10 Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona, is a stunning, one-of-a-kind red rock destination in the heart of the Southwest U.S., renowned for its beautiful—but not too difficult—hiking trails and small-town feel that gives Sedona its western charm!
Some of the best things to do in Sedona include everything from scenic day hikes, hidden caves, and little swimming holes to great food, shopping, and some of the best sunrises and sunsets in the Southwest, because of how the beautiful red rock lights up during golden hour!
I say all this because whether you’re planning a road trip through Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon, Havasupai, or perhaps something even bigger that includes the parks in southern Utah—like Bryce Canyon—add Sedona to your bucket list! Few places across the Southwest stand out as much for being as fun, picturesque, and accessible as the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest in Sedona!
All this to say, Sedona is one of my personal favorite places to visit in northern Arizona—a place I’ve been fortunate to return to many times. This is why I highly recommend dedicating more than a few nights in the area, as there’s truly nothing better than enjoying the best of the best in red rock country—especially if you like to hike for sunset!
Southwest Hiking Checklist
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Southwest U.S.
10 Best Things to Do in Sedona
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but as for any adventure in the Southwest, it’s best to plan your trip around the conditions.
What I mean is that the summer season often brings temperatures that can soar well into the upper 90s °F (35+ °C) and even above 100 °F (37.8 °C)—not to mention monsoonal thunderstorms that can pop up out of nowhere.
This is all to say, make smart decisions and know your limits!
On a different note, be aware that the most trailheads in Sedona are considered U.S. Fee Areas, meaning that hikers are required to pay to park or leave a valid federal recreation pass—like the ones commonly used for National Park entry—in the dash of your vehicle.
1. Bell Rock Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Bell Rock Trail is the best of the best in Sedona!
By this, I mean that Bell Rock is the best sunset hike in all of Sedona, but what I think sets Bell Rock apart from most other trails is that it can be as easy or as challenging of an adventure as you’re looking to have—getting all the way up to a Class 4 climb for those interested in making their way to the summit.
However, it is most common to hike the main Bell Rock Trail up the Bell Rock Climb to one of a number of different beautiful viewpoints below the true summit, which you can learn about in more detail in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Bell Rock Trail
2. Devil’s Bridge Trail
Distance (One Way): 2.0 - 2.9 miles / 3.2 - 4.7 km
Devil’s Bridge is one of the most popular day hikes in Sedona, but what sets the Devil’s Bridge Trail apart from other day hikes in the Red Rock Ranger District is that Devil’s Bridge is uniquely one of the best places to catch both sunrise and sunset—both of which are great times of day to avoid the majority of the crowds at this popular destination.
That being said, the Devil’s Bridge Trail can be accessed from one of two trailheads, with three possible ways to hike there, which hopefully helps explain why the distance to reach Devil’s Bridge can vary.
To learn more, I’ve written a side-by-side comparison about the hike from either the Dry Creek or Mescal Trailhead, detailed in either of my separate articles about the Devil’s Bridge Trail linked below.
Read My Separate Posts: Devil’s Bridge Trail (Dry Creek) / Devil’s Bridge Trail (Mescal)
3. Cathedral Rock Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Cathedral Rock Trail is a quick and beautiful day hike that leads to one of the best sunset spots in all of Sedona, because of how the red rock within 'the Cathedral' lights up late in the evening!
This is to say, sunset is truly the only time of day I recommend hiking the Cathedral Rock Trail, because any other time of day just isn’t as beautiful in my opinion.
In any case, there is one short but steep section about halfway up the Cathedral Rock Trail, where hikers are required to scramble to continue up to the top. For this reason, I highly recommend reading my separate post if you have any questions about what’s required to complete the hike.
Read My Separate Post: Cathedral Rock Trail
4. Coffee Pot Restaurant (101 Omelettes)
I mean… did you even visit Sedona if you didn’t stop at the Coffee Pot Restaurant to try one of their 101 famous omelettes!?
Yes, the Coffee Pot Restaurant in downtown Sedona is renowned for their seemingly never-ending list of omelettes, sure to help everyone in your group find something that they’ll love!
Yelp: Coffee Pot Restaurant
5. Robber’s Roost Trail
Distance: 0.6 - 3.0 miles / 1.0 - 4.8 km
The Robber’s Roost Trail is Sedona’s best hidden gem!
I say this because the unique Hideout Cave, known as Robber’s Roost, is located just outside the most popular day hikes that surround Sedona, and it’s for this reason that few hikers venture out to the hidden trail.
This largely has to do with the 'long' 9.8-mile (15.8 km) drive off Highway 89A that deters hikers—but most 2WD vehicles should be able to make it on the gravel roads that lead to the lower trailhead, provided Sedona hasn’t experienced any recent severe weather.
To learn more about the full hike from both trailheads—and why the distance can vary depending on the vehicle you arrive in—I recommend reading more in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Robber’s Roost Trail
6. Sedona Off-Road Adventure Tours
Throughout Sedona and the greater Coconino National Forest, there are countless beautiful off-road adventures that visitors can enjoy through one of several different local outfitters based right in Sedona!
To learn more, I recommend checking out some of the different Viator tours linked below, which I recommend because Viator has one of the best reserve-now-and-pay-later policies. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
7. Birthing Cave Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Birthing Cave Trail is a fun, beautiful, and relatively short day hike that leads to a one-of-a-kind cave in an otherwise unsuspecting location.
By this, I mean that the Birthing Cave Trail is not a designated or maintained day hike, but rather a social trail created by hikers over time.
This typically means that the turns required to make it to the hidden cave are not marked along the way, which is why I recommend learning more in my separate article, so that you know what to look out for before arriving!
Read My Separate Post: Birthing Cave Trail
8. Sabrina’s Gourmet Ice Cream
On a hot summer day, or honestly, anytime after exploring Sedona’s beautiful trails, there’s truly nothing better than Sabrina’s ice cream in downtown Sedona!
Before arriving, know that parking can be challenging and the street parking laws are strictly enforced. However, I think the hassle is worth the effort because next to Sabrina’s are countless different shops that visitors can enjoy, right in the heart of Sedona’s best walking district!
9. Doe Mountain Trail
Distance (Doe Mountain): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
Distance (Doe Mountain Loop): 1.9 miles / 3.1 km
The Doe Mountain Trail is a beautiful and unique day hike in Sedona because, just like Devil’s Bridge, Doe Mountain is also one of the best all-around sunrise and sunset hikes in the Red Rock Ranger District!
However, what sets Doe Mountain apart is that atop the main trail that ascends the peak, there is a separate 1.9-mile (3.1 km) loop—known as the Doe Mountain Loop Trail—that circles the perimeter of the flat mesa.
This allows hikers the opportunity to explore Doe Mountain and discover countless viewpoints around the summit, including some of my favorite spots for sunrise and sunset in Sedona, which you can learn more about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Doe Mountain Trail
10. Little Sugarloaf Summit Trail
Distance: 1.1 miles / 1.8 km
The Little Sugarloaf Summit Trail is one of many quick day hikes—like the Baby Bell Rock Trail—that I see as one of the best effort-to-reward adventures in Sedona!
I say this because Little Sugarloaf Summit measures just over 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the trailhead, meaning that the summit can be reached relatively quickly—not to mention, I see it as one of the most underrated sunset hikes in Sedona!
I believe this because of how the beautiful red rock lights up on Capitol Butte at golden hour, and because many visitors overlook Little Sugarloaf when considering other, more popular day hikes, like Cathedral Rock.
Read My Separate Post: Little Sugarloaf Summit Trail
10 Best Things to Do Near Sedona
It’s certainly no secret that Sedona, Arizona, is conveniently located near a number of other amazing destinations in the Southwest, such as the adventures in Page, the Grand Canyon, and even places as far away as Zion National Park or the beautiful lakes in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.
That said, there are a number of great things to see and do in the area, both near Sedona and within a half-day’s drive!
1. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is often an overlooked destination between both the Grand Canyon to the east and the parks in Moab to the north, but it’s certainly not one to miss if you’re spending some time exploring northern Arizona.
I say this because Petrified Forest is known as the heart of the Painted Desert for good reason, and if you get out to explore some of what there is to see and do, I think you’ll see why this unique National Park is such a hidden gem!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park
2. Havasupai Trail
Distance (One Way to The Confluence): 16.7 miles / 26.9 km
Elevation Change: ~3,300 ft. (1,006 m)
The Havasupai Trail—much like the Rim-to-Rim Trail in Grand Canyon National Park—is, without a doubt, one of the best backpacking adventures in the Southwest U.S.!
However, Havasupai is truly one of the most exclusive backcountry adventures there is, because of how challenging it can be to secure one of these elusive permits.
This is exactly why I wrote such a long and detailed post about the entire Havasupai Trail, the permits, and all the separate day hikes—including The Confluence—which is why I highly recommend checking out my separate article if you’re planning to visit or want to know how to visit Havasupai in the future!
Read My Separate Post: Havasupai Trail
3. Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon and everything that Page, Arizona, has to offer is only a three-hour drive away from Sedona!
That being said, one of the biggest questions regarding both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is, which tour is better?
Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy both tours. So, if you’d like to read my honest side-by-side comparison about both canyons, I highly recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
My Print - Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
4. Horseshoe Bend
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
One can’t talk about Page without mentioning the iconic Horseshoe Bend!
Horseshoe Bend is one of the best things to do in Page, Arizona, and it’s truly a must-see if you’re already making the trip to see Antelope Canyon.
That said, I personally love hiking the Horseshoe Bend Trail for sunset, as the west-facing viewpoint above the Colorado River is, without a doubt, one of the best year-round sunset hikes in northern Arizona!
Read My Separate Post: Horseshoe Bend Trail
5. Big Lake Sand Cave
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Going along with the previous two, the Big Lake Sand Cave is another hidden gem in Page, Arizona, as it’s located in a very unsuspecting location right on the edge of town.
To learn more, including my thoughts on the best time of day to visit the Shell Gas Station Cave, I recommend checking out my separate article below.
Read My Separate Post: Big Lake Sand Cave Trail (Shell Gas Station)
6. Four Corners
Four Corners Monument is not often a convenient stop when driving across the Southwest, but if you happen to be making your way between Sedona, Petrified Forest, Moab, Mesa Verde National Park or even Albuquerque, then I highly recommend making the trip out of the way to Four Corners!
This quick stop may be just to 'say you did it,' but even still, I think that Four Corners makes for a nice place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and simply break up a long day on the road.
Google Maps Directions: Four Corners Monument
7. Arches & Canyonlands National Park
In this part of the country, everything feels so spaced out from one another, but Sedona, Petrified Forest, and the parks in Moab are three places that make for a great roadtrip when put together!
That said, I recognize that it’s a bit unfair to recommend two National Parks as one suggestion, but I’ve written two entirely separate articles to break down my favorite things to do in either park, just as I have with Sedona.
Read My Separate Posts: Arches & Canyonlands National Park
8. Grand Canyon National Park
As if the Grand Canyon needs its own introduction, know that Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is only a two-hour-and-15-minute drive from Sedona, Arizona.
That said, you can read about the full under-the-rim hike from the South to the North Rim in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Trail
9. Ice Lake & Columbine Lake Trail
Distance (Ice Lake): 8.8 miles / 14.1 km
Distance (Columbine Lake): 8.3 miles / 13.4 km
The Ice Lake and Columbine Lake Trails in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado are two of the most beautiful alpine lakes of anywhere in the Mountain West!
For this reason, I highly recommend going out of the way from Sedona to hike one or both of these amazing day hikes near Silverton, off the Million Dollar Highway—which is one of my favorite recommendations on its own, apart from all the stunning adventures within the San Juan Range!
Read My Separate Post: Ice Lake Trail / Columbine Lake Trail
Columbine Lake
10. Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Route 550)
The Million Dollar Highway is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in all of North America, standing alongside others like the Beartooth Highway, the Avenue of the Giants, and the Icefields Parkway.
The 70.5-mile (113 km) highway connecting Ouray to Durango is most famous for an incredibly narrow, windy 23.4-mile (37.7 km) stretch between Ouray and Silverton, where the Ice Lake and Columbine Lake Trails are located.
That being said, the entire drive through the heart of the San Juan Mountains is one of the best things to do when visiting the Southwest U.S.—especially when the Aspens begin to change in the fall!
Google Maps Directions: Million Dollar Highway
