Going stir crazy w/ coronavirus lockdown. Would like to do scenic drive through AZ. (Phoenix: rent, hotels)

[Lothario]

I live in Texas and while it is boring here at baseline, it's mind-numbingly so during this coronavirus lockdown. I was thinking that my gf and I could fly to PHX, rent a car, and drive slowly a loop over 3-4 day north>Sedona>Flagstaff>Tuba City>Kayenta>Monument Valley>The Wave-Coyote Buttes>back to PHX. All we'd need is lodging here and there to be open and available, and restaurants open for take-out.

Could we do this? Are the highways open? (I know the national parks are not, unfortunately.) Might we get pulled over and told to "go back to Texas"? Are there enough hotels and restaurants open to make it a viable plan? All we'd like to do is drive, see some scenic beauty, maybe take some short hikes here and there.

Any info from locals would be greatly appreciated.

[DetroitN8V]

Stay home. Why would you volunteer to get in an airplane? I doubt you'll find lodging anyway.

[Lothario]

So lodging is closed along this route?

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by Lothario

So lodging is closed along this route?

No, not necessarily. I just checked a couple of places in Sedona. They're open. You'd probably want to book in advance. Be sure to take disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer and wipe down all surfaces, just to be safe.

[Lothario]

Very nice of you to do thank you! I wonder if the Sedona hiking trails are open - ?

It still leaves me wondering about those rare hotels/motels and restaurants along the sparse areas of the dessert. I guess I need to call them.

[3STRSSN]

Hello! I'm a Sedona local thank you for your inquiry!


Some helpful information:


Most popular trails in Sedona close during stay-at-home order


https://www.sedonaaz.gov/Home/Compon...News/5089/1391


“We’re happy to see the Red Rock Ranger District is doing the right thing and joining other tourist sites in Sedona by closing areas where large groups tend to congregate. All those wanting to visit Sedona should follow the Governor’s orders, stay home and reschedule for another time,” said Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty.



From the Sedona Chamber of Commerce website:



"As we do with all visitors to Sedona, we want you to have the best experience Sedona has to offer." :Unfortunately, we cannot do that at this time.



https://visitsedona.com/trip-planning/travel-advisory/


From the Forest Service:

Coconino NF closing crowded destinations in Sedona

"“We are doing our best to balance the opportunities available for the public to recreate on the Forest, while helping lower the COVID-19 curve,” said Tinderholt. “The crowds that we saw last weekend, and conversation with local leaders about the concern that continued influx of tourism has on their local heath and emergency services, solidified our decision to move forward. We will keep evaluating areas and may have additional closures in the future, but that will largely depend upon the public doing their part to avoid crowds and flatten the curve.”


https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/cocon...d=FSEPRD719835


There is strong forest service and law enforcement at the trailheads. I have heard that people are not illegally parking to access the trailheads and are bushwhacking to access the trails.

a

Looks like the hotel prices have gone down significantly. Maybe ask about the 'quarantine special'.

We have limited healthcare resources and majority of our population falls under the most vulnerable for COVID19. There are a few grocery stores and some locals still have difficulty accessing the things that they need.

[Lothario]

Originally Posted by 3STRSSN

Hello! I'm a Sedona local thank you for your inquiry!

This is all very helpful information. I like the bushwacking idea. And I like cheap hotels too! I just found out that there are hotels open in both Flagstaff and Page as well. So I'm thinking I'm gonna do this AZ road trip after all...

[3STRSSN]

Originally Posted by Lothario

This is all very helpful information. I like the bushwacking idea. And I like cheap hotels too! I just found out that there are hotels open in both Flagstaff and Page as well. So I'm thinking I'm gonna do this AZ road trip after all...

Not quite sure it was helpful ... at least I tried

[KurtAZ]

Couple of things...the whole state is under a stay at home order...meaning while most essential businesses are open...if you are pulled over and found to be just touring the state? You are going to get fined heavily and/or arrested. The hiking trails around Sedona are closed for the most part. From what I have seen, most hotels are closed down around Phoenix so while you may be finding some available on your "route" why in all that is holy are you trying to do this trip now? You just want to get infected and leave a trail? You don't think everyone else is bored as well and would love to travel right now?

This is a national/worldwide disaster and you are showing some EXTREME social irresponsibility with this post. EVERYONE is bored and going stir crazy. Suck it up. The more people do this crap the longer all of us are stuck in lockdown. Our (AZ) peak for infections is supposed to be sometime next week and HOPEFULLY this will start declining and we can all get out and enjoy the weather before it gets too hot again.

I really am hoping you are joking with this topic.

[Lothario]

So I'm not joking and I do understand your perspective, and I certainly don't want to break the law or get punished for doing so. So thank you for bringing this up... so would my doing this AZ road trip be illegal under the current restrictions, or would it be inadvisable?