Location: Sedona
Top Things to do in Sedona
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Top 10 Nature & Parks in Sedona, Arizona (AZ)
Sedona is a true oasis, a vacationer’s paradise in the middle of the Arizona desert. Here, you’ll find resorts and spas, canyons and red rock formations. Bell Rock and Oak Creek Canyon are great hiking spots, and the dramatic architecture of the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a religious experience itself. When the sun dips down below the horizon it introduces the best show in Sedona: the night sky.
Restaurants in Sedona
1. Cathedral Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,917 reviews
Towering red rock formation, part of the Cathedral Rock Trail.
Reviewed By Cristine4412 - Pittsburgh, United States
It's a relatively easy hike to the base of Cathedral Rock, and from there you can choose the more challenging hike up the rock, or take the flat Templeton trail around the base.
2. Bear Mountain Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By rachelwY6652YZ
Love this hike. It's definitely difficult, with steep sections that require trail runners or hiking boots to do safely. Hiked in spring and recommend carrying 3.5L water because most of the trail is exposed. Views are stunning and worth the effort!
3. Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 748 reviews
Sedona's Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers the world over. The Buddhist Amitabha Stupa is an outdoor venue for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal for people of all faiths. In the park you will find two Buddhist stupas, a Native American medicine wheel, an exquisite wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and numerous quiet spots for meditation and quiet contemplation. You will experience peace in a quiet, sacred setting. The Amitabha Stupa is open every day and your visit is free of charge. The stupa is supported totally by visitor donations. The Amitabha Stupa is on private property and is owned by Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Vajryanna Buddhist Temple in Poolesville MD. Use of the property by tour guides and other business or commercial entities requires permission.
Reviewed By wreckthismess - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I believe one should experience adventure, struggle & exertion when visiting sacred spots, allowing the self to interact with its surroundings, & give up ego in exchange for peace. If you’re bussed in, conveniently dropped off at the site it’s like passing thru a fast food drive-thru & you’ll have to overcome the convenience of your entitlement to catch up to the rest of us on a natural high who arrived via the hiking trails. The Amitabha Stupa is nestled in the shadow of Thunder Mountain in the Red Rocks, amongst a network of hiking trails just above Sedona. Once at this dry parcel you’ll see a magnificent wooden Buddha perched on a ledge among the junipers, the large Stupa, a sacred structure that’s said to contain millions of wishes, sacred relics, mandalas, & prayers. Even if you don’t believe that, merely imagining it gets you halfway there. Meditate, add silence, slow down, regenerate. Many do just that, finding a welcome respite from perpetual chattering & daily data overload. Visitors offer acknowledging glances broad smiles & that’s a start. Spin colorful prayer wheels clockwise & pray for a better future, a world free of perpetual war. Even if you don’t go in for this, the mere spinning of the wheels will link you to something outside yourself. I was told by a local, self-described “old hippie” who assisted on the site’s construction in 2004 that the site is deemed holy by local native peoples & the Hopi who’ve constructed a medicine wheel of stones here.
4. Broken Arrow Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,400 reviews
Reviewed By geridicola - Chicago, United States
We took the Broken Arrow trail to the High on the Hog, Hog Heaven to Hog Wash back to Broken Arrow it was about a four mile Hike that was absolutely amazing. bring water and a snack so you can stop and soak it all in.
5. Brin's Mesa Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By chickabeegrrl - Elk Grove, United States
This is a great hike if you start at Brins Mesa and walk clockwise towards Soldiers Pass then loop north and back onto Brins Mesa. You’ll have some amazing views and a stop at a sink hole and the seven sacred pools. I’d suggest that you arrive early since parking can be tough and drive to the end of the road but beware of deep holes in the ground that you’ll have to navigate around.
6. HiLine Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By 42ericj
This trail offers incredible views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Rock, Wilson Mountain, and Cathedral Rock. The folks at the Hike House in Sedona suggested and we are thankful for their recommendation. After 10 minutes on the HiLine you are treated to incredible views for the remainder of the hike. We opted to only go out to Gracie's point and then return. We stopped to enjoy the views numerous times, ate lunch out at the point and then returned back to the trailhead. We were out for about 4.5 hours, however we really took our time, to stop and enjoy the views along the trail. The vista at Gracie's Point with nearly 360 degree views of the surroundings is breathtaking. Bring your camera and plenty of water and enjoy one of the best hikes in Sedona. You have to take the Kaibab trail to Yavapai Vista Trail then to the Slim Shady trail before getting on the HiLine trail. You travel less than 1/2 mile on all 3 trails before reaching the HiLine and it can be a bit confusing, however stay left, on Slim Shady and you will find the start of the HiLine.
7. Hangover Trail via Munds Wagon Trail and Cow Pies
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By brentb610
i try to do hangover every year i go to sedona. it is a fun trail with amazing views of sedona and wilson mtn. it is narrow with a big drop off and there are frequent mountain bikes so be aware. if you have a capable car there is parking along the trail if not then parking is limited.
8. Mescal Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Mescal Trail is a hiking trail in NW Sedona. The Mescal Trailhead is located on Long Canyon Road off Dry Creek Rd. The trailhead parking is on the east side of the road. Mescal connects east to Chuckwagon Trail, and also runs west along Mescal Mountain with sweeping scenic views. It intersects at points with Yucca Trail, Canyon of Fools Trail, Deadman Pass Trail, and Boynton Vista Trail.
Reviewed By T4734HYjohnj - Camp Verde, United States
Hiked the Mescal Trail off of Long Canyon Road in Sedona Arizona. The trail provides spectacular views of Mescal mountain as well as towering chimneys. Most notable was a rock formation that looked like Yoda from Star Wars
9. Slide Rock State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,337 reviews
Slide Rock State Park, originally the Pendley Homestead, is a 43-acre historic apple farm located in Oak Creek Canyon. Frank L. Pendley, having arrived in the canyon in 1907, formally acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910. Due to his pioneering innovation, he succeeded where others failed by establishing a unique irrigation system still in use by the park today. This allowed Pendley to plant his first apple orchard in 1912, beginning the pattern of agricultural development that has dominated the site since that time. Pendley also grew garden produce and kept some livestock. As one of the few homesteads left intact in the canyon today, Slide Rock State Park is a fine example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. The site was also instrumental to the development of the tourism industry in Oak Creek Canyon. The completion of the canyon road in 1914 and the paving of the roadway in 1938 were strong influences in encouraging recreational use of the canyon. Hence, Pendley followed suit and in 1933, built rustic cabins to cater to vacationers and sightseers. Todays visitors can still enjoy the fruits of Pendley's labor. Historic cabins are available for viewing, and the creek offers the park's namesake slide for adventures seekers and those looking for a place to cool off.
Reviewed By SinAguayo - San Bernardino, United States
$20 for parking and that is the only fee you are going to have to pay. About 15 minutes from Sedona, the scenic view to slide rock it's a treat of it's own. Pay attention though because it is a one way highway with plenty of hikers. Depending on what time you get there, you may have to wait due to the parking lot being full. We had to wait approximately 45 minutes. And there is no phone service. So... get to talking with your family or friends. The park has a small shop with all the necessities, for example: you can buy water shoes ($15), snacks, food, umbrellas, souvenirs, shirts, ice cream, and much more. They have lockers which you can rent in order to safeguard items you don't want to take with you. All we took was two backpacks with snacks and towels. The actual walk to the creek is about 15 minutes. Enjoy the walk because it has great view. The massive red rock in the distance is breathtaking. You will go down some steps that will lead you to the creek. Once at the bottom you can pick a spot to settle. BE AWARE. The rocks in the water are very very slippery. The water is cold..but once you acclimate, you will be fine. Peaceful, and enjoyable. Not very packed. Plenty of room of everyone. I highly recommend it. Follow me and my adventures fb: Sin Aguayo ig:@SinAguayo
10. Oak Creek Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,381 reviews
Breathtaking in its red rock beauty, the Canyon is a spectacular 16-mile gorge with streams and waterfalls between sheer rock walls.
Reviewed By 51gloriab - Advance, United States
We hiked the West Fork trail and enjoyed the lush area with a well-defined trail for several miles. Our necks were stretched upward as we noted what we saw in the sandstone rock structures formed by wind over the centuries. At the start of the hike, it was a treat to learn about Mayhew Lodge that once was a retreat for politicians and movie stars. We saw squirrels, salamanders, butterflies, and hawks as they thrive in the riparian community.
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