Tips for Visiting Mystical Sedona

Sedona is one of the most beautiful places on this Earth. I’m not a real emotional person, but my emotions went into overdrive when we drove into Oak Creek Canyon on our way into Sedona from Flagstaff. I had never seen anything so awe inspiring as Oak Creek Canyon, and I actually began to cry. The Canyon is a spectacular 16-mile gorge with streams and waterfalls between sheer rock! Hopefully my love for this incredible city will inspire you to visit mystical Sedona.

Sedona, Arizona

Supposedly there are 5 reported vortexes in Sedona, swirling centers of energy conducive to healing. From the ground you can actually feel vibrations and tingling. Sedona is regarded by many as both sacred and powerful, and people travel from all over to experience the mysterious forces emanating from the red rocks. I certainly believe it because I too felt something in Sedona… I felt spiritual, at peace.

What To See and Do in Sedona

Oak Creek Canyon

You absolutely have to take a drive through Oak Creek Canyon along Route 89A! Passing through the high walls of the canyon with its brilliant red cliffs and green forests is a life-changing experience. Take a stop along this breathtaking route at Slide Rock State Park and Oak Creek Vista for some really amazing views.

Make sure to also stop at the tables set up by the Native American vendors. They have some beautiful handmade jewelry and other crafts that will not break your wallet.

Hiking

The hiking boots got a real workout in Sedona. There are several trails from easy (Red Rock Crossing Trail) to really tough (Cathedral Rock Trail). Our favorite hike was Munds Wagon Trail where we had terrific views of Snoopy Rock. It was a moderate hike and a great area for a picnic. See all trails and their ratings here.

Pink Jeep Tours

To get a real feel of the land, we did some red rock crawling with Jeep Tours . We chose to take the 2 hour Broken Arrow tour through Coconino National Forest. The panoramas of the rock spires and unique rock formations were amazing! But the best part was when we went “off road” on The Road of No Return.

Wow, these guides really know what they’re doing as they navigate the rocks. We felt as if we were going to tip right over a few times, but the drivers are very skilled. It’s bumpy, but completely exhilarating! The tour was so much fun, and, oh, the sights you will see!! The Broken Arrow tour is around $115 per person, and they offer several other tours at different prices. I highly recommend this company.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

After our Pink Jeep Tour we got in our car to explore the area a little more. Our first stop was the very small Chapel of the Holy Cross , a Roman Catholic Chapel built into the mountain. We did not go inside due to long lines, but just seeing it from the outside was enough… it is very cool. If you plan to go up to the Chapel and go inside, go early! And be aware that parking is extremely limited and you may have to walk quite a ways up hill.

Palatki Heritage Site

The Palatki Heritage Site inside the Coconino National Forest has cliff dwellings dating back to AD 1150-1350, and some amazing views. There are incredible vistas everywhere you turn. One afternoon we came here and just found a quiet spot to sit and watch the colors of the rocks change as the sun went down. And when that sun does go down, you’ve never seen so many stars.

There are three easy trails at Palatki Heritage Site, each of them about 1/4 mile each way:

1. Sinagua Cliff Dwellings Trail
2. Dwellings View Trail
3. Pictographs Trail

The Palatki Heritage Site is open 7 days a week, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is a small visitor Center and bookstore just a short distance from the parking lot.

Grand Canyon Railroad

Another fun thing we did while in Sedona was take the Grand Canyon Railway from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. It’s about a 12 hour day (2.5 hour train ride, 4 hours at the Canyon and 2.5 hours back, plus pick up and drop off time). The tour starts off with a scenic ride from the Red Rocks of Sedona, through the stunning Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff and then on to the Grand Canyon. You spend about 4 hour at the Canyon… just a taste of the Canyon, but a spectacular taste. And speaking of taste, a delicious lunch is included in your train ride. See my separate post on the iconic Grand Canyon National Park.

Yes, I’m in love with Sedona and look forward to getting back there soon. Oh, and yes… I again cried as we left Sedona behind for Phoenix. There really is something to those vortexes.

Top Tours for Sedona

See all Viator tours for Sedona, Arizona.

Annual Festivals and Events

Plan a trip around one of Sedona’s annual festivals and events.

Best Time to Visit Sedona & for How Many Days

From the months of March through May, or September through November, you’ll have the most comfortable temperatures and best weather.

I wouldn’t spend less than 5 full days in Sedona. It is a stunning area with lots to see and do, and this will give you time for a train ride up to the Grand Canyon.

Where to Stay

Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Pinon Pointe

Michael and I stayed at the Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Pinon Pointe , which is surrounded by those beautiful red rocks. It was a great place to sit back by the pool in the evening and watch the colors of the rocks change as the sun went down. The staff at this Hyatt was so friendly and helpful with any questions we had. We got a room with a kitchen so we cooked most of our meals to save some money.

Finding and Booking Accommodations

Lodging is one of the most important aspects of planning a trip. You want to find the right place for the best price. Our favorite resource when making reservations for lodging is Booking.com. They really seem to have the best deals on hotels, B&B’s and rental properties. Read more about finding and booking accommodations.

How to Get to Sedona

The closest international airports to Sedona are Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG). Phoenix is about a 2 hour gorgeous drive to Sedona, and you can get to Phoenix from just about anywhere on any day. Flagstaff is only about a 45 minute gorgeous drive, but they have limited service. See how to get the best deals on flights.

Drive

We were driving in from New Mexico to Sedona (see our Itinerary for this trip here). As we made our way down the road and through all of the red rocks of Sedona, we were truly in awe. There is nothing like it in the world. A lot of people say their favorite is Grand Canyon, but for me the staggering beauty of Sedona is totally surreal.

How to Get Around Sedona

The best way to get around Sedona is with your own vehicle. See my tips on renting a car.

Share Your Travel Tips and Comments

As always, if you have any of your own travel tips to add to this post, any remarks on the article, or if my information needs an edit or addition, please leave your comments below. I value all of your input.

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