Things to Do in Sedona

Sedona’s activities are almost entirely outdoors and oriented around the red rock landscape. Hiking, off-road jeep tours, air tours, spiritual vortex visits, and creek swimming are the primary categories. The town itself — galleries, shops, tasting rooms — fills the margins of an itinerary built around landscape.

Hiking

Cathedral Rock Trail is the most photographed hike in Sedona. The 3.6-mile round-trip route from the Back O’ Beyond Road trailhead involves significant boulder scrambling in the upper section — not suitable for inexperienced hikers or those uncomfortable with heights. The views from the saddle between the spires are among the finest in Arizona. Crescent Moon Ranch Picnic Site (lower viewpoint with the Cathedral Rock reflection in Oak Creek) requires a $12/vehicle fee and fills by 8am on peak weekends. Red Rock Pass ($5/day) required at the trailhead.

Bell Rock Trail (Village of Oak Creek) is the most accessible major formation — an easy 1.5-mile loop around the base, with optional scrambling higher on the rock suitable for most fitness levels. No technical difficulty at the base level. One of the four vortex sites.

Devil’s Bridge Trail is the most popular hike to a natural arch in Sedona — a 4-mile round trip from the Dry Creek Trailhead to a 54-foot natural sandstone arch. The arch itself requires a short scramble on slickrock; the view is dramatic. Parking at the trailhead fills extremely early; the Mescal Trailhead alternative adds distance.

West Fork of Oak Creek (7.5 miles north of Sedona via AZ-89A) is the most sheltered hike — a canyon walk through a riparian corridor with 13 creek crossings (get wet in spring and summer). 6.6 miles round trip to the end of the canyon. Entry approximately $11/vehicle. One of the coolest hikes on a hot Sedona day.

Jeep Tours

Pink Jeep Tours (204 N AZ-89A) is the dominant operator — the pink Wrangler fleets are visible throughout Sedona. Tours range from 1.5-2 hour canyon drives to full-day adventure packages. Broken Arrow Tour (the most popular — Chicken Point overlook and Birthing Cave) from approximately $110-$130 per person as of 2026. Vortex tours, sunset tours, and astronomy tours are also offered.

Red Rock Jeep Tours and Arizona Adventure Jeep Tours are smaller operators with similar routes and competitive pricing. All operators cover the main off-road areas (the Broken Arrow area is the most spectacular for first-time visitors).

Air Tours

Helicopter tours: Multiple operators (Red Rock Air, Arizona Helicopter Adventures) fly 15-30 minute tours over the red rock formations. From approximately $170 per person for 15 minutes as of 2026.

Hot air balloon flights: Several operators including Northern Light Balloon Expeditions and Red Rock Balloons offer sunrise balloon flights over the Sedona landscape. Flights run approximately 1 hour; packages including champagne and post-flight brunch approximately $250-$350 per person as of 2026. Book several days ahead; flights are weather-dependent.

Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park (6871 N AZ-89A, 7 miles north via Oak Creek Canyon) is the natural rock slide on Oak Creek — a 30-foot chute of smooth sandstone polished by the water, flowing into a swimming hole. One of the most popular outdoor experiences in Arizona and extremely crowded on summer weekends. Entry approximately $30/vehicle in peak season as of 2026; timed entry reservations required June-August. The park opens at 8am; the parking lot fills by 9am most summer mornings.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Chapel of the Holy Cross (780 Chapel Rd) is a 1956 Catholic chapel built between two sandstone spires by artist Marguerite Brunswig Staude. One of the most architecturally significant religious buildings in the Southwest; the interior view through the 90-foot glass wall focuses on the red rock landscape. Free admission, open daily 9am-5pm. Parking is limited and fills quickly; arrive before 10am or after 3pm.

Vortex Sites

Sedona’s four designated vortex sites are locations where visitors report unusual spiritual or meditative energy. Whether or not one subscribes to the metaphysical claims, the four sites — Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon — are among the finest landscape viewpoints in Sedona. Airport Mesa (short walk from Airport Rd, free with Red Rock Pass) is the easiest to access. Boynton Canyon (northwest of Uptown, 6-mile round-trip trail) is the most remote and least crowded.

Tlaquepaque Arts Village

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village (336 AZ-179) was built in the 1970s to resemble a Mexican village — courtyards, fountains, wrought iron, and terracotta. The galleries (predominantly Southwest-influenced fine art and craft) are a reasonable afternoon option for those not spending the full day outdoors. Worth a walk regardless of shopping intent.