If a Sedona road trip is in the books for you, get ready for towering red rock formations, winding desert roads, jaw-dropping viewpoints, and some of the most incredible scenery in Arizona!
Sedona is famous for its massive sandstone cliffs, natural rock arches, scenic hiking trails, and mysterious energy vortices, but there’s so much more to discover beyond the postcard-worthy views.
You can scramble up steep red rocks, explore hidden swimming holes, wander through charming shopping villages, and watch the desert cliffs glow bright orange as the sun sets.
The best part? Many of Sedona’s top attractions are just a short drive apart, making it easy to pack plenty of unforgettable stops into one road trip.
This ultimate Sedona road trip itinerary covers the best things to see and do, from famous landmarks to lesser-known spots you won’t want to miss, plus helpful tips to make the most of your adventure!
1. Courthouse Butte
Courthouse Butte steals the show with its flat-topped summit, towering sandstone cliffs, and steep red rock walls that rise almost a thousand feet above the desert floor, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks along Sedona’s Highway 179.
The best way to explore this giant rock formation is the 4.1-mile Courthouse Butte Loop Trail, which circles the entire butte and takes you past twisted juniper trees, prickly pear cacti, and incredible views of nearby Bell Rock.
Along the way, you’ll get an up-close look at the butte’s layered sandstone cliffs, with plenty of spots to stop for photos without tackling any steep rock climbs.
Keep your eyes peeled for desert wildlife, including lizards and birds, especially in the early morning when temperatures are cooler and the trails are quieter.
2. Bell Rock
Located minutes away from Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s most famous red rock landmarks, rising about 4,900 feet above sea level with its massive bell-shaped formation made of red sandstone.
For a closer look, hike the 3.5-mile (one-way) Bell Rock Pathway from the Bell Rock Vista Trailhead to admire the towering rock walls, snap incredible photos, and watch hikers scramble up the smooth sandstone slopes.
If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the Bell Rock Climb trail markers to explore the upper ledges, where you’ll find sweeping views of Courthouse Butte and the surrounding red rock formations.
Bell Rock is also famous as one of Sedona’s four main energy vortex sites, attracting people who come to meditate, practice yoga, or enjoy the scenery.
3. Cathedral Rock
After exploring Bell Rock, make your way to Cathedral Rock, one of Sedona’s most photographed landmarks, famous for its towering red sandstone spires that look like the steeples of a giant cathedral.
For an unforgettable adventure, tackle the 1.3-mile round-trip Cathedral Rock Trail, which climbs over 700 feet and involves scrambling up steep, smooth sandstone slopes using your hands and feet in a few tricky sections.
The reward is absolutely worth the effort, with jaw-dropping views of Sedona’s red rock landscape from a narrow saddle between the towering spires, where you can catch your breath and snap some incredible photos.
If you’d rather skip the climb, head to Red Rock Crossing at Crescent Moon Picnic Site, where you can photograph Cathedral Rock reflecting in Oak Creek, its best views promised during the red and orange sunset hours.
4. Chapel of the Holy Cross
Your next stop is Chapel of the Holy Cross, a stunning Catholic chapel built directly into Sedona’s red sandstone cliffs, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Sedona along Chapel Road.
Completed in 1956, this architectural wonder stands out because of its massive 90-foot cross, which forms the centerpiece of the chapel’s striking design and stretches across its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Step inside to admire the simple stone interior, light a candle, or spend a few quiet minutes taking in the peaceful surroundings before heading outside to explore the viewing areas.
From the chapel’s elevated location, you’ll get incredible views of Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock and the surrounding red rock formations, making it one of Sedona’s best spots for photography without having to tackle a challenging hike.
5. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Next, head to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village along Highway 179 in the heart of Sedona, where you’ll find a charming collection of art galleries, boutique shops, and restaurants inspired by a traditional Mexican village.
Built in the 1970s, this shopping village features cobblestone walkways, beautiful fountains, vine-covered archways, and Spanish-style buildings surrounding shaded courtyards filled with towering sycamore trees.
Spend some time browsing handcrafted jewelry at Environmental Realists, admiring colorful paintings at Mountain Trails Gallery, or checking out handmade pottery, sculptures, and Southwestern artwork in the village’s many independent shops.
When you’re ready for a break, grab a margarita and some Mexican food at El Rincon Mexican Restaurante, or stop by The Chai Spot for a delicious cup of chai in its colorful, cozy seating area.
6. Airport Mesa
Drive up Airport Road to Airport Mesa, one of Sedona’s best sunset spots, where you’ll get sweeping views of the city surrounded by towering red rock formations.
For a quick adventure, stop at the Airport Mesa Vortex trailhead and take the short, rocky climb to a sandstone lookout with incredible views of Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Bell Rock.
If you have more time, tackle the 3.3-mile Airport Loop Trail, which circles the mesa beneath Sedona Airport and offers different views of the surrounding cliffs, including Thunder Mountain and Coffee Pot Rock.
It would also be a shame not to enjoy the sunset experience here, so continue up Airport Road to the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout, where you can watch the red rocks turn brilliant shades of orange and pink as the sun dips below the horizon.
7. Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park
When you’re ready to leave the incredible views at Airport Mesa behind, head to Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park in West Sedona, where a 36-foot-tall Buddha Amitabha stupa stands beneath the towering red sandstone cliffs of Thunder Mountain.
Located off Pueblo Drive, this peaceful 14-acre park features a large stupa decorated with colorful prayer flags, a smaller Tara stupa, and winding dirt paths that lead through the beautiful desert landscape.
Take the short 0.3-mile walk from the parking area to the main stupa, where you can admire the intricate Buddhist symbols, spin prayer wheels, or follow the traditional practice of walking clockwise around the monument.
This sacred site is dedicated to meditation and spiritual reflection, and you can visit for free, although donations are welcome to help maintain the grounds.
8. Devil’s Bridge
We hope you made the most of your peaceful stop at Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park, because you’re about to tackle one of Sedona’s most exciting hikes: Devil’s Bridge, a massive natural sandstone arch located off Dry Creek Road that stretches about 54 feet across.
The popular Devil’s Bridge Trail is roughly 4.2 miles (round-trip) from the Mescal Trailhead, with a steep final climb featuring rocky steps and an elevation gain of roughly 400 feet.
At the top, you can walk across the narrow-looking sandstone bridge for an unforgettable photo, with towering red cliffs, green juniper trees, and endless desert scenery stretching out behind you.
Arrive early to beat the crowds, bring plenty of water, and wear sturdy hiking shoes, since the exposed trail gets hot and the final section requires careful footing!
9. Sedona Heritage Museum
Give your legs a break at the Sedona Heritage Museum, located at 735 Jordan Road in Uptown Sedona, where you can discover what life was like before the town became famous for its red rock hikes and scenic viewpoints.
Housed in the historic Jordan family homestead, this fascinating museum showcases Sedona’s early pioneer days, including the apple orchards, cattle ranches, and farming communities that shaped the area.
Explore exhibits filled with antique farming tools, vintage photographs, household items, and memorabilia from the Western movies filmed around Sedona’s famous sandstone formations.
You can also wander through the museum’s historic buildings, including the Jordans’ family home, an old fruit-packing shed, and a tractor shed.
10. Oak Creek Canyon
For your last stop, hit the road for a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon, a spectacular 12- to 15-mile (depending on your starting point) stretch along Highway 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff, where towering sandstone formations rise above a winding creek.
One of the canyon’s biggest attractions is Slide Rock State Park, where you can splash around in Oak Creek and slide down a natural 80-foot-long sandstone waterslide carved by flowing water.
If you’re up for another hike, check out the 3- to 14-mile West Fork Trail, which follows the creek through a narrow canyon with towering rock walls, forests, and several shallow water crossings.
For incredible views from above, stop at Oak Creek Vista near the canyon’s northern end, where you can admire the dramatic switchbacks of Highway 89A winding through the forested cliffs.
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