3-Day Arizona Hiking Itinerary for Vegetarians

Adventure, Nature and Vegetarian-friendly Eats in Phoenix, Sedona and the Grand Canyon

My most recent trip was a quick Arizona getaway with my daughter.  Because we could only take a few days, we had to make every moment purposeful and intentional.  Feel free to follow my entire itinerary, or just take a few nuggets.  If you’re a vegetarian looking to explore the stunning landscapes of Arizona, then this 3-day hiking itinerary is perfect for you. From the towering red rocks of Sedona to the grand vistas of the Grand Canyon, Arizona offers breathtaking trails and great vegetarian-friendly food. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual explorer, this itinerary will guide you through some of the best spots to hike, eat, and unwind in Arizona.

Day 1: Phoenix, Camelback Mountain, and Sedona

8:00 AM – Arrive in Phoenix

We were fortunate to catch an early flight, and with the 3-hour time difference, that put us in Phoenix at 8 a.m., giving us an early start to the first item on our agenda: Camelback Mountain. After getting our rental car, we grabbed a coffee and a quick bite to go from Starbucks—a tasty egg, feta, and spinach wrap to fuel us up for our first hike of the trip.

9:00 AM – Hike Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain is a must-do for hikers visiting Phoenix. With two popular trails—Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon—you’ll be treated to incredible city views and a challenging ascent. The Cholla Trail is a bit less steep, although longer, while Echo Canyon provides a more rigorous climb. Both offer stunning views of the desert landscape and both are rated a “double black diamond” climb, meaning they are extremely difficult and require some skill. We chose the Cholla trail which was undaunting at first, but quickly turned into a challenging steep climb! Both trails meet at the top for panoramic vistas from the summit and plenty of photo opps.

12:30 PM – Smoothie Refuel at Nekter Juice Bar

After your hike, stop by Nekter Juice Bar to cool down with a refreshing smoothie to take on the road. The Chocolate Peanut Butter with pea protein or the PB&J are both delicious, vegan-friendly options that will keep you feeling energized. We took ours to go as we headed North on the 2-hour scenic drive to Sedona.

3:00 PM – Stop at Red Rock Ranger Station

Just before entering the Village of Oak Creek, stop by the Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor’s Center. It’s a good place to take that first pic of the red rock scenery and to pick up a trail map. You can also buy a parking pass there, which is required at some of the trailheads. However, the ranger recommended buying it at the kiosk at the trailhead because some of the lots fill up early and you may have to park further away along the road, where you will not need a pass. And if you stay at the Cozy Cactus, they provide a parking pass you can use!

3:30 PM – Check-in at Cozy Cactus Bed and Breakfast

Settle into your charming accommodations at the Cozy Cactus Bed and Breakfast. This cozy place offers a perfect mix of comfort and hospitality, and a gate off of the back patio leads straight to the hiking trails of Bell & Castle Rock. The view is out of this world!

4:30 PM – Hike the Bell Rock trail directly from the Cozy Cactus

Sedona is famous for its breathtaking red rock formations. Bell Rock is a prominent red sandstone butte that rises dramatically from the desert floor. The trail is easy to moderate, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels. One of the best parts of the Bell Rock Trail is getting up close to Bell Rock, where you can climb around the base and really appreciate its impressive size and distinct features.

7:00 PM – Dinner at Dellepiane

For dinner, head to Dellepiane in the Village of Oak Creek. This Latin-inspired restaurant offers a variety of vegetarian-friendly options. We split the flight of empanadas and tostones: fried plantains topped with guacamole! Service was great and they had outdoor seating available right away. The temperature was in the low 50’s (in March), but no worries: they had heaters next to every table and also provided us wool blankets to cozy up in!

Day 2: Grand Canyon, Sedona’s Trails, and Delicious Food

Breakfast is included at Cozy Cactus and is prepared by Terry, the owner, the day before and delivered to your refrigerator so you can enjoy it at your convenience. Everything is homemade and both the frittata and the gigantic muffin were delicious! The frittata was so filling that we took the muffins with us for a mid-morning snack. There is a traditional coffee pot and tea kettle in your room, or you can use the Keurig in the common area kitchen. While you’re there, grab some complimentary waters out of the fridge and borrow a cooler, sunscreen, and bug spray for your day of hiking.

7:00 AM - Depart for the Grand Canyon

 A two-hour drive from Sedona will take you through the Coconino National Forest, transitioning from Sedona’s red-rock desert landscape to the impressive Ponderosa Pines in Flagstaff. Along the way, you'll pass the Painted Desert, the Kaibab National Forest, and the Colorado River Gorge. Prepare to be amazed by the diverse microclimates of Arizona. When you reach the Grand Canyon's Desert View entrance, be sure to stop by the Desert View Watchtower, where you can enjoy expansive views of the canyon. It’s an excellent starting point for your Grand Canyon adventure. Note: we chose this entrance because it’s a bit less crowded than the South entrance, but you’ll want to arrive before 10am. After that, there will be a line of traffic to get in and the wait can be quite long.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hike any trails because there was snow and ice at the South rim that day, making the trails dangerous. It’s amazing that it was 80 degrees four hours South in Phoenix, compared to 20 degrees and windy at the South Rim. Thankful, we had packed for a variety of weather.

We drove along Desert View Drive, stopping at all viewpoints until Grandview Viewpoint. I found Lipan Point to be the most scenic. If the weather allows for it, take a short 5-minute hike down the trail at Grandview Point where you will reach some flat rocks to sit on, take in the view, and feel the immensity of the canyon. It’s the perfect place away from the crowds for some quiet reflection and breathtaking views.

12:00 PM – Cameron Trading Post

On your way back, make a quick stop at the Cameron Trading Post to fuel your car. There is a large souvenir shop, but the real treasure is the small art shop on the north side of the parking lot. Here you can admire beautiful Native American jewelry, artwork, and authentic relics—though be prepared for the prices to reflect the quality.

1:00 PM – Lunch Break

We grabbed a quick lunch to go at Fat Bagels in Flagstaff, located on historic Route 66. A delicious veggie sandwich served on a New York-style bagel was perfect for fueling up before heading back to Sedona for more hiking.

3pm- Back in Sedona

We hiked the Boynton Canyon trail to a hidden subway cave. The veer-off to the cave is not marked, so I recommend using the All-Trails app. This 6.5 mile hike was our favorite of the trip! The cave was amazing. Be warned, this hike does involve some climbing to get to the cave, so it’s not for the faint of heart—but the adventure and the views are totally worth it!  We spent a while exploring the cave and cliffs before heading back.

7:00 PM – Dinner at El Rincon Mexican Restaurant

After a day of hiking, enjoy a delicious vegetarian dinner at El Rincon in the Tlaquepaque Village. We had the meat-free Red Chili Navajo pizza (be aware that the green chili sauce contains beef) and the special that night, a veggie-packed with fresh veggies and served with amazing jalapeño mashed potatoes.

Day 3: Sedona Exploration, Relaxation, and Vegan Dining in Phoenix

9:00 AM – Hike Cathedral Rock

Start your day with a breath-taking 1.2-mile hike up Cathedral Rock. Because it is a popular hike, you will likely have to park 2 miles away and take the shuttle there. The hike will get your lungs pumping, but the views and rock formations are awe-inspiring. It was the perfect way to start our final day.

11:00 AM – Grab a latte at FreeForm Coffee Roasters

Perfect for a quick break, this cute shop serves great sustainably sourced coffee.

11:30 AM – Long Canyon Trail to Birthing Cave

The Long Canyon Trail is a relatively flat, easy hike with a slight incline near the end. Honestly, the Birthing Cave was a bit underwhelming compared to our other hikes, and there were too many people to really enjoy it. Next time, I will probably opt for the Doe Mountain trail. We hiked a little further along the trail’s flat desert landscape, ultimately clocking in about 4 miles.

2pm - Lunch at Wildflower Bread Company

Sedona offers some 5-star restaurants with amazing views of the Red Rocks, but you can get the same view for a fraction of the price from the outdoor dining at Wildflower. With so many vegetarian options, we decided to split the southwest superfoods salad, the elote (a traditional corn dish that was super yummy), and, our favorite, fig & ricotta toast with honey & toasted pistachios! I’ve been craving that ever since!

After a short walk around uptown Sedona, we were ready for one more hike.

4:00 PM – Ravens Cave Trail

Before leaving Sedona, take a short, easy ½-mile hike to Ravens Cave. This fun little trail leads to a series of cool underground caves that are fun to explore.  Perfect for a final taste of Sedona's natural beauty.  There is a small 3-4 car parking area off the main road.

5:00 PM – Drive Back to Phoenix

Head back to Phoenix and check into the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs. With its spacious rooms and friendly staff, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a busy few days of hiking and exploring.

7:00 PM – Dinner at Vegan and Vine

For a final dinner, head to Vegan and Vine, a 100% vegan restaurant with a variety of mouth-watering options. We recommend the roasted Brussels sprouts, Edamame Mac & Cheese, and a taco salad (with seasoned vegan meaty crumbles) served in a house-made tortilla shell. It’s the perfect meal to round off your Arizona adventure. Pair your meal with a glass of wine or with one of the refreshing “mocktails” that they offer.

Day 4: Relaxation and Departure

8:00 AM - Breakfast and Relaxation

After an action-packed couple of days, Thursday morning started off with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. The buffet (which we had vouchers for) had plenty of vegetarian options, from fresh fruits to hot dishes.

After breakfast, we headed across the street to the North Mountain Visitor Center. A peaceful 1-mile walk around the area gave us the chance to stretch our legs and take in the desert surroundings. By 10 am we were relaxing at Tapatio Falls, the hotel’s main pool. The resort has several pools, hot tubs, comfy cabanas, and a poolside restaurant & bar with a laid-back, tropical vibe. We spent a few hours lounging and soaking up the sun.

1:00 PM - Papago Park

Near Tempe, this park is known for its rock formation, Hole in the Rock. While it’s not as grand as Sedona and can get crowded, it’s still worth a quick stop if you have the time.  We enjoyed the short nature trail where we watched the desert ground squirrels playing.

2:00 PM - Late lunch at Green New American Vegetarian restaurant

This gem is a must-visit for plant-based food lovers. We started off with a couple of almond milk-based vegan ice cream shakes—chocolate and strawberry.

For our meals, we chose a Golden Curry Noodle Bowl with tofu and a Peanut Chick’n Bowl (with a tasty meat alternative). Both dishes were generous portions, and we took some leftovers to enjoy later during our flight.

If you have time, take a quick stroll through Old Town Scottsdale. This charming area is filled with unique shops, galleries, and boutiques.

By 4 PM, we were ready to head to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for our evening flight. It was time to say goodbye to Arizona. Our trip was short but filled with memorable experiences. From hiking Camelback Mountain in Phoenix to exploring Sedona's famous red rocks, we truly enjoyed the best of Arizona in just a few days.

Updated March 2025