Sedona is a small but vibrant city located in northern Arizona. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, spiritual ambiance, and artistic community, Sedona has become a popular destination for tourists seeking a retreat into the stunning red rock landscapes. If you’re considering making this unique destination part of your travels, read on and learn about the best things to do in Sedona!
Best Things to Do in Sedona
1. Take a Hike
The breathtaking beauty surrounding Sedona provides visitors with some truly fabulous hiking options. The seemingly limitless trails crisscross varied elevations and terrains providing suitable easy to challenging options for all types of hikers. We’ll go into a little more depth in this section due to the weight hiking holds in the travel itineraries of most people coming to this area.
Of these trails, online research, trail guides, and several local opinions formed our consensus top three hikes: Devils Bridge, Cathedral Rock and Subway Cave via the Boynton Canyon Trail. Each of these hikes provide opportunities to experience different unique features of Sedona’s wilderness as well as provide some of the best views and photography opportunities in the area.
Devil's Bridge
Devil’s Bridge is not only the most popular hike in the area but also undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Sedona. With this in mind, you should expect the trail to be crowded, especially during peak season and weekends. Furthermore, you should expect lines and potentially long waits for snagging your iconic photos on the bridge itself. We went on a weekday during November around 9AM and only waited about 20 minutes, however be warned that the wait can sometimes be considerably longer.
Access to the trail is the most confusing part of Devil’s Bridge. For most, the easiest way is to either take the free shuttle from a park and ride location in Sedona to the Dry Creek Trailhead (shuttle operates Thursday to Sunday. For more info on the shuttle click HERE) or simply drive and park there yourself. This is the most popular option and is found on All Trails HERE. If you cannot find parking at the Dry Creek Trailhead, you can also access Devils Bridge via the Mescal Trailhead found on All Trails HERE.
The most convenient and adventurous way to experience Devil’s Bridge requires 4-wheel drive and a vehicle with very high clearance. If you type Devil’s Bridge Trailhead into google maps, you’ll notice that it seems much closer than the aforementioned Dry Creek Trailhead suggested above. That is because the actual Devil’s Bridge Trail begins along an old Jeep trail on Dry Creek Road. When driving on Dry Creek Road, you will see the Dry Creek Trailhead Parking lot on your left and straight ahead there will be a low ledge of rock and a dirt road marking the start of the “rough road” route to Devil’s Bridge. Parts of this road involve large unavoidable rock ledges and sketchy road conditions. Tread with caution if planning this route. On our last trip, we fortunately rented a jeep with high clearance and made it unscathed (albeit very dusty). The benefit of taking the “rough road” is that you cut off 1.2 miles each way of the boring dusty walk most people take from the Dry Creek Trailhead along Dry Creek Road to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead.
From the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead parking lot, the hike to Devil’s Bridge is only about 2 miles round trip. You will begin along a wide walk through desert cacti and conifers before a rather sharp ascent to the Devil’s Bridge viewing area. The last part of the trail does involve a little scrambling but overall the hike is moderate and short. For those parking at the Dry Creek Trailhead and starting with the walk along the jeep trail, the hike is 3.9 miles roundtrip.
Cathedral Rock
Widely considered another of the best things to do in Sedona, hiking to the top of Cathedral Rock is not for the faint of heart. The main Cathedral Rock Trail is just 1.2 miles roundtrip but involves 741 ft of gain. It is basically a scramble along exposed rock with basket cairns keeping you on trail. It’s fun but strenuous. The views at the top are expansive and well worth the sweat and dust. There is also a cool photo spot along the towering rock formation to the right which looks cool and isn’t nearly as scary as it looks.
Like most of the sought after places in Sedona, multiple trail options allow you to customize your adventure to fit your needs. With this in mind, I would urge those planning on hiking Cathedral rock to consider the following option. The banks of Oak Creek provide a lush and sheltered alternative to the dusty and at times desolate desert landscape. Several trail options allow you to enjoy this small oasis on your way to cathedral rock. One option involves parking at the Crescent Moon Ranch, wading across Oak Creek at the Red Rock Crossing Vortex, and then continuing along the Templeton trail to the Cathedral Rock Trail from there. Do note that the trails along Oak Creek at Crescent Moon Ranch are numerous and unmarked. Best advice would be to always take the trail closest to the river until you find a suitable crossing point near the Red Rock Crossing Vortex. Local conditions drastically alter the depth of the creek. In mid November, we had days of dry weather and still had just above knee high water for the crossing. Water shoes and a sturdy walking stick make the journey safer and far more enjoyable!
Subway Cave via the Boynton Canyon Trail
Last but not least on our best things to do in Sedona list of top hikes is taking the Boynton Canyon Trail to Subway Cave. Anyone researching Sedona on Instagram or Tik Tok has undoubtedly seen the iconic pictures of Subway Cave. More of an off the beaten trail destination compared to the other two hikes on this list, Subway Cave is a unique geological landmark unlike any we had seen before.
The hike starts at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead and gradually ascends into the canyon. The trail is much more shaded than many of the others in the area which was a nice change of pace. At 2.3 miles along the Boynton Canyon Trail, a large tree (pictured below) signals the time to turn right and continue along the Subway Cave Spur. Remarkably, there is literally no other signage for this deviation in the trail. Occasionally some well wishers will scrape “Subway Cave” with an arrow on a rock but otherwise there is no other landmark to follow. Using All Trails, google maps, and/or an odometer can help ensure you don’t miss the turn.
From there a 0.4 mile hike will take you to the Subway Cave. Accessing the cave does require a decent little scramble, but those who are sure footed with a little upper body strength will be rewarded with some truly awesome views. Adjacent to the subway cave is a cool Native American archeological site worth checking out. From here, make your way back the same way you came to the Boynton Canyon Trail and continue your journey. Some prefer to complete the last part of the Boynton Canyon Trail whereas ourselves and many others simply turn around and head back to the trailhead. The Boynton Pass Vortex is also easy to visit on your hike back to the parking area. All is all, the Subway Cave via Boynton Canyon trail is about 5.5 miles roundtrip and is an enjoyable moderate hike!
Best Things to Do in Sedona
2. Experience the Chapel of the Holy Cross
Experiencing the Chapel of the Holy Cross is widely considered one of the best things to do in Sedona. Open daily from 9A-5P, the Chapel welcomes millions of pilgrims and visitors every year. Parking and access to the Chapel is free. There are often individuals with golf carts willing to shuttle visitors between the parking lot and the chapel for donations as well. Those interested in worshiping, can find updated hours HERE.
The Chapel itself is stunning. Built 250 feet tall into the existing red rock, the chapel is known for its harmonious blending of modern architecture with Sedona’s natural beauty. 1,500 foot cliffs flank the site to the northeast whereas expansive views of Bell Rock, the Praying Hands, and various other fascinating sites lay out before visitors to the southwest. Inside, large windows help frame the 90 foot iron cross on the chapel’s southwestern wall as well as provide visitors with expansive views of the landscape below. A small gift shop is located onsite for those interested as well.
Best Things to Do in Sedona
3. Shop Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village is a unique cultural attraction in the heart of Sedona. Fashioned in the resemblance of a traditional Mexican village, the cobblestone streets and adobe buildings add to the elegance and charm of this popular destination. We believe you could walk amongst the quaint courtyards and aesthetic architecture of Tlaquepaque without entering a single store and still find your time well spent.
Visitors of Tlaquepaque are welcome to peruse a robust collection of art galleries exhibiting the fine arts of local and regional artists. We found the sculptures by Chris Navarro to be particularly interesting (website HERE). Other enticements include various upscale boutiques and specialty stores, sweet shops, and enough restaurants sure to satisfy any palate. Oak Creek Brewery and Grill has a well reviewed location in Tlaquepaque that we particularly enjoyed. For more good low-key fare, Spoke and Wheel Tavern was good as well.
Best Things to Do in Sedona
4. Unwind at Crescent Moon Ranch
Crescent Moon Ranch was perhaps the favorite of our best things to do in Sedona. Characterized by its proximity to Cathedral Rock as well as lush vegetation along Oak Creek, our most recent visit to Crescent Moon Ranch was fortuitously timed for peak fall foliage. If you’re traveling to Sedona during mid November a visit to Crescent Moon Ranch is a must!
Entrance to the park is $12 per vehicle at the time of this post. Due to the extreme popularity of the park, a local mentioned they will likely be using an online permit system soon as well. We came during a fall weekday and found the park relatively quiet. Around the picnic area there are water fill stations, bathrooms, and several open grassy areas perfect for lawn games or sport. Beyond, there are meandering trails providing access to Oak Creek and additional views of Cathedral Rock. This area is the site photographers often like to capture Cathedral Rock reflected in Oak Creek.
The trails around Crescent Moon Ranch were not marked. For those trying to access the creek, find the Red Rock Crossing Vortex, or even ford the creek to hike on towards Cathedral Rock beyond, we recommend to always take the path that keeps you closest to the water. This should help avoid getting lost and accidentally ending up in some private farmland as we did. During hotter months, we’ve read that the park is a very popular destination for locals in particular who come to swim and avoid the intense summer heat.
Best Things to Do in Sedona
5. Visit a Vortex
For many, visiting Sedona’s purported energy vortexes adds a layer of intriguing spirituality to the overall charm of the region. Some believe that vortexes are places that have a concentration of energy that can be used for various purposes. It is said this energy is at times felt as tingling, warmth, or even a heightened sense of awareness. Whether it be for meditation, spiritual retreats, or healing, visiting these vortexes are the specific reason many travel to the region making visiting the vortexes one of the best things to do in Sedona.
For the more casual traveler less interested in spiritual benefit (aka me), the vortexes are still often places of peace, beauty, and relaxation, and are well worth your time. The four best known vortexes are found at Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and in Boynton Canyon. Those more interested in the subject can further research the alleged types of energy and benefits each of these sites is known for. On our most recent trip, we visited Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, and the Red Rock Crossing Vortex in Crescent Moon Ranch. I’ll briefly describe our experience of each below.
The Cathedral Rock vortex is said to involve both the steep climb up the rock formation as well as the summit itself. The summit is a beautiful spot hard earned by the steep ascent. The Red Rock Crossing Vortex was a personal favorite. It encompasses a quiet spot along Oak Creek that we had to ourselves for the better part of an hour. The babbling brook masks the other noises of the forest and provides a peaceful sense of solitude that my wife particularly enjoyed (she opted to stay and enjoy her book here as I forded the crossing and continued hiking).
The Airport Mesa is more your stereotypical vortex. This vortex is most easily accessible by a very short 0.1 mile walk from the adjacent parking lot. For those who can’t find parking here, continue driving along airport road to the visitor parking lot (coordinates found HERE), pay $3, and take the easy 1.4 mile round-trip hike along the Sedona View Trail to the Airport Mesa. The best time to visit Airport Mesa is at sunset. You will likely encounter people meditating, practicing yoga, or simply relaxing and enjoying the views from this beautiful spot.
Best Things to Do in Sedona
6. Catch a Sedona Sunset
Sedona is renowned for its art and culture, natural beauty, and spiritual connectivity. With this in mind, catching a Sedona sunset is one of the best things to do in Sedona for visitors and locals alike. Although there are many excellent choices, we’ll quickly discuss some of the best sunset locations to help you best spend your time during your next visit.
The first thing to know is that Sedona sunsets are all about the red rocks. Contrary to some destinations, enjoying a Sedona sunset often entails facing the opposite direction and watching as the fading light plays across the different layers of colored sandstone. Some of the more popular destinations include Airport Mesa, the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout, Cathedral Rock Summit, the Bell Rock Vortex, and the Red Rock Crossing. Of these, Airport Mesa is easily accessible, wide open and our overall favorite. Cathedral Rock seems powerful as well. We found the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout to be very crowded and a little underwhelming.
Best Things to Do in Sedona
7. Wander Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is an outdoor venue for prayer, meditation and spiritual renewal for people of all faiths. Located just 2 minutes from our Airbnb it is a lesser known but fascinating addition to our list of best things to do in Sedona.
The short walking trail around the park offers several sites perfect for quiet enjoyment or deeper contemplation. Visitors are encouraged to spin the prayer wheel, tour the grounds, and learn more about this spiritual site through informational placards posted about the park. Visiting the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is free of charge but donations are encouraged. We did not see any “staff” on site and you are free to come and go as you please anytime during daylight hours. The park is private property owned by a Tibetan Buddhist Temple and maintained by volunteers.
Best Things to Do in Sedona
8. Explore Uptown Sedona
Exploring the bustling streets of Uptown Sedona is one of the best things to do in Sedona. Free parking lots, eclectic dining and enumerable shops and galleries invite visitors to this happening area of town in droves. The well reviewed Sedona Heritage Museum is also located in uptown as well.
As far as shops go, we found the Sedona Candle Gallery particularly interesting. The candles are handmade on site, refillable, and change color when lit. For food, we loved the simple elegance of the Cowboy Club and Spirits. We were treated to great steak, good vibes, and delicious bison chili!
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