You have just booked a vacation rental from Sedona.Org, and as tempted as you are to just enjoy the home’s amenities, you do want to see a few of the major Sedona Arizona tourist attractions. There is so much to do in Red Rocks Country that you are unlikely to accomplish it all in one trip. There are five spots that should not be missed when you visit this charming mountain town.
Slide Rock State Park
Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entrance fee: $20
Cars only. No walk-ins or drop-offs.
Located just 7 miles away from Sedona, this state park offers several hiking trails and attractions. It is in the Coconino National Forest. The bed of Oak Creek is slippery and forms a natural slide and that is where the park gets its name. The land was once privately owned by a developer who rented cabins and planted an apple orchard there. He rented out the land to Hollywood studios in the 50s and several famous movies have been filmed in the canyon, including “Angel and the Badman,” and “Gun Fury.” The land was acquired as a state park in 1985. You can still pick apples here. In September they have a family campout event which is designed for families who have never been camping before. If you bring an inner tube, you can slide down Oak Creek. It is a popular place to swim as well.
Cathedral Rock
AZ 179, 3.4 miles south of the US 89A Junction
Off of Back’O’Beyond Road
The Cathedral Rock Trail is the most popular hiking trail in Sedona, Arizona. It is a little over a mile out and back. It is very steep, and it has a 700-foot elevation. You have to be in fairly good shape to make it to the top and you will have to use your hands on several portions of the trail. You will see spectacular views all along the way as well as some beautiful wildflowers. You will see some truly amazing views from the saddle points in the rocks. The red rock formation here is one of the most photographed in the country. It is not exactly the place to find solitude because it is a very highly trafficked trail. The most popular time to visit Cathedral Rock is at sunset.
Bell Rock
Bell Rock is located in nearby Oak Creek. As its name would indicate, it is a red rock formation that looks just like a bell. You can try to climb to the summit of the mountain, but you should know that it is at least 5,000 feet. There are three different trails leading to the summit of the mountain. Lower Bell Rock Trail is an easy and popular hike that simply goes to the base of Bell Rock. Upper Bell Rock trail goes to the base of the Slide Rock area, and it is considered a moderate hike. The hike to one of the bell’s spires is known as the final ascent. It is very dangerous and is only for expert hikers. You will see beautiful views all along the way even if you only take the lower hiking trail. You can also take the Bell Rock Pathway, which is a trail that goes around the formation for 3.6 miles. You will see some fantastic views of the formation on this pathway.
Uptown
Hiking is one of the top attractions in Sedona. However, sometimes you need a little break from all that physical activity. A day of shopping is good for the soul. It helps the local economy, and you can buy souvenirs for yourself and all your friends. You will find many unique and upscale shops in the Uptown area of Sedona. Handcrafted jewelry makes a great souvenir of the town, and you will find plenty of jewelry shops in uptown. Many people in Sedona believe in the power of crystals and you will find several crystal shops in this area. You will find both casual and fine dining when you visit uptown.
Pink Jeep® Tours
204 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
6:00 am to 8:00 pm daily
Pink Jeep®s are one of the most iconic sights that a tourist will see when they visit Sedona. The company has been in business for 60 years and they have won awards for their fabulous sightseeing adventures. Their Broken Arrow Tour is one of the most popular and thrilling, and one of the top attractions in Sedona. They have exclusive access to the trail and there is nothing more exciting than traveling down the Road of no Return. You will see the flora and fauna of the area and you’ll get to ride a jeep over the red rocks. They also offer tours to the Grand Canyon, wine tours, and tours to Sedona’s ancient ruins where you will see petroglyphs.
No matter what you decide to do in Sedona, you will need a comfortable place to call home. Sedona.Org has the perfect vacation rental for you, so give us a call today!
