Sedona sits in a spectacular amphitheatre of red sandstone about 30 miles south of Flagstaff, at the foot of the Mogollon Rim. Buttes and spires with names like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte rise straight out of town, and Oak Creek Canyon winds north towards Flagstaff through forest.
It is a resort town of galleries, spas and restaurants, known for hiking and jeep tours and for its “vortexes” — places some believe to be centres of spiritual energy. It is about two hours from the South Rim and two from Phoenix, which is why many day tours from Phoenix combine Sedona with the Grand Canyon.
What to see and do: Sedona
Jeep tours
Sedona’s famous open jeeps head out on rough tracks into the red rocks and up onto the Mogollon Rim. See our tours page for well-reviewed options.
Hike the red rocks
Popular trails include Cathedral Rock (short but steep), Bell Rock and the Devil’s Bridge arch. Trailheads are busy; many are served by a free shuttle in season.
Oak Creek Canyon
The drive north on Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon is one of the most scenic in Arizona, with Slide Rock State Park and its natural water slides on the way.
Verde Canyon Railroad
From nearby Clarkdale, a scenic railway runs through a remote red-rock canyon.
How to get to Sedona
- Sedona is about 2 hours from Phoenix by car and roughly 2 hours from the South Rim (via Flagstaff). There is no commercial airport; most visitors drive or come on a tour.
Insider tips
- Hotels in Sedona are generally more expensive than in Flagstaff; consider staying in Flagstaff or the Village of Oak Creek.
- A Red Rock Pass or other recreation pass is needed to park at many trailheads.
- Summer is hot in Sedona — hike early.
Best tours & tickets for Sedona
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Sedona:
Guided jeep tour from US$129 Sedona: Scenic Rim Pink Jeep Tour
A well-reviewed Sedona jeep tour that climbs onto the Mogollon Rim for wide views back over the desert and the red rocks.
- Drive up towards the Mogollon Rim
- Views over the lowland desert from 2,000 feet up
- Comfortable jeep
Guided off-road tour from US$124 Sedona: Rim Run Supreme Off-Road Jeep Tour to Mogollon Rim
An off-road route that climbs around 1,500 feet to the Mogollon Rim and a rare spot where orange sandstone meets dark lava flows. A perfect 5.0 rating.
- Climb 1,500 feet onto the Mogollon Rim
- Orange sandstone and dark lava flows
- Off-road driving
Guided jeep and walking tour from US$124 Sedona: Guided Vortex Jeep Tour
Sedona is famous for its “vortexes”. This tour visits them by jeep and on foot, with a guide who explains the beliefs behind them alongside the scenery.
- Sedona’s “vortex” sites by jeep and on foot
- Red-rock views
- Native lore and New Age beliefs explained
Scenic train from US$186 Clarkdale: Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ticket
A scenic railway near Sedona that runs through the remote red-rock Verde Canyon, with vintage carriages and snacks on board. A gentle half-day if you are based in Sedona.
- Century-old railway through a 20-mile wilderness area
- Champagne toast and snacks
- Perkinsville ghost town
Guided day tour from US$191 From Sedona or Flagstaff: Grand Canyon Full-Day Tour
A narrated full-day trip to the South Rim from Sedona or Flagstaff, with a scenic drive through changing landscapes on the way and several stops along the rim.
- Fully narrated tour
- Drive along the South Rim
- History and geology of the canyon
Guided day tour from US$226 From Phoenix: Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Oak Creek Day Trip
The most-reviewed Grand Canyon day trip from Phoenix. It is a long day — the South Rim is roughly three and a half to four hours’ drive each way — but it combines the canyon with the red rocks of Sedona and the forested Oak Creek Canyon.
- South Rim viewpoints with a guide
- Stops in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
- Transport from Phoenix
