Sedona Guide to Outdoor Adventures

Updated 3.25.24

Sedona is considered one of the most beautiful places in America to visit, and a top adventure destination. Geographically, Sedona rests in a transition zone between the Colorado Plateau and Upper Sonoran Desert. This sacred and powerful place is home to several spiritual energy vortexes, as well as an extensive trail system with unparalleled options for hiking and biking. Sedona offers astounding red rock vistas and is a perfect destination for the off-season months when the rest of the country’s trails are covered in snow. Read on for the best adventures to explore Sedona’s incredible outdoors, its spiritual vortexes, and more.

Best Time of Year to Visit Sedona

Spring/fall when temps are moderate, but if you visit during off-season there will be less people.  Winter is also a fantastic time to visit.  Sedona can get really busy during peak times (traffic, full parking lots, etc) but with the exception of holiday weeks, the winter is much quieter.  Temperatures typically range from 50-70 between December and February, and with the blazing sun it can feel much warmer.  The summer can get hot, so the best time for Sedona adventures is spring/fall and even winter!

Outdoor Adventures in Sedona

This red rock paradise is packed with endless adventures. A few of our top picks include hiking to Sedona’s mystical vortexes, shredding the world-famous singletrack on a mountain bike, paddling down the Verde River to a unique winery, and scaling the rocks in nearby Prescott.

Mountain Biking

Sedona is ranked #14 globally in the listing of best Sedona bike trail systems according to Trailforks.com. Ditch your car and experience this red rock heaven on bike. For the best bike rental shops in Sedona, compare prices and rent a mountain bike online starting at $45/day.  If you are looking to brush up on your skills, take a lesson from Sedona Mountain Bike Academy on some of the world’s best singletrack.

Best Sedona Mountain Bike Trails

Beginner/Intermediate: Chuckwagon – Mescal – Long Canyon

Chuckwagon – Mescal – Long Canyon is a spectacular 9.1-mile singletrack loop that showcases some of Sedona’s best singletrack and incredible vistas.  It is a great intermediate ride fin the western Dry Creek area, with long sections of flowy smooth singletrack with some technical rock gardens and slickrock sections scattered throughout to challenge you.  Riders who are in Sedona for their first time will find this trail a good introduction to Sedona without the strenuous climbs of some other trails in the area. This figure eight loop has smooth singletrack and is moderately challenging, with gorgeous red rock scenery.   The views on the Mescal trail are some of the best in all of Sedona, and you get to ride on some of the famous red slickrock.   It is also a hiking trails, so make sure to give them the right of way!

Intermediate: West Sedona Tour

West Sedona Tour is a 13.1-mile singletrack loop with lots of turns, some climbing and descending, and the opportunity to link together 8 classic West Sedona trails in the Dry Creek area. It can also be added to other trails like the Chuckwagon-Mescal-Long Canyon Loop (see #2) for a longer ride. These trails are some of the best riding in West Sedona, featuring the red rock terrain that Sedona is famous for.  You will get to ride a variety of terrain from smooth, flowy singletrack to slickrock and some technical rocky sections.

Intermediate/Advanced: Cathedral Big Rock Loop

Cathedral Big Rock Loop is a 12.4-mile out and back ride south of Sedona near Oak Creek Village.  The loop has some climbing and descents, and several technical rock sections. Views include the famous Cathedral, Courthouse and Bell Rock red rock mountains.  The trail crosses the popular Cathedral Rock hiking trail (hikers only) so be courteous to hikers. This ride features all the best of this popular area, and intermediate/advanced riders will love the trail’s flow and incredible scenery.

Hiking in Sedona

There are over 120 hiking trails created to experience the beauty of the Sedona Red Rocks. Hiking is the best way to experience the serenity of this red rock land. Sedona’s terrain is a mixture of the finest elements of Arches, Capitol Reef, Zion, and Bryce National Parks.  Find the best hiking guides in Sedona to discover the area’s best kept secrets – breathtaking trails to vortexes and vistas that will ensure you fully experience the magic of the red rocks.

Best Trails: Sedona hiking trails vary drastically in terms of difficulty, terrain, distance, and elevation.

Best Hiking Trails in Sedona

Beginner/Intermediate

Mescal Mountain Loop is a 4.7 mile loop that combines three trails to circle the stunning Mescal Mesa. Good for beginner/intermediate hikers, the trail’s main draw is the incredible red rock scenery. Portions of the trail traverse along the slickrock.

Doe Mountain is a short hike with gorgeous views of West Sedona/Dry Creek area.  It’s great for days when you don’t have a lot of time but you want to get a hike in.  It is just over 1.5-miles roundtrip and takes you up a rather steep, rocky trail to the top of Doe Mountain where you can explore the plateau and take in the views of the valley beneath on both side of the mountain before descending the short jaunt back to the trailhead.

Intermediate

Brins Mesa Soldier Pass Loop is an 8-mile loop trail features awe-inspiring scenery and vistas, including Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole and Soldier Pass Arch. There is some elevation, and you will climb to Brins Mesa for a gorgeous vista as well as Soldier Pass to view the arch.

The Mescal Mountain trail (2.5-mile one way) is one of our favorites in West Sedona for stunning red rock scenery.  It’s also a mountain bike trail, so be on the lookout (although hikers have the right of way).  There are several West Sedona trailheads you can start at, with Boynton Canyon being the closest.  You can make a day of it by connecting Mescal with Chuckwagon trail (5.3 miles) for a large loop.  These are also popular mountain biking trails, so we suggest not to wear headphones while hiking!

Airport Loop trail is a popular 3.2 mile trail that makes a loop around the red rock plateau that the airport is perched atop.  It’s a bit rocky but not particularly challenging, and makes a great hike around sunset as you take in the surrounding red rocks lit up by the waning rays.

Devil’s Bridge Trail is a VERY popular trail that leads to a beautiful red sandstone arch.  We hesitated to even add it to our list because of how busy it can get.  It is a steep but short hike, and the views of the Sedona red rock make the crowds (somewhat) worth it.  Going really early in the morning will help reduce the crowds, and give you a better chance of getting a parking spot.

Advanced

Hangover Trail is another great trail for spectacular scenery.  It’s located northeast of Sedona in the Schnebly Hill area and isn’t as easy to access straight from a trailhead.  Options are to take the (very rough) Schnebly Hill off-road or to hike out on Mund’s Wagon trail.  Our favorite way to do it is a 10-mile or so hike out on Mund’s Wagon, connecting to Cow Pies and then looping around on Hangover back to Mund’s Wagon trail.  The views are outstanding, and hiking over and along the red rock is a truly unique experience.

Sterling Pass Trail to Vultee Arch is a 5-mile roundtrip hike in Oak Creek Canyon climbs to the top of Sterling Pass and overlooked Vultee Arch, one of several natural red rock arches in the Sedona area. This arch is on the larger side, at 40 feet high and 50 feet wide. There are some climbs but the vistas are worth it – start early and take your time!

Sedona Vortexes

Before you leave, don’t forget to recharge by experiencing Sedona’s famous vortexes. Underneath Sedona’s spectacular beauty beats a healing heart, a place that has long been revered as sacred and powerful. Visitors come from across the globe to experience the Sedona vortexes. These energy centers are believed to be conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These vortexes are special places where the earth seems to be especially alive with energy and mysterious cosmic forces that are said to emanate from the red rocks. Many people leave Sedona feeling inspired, recharged or uplifted.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding in Sedona – Verde River

Cool off from the desert heat on a kayaking or paddleboarding adventure on the Verde River.  The Verde is Arizona’s first designated Wild & Scenic river, and a wonderful way to experience the stunning landscapes of the desert.  Most of the river is calm flatwater, but the river does have varied sections suitable for any level of paddler.  For the wine lovers out there, we recommend a guided adventure paddleboarding the Verde River to Alcantara Vineyard for an outdoor wine tasting.  This flat water float trip is the perfect way to explore Sedona’s stunning scenery.  Feel more comfortable on a kayak?  It’s also offered as a kayaking adventure.  Or choose a family friendly, self-guided half day kayaking adventure on the Verde River with a shuttle to your starting point.

 

Sedona Rock Climbing

Northern Arizona is well known for it’s stunning rock formations.  What better way to explore them than a rock climbing trip!  An easy day trip from Sedona is the lesser known treasure of The Granite Dells, just outside the city of Prescott.  This area offers outstanding rock climbing experiences for all abilities.  Leave the planning and logistics to the experts on the Sedona to Prescott All Inclusive trip.  You will be picked up from your Sedona accommodation, enjoy a gourmet breakfast and lunch, and be back in Sedona in time for dinner. All rock climbing gear, guide and a stunning drive included!  Learn more by listening in on our podcast with Arizona Climbing Guides!

GETTING TO SEDONA

PHOENIX TO SEDONA

Phoenix is a great gateway to Sedona, being an easy 2-hour drive away.  Flying into Phoenix and driving to Sedona is the most popular way to access the area, due to the large international airport and easy access to rental cars.

FLAGSTAFF TO SEDONA

Visiting Sedona from Flagstaff is another great way to get to the area.  Flagstaff to Sedona is an easy 45-minute drive through some of the most gorgeous red rock country on earth.

LAS VEGAS TO SEDONA

Las Vegas is another option – it’s about 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Sedona.   You can even visit the quaint mountain town of Flagstaff on the way!

GRAND CANYON TO SEDONA

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is only about 2 hours from Sedona, making it a great road trip destination before or after visiting Sedona.

Sedona Adventures in a Nutshell

In all, whether you enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, SUP, rock climbing, yoga retreats, or exploring energy centers, Sedona has something to offer everyone.

No matter where you plan to adventure in Sedona, make sure you follow Leave No Trace principles, and recreate responsibly outdoors to ensure our wilderness areas stay pristine for generations to come.