Jack Campground to find out. For future searches and people looking for best route:

17S to 179 N is the safest way from what im finding.

[daved9664]

Another Edit. Im coming from Bluewater state park New Mexico. So Im going to take 40 W till winslow, take 87 S. then a highway called 3 going north through a place called happy jack and then one called 213 heading west again to eventually get to 179. Avoiding all danger zones of the highway guide for truckers and big rigs. Has anyone done this? Super specific i know...

[bgum]

We went from the Grand Canyon to Sedona on 89A in a 35 ft MH towing a Jeep Wrangler. We took it easy and used transmission braking . Looking back at it it was not a wise decision. If anything had gone wrong it would have been difficult to recover. I had previously taken that route in a car.

[daved9664]

Edit: I just read some more posts.

Im going to do 17 S to 179 N. Is that an OK drive for a full rig?

[NMDriver]

Same issues minus the towns to go through. Many do drive it in RV's and cause traffic back ups and aggressive passing. It is scenic but best done in the toad. There are truck brake check pullouts on I-17 and rest areas not to far from Sedona. I just stay in Flag and drive down.