This is a fantastic park located just minutes from downtown Sedona. We met several locals who were…read moreincredibly friendly and gave us great recommendations for local food and entertainment. My children and I loved having enough space to toss a softball around on the large, grassy field--it was such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. If you have a few hours to spare, don't miss this little gem. Enjoy your day!

We love this park! We come everytime we are in town. It's clean... friendly and has a splash pad!…read moreAbsolutely gorgeous.

Too expensive! $15 to get in and the trails aren't even that long. It was $10 just a year ago…read more Also, $2 for a map - absolutely bonkers charging money for a piece of paper when there's a map once you get inside. We paid $15 to sit at a picnic table and hiked a quarter mile :/

Second time being here, so lovely! So glad we got a nice spot on a Friday afternoon during the…read moresummer as I heard it can be very busy and if they're full they'll turn you away. We took our 3 pups to walk around and chill by the water for a few hours and it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Highly recommend! Bring some beach or camping chairs and or a hammock!

We took the whole crew to Slide Rock State Park, and this one surprised a few people. On paper, it…read moresounds simple. A creek, some rocks, a natural "slide." In reality, it's a full-on experience. First thing you notice is the setting. You're tucked into Oak Creek Canyon with red rock walls rising up around you, water cutting through it like it's been doing forever. It's one of those places where the scenery alone would be enough. But then you add the water. And that water is cold. Not refreshing. Not brisk. Cold. The kind that hits you and resets your entire nervous system. Once you get past that initial shock, though, it's perfect, especially with the Arizona heat doing its thing overhead. The main attraction is the natural rock slide, which is exactly what it sounds like. Smooth, worn stone with water rushing over it, turning the whole thing into a fast-moving chute. Kids loved it. Adults pretended to be cautious and then went right down anyway. It's controlled chaos in the best way. People laughing, slipping, climbing back up to do it again. We had a bigger group, so we claimed a stretch of rock and sort of set up camp for a few hours. There's enough space to spread out if you're willing to walk a bit. Towels on the rocks, bags tucked away, everyone rotating between the water and just sitting back taking it all in. It does get busy. No way around that. This isn't some hidden, quiet spot. But it never felt overwhelming, just lively. There's an energy to it that works. Families, groups of friends, everyone there for the same reason, to cool off and have a good time. A couple practical things. Wear shoes with some grip. Those rocks are no joke. And keep an eye on your footing, especially with kids. It's fun, but it demands a little respect. What stuck with me is how simple it is. No overthinking, no production. Just water, rock, and gravity doing what they do. You show up, you get in, you laugh a little, maybe get knocked around once or twice, and you leave feeling like you actually did something with your day. If you're anywhere near Sedona and it's warm out, this is an easy call. It's not polished, it's not quiet, and that's exactly why it works.

Entrance cost is quite high, even though it's reduced to $20 from October-April. It's $30 the rest…read moreof the year. That's the time when most people enjoy the water and spend more time within the park. I guess it's a good place to take a family as the walk is easy and you can do a picnic here. We were here for less than an hour as I didn't find much to do. We walked the short Clifftop Nature Trail, which had signs for the different plants. Then we went down to the Slide Rock Swim Area. It was a nice view, but there are nice views all around Sedona that comes with a lower price tag.

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.

Recommend: Hiking boots, sun screen, backpack for water bottle, and long pants…read more Park and ride shuttle parking lot filled up before 10AM. Go early if you are a morning person. This will help to finish the hike before noon. If you are not a morning person, download the Sedona shuttle app, follow the shuttle into the lot for a parking spot. The trail up to the cathedral rock can be narrow and steep at some sections. Going up is more difficult than coming down based on our experience. The view at the top - spectacular!

I've climbed some impressive trails in my day... but Cathedral Rock clearly woke up that morning…read moreand chose violence. Sharon and I decided we were obviously elite athletes, so naturally we set out to hike it. About a quarter mile in, our lungs filed a formal complaint. Now to be fair, the trail doesn't exactly ease you into things. It basically looks at you and says, "Oh... you thought this was a walk?" From there it's steep rock, scrambling, and a steady reminder that gravity is very real. We stopped. We rested. We evaluated several recent life choices. And then we kept going. At some point along the climb it hits you: this might be the only hike where the staircase goes straight up the side of a postcard. I made it as high as I reasonably could before deciding that discretion is sometimes the better part of valor... and oxygen. So we turned back. And honestly, that's when the best part of the experience happened. As we paused on the way down, we chatted with hikers from all over North America heading up and down the trail. Every single person asked the same thing: "How far did you make it?" Not a single raised eyebrow when we said we didn't summit. Meanwhile I had been judging myself like I'd just been cut from the varsity team. From where we rested, the view over Sedona was absolutely gorgeous. Calm. Expansive. Peaceful. One of those views that makes you stop talking for a minute and just take it in. Also, small public service announcement: I originally thought this hike led to the famous chapel built into the red rocks. That would be Chapel of the Holy Cross... which is a very different destination and a much easier visit. Definitely double-check your notes before committing to this particular adventure. The trail is challenging, the scenery is spectacular, and the experience has a little bit of magic to it. Five stars for a hike that reminds you the goal isn't always the summit... sometimes it's just appreciating the view from exactly where you are.

I have a "life list" and Devils Bridge has been on it for a while. Well another checkmark on my…read morelist. The hike is fairly easy but there is an area with a small climb. The bridge itself might be a little intimidating if you have a fear of heights. The experience was as I imagined... spectacular. People line up for pictures and everyone is nice enough to take other people's pictures. Please come and create your own adventure.

Beautiful hike! You…read morewill need to start really early if you don't want to wait in line. When I say early I mean start hiking in the dark and watching the sunrise as you get there. This is what my friend and I did, and we were the third group to make it to Devil's Bridge. We were able to take our pictures without waiting more than 5 minutes. By the time we were done though, there was already a line forming. For the hike itself, it is pretty easy, especially for the first mile out. Be aware that if you do not have a car that can off-road this is a 4 mile hike, not 2. The first mile out is just walking on this dirt road. Closer to Devil's Bridge there is a small amount of scrambling, so you will need to be able to pull your weight upwards. Devil's Bridge is an iconic sight to see and is definitely worth it if you plan ahead!

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.

Every summer we come up north because Phoenix is just too hot for my mother after her heat stroke…read morein 2024. We were parked off the side well away from the road and had just eaten a lovely lunch when 3 vehicles(2 trucks. One was black and one was silver. An SUV dark gray with a man and woman) with Nevada plates pulled off and blocked the road and the flow of traffic and practically on top of us. I'm beginning to see and understand the very real complaints from people who live in Sedona when they talk about entitled and aggressive behavior from tourists. My mother exited the vehicle and spoke to the small man in the SUV(around 4'2 and he was very aggressive) I didn't hear that conversation and was on the phone when all of the sudden the small angry man popped up in front of my window spouting off about delusional scenarios where I'm taking pictures of his kids(I saw no children) and acting unhinged. I verbally ripped into the person because I don't respond well to unhinged weirdos standing right next to my window. He kept rambling incoherently about his delusions and then mentioned the litter box for the cat(yes, I bring my cat when I leave for 6 months). Apparently the lunatic thought depriving a cat of a bathroom while traveling seemed reasonable. His delusions were all over the place because he was mad for being called out for dangerously blocking traffic, being entitled and acting like an unhinged lunatic because they said they just needed to take a minute. And that's another thing I'm tired of is tourists peeing all over this area when there are bathrooms and rest stops!! Definitely the weirdest behavior I've seen up north and that's saying a lot. But!!! They are from Nevada so this can't be blamed on Arizonans. But the scenic drive is still spectacular.

I've been wanting to visit these wetlands for some time as I knew I would see some amazing birds…read morehere and so today finally made it here! Easy to find and right off of 89A in West Sedona. Parking is easy and maps and sign posts posted throughout to make your visit enjoyable. I got to see a bunch of water fowls including coots and their babies, mallards, great blue heron, green heron and many other smaller birds also! A lovely place go spend a few hours and there are restrooms and shaded picnic areas also. Definitely an awesome place for birding and being out in nature is really the best medicine!

Great place for a walk and bird watching! Best to go early in the morning. Many trails to walk.read more

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.

Bell Rock is the best place to hike in Sedona. It's a flat and easy trail for about half way up,…read moreand the signage makes it's easy to follow the path. The views are absolutely spectacle from all angles and places on the mountain and trail. There's truly nothing more beautiful than the red rocks in Sedona and Bell Rock is a place to see the true beauty. Parking can be tricky but patience is key, as people are always coming and going. Whether you're an avid hiker or a true rock climber, this mountain is for you!