24 Hours in Sedona
A red rock butte that turns fiery orange at sunrise, a trail said to sit atop one of the strongest energy vortexes in the country, and an art village built to feel like a corner of old Mexico, one proper day in Arizona’s red rock country.
Sedona packs an unusual amount into a single day, one of the most photographed rock formations in the Southwest, a properly striking hike whether or not you buy into the vortex energy, and an arts village worth an afternoon on its own. Here’s how I’d spend 24 hours here.
Cathedral Rock
Start early at Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed formations in Sedona and widely considered the strongest of the area’s vortex sites. The Templeton Trail leads to Buddha Beach along Oak Creek, a gentler option, while the saddle climb is steep and genuinely strenuous, only for fit, experienced hikers.
A vortex hike and scenic drive
Head to Bell Rock or Airport Mesa, both considerably easier hikes than Cathedral Rock’s saddle climb, with sweeping views over the red rock landscape. Combine it with a scenic drive along Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon for a proper look at the surrounding formations.
Getting there A short drive from Cathedral Rock
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
End the day at Tlaquepaque, an arts village modelled after traditional Mexican architecture, over 50 galleries and shops set beneath sycamore trees along Oak Creek. A properly atmospheric place to close out the day, particularly as the evening light softens.
Getting around
Sedona genuinely requires a car, the vortex sites and scenic drives sit spread across the area, and public transport is limited. Uptown Sedona and Tlaquepaque are walkable once you’ve parked.
If you only have time for one thing
Make it Cathedral Rock. It’s the single most iconic formation in the area, and standing before it is a proper introduction to Sedona’s red rock landscape before you’ve even reached the galleries.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
