This is in the top 3 hikes of everywhere I've been all over the planet and it would have been much…read morebetter if I didn't forget the backpack with our water and snacks. We came during a busy season and the trailhead opens at 8 am and does get completely full. 10 minutes before the gate opens there was already a line of cars waiting to get in. They do have a shuttle at a parking lot about an hour away if it gets too busy. Because we didn't have water or food we were only out about a 3 hours and could have easily stayed for two more. The hike starts with stairs and handrails but quickly opens up into not clearly marked paths that feel like you are walking in nature and not on a path. You'll reach Devil's Kitchen quickly and the scale is much larger in person and har to capture via pictures. It's a sinkhole with no barriers around the edge so walk carefully. A lot of people come for the Seven Sacred Pools and if you come too early the lighting isn't that great. If you scramble down to the base of the pools you can walk the dry riverbed back to the trailhead for a different experience

Soldier Pass Trail was amazing, I've been wanting to see Seven Sacred Pools for a few years now…read more We parked at Jim Thompson parking lot and walked the Cibola trail to meet up with Soldier Pass Trail, since the parking lot is small and gate doesn't open until 8am. I would definitely recommend this route, it was probably a 45 minute hike to Devils Kitchen but fairly easy. I'm so happy that these trails stay clean, everyone does a great job of leaving it better than they found it.

Most places give you a sunset. Airport Mesa apparently felt that was underachieving…read more Sharon and I headed up there in the evening to catch the famous Sedona sunset, which on its own would have been worth the trip. The sky started doing that Sedona thing -- layers of orange, pink, and gold spreading across the horizon while the red rocks glowed like they had their own internal lighting system. Just when we thought the show had hit peak beauty, we turned around. And there it was. One of the most majestic moonrises I've ever seen slowly lifting over the horizon like it had been perfectly scheduled to steal the second act. The sunset painting the sky one direction... and the moon rising bright enough in the other that I briefly wondered if I should've brought sunglasses. It felt like Sedona decided to give us the best of both celestial worlds. Sunset in front of us. Moonrise behind us. Nature's version of surround sound. The overlook itself is easy to access and well worth the stop. People gathered quietly, cameras out, everyone sharing that universal look that says, "Are you seeing this too?" Moments like that remind you why places like this are special. Beauty that stops you mid-sentence. The kind that makes everyone pause, breathe, and just take it in. Pro tip: arrive a little before sunset and stay a little after. You never know when the universe might decide to put on an encore. Five stars, no question.

Airport Mesa is located near the airport, but has a viewing area to see…read more panoramic views of Thunder Mountain, Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. It's one of Sedona's vortexes. There is an overlook area and a trail. The trail is moderate and not very difficult. A easy stop in Sedona to see beautiful views. There is parking lot and the fee is $3.

Oak Creek Canyon is the gateway to Sedona. Take SR89A for a scenic tour of the beautiful red rock…read moreformations and into the town of Oak Creek. You will ohhh and ahhh at the view that is just breathtaking. Pull outs along the way.

Lovely hike with spectacular views. Great parking lot with plenty of parking…read more Not a hard hike. Bring water and sunscreen

I would HIGHLY recommend going to do Yoga in a Vortex in Sedona. I found the website and texted…read morethe number on a Wednesday to make sure they were doing an afternoon tour that coming Saturday. Yogi Blair texted me back right away and told me she would try to coordinate. By Friday morning she had us setup with a Yoga instructor/guide. We met our guide at the parking lot a little before 4pm on Saturday. We had the most amazing experience. We stopped in 3 different spots/vortexes. The first we did a small mediation. The second we did an offering to the land. And the third we setup our yoga mats and had the most amazing yoga/sound healing experience. I truly felt the energies from the land. We did the 2 hour tour and that was plenty for us, mostly yoga/mediation, just a little hiking, all amazing!!!

I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Sedona! I came with a bachelorette…read moreparty and we all had a blast. Yogi Dani was so patient with us running late and held an excellent yoga session that was great for all of our levels of experience. It was really magical to do a practice on Cathedral rocks and you could feel the powerful energy! I loved the photos that she took and I really loved that we were able to pull oracle cards afterwards. Vortex yoga was truly amazing!

We really enjoyed our short hike at Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona, AZ…read more Bell Rock Pathway, is kid friendly and is a popular, wide trail offering iconic views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, accessible for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, with options for both easy strolls and more challenging climbs. There's free parking available and restrooms. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring water bottles before your hike. Check it out when in the area! Happy Yelping :)

I'm not saying Bell Rock called my name... but if you'd heard it too, you probably would've shown…read moreup. There's something about Bell Rock that pulls you in. Maybe it's the shape. Maybe it's the energy. Maybe it's just that classic Sedona magic. Whatever it is, I felt it. Now let's start with the one challenge: parking. Limited spots and a bit of patience required. It took a while to find a place, but I decided to call that my warmup. Pro tip: arrive early or later in the afternoon if you want better odds at a spot. Once you hit the trail, everything changes. The path is wide and welcoming. No punishing climbs. No technical scrambling. Just an easy walk surrounded by those famous red rock views that make Sedona feel like another planet. And the quiet. That's the part that sticks with you. Step onto the trail and the noise of the world fades away. You're left with open sky, towering rock, and that peaceful stillness that reminds you why people come here in the first place. Whether you're a seasoned hiker chasing summits or someone who just wants a beautiful walk through nature, this trail delivers. Put this one on your Sedona list. Because sometimes the best hikes aren't the hardest ones... they're the ones that simply make you stop, breathe, and look around. Some places you visit... and some places feel like they were waiting for you. Bell Rock might just be one of those.

Another trip up and back on the famous Broken Arrow Trail. This is my 4th time running this trail…read moreand it never disappoints. It's a short trail but a really fun trail. We saw a stock Tacoma and a stick Jeep getting dirty today. Nit recommend but they made it. I was in a Raptor today with 37" tires and I think we bottomed out two or three times. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is stock make sure you have a short wheel base and absolutely must have 4 wheel drive.

Overall a delightful hike-…read more We arrived early, so parking was easy (they had about 14 set spots)- however when leaving we noticed the lot was beyond packed & people were circling for spots (bit of advice) As we walked along the bumpy trails there was an element of rock climbing & inclined spots Also note- watch out for the Pink Jeep Tours; professional intense driving (they look like a great time) but their roads intersect with the trail a fair amount & they drive up certain viewpoint walks- The trail started off well marked, then hit a viewpoint area, and signage dropped off-while we thought we were scrambling up Chicken Point, we discovered we were just scrambling for fun & were able to view the real Chicken Point from the top of our mountain Then we wanted to take Hog Wash trail back-but couldn't find the loop connect at the end of Broken Arrow I still rate the trail very high because our random scrambles were quite challenging & entertaining- it's a great area to explore based on your capability- and offers many varying side paths

We hit Boynton Canyon Trail early. And I mean early enough that the air still had a chill to it and…read morethe light was just starting to spill over the rock. That's not a suggestion, it's the move. Give this place a head start on the day or it'll make you pay for it later. The trail opens gently, almost deceptively so. Wide path, easy footing, a kind of calm that makes you think you're in for a casual walk. Then the landscape starts to shift. The canyon walls rise, the color deepens, and the space narrows just enough to pull your attention forward. It's not a straight shot either. The trail has a rhythm to it. It bends, it reveals, it hides just enough to keep you moving. What stands out is how the environment changes as you go. You're not just walking toward a viewpoint. You're moving through layers. Open desert gives way to pockets of shade, then back out into sun where the red rock feels almost alive under that early light. The contrast is constant, and it keeps the whole thing interesting without needing anything artificial. We went as a group, mixed pace, different levels of enthusiasm, and it worked. Some pushed ahead, some took their time, but nobody felt like they were struggling to keep up or being held back. That's a rare balance. It's approachable without being boring, and it gives you just enough challenge to feel like you earned the views. And the views are worth it. There's a moment where the canyon really opens up, and you get that full Sedona effect. Towering formations, deep reds, shadows cutting across the rock in ways that change minute by minute. It's the kind of scene that makes people stop mid-conversation and just look. Phones come out for a second, then go right back into pockets because you realize it doesn't translate. Silence shows up out there in a way that's hard to find. Not total silence, but a kind of quiet that feels intact. Wind moving through, the occasional bird, footsteps on the trail. That's it. It clears your head whether you planned on it or not. By the time we were heading back, the temperature was climbing fast. That early start paid off. You could feel the shift, the desert reminding you who's in charge once the sun gets high. If you go later in the day, it's a different experience entirely, and not in a good way. A few practical things. Bring more water than you think you'll need. Wear real shoes. This isn't the place to test your balance in something flimsy. And pace yourself. It's not a race, and the trail is better when you let it unfold. There are a lot of hikes around Sedona that get attention, and for good reason. This one earns its spot. It's not just about the destination. It's the progression, the way the landscape pulls you in and keeps revealing itself piece by piece. Get there early, take your time, and let it speak for itself. Five stars without hesitation.

Started this hike a little later than planned (around 10AM), but it still turned out to be such a…read moregreat experience. If you're heading to the Subway Cave, I highly recommend downloading AllTrails beforehand. Once you're on the trail, it's not very clear where to turn off. We saw a few people along the way, but no one nearby when it actually mattered... which led to a little confusion. I only went off track for a few minutes, but my friends ended up going about a mile too far before turning back The hike is about 5 miles round trip. You'll spend roughly 2 miles on the Boynton Canyon Trail before reaching the turnoff for the Subway Cave. Overall, it's a pretty easy and enjoyable hike - mostly flat and shaded through beautiful forest scenery. The final stretch up to the Subway Cave involves some rock scrambling, but it's manageable. Once you're there, you've got a couple options: you can climb up to the left for an incredible view or head to the right and climb up a different way for another great vantage point. I saw some people (even toddlers!) navigating around the rocks, but personally that part felt a little nerve-racking for me. Parking fills up quickly so plan ahead. That said, there's plenty of street parking nearby off the street, and they run shuttles on weekends, which helps a lot. Definitely bring water. It can get hot, especially later in the day. Even though this is a popular hike, I didn't have to wait at all for photos. People were hanging out and soaking in the views, but it never felt crowded or rushed. Total time for me was about 2.5 to 3 hours, including time spent relaxing and exploring at the cave. Overall, such a beautiful and rewarding hike. Just don't miss that turn!

Red Rock State park was the passport to our Sedona adventure. I didn't realize there was such an…read moreextensive trail system. On my list now is to figure out how to stitch all these trails together and come back and do a mega hike. Please come and create your own adventure.

We took the whole family out to Red Rock State Park, and it ended up being one of the most balanced…read moredays we've had out here. Not overwhelming, not chaotic, just... right. If you've spent time around Sedona, you know how quickly things can feel crowded and overrun. This place is the opposite. It feels more intentional, more preserved. You're still surrounded by those iconic red rock formations, but here they're framed by open meadows, clusters of trees, and the steady presence of Oak Creek winding through the park. We set out as a group, a mix of adults and kids, and found trails that worked for everyone. That's the beauty of this place. You don't have to be chasing a summit to enjoy it. The trails are well-marked, manageable, and still interesting enough to keep you engaged. You're moving through changing terrain the whole time. One minute you're walking through sunlit grass, the next you're tucked into shade near the water, then you turn a corner and the red rock rises up again like it's been waiting for you. The creek pulls you in. There's something about moving water in the desert that makes you slow down without realizing it. We stopped more than once just to sit for a minute, let the kids explore a bit, listen to the sound of it moving over rock. No rush, no pressure to keep pushing forward. Wildlife shows up if you're paying attention. Birds moving through the trees, the occasional lizard darting across the trail, subtle signs that this isn't just a scenic backdrop, it's a living system doing its thing. What stood out most was the pace. This isn't a place that demands anything from you. It lets you take it in at your own speed. Some of us pushed a little farther down the trail, others hung back and soaked it in. Nobody felt like they were missing out. It's also one of those rare parks that feels curated without feeling artificial. You can tell it's cared for. Trails are maintained, signage is clear, and there's a quiet respect for the environment that seems to carry over to the people visiting. By the time we looped back, nobody was checking the time. That's usually a sign you picked the right place. If Sedona at its busiest feels like a spectacle, this feels like a conversation. Same landscape, different tone. And sometimes that's exactly what you want.