Sedona offers several distinct approaches to planning a trip: shared paths in the city, hiking destinations with scenic views and archaeological sites, art and local history, and spiritual places. If you’re looking for a hotel, choosing a main focus can help you plan: Would you primarily like to hike and spend time outdoors, explore art and history, or include prayer and meditation in your stay? The options below offer specific themes to help you plan.
Paths and Scenic Viewpoints
The Sedona Trails & Pathways System (ST&PS) is a citywide network of shared, non-motorized paths. It serves cyclists, walkers, hikers and runners, and connects residential neighborhoods, shopping areas, workplaces, schools, parks, open spaces and the surrounding National Forest. The network therefore includes both everyday destinations and open spaces. Some hiking trails in Sedona lead to scenic viewpoints and archaeological sites. You can get information and maps of the trails at the Visitors Center; as this visitor service may change, it’s a good idea to check before your trip.
One specific destination for views of the landscape is the Airport Scenic Overlook. From there, you can see Chimney Rock, Thunder Mountain, Coffee Pot and other mountains in West Sedona. The Sedona View Trail is 0.7 miles long and connects the overlook with the Vortex parking area below. This gives you a choice between hiking trails to scenic viewpoints or archaeological sites and this specifically named connection.
Local History and Art
The permanent exhibits at the Sedona Heritage Museum cover the early settlers, ranching and cowboys, fruit growing, films shot in Sedona, and Sedona Schnebly, the city’s namesake. The topics range from settlement and work to film history and the person whose name Sedona bears. Individual exhibits may change.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village offers a different cultural focus: this Spanish-style plaza includes galleries, arts and crafts shops, and studios. At the Sedona Arts Center, the focus is on classes, exhibitions and events for artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels. The center has offered these activities since 1958; its current program may change. While Tlaquepaque brings together galleries, shops and studios, the Arts Center also offers classes and events. This lets you incorporate different interests in art and culture into your trip planning.
Spiritual Places and Visit Planning
The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park in Sedona is a spiritual place for prayer and meditation. At the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built on land in the Coconino National Forest, you can experience the Chapel through a Catholic Mass, the Taizé prayer service, its works of art or the Healing Prayer Team. Programs and services may change, so check the schedule before your trip if you’re planning to attend any of these offerings. The Chapel has only 45 parking spaces. As parking conditions may change, it’s also a good idea to check before your visit.
Getting There and Activities in the National Forest
If you’re driving from the north, you can take State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon; it is one of Arizona’s designated Scenic Byways. Road conditions and access may vary by season, so it’s a good idea to check current conditions before you drive. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has designated SR-179 an All American Road. The designation is based on its natural, recreational and scenic qualities. The two routes therefore offer different points of reference: 89A is described as a northern driving route, while SR-179 is distinguished by its designation.
For recreational activities such as hiking, biking and swimming on National Forest land in Red Rock Country, one of the following passes is required: Red Rock Pass, Golden Eagle, Golden Age or Golden Access. As pass rules may change, check the current requirements before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Williams, Tusayan, Grand Canyon Village, Tuba City, Bellemont, Page, Flagstaff.
For the overview of the wider region: Coconino.
