The town of Sedona is located at the southern end of Oak Creek Canyon, 25 miles south of Flagstaff, 20 miles northeast of Cottonwood, and 125 miles north of Phoenix. Sedona is an ideal place to stay because it's a gateway to so many destinations, such as Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, the historic mining town of Jerome, and Phoenix to the south, all within a one- to two-hour drive. If you love to drive or ride, HWY 89A through Oak Creek Canyon is one of the best you'll find.
The climate and topography of Sedona attract millions of visitors every year. In 2002, Sedona was voted the most beautiful place in America. The town is surrounded by stunning red rock cliffs many accessible via hiking trails or jeep rides. It's large artist community is responsible for the town's proliferation of art galleries, specialty gift stores and boutiques. Sedona's architecture is typically southwestern, with the natural colors of the surrounding area blended into its homes and buildings.
Besides shopping, a popular past-time in Sedona, one of the town's main attractions is the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross. This modern, unconventional church is made from the area's native red rock and is built between two large sandstone peaks. The interior of the church is striking. Its 90-foot cross towers over you like an ancient tree in a forest. The panoramic view from the chapel is out of this world, with red rock buttes visible in all directions.
The following are just a sample of some of the well loved and often visited rock formations that you may discover while visiting Sedona:
- Bell Rock * - Sedona's most photographed landmark. You pass it when you drive in from the south.
- Cathedral Rock * - located in West Sedona, it is topped by twin spires and a large saddle and can be seen from both the east and west sides.
- Airport Mesa * - Overlooks all of Sedona and provides storybook images at sunrise and sunset;
- Boyton Canyon * - is northwest of town and has trails for casual walkers as well as serious hikers.
- Snoopy Rock - located near uptown near where Hwy 179 meets Schnebly Hill Road. Take Schnebly Hill Road and go a short distance past where the pavement ends.
- Coffee Pot Rock - access off Coffee Pot Road.
- Courthouse Butte - Courthouse Butte can be seen from almost anywhere in Sedona and looks like the profile of a human face gazing upwards from its top horizon. The Courthouse Loop Trail can be accessed off of the Bell Rock Pathway.
- Steamboat Rock - Follow Highway 89A north, you will eventually see Steamboat Rock and arrive in Flagstaff. Located atop Airport Mesa vortex site.
- Devils Bridge Trail - Sedona's oldest and tallest arch.
* Locations of the four main vortexes in Sedona.
