Flagstaff to Cottonwood (Sedona area)

[tortise]

Continuing our trip planning for next spring, How is the route 89A I believe from Flagstaff to Cottonwood though Sedona. Sedona campgrounds are already full so we booked into Cottonwood. It looks like the conventional super safe route would be I 17, but 89A sounds much more interesting. Gas truck pulling a 27RL.

Thanks in advance.

Dave



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[traveldawg]

89A is not a suggested route for RVs. Some folks may say otherwise but there are numerous switchbacks and more than one steep hill. Most folks drive it on motorcycles or autos to enjoy the route.

Lots to see and do in that area. Enjoy it.

[BB&LAB]

89A is not a suggested route for RVs. Some folks may say otherwise but there are numerous switchbacks and more than one steep hill. Most folks drive it on motorcycles or autos to enjoy the route.

Lots to see and do in that area. Enjoy it.

Agree, 89A is a wonderful drive, but better done without a trailer. The switchbacks are very tight, so I-17 is the better and safest choice.

[JCZhome]

I agree with everybody above (and I'm the guy always willing to be the first to try it). I've rode and drove 89A many times.....steep and twisty. I'm pretty sure the restriction is 40' or 50' over all length. I would not try it with anything that did not have an engine brake of some kind.

It's a beautiful ride on a motorcycle (or in a car or truck) but best be left to the single vehicle on a nice sunny day. If it's summer time, be sure to stop at Slide Rock State Park to see everybody sliding down the rocks in Oak Creek.

P/S Camp Verde is another nice little community with RV parks about 25 miles south of Sedona.

[tortise]

Well I think you’ve all convinced me to bypass 89a with the trailer, we’ve got 4 nights in cottonwood so should have time to explore by truck.

To bad we couldn’t swing a Momentum, something tells me I’ll regret not having the bike along.

Thanks for the replies.

Dave


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[JCZhome]

Smart move.

Yep, there's some good riding around that area and Oak Creek Canyon is really nice up to the top and back down to Sedona.

Let me know if you make it down by the Tucson area. We just bought a winter home here but will still be traveling in the summer months.

[Gold Country Livin']

Continuing our trip planning for next spring, How is the route 89A I believe from Flagstaff to Cottonwood though Sedona. Sedona campgrounds are already full so we booked into Cottonwood. It looks like the conventional super safe route would be I 17, but 89A sounds much more interesting. Gas truck pulling a 27RL.

Thanks in advance.

Dave



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Tortise, I just came back from there this week. Coming from Flagstaff, the safe direction is I 17 South to exit #293 , which is Montezuma Well. That is the preferred road access via Cornville Road to Cottonwood as per instructions from Deadhorse SP. I did come down #89A from Flag through Sedona. I am here to write this, so yes, I did survive. The other posters here are right and it is not advisable for larger rigs. The highway sign says no vehicles over 50'. Not big rig friendly but nothing that we are not used to in the Western mountains. Coming from the top of Flagstaff downhill is very scenic. The other issue is that it is not only narrow all the way but dumps you right into Sedona in the thick of things, traffic, people, tight roundabouts, etc and currently, is under construction. the time difference is minimal. As far as driving it, we were going so slow due to traffic and curves, that the exhaust brake was not a factor, it was the needed low gearing in order to stay off the brakes. Not what I call "white knuckle" but road signs are accurate, stay out with the trailer and go Interstate 17, to #293 .

We stayed at Deadhorse as stated, which was a referral from Tuscon Jim. This is a beautiful park and highly recommended for others reading this. There is also a new rv resort nearby near Tuzigoot called Rain Spirit RV which looked nice from the street. It's on Broadway, basically just past DHSP to the West. I did not want to be in Sedona to stay, only to visit as we went to Jerome, Camp Verde, Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle, etc.

[JColeman]

Cottonwood and Camp Verde are great base camps for the activities around the area. As others have said, take I-17 and not 89A. If you are looking for something a little more quiet, check out the Zane Grey RV Resort in Camp Verde. Dead Horse State Park is another great place.

Find your spot, unhook and spend the time you have exploring in your truck. It will be a lot more fun.

[tortise]

Gold and JC, thanks for your comments. I did book a spot at Rain Spirit in/ nearCottonwood so we can explore from there. I would probably be more aggravated pulling through Sedona than afraid of 89A as we’ve driven our share of mountain roads, but have nothing to prove so the safe route it will be.
I hear good things about Prescott and Jerome as well.
Yikes, Deadhorse State Park looks great, don’t know how I missed it in earlier planning and it has availability. Tempted to switch.


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[bigb56]

Just a few minutes from Cottonwood is Cornville where you will find the Manzanita Restaurant. We eat there every time we are in the area, it is fantastic. A short trip over to McGuireville (now called Lake Montezuma) you will find Jim's Trading Post right as you get off the interstate and approach the gas station on the right. A great place to stop and Jim buys old native jewelry by the bucket and resells it for way better prices than you will find in Gallup. He has about an acre of cool stuff. It's a regular stop for us as well now. Take a drive up to Montezuma Castle while you're there.A bit of Trivia, singer and inventor of the "Guit-Steel" Guitar, Junior Brown is from Cottonwood. (see link below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3SIoK2YFLI