Gates Pass serves up classic Arizona sunsets over saguaro forests and Tucson’s twinkling lights. Bring your camera, it’s a stunner.
The Desert Museum feels like the desert come alive, with mountain lions, hummingbirds, cactus gardens, and even an underground cave.
Desert Discovery is a smooth, short trail lined with saguaros, prickly pears, and smart little signs that make learning effortless.
Sonoran Desert Overlook frames endless waves of cactus and mountains. Golden hour turns the landscape into a sea of shifting colors.
Loma Verde Trail winds through thick stands of saguaros and dry washes. Quiet, flat, and perfect for spotting birds and cactus blooms.
Uptown Sedona hums with galleries, gift shops, and cafes, all backed by towering red rocks. It’s the spot to grab art, a meal, or just soak up Sedona’s vibe.
Uptown Sedona hums with galleries, gift shops, and cafes, all backed by towering red rocks. It’s the spot to grab art, a meal, or just soak up Sedona’s vibe.
Red Rock Loop Road winds past some of Sedona’s most iconic views. Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and open desert unfold turn after turn. Fewer crowds, endless photo ops.
Javelina Rocks stacks boulders, saguaros, and desert drama into one photogenic stop. Look out for the wild javelinas who live nearby.
Old Tucson blends movie magic and Wild West charm. Expect stunt shows, dusty saloons, and streets once walked by Hollywood cowboys.
“Crystal Forest is a kaleidoscope of fossilized trees. Sparkling with quartz, the petrified logs here shimmer with every step in the Arizona sun.
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“Blue Mesa Trail winds through striped badlands colored in purples and grays. Walk among bentonite hills and petrified logs on this surreal desert loop.”
“Newspaper Rock is nature’s bulletin board, covered in hundreds of petroglyphs. View it through scopes to see symbols and stories carved more than 2,000 years ago.
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“Puerco Pueblo brings the ancient world into view. Walk through the ruins of a 1300s village and spot petroglyphs etched into stone by early Puebloan people.”
“Painted Desert Inn pairs sweeping desert views with Southwest history. Step inside to see murals, vintage charm, and stories from Route 66 days.
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“Tiponi Point opens the Painted Desert with a dramatic splash of reds, purples, and oranges. Especially at sunrise or sunset, this overlook sets the tone for the surreal beauty ahead.
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The Airport Mesa Vortex, is one of Sedona’s most accessible vortexes and a truly inspiring place to watch the sunset. It is renowned as an upflow zone, effectively elevating your spirit and energy. It cultivates a profound sense of perspective and oneness, making it the perfect spot for meditation and deep self-reconnection. Airport Mesa is one of the top sunset spots in Sedona thanks to its easy accessibility by car and stunning panoramic views.
The Airport Loop Trail is a 3.5-mile moderate hike around the butte, providing a full 360-degree view, though it can be shortened if desired.
Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona is renowned for the iconic West Fork Oak Creek Trail, which invites hikers year-round. The Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive runs between Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona, offering stunning views through lush forest whether you choose to climb up from Sedona or descend from Flagstaff. And don’t forget to stop at Slide Rock State Park, a favorite summer spot for water recreation with a natural water slide. This canyon hike is one of Sedona’s most popular trails.
At the top of the canyon, you’ll find a variety of Native American artisans displaying their hand-crafted, authentic art at Oak Creek Canyon Vista Point, a great place to find a souvenir from your journey. From the scenic overlook you can soak in the breathtaking views of the canyon and appreciate the striking difference between this forested scene compared to the more arid conditions around Sedona.
Cathedral Rock is one of Arizona’s most photographed sights and this Sedona icon can be seen from many different viewpoints – but visiting this natural sandstone formation up close is an essential Sedona experience. Known for its incredible vistas, the Cathedral Rock Trail is a heart-pumping adventure as you trek along this 1.2-mile out-and-back red rock path and scale up the slickrock as far as you feel comfortable to go. Just bear in mind, this hike is not ideal for trekkers with mobility or balance issues, mainly due to the scrambling sections. The energy that Cathedral Rock is supposed to emit is considered feminine energy that calms, inspires, and grounds you. Experience the power of Sedona’s vortexes on a Sedona Tour.
On a hot summer’s day in Sedona, Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is a great place for the whole family to cool off with cliff jumping, rock climbing, and natural water slides. One of Arizona’s most popular state parks, it’s also one of Sedona’s most well-known attractions thanks to the unique swimming hole and creek with a totally natural 80-foot long waterslide. There are also some hikes and preserved heritage buildings to explore here. If you want to make the most of your drive through Oak Creek Canyon or Sedona, check out our Sedona Tour.
Discover the charm of Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village nestled under the sprawling sycamores along the picturesque banks of Oak Creek in Sedona. This complex of Mexican-style plazas, complete with fountains, wrought iron, stucco walls and arched entryways, is a delightful outdoor market to wander through. This vibrant shopping haven offers an extraordinary experience where you will delight in an array of fine contemporary jewelry, stylish casual wear in luxurious silks and leathers, and an assortment of unusual gift items that are sure to surprise and inspire!
Tlaquepaque, meaning “the best of everything,” stands proudly as a Sedona landmark where every visit feels like an adventure waiting to be explored, and is a lovely place to browse or grab a bite to eat.
The graceful, 200-foot long Midgley Bridge, located just a short distance from uptown Sedona, provides stunning views of Oak Creek Canyon and Mitten Ridge. This single span bridge was the last structure built to complete the new highway route between Sedona and Flagstaff in 1939, and a really great photo to snap is the steel arch of the Midgely Bridge, taken from below road level.
The bridge was named after highway supporter, grocery store owner, rancher, and former Major in the National Guard W.W. Midgley, who long supported such projects. It’s an excellent spot for hiking and picnicking, making it a perfect site for photography and exploration during your Sedona tour.
The Boynton Canyon Vortex is a captivating 1.1 miles round-trip hike, making it one of the shortest and easiest trails in Sedona and ideal for beginners eager to connect with nature. This enchanting trail leads to a saddle nestled between two majestic red rock spires. The tallest, known as “Kachina Woman,” pays homage to the Yavapai-Apache people who hold Boynton Canyon and its surroundings sacred. Here, the vista reveals breathtaking views of the canyon, one of Sedona’s most stunning gems, and when the ground is blanketed in snow, the experience transforms into an even more extraordinary wonder.
One of the most popular Sedona hikes with options to extend your hike to a total of 6 miles, Boynton Canyon offers a little of everything: a Vortex, an impressive spire, a large cave-like formation and even Ancestral Puebloan ruins – not to mention the generally awesome views along the way.
Contemplate the sacred at the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park on the Sedona tour, where you’ll find a 36-foot structure that serves as a monument to the Buddha Amitabha. Located at the base of Thunder Mountain, this spiritual destination was built in 2004 and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for prayer, meditation and peace. Included inside this particular stupa are mandalas, nearly one billion prayers for peace, and soil and medicine from around the world. Visitors of all faiths are welcome, and can leave written prayers at the stupa, as well as monetary or material donations as offerings.
Stupas are regarded as the “body of the Buddha” and have been constructed worldwide to purify negativity, alleviate suffering, promote awakening and compassion, and protect beings from illness, famine, poverty, and war. The word stupa comes from the Sanskrit stupa, which means “to heap up, pile, elevate.”
Desert View Watchtower is a 70-foot stone tower balanced on the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the highlight of the 25-mile Desert View Drive on the Grand Canyon South Rim Tour.
The tower is an architectural masterpiece by Mary Colter in the Ancestral Puebloan style, and offers impressive 100 mile views up and down the canyon on clear days.
Lipan Point is one of the not-to-be-missed stops along Desert View Drive, with some of the widest and most expansive canyon views on the Grand Canyon South Rim Tour.
It also has one of the longest perspectives of the Colorado River, and if you look way down you might be able to see its powerful whitewater rapids. It’s also an ideal spot to enjoy sunrise, sunset, and the night sky.
Hopi Point is a popular sunrise and sunset spot on the Grand Canyon South Rim Tour.
It juts out further into the canyon than any of the other viewpoints and offers a huge panoramic view from east to west. Located along Hermit Road, you can either take the park’s free shuttle bus, bike or hike here along the Rim Trail.
The Sedona Tour’s largest sandstone arch, Devil’s Bridge, is the place for Instagram-worthy photo shoots, so it’s a popular destination!
The hike isn’t particularly difficult but there is some scrambling, and venturing to the top may test your nerves. Just be prepared to wait for your turn in the spotlight on the arch.
Look out for Duck Rock, a fun natural formation that looks just like a duck’s head. It’s a great photo stop and a reminder of how erosion can shape the landscape in surprising ways. Keep your camera ready for this quirky canyon landmark.
Desert View Drive is a scenic 25-mile route along the South Rim with some of the best viewpoints in the park. Highlights include Lipan Point and Navajo Point, where you can see the Colorado River winding far below. This drive is packed with places to stop, take photos, and soak in the canyon’s vast beauty.
Grandview Point lives up to its name with expansive, sweeping views of the canyon and the Colorado River far below. It’s one of the most dramatic overlooks on the South Rim, and nearby ruins from the old Grandview Hotel add a touch of pioneer history.
Just outside the park, the Little Colorado River Gorge offers a different but equally dramatic view. The deep, colorful cliffs and powerful river make this a fascinating stop. This area is also sacred to the Navajo and Hopi tribes, adding cultural depth to the landscape.
Babad Do’ag Scenic Overlook is your first glimpse of Tucson and the vast Sonoran Desert. This low-elevation spot highlights rugged Catalina Gneiss formations, towering saguaros, and desert blooms, plus a short trail to stretch your legs.
Hoodoo Vista brings you eye-level with nature’s wild sculptures. Admire these eroded rock towers up close while taking in panoramic views of the mountain slopes.
Manzanita Vista gets its name from the red-barked shrubs thriving here. The overlook opens into oak woodlands and chaparral, with wide views across lower foothills and distant canyons.
Molino Canyon Vista is where the desert turns green. This scenic stop marks a shift into riparian habitats, with views of Molino Creek cutting through rocky canyon walls. Oaks, grasses, and post-rain waterfalls add the drama.
Windy Point Vista is the photo stop. This iconic overlook delivers sweeping views, bizarre hoodoo rock formations, and top-notch sunrise or sunset moments.
Stop in the historic town of Williams, Arizona, known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” Stroll along classic Route 66, check out vintage signs, grab a bite at a diner, and enjoy the throwback vibe. It’s a fun taste of Americana before or after your canyon visit.
Yavapai Point is home to the Yavapai Geology Museum, where you’ll get amazing canyon views and learn how the canyon was formed. Exhibits explain the rock layers and erosion that carved this landscape, and the museum’s windows offer perfect views to match the story.
Begin your journey with a quiet moment at the Chapel of the Holy Dove, a small stone chapel near the canyon’s edge. Surrounded by nature, it’s a peaceful space for reflection and a unique place to connect with the landscape’s deeper meaning.
As you head toward the canyon, you’ll see the San Francisco Peaks rising in the distance. These volcanic mountains are sacred to many Native American tribes and stand out with their snow-capped summits. They offer a striking contrast to the desert landscape below.
Grand Canyon Village is the main hub of the South Rim, with historic lodges, visitor centers, and some of the most iconic views. Visit El Tovar Hotel, stop by Mather Point, and explore exhibits at the Yavapai Geology Museum. It’s where history and scenery meet.
For many visitors, Mather Point is the very first view they will have of the massiveness of the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon South Rim Tour.
Thanks to its proximity to Grand Canyon Village and its gorgeous vantage point, Mather Point is one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset on the South Rim. Mather Point’s convenient location also makes it the busiest, so arrive early to secure a prime spot.
Completed in 1956, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was first inspired by the construction of the Empire State Building and is built right into the Sedona Tour’s red rock landscape.
This stunning Catholic church features an iron cross that is set into the southwestern facing window, which is visible from the church’s interior and exterior. Many visitors come here to enjoy a quiet moment of contemplation in one of Sedona’s most spectacular settings, and of course the incredible views.
These two formations dominate the view as we drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway just north of Oak Creek Village on the The Sedona Tour.
Bell Rock is a bell-shaped butte that’s one of the most easily recognizable formations in Sedona, and to its east is Courthouse Butte. These are two places where trails depart from if you want to get closer to inspect the rock, and also to experience another of Sedona’s energy Vortexes.
