There is so much I can say about Sedona – it’s an outdoorsy person’s dream. There’s an abundance of hiking, biking and climbing opportunities. I was very stressed out planning our trip because there is SO much to do the city and we only had a few days to spend there. I love how many hikes there are and the close proximity of the trailheads. I feel like you could live there and still find new places to go all the time. We didn’t spend a ton of time shopping or checking out stores, but there seemed to be many cute places to explore. Sedona is also visually stunning. There is something so powerful about driving through a city and being surrounded by soaring red rock. It’s definitely a unique place!
When visiting, I wanted to be very intentional with my choices – whether it be hiking trails or where we stayed – I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to be part of the over-tourism problem. The city has blown up online, in the last few years especially, seeing visitors from all over the globe. While the power of tourism can be a good thing, it can also be harmful. It was really disheartening to see toilet paper strewn along the trails and names carved into trees and rocks. I know residents of Sedona have to deal with a lot of nonsense from tourists – the traffic, the lines, the terrible parking jobs on the side of the road where people shouldn’t be parking – I can imagine it’s frustrating. Because of this, I opted to avoid a lot of the super popular trails in town and we found a property in Camp Verde, about 30 minutes south, to stay at. As long as you go into your visit expecting crowds, you’ll have a great time.
If you are visiting Sedona, please remember to be prepared for your hike. Most, if not all, of the trails are fully exposed to the desert sun. Please make sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or other protective clothing. Also, wear appropriate footwear!
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: May 2026
Passes: Most trailheads require a Red Rocks Pass (kiosks on site) or you can use interagency passes (like America The Beautiful).
Hike Recommendations:
- Easy Hikes
- Margs Draw Trail (and Spur) – This was a pleasant out and back hike. We accessed it by the spur trail, which does have a small steep hill at the beginning, but it’s mostly pretty level. It’s supposed to be a good spot to view wildlife, like javelinas, but we didn’t see any.
- Click here for Margs Draw and click here for Margs Draw Spur.
- 4.3 miles, 410 ft. elevation gain and 2.2 miles, 288 ft. elevation gain
- Dogs allowed
- Margs Draw Trail (and Spur) – This was a pleasant out and back hike. We accessed it by the spur trail, which does have a small steep hill at the beginning, but it’s mostly pretty level. It’s supposed to be a good spot to view wildlife, like javelinas, but we didn’t see any.
- Moderate Hikes
- Devils Bridge – I was initially going to skip this hike because of its popularity but we were up early for sunrise anyway, so we figured we’d beat the crowds. We were on the trail before 6:30 AM and hustled up to the bridge. We had to wait about 15-20 minutes to get our picture taken on the iconic landmark, but by the time we were heading back down, the line was starting to get long.
- Click here for AllTrails
- 4.1 miles, 521 ft. elevation gain
- Some scrambling is required near the bridge.
- Dogs allowed
- Andante, Thunder Mountain and Chimney Rock figure-8 loop – This was a great first hike in the city. Rating as moderate due to sun exposure and some inclines/declines may be difficult for some. We saw lots of quails and some rock climbers!
- Click here for AllTrails
- 3.8 miles, 580 ft. elevation gain
- Devils Bridge – I was initially going to skip this hike because of its popularity but we were up early for sunrise anyway, so we figured we’d beat the crowds. We were on the trail before 6:30 AM and hustled up to the bridge. We had to wait about 15-20 minutes to get our picture taken on the iconic landmark, but by the time we were heading back down, the line was starting to get long.
- Hard Hikes
- Brins Mesa, Soldier Pass (and cave), Jordan Trail to Cibola Pass Loop – This was moderate for me but due to length and sun exposure, it may be hard for some. This was my favorite hike we did in Sedona. The trail itself was gorgeous and there were so many beautiful views. Climbing up into Soldier Cave was a lot of fun. We had a blast doing this hike!
- Click here for AllTrails
- 5.59 miles, 1,060 ft. elevation gain
- Brins Mesa, Soldier Pass (and cave), Jordan Trail to Cibola Pass Loop – This was moderate for me but due to length and sun exposure, it may be hard for some. This was my favorite hike we did in Sedona. The trail itself was gorgeous and there were so many beautiful views. Climbing up into Soldier Cave was a lot of fun. We had a blast doing this hike!
Lodging suggestions:
- Verde Ranch RV Resort – We loved this property!
- When visiting Sedona, I knew I wanted to stay at a property a little outside of downtown. When I came across Verde Ranch in my search and saw the Conestoga wagons, I was sold! I love unique stays and this looked awesome! It was about a half hour drive from Verde Ranch to Sedona, which made it close enough to be convenient, but far enough to get away from crowds.
- The Conestoga wagon we stayed at was wonderful! It sleeps 4 people with a large King bed, plus bunk beds! There was plenty of space for us and all of our gear. The wagons have a refrigerator, coffee maker, heater and AC, which makes for a comfortable stay. We also loved having a table and chairs in the wagon where we could sit to eat or play cards each night.
- Each wagon has its own private bathroom. You do have to walk outside to access it but it’s right behind the wagon. It can only be opened with your wagon room key, so it seems more like a hotel bathroom than one at a campground since it’s private.
- If you don’t want to stay in a wagon, they also have two safari tents and multiple cabins you can rent. Both of these options have bathrooms inside the rental if that’s more your speed.
- The largest part of the resort is dedicated to RVs – there are plenty of spots available on site – the property is huge!
- You won’t get bored when staying at Verde Ranch, they have so many amenities! There is a beautiful pool, two hot tubs and a splash pad for the kids with plenty of lounge chairs. They have pickleball courts, horseshoes and bocce, plus pool and an arcade in the clubhouse. There is a catch and release fishing pond too!
- If you have dogs, there are two dog parks, plus multiple designated relief areas around property.
- There is also a walking trail that meanders along the Verde River. It was very pretty and peaceful, and we enjoyed taking a stroll there at sunset.
- There is a park store, showers and laundry too! The location is very convenient. If there is anything you need that the park store doesn’t have, there is a gas station less than half a mile away! It’s also close to the highway.
- If you are interested in booking a stay, check out their website here!
Things to see and do in and near Sedona:
- Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village – A beautiful, but very busy market. Expect to wait for a parking spot. If you like shopping, it’s worth a visit. Plus, the architecture is really pretty.
- Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park – This is a special place – it’s quiet, peaceful and moving. You can follow some of the rituals (instructions are provided on site) or just sit and enjoy the peacefulness.
- World’s Largest Kokopelli – I love finding random “World’s Largest…” things during my travels so I had to get a picture with this in Camp Verde. Including it in case anyone else finds these roadside attractions fun!
- Chapel of the Holy Cross – So full disclosure, we didn’t really enjoy our visit here. It was chaotic with so many people, a lot of traffic and limited parking. However, the chapel is beautiful and it’s so impressive how well it fits in with the landscape. Just be prepared if you visit and bring your patience!
- Vortexes – Sedona is well-known for their vortexes, which are believed to promote healing and spiritual growth. There are a few in town, one of them being the Chapel mentioned above. I didn’t feel anything when I was there but I have a friend who had a strong reaction in the chapel. We also visited Airport Mesa, which is another popular vortex spot, but again, sadly no spiritual experience happened
- Sunrise/Sunset – Sunrises and sunsets are so beautiful against the red rocks of Sedona. Sadly, we didn’t have good luck with vivid colors when we were there, but it was still nice watching how the rocks changed color with the rising and/or setting sun.
- Montezuma Castle National Monument – We didn’t get a chance to visit here, but I was hoping to find time – the cliff dwellings look amazing! The national monument is located in Camp Verde.
Suggestions on food and drinks:
- Oak Creek Brewery and Grill – Located in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. We just got a beer here (very good!), but they do have food as well. Their sister company, Oak Creek Brewing Co., is in West Sedona.
- Verde Brewing Company – Small microbrewery in Camp Verde. Try the honey lager!
- Sedonuts Donut & Coffee Shop – You need to go here! The donuts are amazing. There will probably be a line, but it’s worth the wait. Try the Zebra donut! They also have great stickers and merchandise
- Sedona Beer Co. – We absolutely loved this brewery! It was so efficiently run, the beer and food were delicious and the staff was great. I got the Sedona Sunrise, a light beer with a pink-ish hue and the Caprese sandwich, and I recommend both! We finished our meal with an order of mini churros.
- Doc’s BBQ & Whiskey – Great spot for BBQ! The portions are a good size and everything tasted great. They also have a location in Prescott.
I think Sedona is worth visiting as long as you expect long waits, traffic and tons of people. The landscape is spectacular and the hiking is top-notch. We had a wonderful time there and I would love to go back to explore more. Please remember that many people call Sedona home year round so be respectful and follow Leave No Trace principles!
📍I acknowledge the lands mentioned in this post are the ancestral lands of the Hopilavayi, Dilzhę’é (North) and Yavapai people.
The Adventures of Suze 
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