Have you ever woken up from a dream, and immediately wanted to fall back asleep so you could keep enjoying that dream?! Being in Sedona, Arizona was seriously like living in a dream, and I wish I could relive it over and over! You will feel like you are in an entirely different world while visiting this city! Can you tell I want to go back?! Sedona, Arizona is a breathtakingly beautiful place full of adventure for the whole family!
We traveled to Sedona, AZ, in addition to Phoenix, AZ, this past October (Read our Phoenix post here). It’s just a short drive from Phoenix, being just under two hours. Our Phoenix adventures were definitely geared more toward our kid’s enjoyment. Sedona is a “hiker’s paradise,” so this portion of our trip was planned more for us. I say that, but our oldest son still talks about Sedona! Keep reading to find our tips on where to stay, and “family friendly” hikes we completed.
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Where to Stay in Sedona, AZ
We decided to stay at a VRBO in Sedona, AZ. We have stayed in hotels with our kids in the past, but staying at a rental, such as a VRBO, has seemed to work better for our family. We lucked out pretty good with our place here…I mean check out that view?! We were also right across the street from a highly recommended cafe, but I’ll get into that later!
Staying at a VRBO gives you a homier feel, and allows for you to save money by eating more of your meals in. Our place had three bedrooms, a large living area, and kitchen. It allowed for us to enjoy our evenings without having to worry if our baby monitor would reach a hotel lobby (yep we’ve done it)! The options are endless, and in my opinion VRBO is the way to go!
Hiking in Sedona, AZ
As stated above, Sedona is a “hiker’s paradise,” offering some of the most picturesque hikes in the world! I highly recommend doing your own research before you make it to Sedona. There are several hikes in this area ranging from easy to very hard. Know your limitations, pack plenty of water/snacks, and make sure to take breaks and soak in all of the beautiful views.
If you are into meditation, you absolutely need to check out a vortex! Vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy where many feel inspired, recharged, or uplifted. While hiking, it is common to see visitors/locals doing yoga, or meditating at a vortex. Even if you’re not into this kind of thing, I highly suggest stopping by one to see if you feel any of this healing energy!
A Red Rock Pass is a required parking permit while visiting the Sedona Trails System on the National Forest Land. A day pass is $5, $15 for 7 days, or $20 for the year. You can purchase your pass in advance, or on site, where your license plate number will be used to show compliance. Passes do not guarantee parking availability, which is limited at most of the trail heads. I suggest starting your hikes early if possible or hope that you get lucky!
Family-Friendly Hikes in Sedona
Bell Rock
Bell Rock is a 0.8 mile out and back moderate trail. It is well marked and offers incredible views! While doing this hike, we decided to keep going and rock scramble to get further up Bell Rock. We had the kiddos on our backs, so we were smart and only did what we could handle, but boy was it worth it! Tip: This hike comes highly recommended during sunrise and/or sunset.
Fay Canyon Trail
Fay Canyon Trail is an easy, 2.3 mile out and back trail. The trailhead is very easy to find, as the parking lot is right off of Boynton Pass Rd. The hike itself winds through heavy vegetation and trees, but once you make it halfway, you can rock scramble to get to the top of the arch. We HIGHLY recommend taking this climb, even with littles (just take your time). The views are incredible and absolutely worth it! Our son (3 years old at the time) whispered “WOW” when we got to the top!
Soldier Pass Trail
Soldier Pass Trail is a 4.5 mile loop that’s rated moderate-difficult. We parked at the Jim Thompson Trailhead off of Jordan Rd. From here, we took the Cibola Pass Trail to get to Soldier Pass. This adds to your milage, however parking at the Soldier Pass trailhead is limited, so it may be necessary.
The trail itself offers several natural wonders, with numerous opportunities to stop and take in the scenery. The first feature you will come upon is Devil’s Kitchen – a sinkhole formed by the collapse of underground caverns. It was at this point we had the pleasure of spotting a tarantula…yuck!
As you continue, you will come to the Seven Sacred Pools. These pools were naturally carved into the sandstone over time and are fed by a seasonal stream. The water created from these pools serve as a very important water source for the area’s wildlife.
As you continue, you will head to Soldier Pass Cave and Soldier Arch. This point of the trail is very steep and requires you to boulder hop. I was a little nervous with my little guy on my back, but it was doable. My husband and I received several kudos while making this climb…this definitely helped me keep going! Once we reached the cave, I opted out (again, know your limits and be smart – especially if you’re carrying precious cargo) and watched my 3-year-old and husband climb up to the cave.
After enjoying the cave, we headed back the way we came. If you’re feeling super adventurous, you can continue onto the Brins Mesa Trail. (Tip: I HIGHLY suggest using the AllTrails App for this hike. It’s not very well marked, and if you get lucky like we did, you may add in some unnecessary milage!)
Devils Bridge Trail
Devils Bridge is a moderate, 3.9-mile hike with an iconic sandstone bridge and breathtaking views. This is a very popular hike, so we started early (6:30 AM) to avoid some of the crowds. You need a high clearance vehicle to access the trail from the official trailhead, so we parked at the Mescal Trailhead (located on Long Canyon Road). From here, you take Mescal Trail to Chuckwagon Trail, and finally to the Devils Bridge Trail. Obviously, this route will add to your millage, but it’s worth it, and you CAN do it with kids!
Overall, the hike is pretty flat until you get to the base of the bridge where you have to climb a natural rock staircase. If you plan on getting a photo on top of the bridge, plan on waiting in line. As stated previously, we started our hike around 6:30, and waited about 30 minutes. The line was building up as we were leaving, so we were happy with our decision to start early.
Where to Eat in Sedona
Mexican
While we were in Sedona, we tried not only one Mexican restaurant, but two! When it comes to Mexican food, we’re kinda food snobs…so after our first attempt at Tortas de Fuego Bar & Grill, which was decent, we tried Maria’s Restaurant & Cantina another night. If I had to choose again, I would go back to Tortas over Maria’s. I’m embarrassed to say we were anxious to get back to our usual local Mexican restaurant in Knoxville!
Red Rock Cafe
Now, this place is worth noting! Red Rock Cafe is a family-owned restaurant opened for breakfast, brunch and lunch. They have a 3 LB cinnamon roll that is to die for! I highly recommend sharing this special treat over several days…especially after all of that hiking! We also tried their Sedona Melt chicken sandwich. Mmmm, SO good!!!
Sedonuts & Coffee
Of course, we had to stop at this place after seeing the name! Our son was calling Sedona “Donut, Arizona” our whole trip, so we found if very comical when we stumbled across Sedonuts after one of our hikes. He always goes for the usual sprinkle donut, but they have several fancy options to choose from. Go early before they run out!
Things to See in Sedona
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Visiting this place is a must! The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel that was literally built into the beautiful red rock buttes of Sedona, AZ! Take in the views of this incredible architecture and read about its history, and/or light a candle and say a prayer within the chapel itself. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is open seven days a week from 9 AM – 5 PM.
Sights We Missed Out on:
- Red Rock State Park
- Slide Rock State Park – A must visit for the warmer months!
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Cathedral Rock – We heard the hike can be pretty intense – or you can opt to just driving there to view the beautiful rock formation!
- Airport Mesa Overlook – We read the best time to hike this trail is for sunrise, or sunset!
This was our first trip to Sedona, Arizona, and it will not be our last. We cannot wait for the day we FINALLY pull the trigger and head out West with our camper (Sedona will be on our list)! I hope you gained some insight into what Sedona has to offer, and why you should put this place on your bucket list! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Happy traveling!
