Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona (2026 Guide)

Sedona, Arizona is one of the most visually dramatic destinations in the United States. Set among towering red sandstone formations in the Verde Valley, it draws over 3 million visitors a year with a combination of world-class hiking, spiritual vortex sites, art galleries, and adventure tours. Here are the 12 best things to do in Sedona, organized to help you plan your time.

1. Hike to Devil’s Bridge

Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area and one of the most photographed spots in Arizona. The 4-mile round-trip hike from the Dry Creek Road trailhead gains 400 feet in elevation and ends at a narrow rock fin you can walk across, with a 100-foot drop on both sides.

• Trailhead: Dry Creek Road (free parking, 0.7 miles longer) or Chuckwagon trailhead (Red Rock Pass required)
• Best time: Weekdays before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to avoid queues at the arch
• Difficulty: Moderate — suitable for most hikers with basic fitness

2. Visit the Sedona Energy Vortex Sites

Sedona is home to four designated energy vortex sites — locations where the earth’s energy is said to spiral upward or downward, enhancing meditation and spiritual experience. Whether or not you believe in vortex energy, each site is set in spectacular scenery worth visiting for the views alone.

• Bell Rock: Flat, easy access trail — great for families and beginners
• Cathedral Rock: Best views, requires Class 3 scrambling at the top
• Airport Mesa: 360-degree panoramic views, ideal for sunset
• Boynton Canyon: Most secluded, full canyon hike recommended

3. Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway (AZ-179)

The 7.5-mile stretch of AZ-179 from the Village of Oak Creek to Uptown Sedona is one of the most scenic drives in America. The road passes Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte — all visible from your car. Pull into the many roadside viewpoints for photos without needing to hike.

Pro tip: Drive this route at sunrise or at golden hour (1 hour before sunset) for the most dramatic red rock colors.

4. Take a Pink Jeep Tour

Pink Jeep Tours has operated in Sedona since 1960 and remains the most popular guided adventure tour in the area. Their open-air 4×4 Jeeps access backcountry trails not reachable by standard vehicles, including the Broken Arrow trail, Mystic Mesa, and Diamondback Gulch.

• Tours start at: $119 per person for a 2-hour excursion
• Best for: First-timers, families, anyone who wants the scenery without the hike
• Book in advance: Popular tours sell out weeks ahead in spring

5. Visit Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel built directly into the red rocks in 1956, designed by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude. The chapel sits 200 feet above the surrounding terrain with panoramic views of the red rock formations. Entry is free and it’s open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The parking lot fills quickly. Arrive before 9:30 a.m. or use the overflow lot on Chapel Road and walk 10 minutes up.

6. Hike West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon

West Fork Trail is consistently ranked among the top 10 hikes in Arizona. The canyon trail crosses Oak Creek 13 times in the first 3 miles and passes through some of the most spectacular red-walled canyon scenery in the state. The walls reach 200 feet overhead at the narrows, with ponderosa pines and cottonwoods lining the creek.

• Parking: Call of the Canyon Day Use Area — $12 per vehicle
• Distance: Up to 6 miles round trip (go as far as you like)
• Best season: October for fall foliage, April–May for wildflowers

7. Explore Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village

Tlaquepaque (tla-KAH-keh-KAH) is a 1970s arts village built to resemble a Mexican hacienda, set on the banks of Oak Creek. The 40+ galleries and boutiques carry local art, hand-blown glass, Southwestern jewelry, and ceramics. It’s free to browse and genuinely worth an hour even if you don’t plan to shop.

Don’t miss: Kuivato Glass Gallery and the Sedona Arts Center for locally made work.

8. Swim at Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock is a natural sandstone water slide carved by Oak Creek — a 30-foot chute that funnels swimmers into a cold swimming hole. It’s one of the most popular natural attractions in Arizona, drawing 100,000+ visitors per year. The park charges $30 per vehicle (up to 4 passengers) and closes when it reaches daily capacity.

• Water temperature: 55–65°F year-round
• Best time to visit: Weekdays or before 9 a.m. on weekends
• Wear: Water shoes — the creek bottom is covered in algae

9. Stargazing in Sedona

Sedona is a Dark Sky Community, officially designated by the International Dark-Sky Association. On clear nights — which account for over 300 days per year — the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. The best stargazing spots are Airport Mesa, Schnebly Hill Road, and any area east of town away from Uptown’s light pollution.

Evening Sky Tours offers guided stargazing sessions with a 12-inch telescope from $65 per person.

10. Mountain Biking on the Sedona Trail System

Sedona has over 200 miles of mountain bike trails ranging from easy flowing singletrack to technical rock gardens. The Hangover Trail and Hiline Trail are considered among the best mountain bike trails in the United States. Bike rentals start at $50/day from Sedona Bike and Bean or Thunder Mountain Bikes.

11. Take a Helicopter Tour

A helicopter tour gives you a perspective of Sedona’s red rock formations that’s impossible from the ground. AirStar Helicopters and Sedona Air Tours both operate out of Sedona Airport, with flights ranging from 12-minute overview flights ($129/person) to 45-minute Grand Canyon combination tours ($299/person).

12. Day Trip to Jerome, Arizona

Jerome is a former copper mining ghost town perched on Cleopatra Hill, 45 minutes from Sedona. At its peak in 1929, it was home to 15,000 people and Arizona’s most valuable mine. Today its population is around 450, and the steep hillside streets are lined with art galleries, wine tasting rooms, antique shops, and restaurants with views across the Verde Valley.

Best stops: Jerome State Historic Park, Caduceus Cellars winery, and the Gold King Mine for a genuine ghost town experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Sedona

What is Sedona most known for?

Sedona is most known for its red sandstone rock formations, energy vortex sites, world-class hiking, and thriving art community. It is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Community and one of the top spiritual travel destinations in the United States.

How many days do you need in Sedona?

Most visitors spend 2–4 days in Sedona. Two days covers the highlights — Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, one vortex site, and Uptown. Three to four days allows for Oak Creek Canyon, Oak Creek swimming, Jerome, and Verde Valley wineries.

Is Sedona worth visiting?

Yes — Sedona consistently ranks among the top 10 most beautiful places in the United States. The combination of dramatic red rock scenery, accessible hiking, world-class restaurants, and unique spiritual history makes it worth the trip for most travelers.

What is the best free thing to do in Sedona?

The best free activities in Sedona are hiking the Bell Rock Pathway (flat, accessible, no pass required for the base), driving the Red Rock Scenic Byway, and visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Most roadside viewpoints and the Uptown area are also free to access.