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Sedona, Arizona will really wow you with its beautiful red rocks, plentiful hiking trails, and some of the best artisan craft shopping in the region. This cute little town is also known for its powerful energy vortexes located all throughout Red Rocks State Park that have healing and restorative properties. Sedona is a place that can literally recharge your batteries, so in this Sedona Arizona travel guide, we’ll dive into 10 amazing things you can do in this colorful city!

Where is Sedona, Arizona?

Sedona is located 2 hours north of Phoenix, the capital of Arizona. The best way to get there is by car as there is no public transportation running to the most popular sights in Sedona.

Sedona is also two hours south of the Grand Canyon making Sedona an excellent day-trip from the Grand Canyon.

Sedona is great as a day trip because there are so many stunning vistas that you can enjoy from the parking lot if you are short on time. If you have time to spare, there are loads of hikes that you can take to really get up close and personal with the beautiful red rock formations.

If you want to see just how beautiful these red rocks are, check out our full video guide below!

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1. Red Rock Park Ranger Visitor’s Center

Your first stop when you arrive in Sedona should be the park ranger station. Sedona has over 252 hiking trails so choosing the best one for you can be a real challenge. However, at the ranger station, you can get personalized suggestions of what trails to take from an experienced park ranger. They can help you choose the best trail for your comfort level and for your time constraints.

Another great resource for Sedona hiking trails is AllTrails.com. This website lists and ranks all of Sedona’s hiking trails. You can check out the full Sedona trail list here!

2. Bell Rock

The Bell Rock trail is an easy 0.8-mile trek to the base of the rock. The trail is flat and easy to follow. You can also climb to the top of the rock if you wish, however, there is no clear path to the top. It can be a fun puzzle to figure it out though.

At 4000 feet high, this rock offers great views of the area and is popular at sunrise or sunset.

What to Bring On Your Hike

Sedona is a hot and dry, desert environment, so you want to prepare plenty of drinking water and sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for your hike. Most trails have direct sun with no shade, so be cautious of how much sun you are getting throughout the day.

You also want to wear proper athletic shoes especially if you plan on climbing any of the red rocks or if you plan on doing the rocky Airport Mesa hike. You will need the support of good-quality shoes to finish these trails.

3. Cathedral Rock

This beautiful rock formation is inspiring to see, so it’s understandable why they gave it such a heavenly name. You can admire Cathedral Rock from the parking lot or take the difficult 1.1 mile hike to the top. This trek is mostly climbing the rocks meaning you will actually need to use both your hands to climb up the rocks. It takes about an hour to climb, so if climbing is not your cup of tea, there is no shame in admiring this rock from the parking lot.

4. Courthouse Butte

The Courthouse Butte trail is a 4-mile loop that makes a complete circle around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock. The trail is flat and easy unless you decide to go rock climbing on Bell Rock or Courthouse Butte. Then it gets difficult very quickly. The trail is filled with interesting vegetation at cacti and there’s a chance of seeing wildlife as well.

You can also enjoy a pretty spectacular view from the Courthouse Butte parking lot as well if you prefer not to hike.

5. Airport Vista Overlook

The Airport Vista Overlook is a beautiful viewpoint and hike. This trailhead has a tiny free parking lot which fills up fast. There is also a larger paid parking lot where you can easily park for just $3. You can enjoy the viewpoint or hike the 3-mile trail.

This trail has amazing views but it is quite rocky.  This trail can be hard on your feet and ankles, so make sure to wear proper hiking shoes for this one.

6. Find an Energy Vortex

Sedona is well known for its energy vortexes. These energy vortexes are places where the earth’s energy seems particularly strong and is conducive to meditation, healing, and spiritual growth. These energy vortexes are known to be the strongest around Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and the Airport Mesa. By walking these trails and meditating in these beautiful locations, you can pick up on this powerful earth energy which can bring you a feeling of joy and rejuvenation.

Whether or not you believe in the power of these energy vortexes or not, it is fun to try to find these vortexes and observe if you notice any change in your energy state.

7. Chapel of the Holy Cross

This chapel is beautifully set in the red rocks of Sedona. As you climb the hill to the chapel, you will see amazing views as far as the eye can see. The view includes Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Cathedral Rock, as well as a beautiful rock wall behind the chapel.

It is truly an inspiring view that should not be missed when you are in Sedona!

8. Tlaquepaque Arts Market

This outdoor shopping center is full of local charm and artisan handiwork. You will love wandering through the beautiful courtyards filled with flowers and fountains and shop for artwork, jewelry, and tasty treats. This shopping center has lots of cute cafes and restaurants to try.

Click here for the latest hours of operation at Tlaquepaque.

9. Montezuma Castle

Montezuma Castle is located about 30 minutes outside of Sedona, but is a popular attraction to see when you are in the area. This 5-story cave-dwelling was built directly into the limestone cliffs and was used by the Sinagua Native Americans in the 1100’s. This national monument is stunning to see and learn more about its history.

For the latest hours and prices, click here!

10. Sedona Restaurants Worth Trying

Not only does Sedona offer a lot of great views, but this city also has some great food as well! After a long day of hiking and sightseeing refuel at one of these local restaurants.

• Wildflower Bread– This cafe offers high-end sandwiches, pasta, and more. They even have a nice view too! Check here for the latest hours and menu!
• Creekside American Bistro- This upscale bistro has delicious food and a delicious view from their patio. They are so pet-friendly that they even have a dog menu. Click here for their hours, menu, and to make reservations!
• The Hideaway House– This relaxed Italian restaurant is a great place to get a pizza, pasta, or sandwich. There’s nothing better than enjoying a meal with their amazing view! Click here for their hours and menu!
• Elote Cafe– This cafe is one of the highest-ranked restaurants in Sedona. They don’t have a view like some of the other restaurants on this list, but they do serve the best Mexican food in the region. It’s so popular that reservations are required. They do not take walk-ins. Click here for their hours, menu, and to make reservations!

Where to Stay in Sedona?

Accommodations in Sedona can be a little more expensive than in other nearby cities. Even motels start at $90 a night in Sedona. However, Flagstaff, which is 45 minutes away, is significantly more affordable with motel rooms starting at $40 a night.

Regardless of whether you are looking for budget-friendly motels, mid-range hotels, or high-end luxury resorts, Expedia has you covered!  Search for your perfect Sedona accommodations below!

Final Thoughts on this Sedona Arizona Travel Guide

Although we visited Sedona as a day trip, we would love to go back to try a few more trails and a lot more of the food! Sedona really wowed us and I know it will wow you as well!

Now that you know about Sedona, why not extend your trip with these other great road trip ideas!

• The Grand Canyon North and South Rim Guide
• Sequoia National Park
• Yosemite National Park