How to Spend One Day in Sedona, Arizona: 24 Hour Itinerary
Aaaand, breathe. That’s how it feels when you arrive in the vortex that is beautiful Sedona, Arizona. Famous for its healing energy vortexes, stunning hiking trails in the red rocks, and thriving local art scene, Sedona offers it all. What’s best? You can soak in all of Sedona’s positive vibes and sights on a one-day trip. Here are my 8 tips to help you take full advantage of this beautiful destination!
Rise and shine!
I highly recommend arriving early in Sedona. Heck, if you can pull it off, arrive for a sunrise hike. I left Scottsdale at 5 AM and drove to Sedona so I could get as much out of my one-day trip as possible. It was totally worth it!
Soak in the views on the Courthouse Butte Loop Trail.
If intense hiking isn’t your thing, not to worry! You can still enjoy Sedona without hours of arduous sweat. I hiked for around 30-40 minutes on the Courthouse Butte Loop Trail. The views were incredible and the trail was doable for amateur or experienced hikers.
Hike and heal.
Sedona is known for its healing vortexes. What’s a vortex? It’s a magical center of swirling energy known for uplifting, inspiring, and recharging. All of Sedona is regarded as a vortex, but there are four specific sites you can hike to where the energy is known to radiate most intensely. These are Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Each emits its unique energy. I, personally, experienced areas of concentrated energy at Bell Rock. I felt an incredible tingling sensation on my skin and also felt deeply in-tune and connected with myself and the earth. Hiking to a vortex-like Bell Rock is not to be missed.
Experience Chapel of the Holy Cross.
This is a beautiful 1950’s chapel with impressive views of the surrounding red rock butte. The chapel was inspired and commissioned by a student of the famous architect, Frank Llyod Wright. It’s minimalist and stunning, jutting up about 250 feet out of the red rock. It has become a source of unity for the local community. Just a warning, however, parking is really tight, so arrive as early as possible!
Feel the feels at Cathedral Rock.
Many of the rock formations in Sedona are named after what they look like. Hence Cathedral Rock derives its name from it’s lofty, church-like appearance. It has been compared to Stonehenge in England and you need to hike here to experience it. It’s only about a 10-15 minute hike up to the shelf fork. If you have time, you can do the hour loop around it too. I didn’t have much time to stop here since I spent so much soaking in the goodness that Bell Rock offers, but I’ve heard incredible things about Cathedral Rock. Check it out and let me know!
Shop Local at Son-Silver-West Galleries Inc.
I came across this really interesting store while driving further up north to check out other trails. They sell everything from Southwestern decor, to local crafts, to antiques, to pottery, and a variety of funky items. Honestly, it was almost overwhelming with all the choices! But definitely worth a stop to pick up a local gift for yourself or someone else.
Cross the Devil's Bridge Trailhead.
I spent at least 4 hours at Devil’s Bridge. It’s a moderate, 1.8-mile roundtrip hike that leads you to a towering sandstone arch. To my surprise, you can cross the bridge — I sure did! And I know I talk about parking a lot, but it’s truly limited here. So, I highly suggest arriving early. Or, consider a Jeep tour from one of the local tourism companies.
Explore Sedona’s Main Street.
Whether you’re hungry from hiking and want a delicious, local lunch, or you want to get a feel for the local art scene, you can’t miss a visit to Sedona’s vibrant Main Street. Filled with friendly locals, laid-back cafes, and lots of #goodvibesonly… I loved it here!
Insider tip: If you’re driving, keep in mind that you’ll need Red Rock Passes, which are $5 per day and are available at Sedona's visitor centers.
If you’re new to hiking, check out my list of my top 8 essential tips for the beginner hiker to ensure that your first treks are successful.