Your Full Guide to Exploring Arizona's Red Rock Country, Sedona.
Visit the top restaurants, Trek the most visited hiking trails, and capture the most photographed views at this top destination.
Chicken Point Overlook
Sedona is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in Arizona. It is a small yet charming town near Flagstaff, Arizona. The town is surrounded by stunning red mountains, majestic canyons and amazing hiking trails providing you with a scenic view of Sedona everywhere you look. The city has a positive and calming vibe along with numerous fun and interesting attractions. The attractions range from architectural marvels, exquisite galleries, historical structures and charming cafes. I have curated some of the most fun things to do and places to visit to help you plan your perfect trip to Sedona.
Things to do
HIKE, OF COUrSE!
Sedona is known for astonishing hikes and hiking is one of the favorite activities for both tourists as well as locals.
1) Explore The Cathedral Rock: This is one of the most visited and the most photographed places in Sedona, and one of the four Vortexes. You can enjoy the spectacular view of Highway 179 as you drive from the amazing Oak Creek Village. If you are a hiking enthusiast, then make sure to climb the trail and enjoy the view of the stunning east and west coast. The trail is a heavily trafficked- 1.2 miles, that involves narrow rock scrambling. Be sure to arrive early, the parking lot fills up quick.
2) Chapel of the Holy Cross. Another great hiking point is the Chapel Trail to Chicken Point Overlook, with the difficulty level being mild to moderate. This trail runs into the Broken Arrow Trail, that gives 360 views of the picturesque red rocks of Sedona. The trail is an easy 1.3 miles roundtrip. Family and dog-friendly.
3) The Famous Devil’s Bridge Trail offers you some of the most scenic views of Sedona. The trail is situated in the heart of the Coconino National Forest and as understandable by the name the trail is known for its steep bridge-like arch. A heavily, trafficked 3.9 miles- the trail is primarily used for hiking and ohv/off road driving. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Devil’s Bridge
4) Sedona Caves. Another popular attraction that brings tourists to its town, are the caves and their views. The Birthing Cave is one of the most visited hiking trails in Sedona with the trail length being around 2 miles. The Birthing Cave Trailhead can be hard to follow up to the cave, so check out the latest video on how to find it.
Birthing Cave
Cool Down in the Swimming Holes
After spending a strenuous day trekking you can chill and unwind in Sedona’s fascinating swimming holes. Truly my favorite part of visiting Sedona.
Grasshopper Point, a quick 5 minute hike down, offers you a wide array of swimming points where you can relax and enjoy yourself under the sun. It is located around Oak Creek and has cliff jumping options. Entry fee of $9 (cash), this water hole is family and dog friendly!
Grasshopper Point
Buddha Beach is just near Cathedral Rock and is a serene place to just sit and enjoy the tranquillity. The beach is famous among tourists for its positive and calming vibe. Entry fee of $9 (cash), this short hike is family and dog friendly!
Wet Beaver Creek “the crack” (my absolute favorite gem) offers you the coldest water and is the perfect place to enjoy on a hot summery day. This trail is a bit tougher than the others, totaling at about 7 miles roundtrip. The drive from Phoenix is easy and does not require off-roading nor a high-clearance vehicle. Most of the trip is spent going north on I-17 until you reach Exit 298 to Forest Service Road 618. Turn right and it’s just a few miles to a small parking lot in front of Bell Trail Head. “The Crack” brings a big crowd, as it is the most perfect Arizona water hole, with scenic views, clear blue/green water, and plenty of cliff jumping. Come prepared for a full day!
Trail Off-Road
W/ SEDONA PINK JEEP TOURS
Sedona’s famous red-rock landscape offers adventure at every turn. Experience it for yourself with off-road tours that wind through the scenery of trails in state-of-the-art Pink® Jeep® Wranglers.
Each excursion offers an unforgettable backcountry tour with insider info from the area’s most knowledgeable and experienced local guides. Click here to book your next off-road adventure! Great for the entire family!
Pink Jeep Tours via Broken Arrow Trail
Self Care and Relax
1) Sedona is known for it’s nature and nurture, which means you can’t leave with out doing a little self-care! Head over to Jaliza’s Beauty Lounge for an all-inclusive experience of relaxation and beauty needs. Their team of experts have years of experience using top of the line products in all services maintaining long-lasting relationship with loyal clients.
2) Drop in for a non-heated or heated yoga class at Sedona Hot Yoga, where you can create mental clarity and calmness in a powerful place.
Where to Eat
Gobble Up On The Delicious Food: The food in Sedona is influenced by many traditions and cultures.
1) Elote café is one of the most favorite restaurants in Sedona and offers you some of the most delectable and spicy Mexican food, followed with impeccable customer service.
2) L'Auberge is world-renowned for its amazing food and stunning interiors. It has been listed as one of the top ten restaurants in Southwest. The menu contains food items from the local produce. The restaurant is also known for its exceptional service and professional staff.
3) Mariposa, A Latin-Inspired Grill by Chef Lisa Dahl, a trip to Sedona is incomplete if you haven’t tried the exquisite food they offer. This award-winning restaurant is known for its intricate interiors, nice ambience and exceptional food and views. The topmost dishes include empanadas, chicken and desserts. Don’t stop there, Dahl is the executive chef and CEO of five outstanding restaurants in Northern Arizona’s red rock country where she has earned international acclaim for Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa, and her newest, most buzzed-about addition, Butterfly Burger.
4) The Hudson Sedona an upscale, yet casual, local neighborhood restaurant with a patio that overlooks the scenic red rocks. Great for foodies and families!
5) The Local Juicery a local and personal favorite! Great for on-the-go. You can always rely on receiving delightful glowing juice, superfood infused smoothies, and high vibrational foods made from exclusively organic goods.
6) Creekside Coffee “Brew with a view!” Boasting unparalleled views of Sedona’s beautiful red rocks, the cafe is the place to enjoy your morning coffee from one of Arizona’s best roasters.
Places to Stay
Find Comfortable Places To Stay: Sedona is a perfect travel destination where you can lay back for days and will still long for more. Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek situated on historic orchards roots with depth of discovery, abundance, and farm-to-table ingredients in this idyllic canyon property tucked away. Enjoy well maintained, comfortable and ideally located cabins in the middle of Oak Creek Canyon. These cabins are amidst nature and offer you the peace that you have been looking for.
Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek
If you want to explore more modern options then you can surely choose from Hilton Sedona and Amara Resort. Both of these hotels provide you with great facilities, amazing service and won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Hilton Sedona’s restaurant offers a daily happy hour from 3-6pm and live music on the weekends.
Hilton Sedona
The Enchantment Resort is stretched far and wide and is meant to serve you luxury and comfort. The suites open to picturesque landscapes and you can enjoy a relaxing spa, guided biking and hiking near the resort. The dramatic red rocks of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon set the tone for an experience beyond compare. You’ll move and be moved through a unique and powerful connection to nature, exhilarating adventures, deep relaxation and the feeling of awe and wonder again and again.
A trip to Sedona for a weekend or 3-5 days is needed to see Sedona and explore the exciting places and fun things to do. Either way, enjoy the open trails and picturesque views that will have you wanting to come back for more. Friendly reminder to keep the trails and history of Sedona sacred by cleaning up after yourself!
