The weather in Arizona/Utah in September?

Hello everyone. This is my first day on this site and I'm enjoying all of the useful information.

I have a few questions about a trip I am planning on taking in September with my fiance. As the plan stands right now, I am going to start driving from Cincinnati and go all the way to Amarillo, Texas in a single day. Now, to some of you seasoned travelers this may sound like a crazy long drive (17 hours), but due to relatives and business relations in Amarillo I have made this drive in single-day trips numerous times. In the end my destination is Northern Arizona and I want to get there as soon as possible.

I am stopping off in Amarillo at a relative's place, so by driving that far in one day I will at least not have to pay to stay somewhere in between.

Now here's the real question. I plan to leave the next day from Amarillo and drive straight to Flagstaff, Arizona. I will then stay all night in Flagstaff and head to the Grand Canyon the next day. After a few days at the canyon I will then drive to Sedona, Arizona for a few days for the romantic part of the trip. After that I will return to Amarillo to stay there for an extra week with family.

What I would like to know is if anyone has any suggestions for the way back to Amarillo from Sedona. Even though I have been to West Texas countless times, for some odd reason I never took the trip over to New Mexico or Arizona to do sight seeing. I always went south from there. Anyway, because we plan to stay an extra week in Amarillo after our trip, we have plenty of time to not just drive straight back from Arizona. We could possibly stay another night in New Mexico somewhere to give us more time to explore places right off of I-40.

Also, if any of you have been to Flagstaff/Sedona before and know of some sites or places to stay that we can't miss, please let me know.

I look forward to your responses.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

I, too, have done the occasional 1000 mile non-stop RoadTrip, but always alone. I'd be willing to bet that your fiancée has never accompanied you on one of these little jaunts, so before you go off blithely assuming that she will enjoy, or even tolerate, such a drive, I suggest the two of you sit down over the RoadTrip Compatibility Quiz and see what compromises might have to be made. You indicate that you've got lots of time once you get to Arizona - days at the Grand Canyon, a week in Amarillo - Why not spend some of this time on your westbound legs? Otherwise there very well may be no romance left in your relationship by the time you get to Sedona! Anyway, that's my 2¢ worth

As far as things to see and do in Flagstaff and Sedona as well as on the way back... In Flagstaff, take the time to check out Walnut Canyon National Monument just east of town. Be sure to take AZ-89A through Oak Creek Canyon to get to Sedona. In Sedona itself, be sure to stop by one of the strategically placed Information Centers to get your Red Rocks Pass (you'll need it to park at any of the trailheads in and around town) and to get tips on hikes that will suit your interests and stamina. South of town, visit Montezuma's Castle.

Possible stops on the way back to Amarillo would include the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest in eastern Arizona, and Petroglyph National Monument and the Salinas Pueblo Missions around Albuquerque. Santa Fe, NM is a little off your direct route but well worth the detour, especially if you're looking for romance.

AZBuck

Thanks very much for the reply. I have considered staying overnight in Missouri for the exact reason you mention (fiancée not liking the long drive), or I could add an extra day of relaxation in Amarillo before I head west.

I was definitely considering Santa Fe when I first started planning the trip, but it seemed like way too much to do for one time. Because of the close proximity to Amarillo and the fact that I go down there a lot, I figured I would be back.

From Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon I was already planning to hit Sunset Crater and Wupatki monuments and I plan to take 89A south into Sedona. Thanks for the tip on the Red Rocks Pass.

I will do some research on Walnut Canyon to see if it is worth the side journey. I have read about Petrified Forest and wondered if it was worth a stop as well. There is so much to do in Arizona I could go back 100 times and not hit everything.

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Originally Posted by grimmeissen

After a few days at the canyon I will then drive to Sedona, Arizona for a few days for the romantic part of the trip.

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I wouldn't "sell it" on that basis -- it will probably work better to imagine the entire trip as being romantic...

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What I would like to know is if anyone has any suggestions for the way back to Amarillo from Sedona. Even though I have been to West Texas countless times, for some odd reason I never took the trip over to New Mexico or Arizona to do sight seeing.

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Santa Fe and Taos has always seemed far more romantic than Sedona -- although the Sedona country is beautiful. Actually the valley I really like (mostly because of how it makes me feel when I am there) is around Eagle Nest Lake. So, if you really can take a detour I would recommend going back north on US-89 to US-160 and go drive through a section of Monument Valley (US-163) and then zig-zag your way over to US-64 accros the San Juan Mtns to Taos and Eagles Nest past Cimarron Canyon and the zig-zag your way back to I-40 for the run over to Amarillo. Now, that would be romantic!

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Also, if any of you have been to Flagstaff/Sedona before and know of some sites or places to stay that we can't miss, please let me know.

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Jerome is a pretty place (in a harsh mining sort-of-way) to walk around and Montezuma's castle is pretty interesting. If you take USFS road 516 just north of Flagstaff (from US-180) there are some really neat trails that wind up up Mt Humphreys (highest point in Arizona). And, of course, you need to drive SR-89a for all of the great red-rock vistas found along Oak Creek Canyon.

Mark

Hello everyone. Thanks to comments on this site, I have revised a trip I was going to take in September to see the Monument Valley in southern Utah. I am driving from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley and then from there over to Santa Fe, NM.

I was thinking it might be neat to camp near Monument Valley somewhere so I can make the scenic trip in two days and not have to pay for a hotel.

How is the weather in early September in this area? Is it warm enough to camp or could it get pretty cold at nights?

I don't think it is a high elevation like some of the areas I have hotels for (Flagstaff, Santa Fe, etc.) so I'm hoping it isn't a problem.

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Originally Posted by grimmeissen

I was thinking it might be neat to camp near Monument Valley somewhere so I can make the scenic trip in two days and not have to pay for a hotel.

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Most of the land surrounding Monument Valley "belongs to" to the Navajo Nation and it is illegal to camp on it without permission.

No matter where you plan to camp, the weather at any time of year can be entirely unpredictable, which is why you should always check in as your trip gets close. This far out, all anyone can tell you is climate, what are the average temperature and rainfall like. For Flagstaff in September, those averages are High 74, Low 42, and a couple of inches or rain spread through the month. Your weather may vary.

AZBuck

Thanks for the replies folks. I'm not too much worried about the weather in the other areas of my trip as I am prepared for anything to happen.

I have looked up camping near Goulding, Utah which is right where Monument Valley is. They have several sites. Whether they are run by Navajo Nation or not I do not know. If I couldn't camp there I guess I could always just drive through and take in the sites and then stay somewhere in Farmington, NM.