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    Thunder Mountain Trailhead

    4.6 (9 reviews)

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    Rhapsody Road St., Park here if the parking lot is full
    John H.

    Stunning! How can this trail not be on Yelp?! All along Thunder Mountain Rd. are gorgeous red rock views and trails. My trek was only a mile in and back but it was striking. I went up Summit Trail via Lower Chimney Trail. First 3/4 is very gradual and fairly flat. The last quarter mile is a sharp incline. Hard work going up, but more challenging coming down with the loose rock. Wear sturdy shoes! Remember where you came up, as from top, everything looks the same. The pictures says it all, you get a 360 degree view from on top. You will be looking onto Thunder Mountain, so realize you won't be going on the Thunder Mountain trail. Counter-intuitive but to see the mountain you hike one facing it. Free for all but limited paking. I parked just down the street instead.

    So beautiful and laid back here
    Jessy M.

    I did the chimney rock loop today before I head home. Trail is east to follow and there are signs too but the trail is pretty easy, just a few steps here and there but totally doable and so pretty. Love that this was just outside my door for a little morning hike before driving and flying.

    Anastacia R.

    I love love this trail. It seems like a hidden gem. I would say it's a moderate hike with a mild climb and lots of steps. Hiked the loop by myself and felt pretty safe...you'll run into a few hikers depending on what time you go. It's so pretty! And once you're around the backside of the trail--you feel like you've found a secret spot. It's beautiful!

    More views
    Kelly S.

    So we kinda just stumbled on this trail from another attraction. We followed it for about 3.5 miles via another trail. It was a relatively easy hike with gradual incline. You get a lot of views of chimney rock which was cool. You also get a lot of the red rock views. I would say it's not the most amazing trail that you will find in Sedona but it is a bit less traveled and I prefer that personally. We only saw a few other people hiking. It also appeared to have some areas for rock climbing. It's worth a stop.

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great hike, we did the lower chimney trail that loops all the way around. Beautiful and hardly anyone was there!

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    Slide Rock State Park

    Slide Rock State Park

    4.5
    (412 reviews)
    6.0 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Rock formation overlooking the picnic area
    Rock formation overlooking the picnic area
    Western Fence lizard sunbathing
    Western Fence lizard sunbathing
    Slide Rock Park

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    Slide Rock Park
    Red Rock State Park

    Red Rock State Park

    4.4
    (182 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Red Rock State Park
    Nightshade
    Nightshade
    Snoopi

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    Airport Mesa

    Airport Mesa

    4.4
    (146 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    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.

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    Airport Mesa
    On top of airport mesa
    On top of airport mesa
    Airport Mesa

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    Thunder Mountain Trailhead - parks - Updated June 2026

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