Sedona sits among red sandstone buttes, spires and mesas in the Coconino National Forest. The draw is the landscape itself: viewpoints, hiking trails, off-road jeep roads and a handful of named formations that anchor most itineraries.
Two of the most recognisable formations, both with short but steep trails and easy roadside viewpoints on the south side of town.
The largest natural sandstone arch in the area, reached by a popular trail from Dry Creek Road, with a rough final section and a high-clearance access road.
A modernist chapel built into the rock, and the Airport Mesa overlook, which is the classic sunset spot above town.
Many trailheads require a Red Rock Pass or an America the Beautiful federal pass displayed in your car. Some sites, such as Slide Rock State Park, charge separate entry. On busy days private cars are restricted on some access roads and a shuttle runs instead. Check redrockcountry.org.
Popular trailheads fill early and some are shuttle-only at peak times. Starting at dawn, or using the Sedona shuttle, avoids the worst of it.
Licensed operators run the rough forest roads to backcountry viewpoints. It is the main way to see the terrain without a long hike or your own high-clearance vehicle.
There is no single entrance or ticket. You build the day from viewpoints, trails and tours, so a rough plan and a parking pass matter more than a booking.
Do I need to pay to see the red rocks?
There is no entry fee for the area, but you need a Red Rock Pass or federal parking pass to park at many trailheads and picnic sites.
What is the best way to get around?
A car for the flexible viewpoints, plus the free trailhead shuttle on busy days, and a jeep tour for the backcountry.
Are the trails hard?
They range from flat viewpoint strolls to steep scrambles on slickrock. Devil's Bridge and Cathedral Rock have exposed, steep final sections.
When should I visit?
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is hot and busy, winter can bring snow that dusts the red rock and is very photogenic.
Sedona's red rock formations are eroded layers of sandstone, most visibly the rust-coloured Schnebly Hill Formation, exposed across the Verde Valley in northern Arizona. Most of the land around the town is Coconino National Forest.
The area is known for formations such as Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, for hiking trails, off-road jeep tours, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering the USDA Forest Service and any tour operator.
