This article provides an overview of outdoor activities, spiritual and wellness experiences and sights in and around Sedona, Arizona along with useful links to other websites for additional Sedona travel related information.
At a Glance
Sedona, Arizona is known for many things: amazing red rock formations, mystical vortexes, spas, hiking, mountain biking, 4-wheeling, shopping, dining, and just plain relaxing. It’s an amazing outdoor playground, that is easy to get to and difficult to leave.
Sedona is located in the center of Arizona between Flagstaff to the north and Phoenix to the south, and is about an hour’s drive from each of these cities. The town of Sedona can be divided into two main areas: West Sedona and Uptown Sedona.
West Sedona is where you will find grocery stores and chain restaurants as well as specialty shops and other dining options.
Uptown Sedona has many unique restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, art galleries, and specialty shops such as jewelry shops, rock shops and clothing stores. You can dine in a novel part of movie and local history at the Cowboy Club in the heart of Uptown Sedona, a fixture there since 1946 (formerly as the Oak Creek Tavern) . During peak season, we recommend reservations. We also recommend the cactus fries and steaks!
Don’t have time to read the entire article or just want the abbreviated version? Check out the following article:
Top Five Things to do in Sedona, Arizona
Popular Activities
Outdoor Adventures
You could not find a better place than Sedona for outdoor activities. There are over 400 miles (644 km) of marked trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding . Take an ATV or a Jeep on a guided or unguided 4-wheel drive tour; the trails range from easy to challenging. There are a number of local rental companies that will provide you with everything you need to include helmets, goggles, maps and water.
If you don’t mind heights and getting up before dawn, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride. It’s an experience worth getting up for and, once you land, you have a glass of champagne or orange juice to celebrate. Consider a helicopter or airplane tour if you want to fly even further afield. Some of these flights will even include a day trip to Antelope Canyon or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
To read about three of our favorite hikes in Sedona check out the following article:
Our Top Three Favorite Hikes in Sedona, Arizona
To get a first-hand description of ATVing in Sedona check out the following article:
ATVing the Broken Arrow Off-Road Trail in Sedona, Arizona
Arts & Culture
Sedona has some of the finest examples of Southern Sinagua architecture in both the Honanki Cliff Dwellings and the Palatki Heritage Site. Over 200 people lived at the Honanki Cliff Dwellings between AD 1050 and 1350, hunting in the Verde Valley and growing corn, beans and squash. Honanki and Palatki were the two largest cliff dwelling of the Sinagua people of the Ancestral Puebloans; the Sinagua are ancestors to the Hopi. Pictographs and petroglyphs can be found at both Honanki and Palatki. Both sites have interpretative trails and you can do guided or unguided tours.
A 4×4 or high clearance vehicle is recommended to visit these sites. As they are near each other, we chose to rent ATVs for the day and combined visits to the Honanki Cliff Dwellings and Palatki Heritage site with a trip to the Shaman’s Cave which we discuss in the next section.
Spiritual & Wellness
The sheer beauty of Sedona’s red rocks, along with its’ many energy hot spots, known as vortexes, combine to draw artists, holistic healers, and spiritual guides to this amazing place. Spend some time in a spa, experience a sound bath, charge your rocks and crystals in a vortex, and meditate in the tranquil beauty of this special place. If you seek physical or mental healing, Sedona will help you on that journey. Click here to learn more about spiritual & wellness activities in Sedona.
Shaman’s Cave
We really enjoyed Shaman’s Cave, also called Robbers Roost or Hole in the Rock. Not only is it a a vortex and a spiritual place to meditate, it offers stunning views of the red rocks across the Verde Valley below and is off the beaten track…literally. We chose to rent ATVs to get to the trailhead as you really need a high clearance vehicle on the 11 mile dirt road that accesses this area of the Coconino National Forest.
The nice folks at Sedona ATV gave us a trail map to get out to the trailhead. You can also navigate to “Hole in the Rock” on Google Maps. From Sedona, head west on Highway 89A and turn right (north) on Forest Road 525. Bear left at the fork to 525C. Stay on 525C until you bear right at forest road (FR) 9530. This road will dead end at an overlook on your left were you can park your ATV. Ignore the steep rock scramble past this point!
After you park, you will be able to make out a small winding social trail on the right side of the road heading down towards the saddle of the hill. You cannot see the cave from this vantage point – it’s on the other side of the hill. Just start walking down that trail and you will get there! We actually met a shaman in the cave on our visit, but you will likely be the only people there.
The airport mesa is a great place to view the sunset. You can either park at the top where there is a small fee and watch from there or view it from the Airport Mesa Vortex, which is about half-way up the airport road. Parking near the vortex fills up quickly around sunset, but you can also park at the top and hike back down to the vortex.
State Parks
Sedona is home to two state parks: Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park.
Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is known for a 80 foot (24 meter) natural water slide carved through a narrow red rock flume in Oak Creek. This park was originally a homestead apple farm, but now contains the water slide, swimming, and several short trails. Local events are often hosted here to a include a Fall Festival, World Water Day, and even a Slide Rock Blonde Coffee Stout Tasting Event, where you can taste the park’s namesake beer. Arizona State Parks and Trails partnered with Historic Brewing Company to develop a series of park-themed custom brews; this one honors Slide Rock State Park and 10% of the sales of these brews benefit Arizona’s state parks.
This park is very popular during the hot summer months. Take 89A north up Oak Creek Canyon and out of Sedona and you will see Slide Rock State Park on your left.
Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park encompasses 286 acres located at the western edge of West Sedona. There is a visitor center with an interpretive area, movie theater, gift shop and restrooms; 5 miles (8 km) of family friendly interconnected trails, guided activities and more. The park does connect to the 15 mile Lime Kiln Hiking Trail, a historic wagon trail which crosses the high desert.
To get to the park, take 89A west out of Sedona and look for Red Rock Loop Road on your left. You can take either the Upper Red Rock Loop entrance, which is located just before the Sedona Red Rock Jr. Sr. High School where you will fine several scenic overlooks or, for more direct access take the lower entrance.
Getting There
By Air
There are two airports within an hour of Sedona. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which is the largest with the most flights, and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLP), which is significantly smaller.
By Car
From Flagstaff
Sedona is about an hour south of Flagstaff where Route 89A, Interstate 17 and Interstate 40 all intersect. Take Route 89A south, which will take you directly into Sedona for the fastest and most scenic way or take Interstate 17 south to Route 179 north for a slightly longer way.
From Phoenix
Sedona is about an hour north of Phoenix where Interstate 17, Interstate 10 and Interstate 8 all intersect. Take Interstate 17 north to Route 179 and take Route 179 north into Sedona.
Additional Resources
Visit Sedona is Sedona’s official tourism website.
Visit Arizona – Sedona is Arizona’s official tourism website for Sedona.
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