Things to Do on a Sedona Weekend Trip

Sedona’s seductive landscape has long attracted healers and psychics. Many spiritualists allege that the area contains vortexes that swirl with energy and hold restorative power.

And as a result, the town overflows with crystal shops, hypnosis centers, and psychic studios.

THINGS TO SEE IN SEDONA ARIZONA

Sedona lies in northern Arizona, between Phoenix and Flagstaff. It is a popular tourist destination en-route to the Grand Canyon, and a spiritual retreat for those seeking alternative medicine, yoga retreats, meditation, and self-exploration.

Since I have little knowledge on matters of healing and energy, I’ll abstain from providing insight or recommendations related to spirituality or New Age therapies. Instead, I’ll focus this blog post on the physical features that make Sedona’s Red Rock Country one of the most captivating places to visit in the United States.

Healing centers aside, there are tons of tourist attractions and things to do in Sedona. The area boasts refreshing swimming holes, scenic vistas, Native American ruins, starry night skies, and more than 400 miles of hiking trails.

During the two days that Dan and I spent in Sedona, we set out to explore the area’s top attractions and did our best to construct a well-rounded itinerary that included hiking, swimming, sightseeing, and relaxing.

 

MONTEZUMA’S CASTLE

Montezuma’s Castle is a five story cliff dwelling that dates back to the 1100s. It lies in the Verde Valley, about 30 minutes south of Sedona’s downtown. Though situated outside of Arizona’s red rock area, its proximity to Sedona makes it a must-see attraction when visiting northern Arizona.

European settlers first stumbled upon the cliff dwelling in the 1860s. When they saw the structure, they mistook it for an Aztec relic and named it after a powerful ruler of the Aztec Empire.

The name has stayed, despite evidence that the archaeological site was constructed by Arizona’s indigenous Singua people.

In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt’s Antiquities Act established the Montezuma Castle National Monument. At the time of its enshrinement, it became one of the country’s first protected areas.

While the five story dwelling can be viewed from afar, the National Park Service has restricted access to the castle’s interior. The decision assures the continued protection of one of the best-preserved prehistoric cliff dwellings in North America.

The Montezuma Castle National Monument includes nearby Montezuma’s Well and the Tuzigoot archaeological site.

Unfortunately, due to the time constraints of our Sedona weekend itinerary, we weren’t able to visit any of the area’s other significant Native monuments.

 

RED ROCK SCENIC BYWAY

As you enter the Sedona Valley from Phoenix, the area’s red rock landscape unfolds with myriad photo opportunities and scenic vistas. The valley’s iron-infused red rocks are host to a wide array of fascinating geological features—including natural bridges, hoodoos, mesas, and canyons.

The 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway—which starts at exit 298 on Highway 17—is a popular detour from Route 66. It is an outdoor museum of geologic splendor and natural opulence.

Parking at the trailheads and scenic viewpoints along the Red Rock Scenic Byway usually requires a Red Rock Pass or Interagency Pass. Red Rock Passes are available at most trailheads and cost $5 per day, or $15 per week.

 

• BELL ROCK

Bell Rock is one of the first rock formations you’ll see as you drive north into Sedona. The rock’s dome-like silhouette rises above the verdant carpet of the Coconino National Forest. It is among the most recognizable landmarks in Sedona.

Some people claim that Bell Rock is a one of Sedona’s vortex locations—making it a popular tourist destination and place of meditation.

To reach Bell Rock, a 0.75 mile long trail leaves from the parking area and ascends the northern face of the formation.

During peak season, its parking lot tends to fill up rather quickly.

 

• CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is Sedona’s most distinct human-engineered landmark. It lies nestled amongst splendid rock formations, overlooking the Verde Valley.

Designed by Marguerite Staude in the 1950s, the Chapel of the Holy Cross protrudes from the red cliffs in one of Sedona’s most spectacular settings.

Straude was a student of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Like Wright’s masterpieces, her landmark creation emphasizes the marriage of structure and nature.

It is an engineering marvel that seems perfectly in tune with the natural setting.

Since visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of the top things to do in Sedona, the attraction can get quite crowded during peak season.

Even if you aren’t religious, however, the church is still worth visiting. The views from the chapel are some of the most striking in Arizona’s Red Rock Country.

 

• CATHEDRAL ROCK

Like Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most iconic rock formations. It is a natural sandstone butte that lures hikers and photographers with its towering pinnacles and postcard-perfect views.

Due to its distinctive shape and proximity to the Red Rock Scenic Byway, the rock formation is one of the top places to visit in Sedona.

 

OAK CREEK CANYON

Just north of town, along Arizona’s scenic State Route 89A, the Oak Creek Canyon ascends in a breathtaking series of switchbacks.

As the road meanders up the canyon walls, the landscape transitions from red rock desert to ponderosa-carpeted forest. The shift in scenery reminds me a bit of the transition between high desert and ponderosa forest in Central Oregon.

There are a few viewpoints along the 89A that provide stunning panoramas of an expansive tree-covered canyon.

The Oak Creek Canyon Vista is the most scenic. It showcases the best birds-eye views of the area and contains informational plaques outlining the canyon’s geology.

A short walk from the parking lot leads past stalls of Native handicrafts—making it a fantastic place to shop for souvenirs.

 

HIKES IN SEDONA

If you’re not traveling to Sedona for spiritual enlightenment, then chances are you’re visiting the area for its endless hiking opportunities.

Arizona’s red rock landscapes offer more fantastic hikes than Dan and I could possibly fit into a two day Sedona itinerary.

Faced with endless possibilities and limited time, we made a difficult choice to skip a few of the area’s beloved trails in favor of others.

In the end, we chose to hike Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock. Both trails showcased some of the area’s most staggering beauty and offered a reward that far surpassed the effort we put in.

If those trails don’t suit your fancy, other popular options include Airport Mesa (3.5 miles), Boynton Canyon (6.1 miles), and West Fork Trail (6.9 miles).

 

• DEVIL’S BRIDGE HIKE

Devil’s Bridge is Sedona’s most iconic hike. And while Dan and I often prefer lesser-known trails with fewer crowds, we couldn’t quite pass up on the opportunity to soak in one of Sedona’s most seductive views.

The 4.2 mile out and back Devil’s Bridge Trail leaves from Dry Creek Road, northwest of Sedona. It is a relatively easy hike, though scorching sun can make it treacherous in the afternoon hours.

For the first half of the hike, the trail to Devil’s Bridge follows a shadeless sandy road suitable for 4×4 vehicles. After the first mile or so, it climbs up a narrow shaded path that gives way to stunning views of the red-hued valley.

Devil’s Bridge is a natural rock arch that serves as the backdrop to one of Sedona’s most coveted photo spots. When we got to the top of the trail, we encountered a line of people waiting to get their perfect Instagram shots.

I stood in line for about five minutes. When I realized how long I might have to wait to get my photo taken, however, I quickly abandoned the idea.

Considering all the fun things to do in Sedona, I felt my disposable time would be better spent elsewhere.

 

• CATHEDRAL ROCK HIKE FROM BALDWIN TRAILHEAD

Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most iconic and photographed red rocks. It is also the location of one of its most beloved hiking trails.

Cathedral Rock is especially striking at sunset—when the surrounding iron-rich rocks light up in fiery shades of orange and red.

There are a few different options for reaching Cathedral Rock. The most popular route leaves from a trailhead near Highway 179. It climbs about 750 ft in 1.2 miles.

Dan and I chose to take a slightly longer route from the Baldwin Trail parking area. The 3.7 mile path took us past some of Sedona’s best swimming holes and gave us access to a largely crowd-free stretch of trail.

 

SEDONA SWIMMING HOLES

Sedona may be best known for its desert landscape, but the area has no shortage of places to cool off in the water.

As Oak Creek winds through the sandstone landscape, it carves out some of the best swimming holes in the United States. These swimming areas offer refreshing relief from the scorching summer sun.

 

• SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK

Visiting Slide Rock State Park is one of the top things to do in Sedona. The park is a beloved Arizona attraction and a popular place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.

Slide Rock is notable for its slick rock tubes that act as natural waterslides. The slides measure 80 feet long and 4 feet wide, with a 7 percent grade from top to bottom. A thin coat of algae makes the rocks extra slippery .

Entrance to Slide Rock State Park costs $20 per vehicle. The steep price does little to deter the hoards of tourists that descend on the area every day.

And for good reason.

Due of its natural chutes and scenic setting, Slide Rock State Park is consistently rated as one of the top swimming holes in the United States.

 

• RED ROCK CROSSING

Though Slide Rock State Park is the most popular swimming hole in Sedona, Oak Creek is home to a handful of other noteworthy spots that deserve mention.

Near the Baldwin Trailhead west of Sedona, Red Rock Crossing provides the opportunity swim in pools that reflect the fiery red cliffs of Cathedral Rock.

While Dan and I didn’t have much time to spend in the area, we hiked past the swimming holes and made a note to return on a future trip to Sedona.

 

SEDONA TOWN

Unless you’re into alternative healing or shopping, there isn’t anything really special about Sedona itself. Compared to its surroundings, the town is a bit of an afterthought. In fact—with its clogged-up roadways—it can be a downright frustrating place to visit.

That being said, Sedona’s surroundings are pretty epic.

And inching through the town’s boutique-clad main street is a small price to pay in order to surround yourself with some of the Southwest’s most awe-inspiring scenery.

 

• WHERE TO STAY IN SEDONA

Sedona can be an expensive place to visit. The town of 10,000 is one of Arizona’s top tourist destinations. Its visitor-to-resident-ratio skews heavily toward those who are just passing through.

When we visited on our last-minute Sedona weekend getaway, accommodation options were scarce. Casa Sedona Inn, the Whispering Creek Bed and Breakfast, and the Southwest Inn all had great reviews, but no availability.

Finding campsites last minute is similarly difficult. In the end, we chose to camp in the Oak Creek Canyon, at a loosely-established campsite down a forest service road.

 

• SHOPPING IN SEDONA

Sedona is chock-a-block full of art galleries and boutiques that cater to high end travelers. Many of these galleries carry exquisite art inspired by scenes of the American Southwest.

If you’re more of a shopper than a hiker, you’ll probably enjoy wandering around the Tlaquepaque Shopping Center. The thoughtfully designed mall resembles a Mexican village complete with a chapel, cobbled streets, and shaded courtyards.

It has a large collection of galleries, eateries, and specialty shops.

Many people would allege that visiting the Tlaquepacque Shopping Center is one of the top things to do in Sedona. And as far as malls go, I do admit it is pretty nice.

In my book, however, it pales in comparison to the area’s hiking trails, swimming holes, and scenic drives.

 

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Sedona’s Red Rock Country is among the most unique landscapes in the American Southwest. It is a wonderland for hikers, photographers, mountain bikers, meditators, and nature-lovers.

With its spectacular scenery at every bend, Sedona offers a plethora of things to do amongst some of Arizona’s most beautiful scenery.

And whether you believe in Sedona’s healing powers or not, there’s no denying the area’s magic.

 

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