Introduction:
What? :
Sedona is a major tourist attraction town, it has it all, one of Arizona favorite destination for the hot summer days and also grate for your winter trip.
Surrounded by the amazing red-rock mountain landscape that offers excellent hiking, biking and off-road driving adventures, combined with art galleries and many spiritual centers.Sedona is prime destination by itself, having fun here for few days but it location make it also as a perfect addition to your Grand Canyon and north Arizona visit.
The town is located at the where highway 179 end and connect to highway 89A.
Google Map Link
Expect snow storms during winters.
Unfortunately, last trip we visit here we had
only one and a half day here + we got hit by major snowstorm, so we did not manage to do all what we planned.
Due note
2: You can combine this visit with your Grand Canyon trip.
Due Note 3: Sedona is a prime and popular Tourist destination and in some cases it can be overcrowded with many other visitors, full parking lots and many other peoples in the popular trails.
Due Note 4: For many of Sedona parking lots and trailheads parking you need to display either a Red Rock Pass (there are many ticket machines that accept credit) or by presenting America the Beautiful Interagency Pass on your vehicle dashboard for the duration of your hike.
Sedona Shuttle Service
When I visit Sedona (April spring break weekend, 2023) there was a service shuttle that can take you to the trailhead.
Shuttle provides transportation to popular trailheads.
The Sedona Shuttle is the free and it run year-round, Thursday thru Sunday.
When I was in Sedona, the town was full of other travelers and hikers and I saw many waiting to the shuttle bus, not sure if it was slow or not so frequent.
There is an app that shows real-time bas location.
Where? :
Located in the central northern part of Arizona about 2 hours drive north of Phoenix, about 1 hour south of Flagstaff.
The town is located at the where highway 179 end and connect to highway 89A.
Google Map Link
When? :
Year round although summer can be very hot.
Expect snow storms during winters.
Due note 1: My recommendations is to plan your Sedona visit to be at list for 3 days so you can enjoy what this town has to offer.
Unfortunately, last trip we visit here we had
only one and a half day here + we got hit by major snowstorm, so we did not manage to do all what we planned.
I did visit here several time, last time was during April 2023.
Due note
2: You can combine this visit with your Grand Canyon trip.
Related Sedona Blogs:
Sedona Shuttle Service
When I visit Sedona (April spring break weekend, 2023) there was a service shuttle that can take you to the trailhead.
Shuttle provides transportation to popular trailheads.
The Sedona Shuttle is the free and it run year-round, Thursday thru Sunday.
When I was in Sedona, the town was full of other travelers and hikers and I saw many waiting to the shuttle bus, not sure if it was slow or not so frequent.
There is an app that shows real-time bas location.
Shuttle website: https://sedonashuttle.com/
My thoughts:
In my mind this is a must visit destination even if it you are coming for only one day.
there are endless options for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, Jeep and offroad driving and more.
The view and the landscape
is unique and even if you do not have time for a hike, you can still enjoy the view from many viewing points along the roads.
The
visit:
Sedona
is known for its many and different types of tourist attractions:
1. Art community: galleries, boutiques, art stores and spiritual centers.
2. Hikes: There
are more than 200 hiking trails options, different level of difficulties, all are in
the surrounding wonderful red-rock formation mountains and creeks.
3. Many
rent/guided off-road drive options: Jeep, ATV, Helicopter tour, and a lot more.
4. Mountain-bike
rides: Sedona is one of the best mountain biking destinations in Arizona, make
sure to find a good map in local bike store.
When coming
from the Grand Canyon on highway 89A going south:
Oak Creek Vista:
Just before the road start to go down sharply into the canyon you
can find a nice vista point over the deep Oak Creek Canyon below.
Midgley Bridge Picnic Area:
This is a short stopping point on the way with a nice arch bridge
over the running river below.
Uptown
Sedona:
This is the old center of Sedona where you can find many of the famous tourist attractions like art galleries, boutiques, stores and many dining places.
You may find it
difficult to find a parking place, especially at weekends.
Sedona
Airport Scenic Lookout:
One of the most beautiful viewing points in Sedona, the parking (need to pay for parking) is right by the viewpoint so no hike.
This Mesa is a tabletop mountain looking out over the town below and the entire area,
the airport, Lodge Resort and a nice restaurant are at the end of the road.
From this
high point you see the new Sedona and all the mountain surrounding the valley.
Very nice
at sunset or early sunrise.
There is
another viewing point located on the middle of the road going up, you will see
a small parking place on your left and a short hike will take you to the
viewpoint.
Cathedral
Rock:
One of the best hike in Sedona.
In this not so long hike some climbing is involved (no need for ropes) but the amazing
view from the ridge top, right in the middle of the Cathedral rock formation, is
rewording.
People
say this is one of the nature earth energy Vortexes locations, not sure I felt the
Vortexes, but it was definitely excellent hike with an amazing view.
Start
at Cathedral Rock Trailhead on Back O Beyond Rd., this is a small parking lot
so better be early morning or at late afternoon.
The short half mile trail is going down and cross the small river and then climb up the east side of Cathedral Rock.
Some sections are quite steep and need hand
holding but if you take this short section slow it is not difficult.
After additional
uphill climb you will reach the end of the trail, a rock ledge between the
mountains. There is a short trail extension following the narrow ledge on the
right side, it will take you to cliff-adage lookout point, be careful when
walking this short trail, falling from here is not recommended 😊.
The most “classic” remote view of Cathedral Rock is from the valley below at Red Rock Crossing Park, at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site.
Broken
Arrow Trail:
This is
one of the most recommended hikes to do near Sedona, overall 3.5 miles in and
out.
Be
aware of the 4x4 trail for jeep, you can be annoyed by the noise done by the 4x4
rides that are doing the adventure drive near your hike.
The hike
starts at the end of Morgan road, where you can find a small parking lot, from
this place the 4x4 starts.
Follow the
hiking trail that is going south, this hike follows a nice canyon where the red
rock mountain peaks are watching from all sides.
Eventually
the Broken Arrow Trail will lead you to an opening in the rocks with nice viewpoint
to the valley below, this placed called Chicken Point Overlook. From here you
will hike back to your car or continue for longer hikes.
There are
few others connected hiking trails that are crossing the small mountains to their
other side and even options to create a longer loop trails, but we did not had
time to explore this option.
Yavapai
Vista Point:
A recommended
Vista Point to stop when you are driving south on highway 179.
Nice view
of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and the mountain range to the east.
Chapel
of the Holy Cross:
One of
the most impressive architectural sites in Sedona. You can see it from viewing
points near the road or get all the way and see it up close.
Bell
Rock:
This
bell-shaped formation is just south of Sedona, along the Red Rock Scenic Byway
(higway179), is one of the first notable red-rock formation you will see on your
right when approaching Sedona from the south.
Easily
accessible just off the road, this is a popular stop for tourists.
Soldier Pass Trailhead:
You can find here few interesting places like: Seven Sacred Pools, Devil's Kitchen, Soldier's Arch and Soldier Pass.
You can find here few interesting places like: Seven Sacred Pools, Devil's Kitchen, Soldier's Arch and Soldier Pass.
Boynton Canyon hiking trail:
The location of Sedona Subway hike and also offer longer hiking options.
Other recommended
activities and hikes near Sedona I did not visit yet:
· West Fork Trail: one of the recommended
hikes options inside deep canyon
· Slide Rock State Park: recommended at
summertime for called water swimming in the natural pools.
· Grasshopper Point Swimming &
Picnic Area: recommended at summertime.
· Schnebly Hill Vista Observation
Site, Merry-go-round Rock, Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook: off-road drive that
will take you to high viewing points, hiking trails and other nature attractions.
· Devil's Bridge rock: A nice recommended hike, it is 4 miles round trip and you will find rewording red-rock natural bridge at the top. This hike is very popular and small parking lot so try to come as early as you can.
· Palatki Heritage Site: well-preserved ruin and one of the largest Sinagua villages in the area.
· Crescent Moon Picnic Site: Come and
enjoy the creek on a hot day, one of the iconic photographing points of the Cathedral
Rock.
· Red Rock State Park: A small state
park, not sure it is a must visit place.
Additional
Pictures:
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