Phoenix to Sedona Road Trip – Driving into Red Rock Country
Updated 2026 – Southwest road trip itinerary and photography guide
After starting our Southwest road trip in the Phoenix area, the next stop was Sedona, Arizona. We planned to drive up the evening before so we could be ready for sunrise photography the next morning, but the trip didn’t go exactly as planned.
We left later than expected after spending the day out in the Sonoran Desert, and on the way north there was a major accident on the main road heading toward Sedona. The delay meant we got there much later than we wanted, but the upside was getting to spend a little more time with family before continuing the trip.
By the time we finally got on the road, it was already dark. The drive from the Phoenix area to Sedona is an easy one, but doing it at night meant we couldn’t see any of the scenery along the way. Pam slept most of the drive after our long day, and the roads were quiet and empty as we headed north through Arizona.
We arrived at our hotel in Sedona around 11pm, tired but excited for the next day. Since we came in after dark, we had no idea what the landscape around us actually looked like. That would change the next morning.
First Morning in Sedona
The plan for the next morning was to get up early and photograph Cathedral Rock at sunrise. Sedona is one of the most famous photography locations in the Southwest, and I had spent a lot of time researching different spots to shoot from.
When we stepped outside that morning, we were immediately blown away by the scenery. The red rock formations were massive, and the mountains around Sedona looked completely different than anything we had seen the day before in the desert near Phoenix. Driving in the dark the night before, we had no idea how incredible the area really was.
We headed toward a small trailhead parking area east of Cathedral Rock that I had picked out ahead of time. The goal was to catch the first light hitting the red rocks, which often produces that warm glow photographers call the “golden hour.”
Cathedral Rock Sunrise Photography
Cathedral Rock in Sedona, AZ by Scott Turnmeyer
We set up our tripods in the parking area and started dialing in our settings as the light slowly changed.
I was shooting wide angle with my Sony a6300 on a Manfrotto tripod, while Pam was using her Sony a5000 with a similar setup. We kept the ISO at 100, closed the aperture down to around f/22 for maximum depth of field, and adjusted the shutter speed as the sun started to come up. We also used our phones as remote triggers to keep the camera steady during longer exposures.
Cathedral Rock is probably one of the most photographed formations in the Southwest, so I was trying to find a composition that felt a little different from the usual views. Even though the light was great, I wasn’t completely happy with the foreground from where we were set up, but that’s part of photography — sometimes you take the shot you can get and learn what you want to try next time.
Pam moved a little farther down from where we were and ended up getting some nice shots of the range to the left of Cathedral Rock while the morning light was still good.
Exploring Sedona
After finishing the sunrise shoot, we grabbed breakfast and spent the rest of the day exploring Sedona. The scenery around town is incredible in every direction, with red rock formations, desert plants, and wide open views everywhere you look.
We did some hiking, drove to a few overlooks, and just took time to enjoy the area. Sedona is one of those places where even a short drive can turn into a photo opportunity, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular stop for anyone traveling through Arizona.
Next Stop – Page, Arizona
The next part of the trip would take us north to Page, Arizona, home of Horshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
Southwest Road Trip Itinerary – Phoenix, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Zion & Las Vegas
Previous Day - Phoenix Arizona Desert Adventure – Sonoran Desert & UTV Photography | Southwest Trip Day 1
Tomorrow - Sedona to Page AZ Road Trip – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Photography Tips
More Photography from Scott Turnmeyer
I write about landscape photography, night sky photography, camera technique, and photography workshops in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. You can explore more photography, workshops, and articles here:
Fine Art Photography
Photography Workshops & Experiences
Blog Home
About Scott Turnmeyer
Digital Consulting