Adventure Weekend in Sedona | 3 days
Helpful Links:
Many of the hikes I've listed in this itinerary require a Red Rocks pass for parking. I suggest purchasing ahead of time at the link below. The cost ranges from $5-$20 depending on the duration you purchase.
If you don't have a car or prefer to avoid driving, you can utilize the Sedona Shuttle which provides transportation to some of the most popular hikes in the area from two park and rides. Click the link below to see the schedule and map of where the shuttle goes.
Day 1
Devil's Bridge Hike
Start your morning off by visiting one of Sedona's most iconic hikes -- the Devil's Bridge which is Sedona's largest natural sandstone arch. This hike is extremely popular, so I recommend doing it first thing in the morning. Plus if you arrive early, you likely won't have to wait in a long line to get a photo on the actual bridge.
And if you're worried about going out onto the actual bridge for a photo, don't be! It is extremely wide and not nearly as narrow as photos on Instagram make it look.
Click the map below to see details and notes about where to park, hiking information, etc.
Breakfast at Coffee Pot Restaurant
After hiking Devil's Bridge, drive just a few minutes back into town and get breakfast at the Coffee Pot Restaurant. They have over 100 omelettes and a cute little patio to enjoy your breakfast on. This place is popular so there may be a little bit of a wait, but it is worth it. I also highly recommend purchasing one of their mugs from the gift shop. I purchased one several years ago and it is still my favorite mug.
The parking lot is tight here. Be patient as you wait for others to back out of their spot, or simply park in the Safeway parking lot nearby.
Lunch and afternoon at Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is a state park where you can, quite literally, slide down rocks! It has consistently been rated one of America's "Top Swimming Holes" and is famous for the 80-foot long rock slide formed into the red sandstone that plummets into a giant pool of water. It is a great place to cool down on a hot Arizona day!
Depending on what time of year you go, the park usually opens at 8 or 9 AM. Cost to enter Monday-Friday: $20/per vehicle; Saturday-Sunday: $30/per vehicle. The parking lot does fill up early so if you are visiting in the summer, I recommend heading here either right after breakfast or early afternoon to guarantee entrance. It is a great place to pack a picnic and spend a few hours. It is also family friendly!
Airport Mesa Vortex for sunset
This is the BEST place in Sedona to watch the sunset and one of my absolute must go to places every time I visit Sedona. As you're driving up Airport Road from W Arizona 89a, there will be an extremely tiny parking lot on your left (it comes up fast so drive slow as you approach). There's only about 8 parking spots and no street parking. Sometimes I've had to drive past multiple times waiting for someone to leave to get a spot, but trust me, it is very much worth the effort. Because of this, I recommend arriving 90-minutes prior to sunset.
From the parking lot, head up and to the left, following the "Summit Trail" signs that lead you along a wire handrail. You'll only need to hike for about 10-minutes to reach the top of the mesa where the vortex is. At the top, you'll have sweeping 360 degree views of all of Sedona, the only location in all of Sedona where you can see the entire city as once.
Sedona is known for being able to experience energy by visiting a vortex site -- energy is either entering or leaving the earth in these areas. There are several vortex sites in Sedona. And while I will say I am not really someone who believes in being able to experience those types of feelings, I do very much feel the energy of the vortex at Airport Mesa. Every time I've come here, I always feel extremely peaceful and relaxed.
Enjoy the scenery and soak in all the feelings while you wait for the sun to go down. But don't leave right after the sunset! In my experience, the views get even better once the sun is completely down. One time, we sat patiently for a little while after the sunset and then saw the moon rise over the red rocks. It was absolutely incredible and something I will never forget. Bring a headlamp and hike back to your car in the dark so you can fully take in the experience.
Day 2
Hopefully you went to bed early the night before because on Day 2, you're going to want to wake up before sunrise so you can catch it at one of the most beautiful summits in Sedona -- Cathedral Rock. Depending on how far away you are from the trailhead, I recommend waking up 2 hours prior to sunrise to ensure you catch it. There are two trailhead parking lots off of Back'O'Beyond Road, however, since I have last visited Sedona they have changed access to this trailhead to be by shuttle only Thursday-Sunday.
To hike to Cathedral Rock, you'll have two options:
#1: Arrive early enough to access the parking lot by your private vehicle. The trailhead is in a neighborhood where there are many homes and cars, so if you get there early enough you should be able to access. I've never had a problem driving to the trailhead parking lot and paying the $5 fee to park there (you pay via machine).
#2: Catch the first Sedona Shuttle at 7AM and do this hike post sunrise. Or you could always do this at sunset instead. I'm sure it is just as beautiful in the evening as it is during the early morning hours.
Click the map below to see details and notes about where to park, hiking information, etc.
Breakfast at Red Rock Cafe
Not far from Cathedral Rock is the Red Rock Cafe, where you can enjoy breakfast and, if you're up for it, a 3-pound cinnamon roll! I did not get the cinnamon roll when I visited but it did look amazing and a ton of people sitting around us ordered it.
Hike to the Birthing Cave
If you're exhausted after waking up for sunrise, either head back to your accommodations to rest up, or head to the Long Canyon trailhead to hike to the Birthing Cave. This hike is about 2 miles roundtrip and and can be done in a little over an hour. The challenge = adjusting your camera just right to capture a photograph of the entire cave!
Click the map below to see details and notes about where to park, hiking information, etc.
Lunch at Wildflower Bread Company
Head to the Wildflower Bread Company for lunch where they have soups, salads, and sandwiches. Plus, they have a giant outdoor patio so you can overlook the beautiful red rocks while you eat.
Dinner at Elote Cafe
Elote Cafe is award-winning and one of my favorite Mexican restaurants ever! They have the BEST margaritas so I highly recommend you get one -- or two! In the past, I've waited three hours just to eat dinner here because it is that good, but they now have a reservation system which makes it much easier. They allow reservations 60-days in advanced so definitely book as soon as you can because they fill up fast.
My favorite must-order items: Margarita, Elote, Grilled Halibut.
Day 3
On your last day, hike one of the more challenging hikes in Sedona — Bear Mountain. This 5-mile-out-and-back hike is a great workout and one of the less 'touristy' hikes. Because you'll ascend a little over 2,000 feet of elevation, I recommend starting this hike early, ideally by 7:30am, to avoid the heat. Bring a packed lunch so you can enjoy it at the summit while you take in all the views.
Click the map below to see details and notes about where to park, hiking information, etc.
Sunset dinner and drinks at SaltRock Kitchen
I know I said earlier that Elote has the best margaritas, but Salt Rock is a close second. Salt Rock is located at the Amara Resort and Spa, and overlooks the Snoopy Rock -- a red rock formation that looks like snoopy! I recommend making a reservation for their patio, which is their most popular seating area, well in advanced. Plus, if you have a reservation, the hotel will valet your car for free. My favorite things to order there: a margarita, grilled corn, and the cauliflower tacos.
Click into the details below to access the reservation link.
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