Are you in Arizona and want to go hiking? Then be sure to plan a visit to beautiful Sedona to go hiking. Sedona is part of Coconino County and Yavapai County. Close to the city of Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon and tucked between majestic red rock walls, Sedona in Verde Valley is the ideal addition during your US road trip. Keep on reading until the end of the article for the list of Sedona hikes.
During our tour a visit to this beautiful city in the southwest of the USA could not be missed. Below are the must see’s and do’s of hikes, sunsets and spirituality between the red rocks so you can fully enjoy this gem. In addition to all the natural beauty, Sedona also offers a lot for wine and culinary lovers.
>> Check here the best places to stay in Sedona
What to do in Sedona?
Nestled in the middle of striking red sandstone formations, Sedona’s spectacular landscape has attracted numerous outdoor enthusiasts, spiritual (seekers), artists and healers for years. Many people believe this area has a number of vortexes that radiate the energy of the earth, and you’ll find all kinds of alternative medicines and practices here, from rejuvenating bodywork to past-life workshops.
But even outdoorsy adventurers – and even die-hard skeptics won’t be able to leave after a visit. It’s a unique place to enjoy outdoor activities, with miles of hiking, hiking and mountain biking trails.
The city itself is bustling with art galleries and expensive gourmet restaurants. In summer, the traffic and crowds can be intense. But don’t despair: in several places in the red rock formations, a so-called “vortex” is waiting for you š .
How do I get there?
If you are flying direct to Sedona, it is best to do so from one of the nearest airports:
- Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) ā 19 miles in Flagstaff
- Prescott Regional Airport – Ernest A. Love Field (PRC) ā 65 km in Prescott Valley
- Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) ā 126 km in Grand Canyon
If Sedona is one of your stops during your US road trip by car, it’s a good 2h drive north from Phoenix. From Las Vegas, count on a 4 hour drive.
We started our road trip in the west, so came from Joshua Tree National Park. From there we drove about 5 hours towards Sedona.
When is the best time to visit Sedona?
Basically, Sedona is a good all year round destination. As such, numerous tourists and outdoor enthusiasts visit throughout the year.
If I can still recommend a time period, the best travel time for Sedona is from May through October. In this period you have a warm temperature (but not too warm for biking or hiking) and there is little precipitation. The highest average temperature in Sedona is 29Ā°C in June and the lowest is 8Ā°C in January.
Before your visit, it is best to check the Sedona government website (https://www.sedonaaz.gov/) for the latest updates around closed roads and accesses near Sedona in case of bad weather.
Where can I stay near Sedona?
The cozy village of Sedona has plenty of accommodation options. Both in the village center, and outside it, you have ample choice of bungalows, nice boutique hotels or hostels. Something for everyone.
Don’t miss out on your favorite place to stay and quickly check availability for your travel dates! TIP: For each accommodation, you can read photos and reviews from other travelers who have stayed there before.
If you are on a road trip with an RV, we recommend one of the following campsites for your overnight stay, closest to the main hike or bike starting points.
- Manzanita Campground. Manzanita Campground
- Cave Springs Campground. Cave Springs Campground
- Pine Flat Campground
- Rancho Sedona RV Park
- Verde Valley RV Resort & Campground
- Dispersed Camping around Sedona: Forest Road
Are you looking for silence, peace and not too many fellow campers? We ourselves chose to sleep at a dispersed camping spot in Sedona, which means that it is allowed to spend the night for free at a certain place. We drove to “Forest Road” for this purpose.
Do I need to take any special precautions for my visit?
In principle, Sedona is good to visit throughout the year. Yet it is advisable to adjust your preparation depending on the season in which you go. After all, it is and remains a desert area and storms (both winter and summer) regularly rage through Arizona.
Tips:
- Always bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat!
- Good hiking shoes ie. Free Hiker or Swift R3.
Sedona hikes (highlights)
Sedona is a Valhalla for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many mountain bike trails and hike trails. We didn’t have our own bikes, so we did some great hikes.
If you want to experience the spirituality that reigns in Sedona, be sure to head out and visit one of the famous vortexes! There are a number of vortexes that require some serious climbing, as well as several more accessible ones. The vortex at Cathedral Rock is probably one of the most accessible.
Cathedral Rock hike
- Distance: 1.9 km
- Difficulty: Average
- Total elevation: 213m
- Duration: 50 minutes to 2 hours
- Trail start: Cathedral Rock Trailhead at “Back O Beyond Road”
Cathedral Rock is one of the best and most popular hikes in Sedona. The hike is tough, but short enough that this hike is doable for anyone with good mobility. Count on some rock scrambling at some points during the trail and permanently beautiful views with the view at the top as the icing on the cake; this hike is cool from start to finish!
Given the popularity and rather short duration of the trail, you won’t be hiking here alone anytime soon. We started the hike an hour and a half before sunset and arrived at the summit all alone: WOW.
The vortex
Half an hour later, however, we saw a lot of people in the distance starting the climb. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a phenomenal view! At the top, turn left and climb a little further to the very highest point where you will find the Cathedral Rock “Vortex”. For anyone who is cynical about the famous “vortexes” in Sedona… We thought it was worth it and felt very relaxed afterwards š.
Sunrise or sunset are the best hours for beautiful light and photos anyway if you are into photography.
The hike is similar to the Bell Rock trail, see LINK, but with wider views.
Tip: There’s not much parking at Cathedral Rock Trailhead. Throughout the day (from 7am to 4:45pm), you can only reach Cathedral Rock Trailhead (starting point of the hike) with the Sedona shuttle bus. Do you have a car? Then come earlier than 7am or make sure you are at the trailhead roundabout by 5pm, then you can park right at the starting point: Parking ‘Back O Beyond Road’ – parking for about 45 cars.
Bell Rock hike
- Distance: 1.6 km
- Difficulty: Average
- Total elevation: 121m
- Duration: 50 minutes to 2 hours
- Trail start: Bell Rock Trailhead on Red Rock Parkway, north of the village of Oak Creek
- Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s most recognizable landmarks, making it also one of the most popular (and busy in high season) hikes.
The first 400 meters of the trail are marked with iron baskets filled with rocks. Once past the first 400 meters, the baskets disappear but you can feel free to continue hiking and figure out your own “route.”
As with Cathedral Rock, prepare for some rock scrambling to get to the higher plateaus of Bell Rock.
Bell Rock can’t be climbed to the top, but you can get pretty far. Do what feels right to you! Also on Bell Rock you’ll find a so-called vortex point.
Devil’s Bridge hike
- Distance: 3.2 to 6.4 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total elevation: 152 metres
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Trail start: Dry Creek Road to the Devils Bridge Trailhead (4Ć4 vehicle is required). Park on Dry Creek Road. Or park at the Mescal Trailhead and take the Sedona Shuttle to the Dry Creek Parking Lot.
It’s hard to choose which hike to do in Sedona, Devil’s Bridge was definitely one of our favorites too!
However, if you’re looking for hiking in more of a quiet setting, I wouldn’t recommend this hike. If you see photos of Sedona, you have very likely seen the Devil’s Bridge viewpoint in a photo before. This hike is extremely popular. Read: hundreds of people a day hike towards this bridge… It is a popular place for marriage proposals and photos.
The trail is fairly flat and quick to climb. Only on the last part, to reach the bridge you have to scramble briskly.
Chapel of the Holy Cross Sedona Vortex
- Distance: 2.1 km
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Total elevation: 52 metres
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Trail start: From Highway 89A, take Highway 179 south of Sedona toward the village of Oak Creek. Turn left on Chapel Road. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is located at the end of the road.
Are you triggered by the spiritual aspect while visiting Sedona? Then this hike to “Chapel of the Holy Cross” might be for you. It is a short, easy hike and it is said that this vortex is the “strongest” of all. While at the vortex you will see a red rock rising above your head, this is called the “eagle”. It is a special rock bulge that resembles an eagle’s head that is said to protect the chapel from evil. The energy of this vortex site is said to contain love, harmony, unity and oneness with all that is. Even as a non-spiritual hiker, this hike is well worth the effort š
