Sights in Sedona
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Oak Creek Canyon
For something truly magical take Hwy 89A northeast into Oak Creek Canyon. It's a drive that won't be forgotten. The canyon is at its narrowest here, and the red, orange and white cliffs at their most dramatic. Giant cottonwoods crowd the creek sides, providing a scenic shady backdrop for trout fishing and swimming.
Stop at the Grasshopper Point swimming hole about two miles into the drive, to cool off. Continue on until you reach Slide Rock State Park - a great spot for a picnic lunch.
Head back into town around sunset and turn off at Airport Road. The setting sun makes for a trippy picture - the rocks blaze psychedelic red and orange against a bright pink and purple sky.
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Palatki Heritage Site
Thousand-year-old Sinagua cliff dwellings and rock art are good-enough reasons to brave the 9-mile dirt road leading to this enchantingly located archaeological site on the edge of the wilderness. There’s a small visitor center and two easy trails suitable for strollers but not for wheelchairs. Reservations are required. True ruin groupies should ask here about exploring the Honanki Ruins, a further 3 miles north. To get to the site, follow Hwy 89A west of the Y for about 10 miles, then hook a right on FR 525 (Red Canyon Rd, a dirt road) and follow it 8 miles north to the parking lot.
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Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle is a stunningly well-preserved 1000-year-old Sinagua cliff dwelling. The name refers to the splendid castlelike location high on a cliff; early explorers thought the five-story-high pueblo was Aztec and hence dubbed it Montezuma. A museum interprets the archaeology of the site, which can be spotted from a short self-guiding, wheelchair-accessible trail. Entrance into the ‘castle’ itself is prohibited, but there’s a virtual tour on the website. Access the monument from I-17 exit 289, drive east for 0.5 miles, then turn left on Montezuma Castle Rd.
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Amitabha Stupa
An example of sacred architecture can be admired across town in the West Sedona hills at the Amitabha Stupa, a consecrated Buddhist shrine set quite stunningly amid piñon and juniper pine and the ubiquitous rocks. There’s a smaller stupa further down and an entire park is being planned. Heading along Hwy 89A west from the Y, turn right on Andante Dr, left on Pueblo Dr, then head up the gated trail on your right.
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Chapel of the Holy Cross
The aesthetic value of wedging a concrete church chapel into red rock spires is certainly debatable, but there’s no denying that it’s quite a spectacular sight. Step inside if only to enjoy the views of the Bell Rock formation. To get here, head 3 miles south on Hwy 179 and turn left on Chapel Rd.
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Slide Rock State Park
If it's a warm day and you want to cool down, visit Oak Creek Canyon's star attraction, Slide Rock State Park to swoosh down big rocks into the cool creek water. Or, walk the hiking trails. Call for water-quality reports.
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Airport Mesa
One of the earth's best-known vortexes, said to radiate electromagnetic energy; also a great location for watching the spectacular red-rock sunset.
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Boynton Canyon
The Boynton Canyon is one of the earth's best-known vortexes, said to radiate electromagnetic energy.
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Bell Rock
New Agers beleive Sedona's rocks, cliffs and rivers radiate electromagnetic energy.
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