Slide Rock is a natural water park. Families abound. The water was a tad cold but I spent most…read moreof my time lounging on the rocks. So fun. Please come and create your own adventure.

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.

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!

It's a great hike, views are great. The transportation can be a bit challenging. If the parking lot…read moreis full and the shuttle parking is full, you will need to park in uptown and take another shuttle. Spent more time getting to the trail head vs. the time on the hike.

I really enjoyed Posse Grounds Park. It is a community park that has something for everyone. The…read morewide open spaces are perfect for walking, picnicking, or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. It's clean, well maintained, and feels very welcoming for families, kids, and visitors of all ages. We did a few hikes around here in the Sedona area and absolutely loved it!

Love love love this park! Found it as we were driving by. The kids loved riding their bikes on the…read moretrails and at the skate park! The playground was super cute and well maintained. We brought our lunch and ate at the picnic tables. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWpZV7Pgb58/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== @_mrs.campos_

I recently hiked a gorgeous trail in 105-degree weather. It was quite challenging, and halfway…read morethrough I wasn't sure if I would reach the top, but I made it! If you decide to go, here are a few tips: - There are some shaded areas where you can stop to catch your breath. - Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen. - Use a water backpack instead of a bottle; you will need both hands free for certain sections of the trail. - Parking is very limited, so I recommend arriving early. - I do not recommend bringing little kids *Beautiful views made it all worthwhile*

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.

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'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