5 Days in Sedona | From Creek Crossings to Cathedral Rock

Day 1 | Phoenix Arrival + Checking Into Sedona

Almost immediately upon arriving Arizona gave us a warm welcome. Phoenix Sky Harbor has "Navigator Buddies," certified therapy dogs that wander the airport with their volunteer handlers, greeting travelers and offering a little stress relief. We stopped for some dog cuddles before grabbing our bags. I wish every airport had this program!

After making our way out of the airport, we made the drive north to Sedona. It was one of those drives that feel like part of the trip, with the landscape changing dramatically in less than two hours. Desert valleys giant Saguaros (my favorite part!) gradually give way to greener high-desert terrain, rugged mountains, and sweeping views of the Verde Valley before Sedona's iconic red rock formations suddenly appear on the horizon.

Also, Arizona really loves a roundabout. Seriously, though, roundabouts are safer alternatives to traffic lights and stop signs, improve traffic flow, and are better for the environment - so learn to love them!

Pro Tip: Before departing Phoenix, order groceries for delivery to your accommodation to save yourself a grocery trip once you arrive in Sedona. A very underrated travel move that maximizes time and saves on stress.

Day 2 | West Fork of Oak Creek, Wine, Red Rock Drives & The Best Salmon Ever

One thing that surprised me was just how early the sun rises in Sedona. In May, daylight starts creeping in before 5 a.m., and the sun feels fully up by the time many of us are just thinking about coffee. If you're worried a sunrise hike means waking up in the middle of the night, it really doesn't. Coming from Central Time, a 5 a.m. Arizona start felt more like 7 a.m. to my body, making it easy to get out on the trails early. By 9 a.m., the sun already feels almost overhead, it's hot, and popular trails get annoyingly crowded. All that to say - get up early, you won't regret it!

West Fork of Oak Creek

We started our first full day with West Fork of Oak Creek Trail (Oak Creek Canyon). If you want a scenic hike without intense elevation or scrambling, this is a great option. It felt peaceful, easy, and a little magical.

West Fork Trail is a 6.5- to 7-mile out-and-back hike that follows a mostly flat, shaded canyon floor through one of Sedona's most unique landscapes. Unlike Sedona's typical red rock hikes, this trail winds through a lush forest alongside Oak Creek, with THIRTEEN stream crossings, towering canyon walls, and plenty of shade (a good trail if you got a late start).

During our trip, the water was only ankle deep and there were stones and logs to hop from if you have good balance, which made it fun without being too difficult.

The maintained trail ends around 3.3 miles in at the famous "Subway" section, where the canyon narrows dramatically and the creek disappears into a beautiful slot-like corridor. Most hikers turn around here, though adventurous backpackers can continue deeper into the wilderness beyond the official trail.

Lunch at Wildflower Bread Company

We worked up a hunger after West Fork Trail, and popped into Wildflower Bread Company for lunch. This ended up being one of those easy, reliable spots I’d happily go back to. Great quality food, lots of options, and everything we tried was really good. Bonus, it’s in The Shops At Pinon Pointe, so we wandered through a few stores before and after.

1912 Winery

After lunch, we stopped at 1912 Winery and were surprised by how much we enjoyed it. We did the six-wine tasting for just $15 and genuinely liked every wine we tried. (Anyone who knows me knows I'm not picky about wine, though!)

The tasting room was quiet during our visit, and for a while we had the place almost entirely to ourselves. The highlight was the view out the back windows, which look directly onto Sedona's iconic red rocks. Add in a little local artwork, wine-themed gifts, and a relaxed atmosphere, and it was a great way to slow down for an hour before continuing our adventures.

Chapel of the Holy Cross + Red Rock Scenic Byway

Later, we drove along Highway 179 and stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, one of Sedona's most recognizable landmarks. Built directly into the red rocks between 1954 and 1956, the chapel was commissioned by artist and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude and designed by architect August K. Strotz. The modern design was considered so innovative for its time that it received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award shortly after completion.

Even if you're not religious, it's worth visiting for the architecture and views alone. The massive cross rising from the red rock cliff face is striking, and the views from the chapel overlook some of Sedona's most iconic scenery.

Be prepared for crowds. The parking lot was packed when we arrived, but we were eventually able to find a spot nearby and walk up. Inside, the chapel itself is surprisingly simple and peaceful, while the lower level houses a gift shop that was quite crowded with visitors, religious items, souvenirs, and local gifts. Between the architecture, the history, and the views, it's easy to see why this is one of Sedona's most popular stops.

Dinner at The Hudson

Dinner at The Hudson, located in the Hillside Sedona Shopping Center, absolutely lived up to the hype. The views were beautiful, the atmosphere was great, the service was phenomenal, and I’m still thinking about the salmon. Order the salmon.

Day 3: Bell Rock, Hidden Caves & Shopping in Sedona

Bell Rock Pathway

We started early again today with Bell Rock. Originally, I planned to do Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Loop, but we ended up starting on Bell Rock Pathway and then I explored upward a bit more naturally.

Bell Rock Pathway is flat, wide trails and beautiful views of the rock formations before meeting the base of Bell Rock - earlier than where the summit climb officially starts. I went ahead and started scaling Bell Rock here, and I truly loved this approach more than starting from the official trail. It felt a bit more "off the beaten path" and flexible depending on how adventurous you want to be.

Once you climb up, you can find your own summits to occupy or easily make your way over to the official Bell Rock trail up to the summit.

Raven Caves Trail / Keyhole Cave

Raven Caves Trail (also called Keyhole Cave) was one of my favorite experiences in Sedona because it's not a popular destination. There wasn't another soul on the (short) trail, and I had the cave all to myself. Definitely worth it if you have a few minutes to spare.

The start of the trail is wide, flat, and easy, but getting down to the cave requires steady feet and a little bit of courage. It's a bit confusing getting down to the cave. Just keep the rocks on your right going down and cross here between the tree and the rocks.

The cave itself feels dramatic and tucked away, and the views from inside were excellent.

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

After getting some hikes in, we spent time at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which I loved. It’s beautiful, charming, and full of local shops, galleries, and unique art. Naturally, I bought art.

We also wandered through some of the more standard shopping areas nearby for souvenirs and easy browsing (If you have a sense of humor, we loved Rolling Rack Boutique!), followed by dinner at Sedona Pizza & Pasta.

Dinner at Sedona Pizza & Pasta

Honestly, the service at Sedona Pizza & Pasta felt a little rough at first, but our server warmed up throughout the meal. The food was solid, though, and pizza really hit the spot after a long day.

Day 4: Cathedral Rock + A Wedding in Sedona

Cathedral Rock

This was without a doubt my favorite hike of the entire trip! While Cathedral Rock Trail is definitely more challenging than some of Sedona’s easier trails, I don’t think you need to be an expert hiker to do it. If you’re reasonably fit and comfortable with steep climbing and some scrambling, it’s absolutely manageable. And, the harder sections make it feel even more rewarding once you get to the top where the views are incredible.

Pro Tips: 

• Follow the cairns (baskets of rocks) that mark the trail!

• If you want to park at the trail lot and avoid the shuttle, get to the lot no later than 6:30 am. When the shuttle starts to run around 7:00 am, lot access is no longer allowed.

• Once you finish the main climb and get to the saddle, go right on the saddle for a cliff's edge photo op. Then, go left of the saddle for the vortex rock, additional views, and rock formations. Totally worth it.

Wedding at Agave

We were in Sedona for a wedding, so after Cathedral Rock we made a couple of quick shopping stops and got ready to dance the night away! I'm not a wedding venue reviewer, but the Agave of Sedona Wedding & Event Center was a beautiful setting for a wedding, especially with Sedona’s red rock backdrop.

Day 5: Heading Back to Phoenix + Departure

Check out of our Airbnb was 10 a.m. and then we made the drive back toward Phoenix.

I wasn't going to let us make the drive down I-17 without a quick stop for saguaro cactus pictures because I'd been thinking about them ever since the drive in. No regrets!