Give Sedona three days. Hike Cathedral Rock at first light, see the Chapel of the Holy Cross, then drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway past Bell Rock. Day two: Devil's Bridge and Airport Mesa at sunset. Day three, head up Oak Creek Canyon to West Fork and Slide Rock. Take the free shuttle to trailheads Thursday to Sunday.
Sedona is a small town in a very large landscape: red sandstone buttes on every side, Oak Creek running through the canyon to the north, and national forest trailheads minutes from most hotels. Come to walk. The shops of Uptown are the part to skip.
Sedona's signature butte, reached by a short, steep scramble up slickrock to a saddle between the spires. Thursday to Sunday the trailhead lot closes to cars, so take the free Sedona Shuttle; other days, arrive before 8am with a Red Rock Pass.
The arch everyone photographs, and the line to stand on it builds by mid-morning. Low-clearance cars start at Dry Creek Vista or Mescal for about four miles round trip; the Sedona Shuttle serves both trailheads Thursday to Sunday.
Marguerite Brunswig Staude's chapel, finished in 1956, is built straight into the red rock with a cross for its facade. Entry is free. The view down the valley from the ramp matters more than the small interior.
SR 179 from the Village of Oak Creek to Sedona is an All-American Road: 7.5 miles past Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rock. Stop at the Courthouse Vista lot and walk the Bell Rock Pathway to the base.
A natural water chute in Oak Creek, on an old apple homestead seven miles up the canyon. Entry is first come, first served with no reservations, and cars cost $30 from May to September, $20 from October to April.
The mesa above West Sedona looks across the whole basin, and it is the town's sunset ritual. The vortex lot holds about a dozen cars; the paid lot at the top of Airport Road is bigger. Arrive an hour early.
A creekside walk into a narrow canyon of maples and sandstone walls, best in late October colour. The Call of the Canyon lot fills by 9.30am in busy seasons, charges a day-use fee, and does not take interagency passes.
Abe Miller built this copy of an old Mexican village between 1971 and 1978, around the creekside sycamores, with tiles and ironwork from Mexico. Entry is free; come for the galleries and courtyards, not bargains.
Sinagua cliff dwellings and rock art in a red alcove west of town, seen on a short guided walk. Book a timed ticket on Recreation.gov and bring a Red Rock Pass too. The last miles are gravel; drive slowly.
A nature preserve on Oak Creek with easy trails, shade and a direct view of Cathedral Rock. It is the gentlest walking in Sedona and the best with children. Open 8am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
A long, gentle canyon walk past the Enchantment resort into cool box-canyon forest.
The Devil's Kitchen sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools, a shuttle stop Thursday to Sunday.
Nine days of screenings; the 33rd edition runs 20 to 28 February 2027.
A free morning parade down Jordan Road in Uptown.
Three days on the region's hummingbirds; 2026 ran 24 to 26 July.
Verde Valley wineries pour at Posse Grounds Park, usually late in the month.
A weekend of more than 100 juried artists.
A week of painters at work outdoors, run by the Sedona Arts Center.
Demo bikes and group rides; moved from March, 2026 runs 6 to 8 November.
Thousands of luminarias lit across Tlaquepaque's courtyards.
The nearest major airport, about two hours south by I-17. Most visitors fly in here and hire a car.
Groome Transportation runs scheduled shuttles between Phoenix Sky Harbor, Sedona hotels and the Verde Valley.
Free trailhead buses Thursday to Sunday from park-and-ride lots to Cathedral Rock, Soldier Pass, Dry Creek Vista, Mescal and Little Horse. No Red Rock Pass needed.
A car is the practical way to reach the canyon and day trips. Many forest trailheads need a Red Rock Pass, $5 a day or $15 a week.
Pink with the fruit of the local cactus, on every bar list.
The Cowboy Club's, with prickly pear dipping sauce.
Served as sausage at the Cowboy Club.
Fire-roasted corn, the dish Elote Cafe is named for.
The fried burrito Arizona claims as its own.
Fry bread piled with beans, chile and cheese.
The grape Page Springs Cellars is known for.
Game on the Cowboy Club's high-desert menu, beside the steaks.
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