Landscape of Sedona and the Red Rocks at sunset, Arizona

Things to do in  Sedona

Energy vortexes for the win

Sedona, a small desert town encircled by majestic red rock canyons, looks like an old Western movie set. But don’t be fooled: Sedona offers more than just retro good looks. The city’s extensive art community, funky shops, and outdoor beauty provide some of the best things to do in Sedona for visitors. Bikers and off-road adventurers love Broken Arrow Trail and nearby Boynton Canyon Trail, while other types of outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the beauty of Red Rock State Park—home to an energy vortex (or two)—and Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Top 15 attractions in Sedona

Oak Creek Canyon

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The road that winds 16 miles (26 kilometers) through leafy Oak Creek Canyon is the most scenic route between Sedona and Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon. With dramatic red rock formations to either side, the gorge is an outdoor playground for camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming.More

Chapel of the Holy Cross

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Built directly into the side of a red-rock hill not far from downtown Sedona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a modern architectural marvel as well as a religious place for reflection. Visitors flock to the Roman Catholic chapel primarily to take in the outstanding views of Sedona’s awe-inspiring desert scenery.More

Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village

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Get a feel for the art scene of Sedona and pick up unique gifts at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. Located along the banks of Oak Creek, this picturesque outdoor shopping complex and artist community is home to more than 45 art galleries, boutiques, and specialty shops selling hand-made crafts and one-of-a-kind artistic creations.More

Cathedral Rock

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This towering 4,965-foot (1,513-meter sandstone butte stands sentinel over Sedona’s red rock landscape. An icon of Arizona, its image is often emblazoned on postcards and tourist materials. The formation draws camera-toting visitors who want to capture the sight as well as hikers who trek up the short-but-steep Cathedral Rock Trail.More

Bell Rock

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Bell Rock is a colorful bell-shaped red rock formation set in the desert outside of Sedona. The area is home to popular hiking trails, wildlife—keep an eye out for coyote and fox tracks—and vista points overlooking the surrounding valley and rock formations. The site is also known as an energy vortex and is a popular meditation destination.More

Airport Mesa

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With panoramic views of the desert, Airport Mesa is a rock formation where you’ll find Sedona Airport and a popular hiking area. According to some it’s also a vortex, an area of high electromagnetic energy. Whether you see Airport Mesa as one of Sedona’s spiritual highlights—or just a scenic one—it’s certainly a gorgeous spot.More

Seven Canyons

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Sedona is known for its red-rock views, desert life, and spiritual aura, but there’s a solid golf game here too. The Seven Canyons Golf Course is one of the top private courses in the area, offering a luxury setting skirting the edge of the Coconino National Forest. What’s more, the course houses Rachel’s Knoll, a scenic viewpoint and meditation spot said to overlook multiple energy vortexes.More

Boynton Canyon Trail

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Boynton Canyon Trail’s red-rock surroundings and easy passes make it one of Sedona’s most popular hikes. Visitors find panoramic views early during the 6-mile (9.6 kilometers) trek, where red buttes, pine forests, and canyon expanses mix. It’s a relatively easy hike with optional stops at Sinagua ruins, a “secret” cave, and, according to sages, one of Sedona’s major energy vortexes.More

Slide Rock State Park

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On the historic 43-acre (17-hectare) Pendley Homestead, just north of Sedona, Slide Rock State Park is considered one of the top swimming holes in America—it’s most famous for its 80-foot (24-meter) natural water slide. The park, set in Oak Creek Canyon, is also home to an apple orchard, historic sites, picnic areas, hiking trails, and volleyball courts.More

Tuzigoot National Monument

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One of the largest pueblos built by the pre-Columbian Sinagua people, the Tuzigoot National Monument crowns a desert ridge above the Verde Valley. Less known than Montezuma Castle, a similar monument built by the Northern Sinagua, Tuzigoot holds some of the largest ruins in the area, highlighted by petroglyphs and pithouses once accessed via ladders through doors cut into the roofs.More

Red Rock State Park

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With views of ruddy cliffs everywhere you look, Red Rock State Park is a sight to behold. Trails slice through this 286-acre (116-hectare) nature preserve, winding through manzanita juniper shrubs toward the banks of Oak Creek. The visitor center offers numerous daily activities for guests, including nature walks and naturalist activities.More

Snoopy Rock

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If you gaze at Snoopy Rock from the right angle, the red rock formation resembles the famousPeanuts dog lying on his back with Woodstock on his nose. This rock—one of the most famous in Sedona—can be spotted from a number of viewpoints, such as Marg’s Draw Trail, and the shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés of uptown.More

Oak Creek Vista

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For exceptional views out over Oak Creek Canyon, make your way to Oak Creek Vista, just off Route 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona. While the views alone are worth a visit, there’s also an artisan market led by Native American craftspeople to visit plus a seasonal information booth run by the Arizona National History Association to see.More

Verde Canyon Railroad

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The Verde Canyon Railroad winds its way along the scenic Verde River at a leisurely 12 mph (19 kph), offering passengers a unique way to experience the Arizona wilderness. The refurbished heritage railroad cars make the round-trip journey through national forest land, with stellar views out windows on both sides of the train.More

Broken Arrow Trail

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A short jaunt from Sedona, the Broken Arrow Trail is a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) trail that's rated an easy hike. It offers great views of the area's red rock scenery and draws in hikers and mountain bikers, while nearby and adjacent roads are used for 4WD tours.More

Top activities in Sedona

Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package
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Sedona Vortex Tour by Jeep
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Sedona Vortex Tour by Jeep

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$136.24
Guided ATV Tour of Western Sedona

Guided ATV Tour of Western Sedona

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$238.53
The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour
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Private Colorado Plateau Jeep Tour from Sedona
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Private Sedona Lil Rattler Jeep Tour
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Kayak Tour on the Verde River

Kayak Tour on the Verde River

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Seven Canyons 4X4 Tour from Sedona
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The Outlaw Trail Jeep Tour of Sedona
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Private Diamondback Gulch by Off-Road Jeep from Sedona
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4-Hour RZR ATV Rental in Sedona

4-Hour RZR ATV Rental in Sedona

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Private Red Rock Panoramic Jeep Tour of Sedona
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All about Sedona

When to visit

March–May is the most popular time to visit Sedona, when the days are bright and the desert blooms with cactus flowers. If you’re brave enough to tackle winter’s occasional snowfall, you’ll find fewer crowds in the offseason. Just don’t come in midsummer if you want to stargaze—one of the most popular things to do in Sedona. July and August can bring heavy rainfall, clouding its famously clear skies.

Getting around

Sedona’s picturesque Main Street—filled with art galleries, restaurants, and local boutiques—is perfect for navigating on foot. You likely won’t need a car until you start staring longingly at the craggy peaks in the distance.

To reach the buttes, canyons, and mesas that draw hikers from around the world, you’ll need transportation or a rental vehicle. You could also opt for a guided Jeep excursion. All the standard ride sharing apps are available, but they typically operate only within city limits.

Traveler tips

There’s a reason Sedona attracts so many mystics and meditators. Some believe the city to be a vortex, a location identified as radiating a powerful healing energy. Within that system, the city contains four precise points—Boynton Canyon, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, and Bell Rock—where believers say the energy is particularly intense. You can download vortex maps online and follow the energy trail yourself, or take a tour with a guide for an assisted yoga or meditation session.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
MST (UTC -7)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
17
Tours
290
Reviews
26,148
EN
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People Also Ask

What is Sedona known for?

Sedona is an oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert in Verde Valley. The town is a popular outdoor destination surrounded by red rock formations, evergreen pine forests, and trail-laced rivers and canyons. In Uptown Sedona, you’ll find New Age shops and galleries mixing with traces of cowboy and American Indian cultures.

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What should I do on my first day in Sedona?

First, explore the New Age shops and galleries in Uptown. Stop for lunch at the Wild West throwback Cowboy Club, a local favorite serving cactus fries and rattlesnake sausages. In the afternoon, visit the Chapel of Holy Cross and Red Rock State Park. Finish with a stargazing excursion at night.

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Can you enjoy Sedona without hiking?

Yes. There’s plenty to do in Sedona besides hiking, from wine tasting to shopping and resort stays. Explore the surrounding canyons on Jeep excursions or mountain biking and kayaking trips. Other options include checking out the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Verde Canyon heritage railroad, or New Age “vortex” tours.

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What are the best months to visit Sedona?

Visit during spring from March to May, or fall from September to November. These months offer the weather for outdoor activities and skip the summer monsoon season. Although Sedona has a relatively mild climate, the dry summer heat can reach the 90s°F (30s°C) and be uncomfortable for those unaccustomed to it.

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Is 4 days enough in Sedona?

Four days is ideal for visiting the major sights and checking off the popular things to do in Sedona. The town and surrounding canyons and parks can be seen easily in 2–3 days. After that, you’ll have time for the Verde Canyon heritage railroad, Northern Arizona Wine Country, and even day trips to Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon National Park, and Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon.

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Is Sedona, Arizona, worth visiting?

Yes, Sedona is worth visiting. Surrounded by red rock formations, it’s one of the most spectacular places in the American Southwest. For some, the Chapel of the Holy Cross or Red Rock State Park offers a spiritual experience. The town boasts luxury resorts, art galleries, and a mild desert climate.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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