Not every destination combines athletic adventures amid eye-popping nature with spiritual pursuits, but Northern Arizona’s Sedona does. Visitors willing to dabble in both will love this quixotic, red rock-edged destination most of all.
PHOTO:
© CITY OF SEDONA
A compact city with just 10,000 residents 100 miles north of Phoenix, Sedona encompasses 19 square miles, much of it flecked with lush vegetation. Ponderosa pines and piñón trees pepper hillocks and grow atop canyon rims. Immense, 300-million-year-old red rocks, punctuate the terrain. Wildlife abounds. Sun-dappled by day, Sedona lights up at night as an official Dark Sky City with spotlight-bright heavens. Its architecture generally harmonizes with the organic aspects of the land. Ever emanating a contemporary hippie vibe and a woo woo nature, Sedona is also shaped by the vim and vigor of its accomplished outdoor enthusiasts. Laid-back and artsy, the city draws much of its soulfulness, too, from a community-wide respect for the sacredness of the landscape, its history, and the region’s omnipresent Native American traditions and culture.
PHOTO: © CITY OF SEDONA
In the past Sedona seemed like a well-kept secret, but COVID-19 brought mobs of revelers seeking remote repose. In the last few years visitor numbers have soared to 3 million or more annually. And yet, many still consider Sedona a hidden gem. Tourists come for outdoor pursuits: hiking, biking, kayaking, hot-air ballooning and more. But they also book stays for Sedona’s legendary Earth energy vortexes — powerful spots where some believe the veil to other dimensions is more accessible. Transformation, spiritual seeking and spas are big business in this buzzy town, whether it’s tarot card reading or yoga among the red rocks. With 100 top-notch restaurants available, some travelers simply visit to indulge in a saucy plate of enchiladas and a margarita.
Still, the unrivaled cadre of gifted guides, healers, athletes and teachers might be called the city’s secret sauce. Their talents, knowledge and expertise support visitors on their quests, whether that means leading them on a rigorous hike along a secluded trail, accompanying them for a meditation practice at a premier vortex location or giving them the best massage of their life. A town as full of first-in-class athletes as spiritual practitioners, Sedona’s unique fabric means you can have your aura read in the morning and discover an untrammeled trail on an extreme bike ride the same afternoon. You can celebrate your achievements with dinner at creative restaurants, shop in independent boutiques and galleries, or partake of a world-class spa treatment.
However you choose to enjoy its virtues, Sedona has a way of giving you the shift you need — even if you haven’t asked for it.
CHECKING IN WITH ANDREW GROSSMANN
Tourism Manager, City of Sedona
What makes Sedona like nowhere else?
Sedona is unexpected. Although it is technically a high-desert community in the American Southwest, the landscape feels very different from the wide-open desert with saguaro cactus many people associate with Arizona. Instead, Sedona is defined by towering red rock formations, lush greenery, crisp blue skies and cool waters of Oak Creek flowing year-round through the heart of the community. One of the most distinctive aspects of Sedona is its striking natural color palette of red, green and blue. When the red rocks, green vegetation and blue sky converge, the landscape seems to shimmer. The visual experience often leaves visitors feeling inspired, reflective and deeply connected to the place.
Explain how nature is paramount in Sedona.
The red rock landscape that surrounds Sedona is the destination’s defining feature. I often describe it as being like a Tibetan singing bowl, with the community at the bottom and dramatic red rock formations rising in every direction around it. While some red rocks sit within city limits, most of them lie within the surrounding Coconino National Forest. This vast public landscape includes more than 200 recreational trails spanning more than 400 miles, offering opportunities for hiking, biking and exploration. As a result, more than 75 percent of visitors incorporate a recreational experience on the trails during their stay. Nature here isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the foundation of the Sedona experience.
COVID brought bigger crowds to Sedona. What has the city done to keep it a slow travel destination?
The City of Sedona operates the Sedona Shuttle, a public transportation system designed to reduce congestion and improve access to popular areas. We also opened the Forest Road Connection project, which created a new roadway from Uptown Sedona into West Sedona.
Have you had one of Sedona’s famous mystical or magical experiences?
The mystique of Sedona reveals itself differently to everyone who visits. Many wellness practitioners here say Sedona tends to give back what you bring to it. If you arrive open to reflection or transformation, you may very well find it. If you try to force a mystical experience, you might leave wondering what you missed. Sedona most often leaves me in a state of awe, which is something I’ve experienced countless times while living and working here. What visitors choose to do with that sense of awe — or how they channel it into their lives — is entirely personal. This is why we encourage people to experience Sedona firsthand to find out for themselves.
What about Sedona for business travelers?
Sedona is increasingly popular for bleisure travel, executive retreats and small conferences. Many of the destination’s resort properties provide meeting and event space paired with extraordinary natural surroundings. This allows business travelers to combine productive meetings with experiences like hiking, mountain biking, wellness activities or time to simply enjoy the landscape. Because Sedona is relatively compact and easy to navigate, business travelers can transition seamlessly from meetings to recreation, making it an ideal destination for combining work with meaningful downtime.
DIVERSIONS
No visit to Sedona is complete without going to at least one of its vortex sites. Most people hike or bike to them; some do yoga or simply meditate amid the aura. The best-known vortexes are Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Boynton Canyon and Cathedral Rock, but other locations such as Chapel of the Holy Rock also stand out.
© MARIA FEKLISTOVA | DREAMSTIME.COM
Most of Sedona’s more than 200 hiking trails wind through Coconino National Forest, incorporating 400 miles of nature. West Fork Trail and Devil’s Bridge Trail are among the most popular.
New last year, the Hardline Mountain Bike Trail introduced an advanced riding experience for mountain bikers. Overall, Sedona offers more than 250 miles of dedicated mountain biking on hundreds of trails that range from beginner to advanced.
Blending the ethereal with the physical, the Sedona Metaphysical and Spiritual Association represents more than 30 wellness practitioners who hold permits with the United States Forest Service to offer experiences directly on the red rocks. Think sunrise yoga, meditation and sound healing in nature.
Finally, for wine lovers, Northern Arizona’s Verde Valley Wine Trail lies just 30 minutes away. Verde Valley, a growing region, features 19 commercial vineyards and 25 tasting rooms. Varietals include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Vermentino, Syrah and Petite Sirah.
LODGING
AMBIENTE
Car-free, adults-only and nature-focused, this gorgeous hotel blends seamlessly into the environment. With pampering amenities and sleek design, it was awarded two Michelin Keys.
900 W. State Route 89A, Sedona
$$$$$
L’AUBERGE DE SEDONA
A stunning, hidden enclave in the heart of the city and situated beside Oak Creek, this intimate hotel features a romantic restaurant and transformative spa.
301 L’Auberge Lane, Sedona
$$$$$
HILTON SEDONA RESORT AT BELL ROCK
Choose one of the hotel’s spacious, contemporary suites with its views of Bell Rock. With a huge spa, pool and restaurants, the property proves ideal for families.
90 Ridge Trail Drive, Sedona
$$$$$
DINING
DAHL & DI LUCA RISTORANTE ITALIANO
This swanky Italian restaurant has date night vibes and features white tablecloths, homemade pasta and live piano music. One of Sedona’s most esteemed restaurants, it showcases authentic northern Italian cuisine.
2321 W. State Route 89A, Sedona
$$$$$
ELOTE CAFE
One of Sedona’s hardest-to-get reservations, this casual, rustic- intoned, Southwestern-forged eatery serves up chef and owner Jeff Smedstad’s recipes collected from his extensive travels to Mexico.
350 Jordan Road, Sedona
$$$$$
RENÉ AT TLAQUEPAQUE
Reflecting Sedona’s artistic élan and commitment to seasonal living, this French-Mediterranean hideaway sits within the courtyards of Tlaquepauqe Arts & Shopping Village.
336 State Route 179, Suite B-118, Sedona
$$$$$
JUST THE FACTS
Time zone: GMT-7, no daylight saving time in 2026
Phone code: Country code: 1 City code: 928
Currency: U.S. dollar
Key industries: Tourism
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
English
COMING AND GOING
Generally, international visitors traveling for business or tourism to the United States must first obtain a nonimmigrant visitor visa for a temporary stay. Applications may be completed online.
INFO TO GO
Visitors arrive at the closest airports to Sedona: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, two hours away, or the much smaller and more limited Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, just 25 miles north of Sedona. From Flagstaff, the 40- minute trip to Sedona passes through Oak Creek Canyon.
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