Activities you can do on your own in Sedona, Arizona.
(All directions start from the "Y" roundabout at the intersection of SR89A and SR179 in downtown Sedona.)
1. Tlaquepaque - An Art and Crafts Village with Southwest Style fashioned after a traditional Mexican Village. The cobble-stoned streets are filled with over 40 unique shops and restaurants in a beautiful surrounding. Take a few hours of your time to enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of Tlaquepaque. Within walking distance of downtown Sedona.
336 State Route 179, Sedona AZ Go south along SR179, and is located on the west side of the road.
2. Schnebly Hill Road (free)- Schnebly Hill Road is the original road from Sedona to Flagstaff. The road is gravel (rough in some areas) and the scenery is amazing. Vehicles with normal clearance should be ok, and 4 wheel drive is not a requirement. About 20 minutes along Schnebly Hill Road is a steel gate where you can park and then walk for a few minutes to an overlook. If you decide to continue along the road, you can go for a good 20 minutes along Schnebly Hill Road to Oak Creek Canyon and to the top of the Mogollon Rim.
Getting there; take SR179 south, then turn left at first round-about onto Schnebly Hill Road.
3. Chapel of the Holy Cross (free) - A worthwhile trip to see this beautifully designed chapel that is open to all free of charge. It is a solemn experience that offers breathtaking views. Open daily 9-5 and Sunday 10-5. The chapel is on your left about a mile down the road. There is parking below the chapel for some nice photo opportunities. Continue up the hill and park for free. From the parking lot it is about a 5 minute walk to the chapel.
780 Chapel Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. Take SR179 south about 3 miles and turn left at Chapel Road.
4. Oak Creek Canyon - This canyon road, considered one of the top scenic drives in the U.S., travels north along (SR89A) from Sedona all the way to Flagstaff. The pristine Oak Creek flows along the bottom of the Canyon and is a great place to stop and walk to for a refreshing swim during the Summer. Oak Creek Canyon can be curvy, at times, as is takes you about 12 miles to the top of the rim where you can get out and stretch your legs and enjoy the overlook. If you are interested in Native American jewelry, locals often sell their hand-made jewelry at this overlook.
Take SR89A north.
5. West Fork Trail (Call of the Canyon Day-Use Area)- Is rated one of the best hikes in Arizona and one of the top 10 trails in the U.S., and once there you will see why. Walking along the canyon and looking up at the massive red rocks is impressive to say the least. The trail ends at a pool of water surrounded by canyon walls. This trail is rated easy and is about 6 miles round trip. Be prepared to get your feet wet as you cross the stream several times along the trail.
Located 9.5 miles north of Sedona along SR89A, past Slide Rock State Park (between mileposts 385 and 384).
6. Soldier's Pass Trail - Famous for the Devil's Sinkhole, the Seven Sacred Pools and the majestic arches located along the trail. It is rated from easy to moderate and is about 2 miles one way, until you reach Brin's Mesa Trail. The full loop is about 5 miles.
Located off of SR89A, go north on Soldiers Pass Road about 1.5 miles, go right at Rim Shadows and parking is on your left. Open 8am to 6pm.
7. Airport Mesa - See an amazing sunset like you have never seen before. This is a very popular spot and parking is limited so come early if you can.
It is located off SR89A, take Airport Rd south about .5 to 1 mile.
8. Buddhist Stupa - (Free) One of Sedona's newest vortexes. It represents the living presence of the Buddha and the Mind of Enlightenment. It's purpose is to benefit all living beings and to promote well-being and prosperity. Take SR89A south about 2.4 miles and right after Safeway supermarket go north (right) at Andante Drive for .8 miles. Then turn left at Pueblo Drive. Depending on whether or not the gate is open you can either park in the parking area or on Pueblo Drive. It is about a 5 minute walk from Pueblo to the Stupa. Trails are well marked.
9. Crescent Moon Ranch at Red Rock Crossing - A great place to have a picnic**, swim or just wade in the creek and enjoy the view of Cathedral Rock as it reflects along the water of Oak Creek. This is very popular with photographers and is one of the most photographed scenes in Sedona if not the entire Southwest. Open 8am to 8pm, off season 8 to dusk. Entrance fee is $9 per car per day (up to 5 people) and worth it. Walk-ins are $2 per person per day. Take SR89A southwest. At Upper Red Rock Loop Road (FR 21) go south (left turn) and go about 1.5 miles following the signs to Red Rock Crossing. All roads except the short segment leading from Red Rock Crossing Road to the picnic area are paved.
10. Palatki Indian Ruins (Red Rock Pass required)*- The Palatki Indian Ruins is a Heritage Site which has ancient cliff dwellings and pictographs all sheltered by colorful cliffs and red canyon. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, they are open 7 days a week and reservations are requested at 928-282-3854 between 9:30am and 3:00pm. There are two hiking trails; one to the alcove that shelters the pictographs and the second to the Sinaqua Cliff Dwellings, with each trail being half-a-mile round trip.
Take SR89A southwest, turn right at Dry Creek Road and go about 3 miles. At the stop sign turn left on Boynton Pass Road for about 1.5 miles. At the stop sign turn left, staying on Boynton Pass Road. After a few miles, the pavement will end, continue on the rough gravel road for three miles until you reach another T intersection and turn right. The road will then fork, stay to your right on Boynton Pass Road (FR795). It is about 1.25 miles to Palatki from this intersection.
11. Doe Mountain - Hike the moderate switchbacks that will take you around the top of Doe Mountain. The round trip is about 2.5 miles and offers some great views and photo opportunities.
Take SR89A southwest, turn right at Dry Creek Road and go about 3 miles. At the stop sign turn left on Boynton Pass Road for about 1.5 miles. At the stop sign turn left, staying on Boynton Pass Road and go about 1.75 miles. The trailhead is on the left and the parking serves both Doe Mountain and Bear Mountain.
12. Jerome, AZ - Heading back to Phoenix and you aren't quite ready to end your vacation just yet. Consider taking a scenic drive, back to the valley through Jerome. It has the distinction of being known as "America's Most Vertical City" and the "Largest Ghost Town in America". Jerome was a copper mining camp that grew from a group of settler's tents to a vibrant mining town, founded in 1876. Jerome is popular with tourists and bikers alike, and the streets are filled with an array of restaurants and shops. The view and the history that made this town is what continues to make this town so interesting. Plan to add about 3-4 hours to your trip, if you want to walk around and eat.
From Sedona take SR89A south for about 27 miles until you reach Jerome.
*Parking on National Forest trailheads and Indian Ruins etc. requires a Red Rock Pass: daily $5 or weekly $15. Passes can be purchased at all sites where they are required, during normal operating hours. Machines accept coins, bills, visa and mastercard. This pass does not work at Crescent Moon, Grasshopper and West Fork of Oak Creek. Fees for these areas are $9 per vehicle per day. If you plan on visiting any of these three areas more than once, you may want to purchase a the "Big Three Pass" which is $18 a week or $40 for a one-year period. This pass can be purchased at any of these three areas.
** Picnic ideas - want to gather the necessary supplies for a picnic while staying in Sedona. Visit the local grocery store Safeway (2300 Arizona 89A, Sedona, AZ) or Bashas (160 Coffee Pot Drive, Sedona, AZ) for a sandwich, chicken or whatever. Or, if you are interested in healthier options try the New Frontier's Natural Marketplace (1420 Arizona 89A, Sedona, AZ). They have a large selection of healthy food options including a full deli (sandwiches) and bakery. All grocery stores are located just west of Downtown Sedona along SR89A and all stores are located on the north side of the road. For plates, napkins and utensils ask the person at the deli counter. Also consider purchasing baby wipes, they always come in handy.
For a gourmet sandwich big enough for two people visit Sedona Memories Bakery Cafe. They are located at 321 Jordan Road, Sedona AZ which is off the main street (89A) in downtown Sedona about a 5 minute walk north along Jordan Road and is on the west side of the road. Call your order in and receive a free cookie 928-282-0032.
We want to provide the most current information available to everyone that visits our site. We are not always aware of changes in city policies and park service fees and policies. If you find any of our information to be out of date or incorrect please let us know. If there is an activity that is not listed and you believe it would be beneficial to Sedona visitors, we would love to hear from you. Thank you for your help.
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