Sedona Trip This Month - Question

Hello All,
I will be going to Sedona on the 28th of this month, I'll be checking the net for the news of the road closures in the area.

I'd like to get some shots of the Milky Way if possible, I've got a 5D3, Samyang 14mm f2.8, tripod, intervalarometer, etc. my biggest question is where to go? The past two times weren't too far off the main road but I'd like to get some light painting done this time.

I always see awesome shots of iconic monuments in people's photos, do you pretty much have to camp somewhere and then hike to a location? Or can you just pull into a campsite and hike? I'll only be there a short while so won't be reserving a campsite or anything, will be in a hotel. Maybe a night tour?

Thanks

You know they had some big fires there recently...couldn't tell you the extent of the damage...but it was bad.

Thanks guys. Yeah I read about that. Hopefully it won't impact me too much. Maybe a campsite will be empty and I can just waltz right in.

My main concern of course is not having a campsite permit and getting fined etc. So I was really asking what others do in other parks on order to get to those wonderful spots?

They are pretty sticky there about permits, so if you plan to park and/or camp I would get a permit.

Thanks. I'll just have to find an empty trailhead parking lot with no gates like I did last time and hope for a clear sky.