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From the mystical vortex of metaphysical
readings to the amazingly beautiful vistas of the
canyons and peaks of the regions, the area is alive
with echoes of the past. Eons ago, dinosaurs roamed
the area; in geological time, a nearby inland sea
disappeared and left monumental red sandstone towers
and canyons eroded by the ages. In the past, ancient
Sinagua and Anasazi people settled the region. Attractions
include outdoor activities such as hiking, trail
rides, fishing, ballooning, watching the night sky
and native ceremonies. 
1 Bell Rock -
off Highway 179 / Sedona
Bell Rock is considered one of Sedona’s spiritual
or sacred vortexes. Other vortexes found among the
red rocks and aligned in or around Sedona include:
Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, Airport Mesa and
Boynton Canyon.
2 Canyon de Chelly National
Monument - / Chinle / AZ / 928-674-5500
Although over 150 miles northeast of Sedona, local
tour packages are offered to this beautiful and prehistoric
site. Stunning red rock cliffs and sandstone spires
shelter prehistoric pictographs and ancient cliff
dwellings built over a thousand years ago. Hiking,
jeep excursions and horseback riding tours may be
arranged in Sedona. / No entry fee
3 Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Chapel Road off Highway 179 / Sedona
Just outside town, south of Sedona the Chapel of
the Holy Cross sits 200 feet above the valley floor.
Nondenominational, the chapel offers a marvelous
view of the sunsets across the valley and has become
one of the areas inspirational centers.
4 Coconino National Forest
- Located on the eastern side of Sedona, the forest
houses the Walnut Canyon National Monument and Mormon
Lake. Attractions include trails and recreational
opportunities throughout the Red Rock Ranger District
and the Volcanic Highlands. / Entry Fee for certain
activities
5 Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim
located north of Flagstaff on U.S.180
It’s a day trip to the South Rim of the canyon
at Desert View and Grand Canyon, which is less than
100 miles from Sedona via U. S. Route 180 north out
of Flagstaff. The South Rim of the park is open 365
days of the year unlike the North Rim which is closed
from mid-October to mid-May. Several tours in Sedona
offer excursions to America’s most famous natural
wonder, take a shuttle, raft the Colorado or drive
on your own. If you haven’t seen it, Sedona
is a good destination base for exploring the most
spectacular eastern end of the National Park. / Fee
/ Golden Eagle passes accepted
6 Hopi Indian Reservation
- Located northeast of Flagstaff off 89 to US160
N to 264 east / Kykotsmovi / AZ
Surrounded by the Navajo Reservation, the Hopi Reservation
centers around three mesas set between the Polacca
and Dinnebito Washes. The mainstay of the Hopi culture
was maize or corn which they grew to sustain life
as well as their spirituality. Some of the Hopi still
inhabit their pueblos which are some of the oldest
structures in the Americas that are in continuous
use.
7 Jerome - Highway
89a southwest of Cottonwood and Sedona
A town perched on a steep hillside, Jerome could
be called a recycled town. Many of the late 19th
and early 20th century buildings were abandoned in
the 1920s when the mines closed down. Retirees, hippies
and artists moved in the vacated buildings beginning
in the 1960s, thus a booming art colony created a
need to restore existing structures. The town is
now an arts and antique center drawing upscale shoppers
from around the area.
8 Montezuma Castle National
Monument - / Camp Verde / AZ / 928-567-3322
Early settlers mistakenly assumed that this five-story
cliff dwelling was built by the Aztec, hence the
name Montezuma. The complex was built between 1100
and 1400 ad by Sinagua farmers. Entrance into the
fragile structure is prohibited however a museum
has exhibits interpreting interesting points about
the site along with a wheelchair accessible trail
which allows visual viewing of the dwellings. / Fee
/ Golden Eagle passes accepted
9 Museum of the Red Rocks
- Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village / off Route
179 South / Sedona / 928-282-5932 / Dinosaur
bones, native American artifacts and local archeology
are the main attractions at this museum. From their
growing exhibits of Dinosaurs of the Southwest there
is a full scale Dilophosauras, Arizona’s own
state dinosaur. Changing exhibits feature dinosaur
collections from all over the world. Regional interest
tours are offered through the museum. (see tours)
10 Navajo Indian Reservation
- Located northeast of Flagstaff off 89 / Tuba City
/ AZ
Comprising much of the northeastern quarter of the
state of Arizona, the Navajo Indian Reservation holds
three national monuments and surrounds the Hopi Indian
Reservation which is at its center. Several scenic
highways also cross the territory with amazing views
of Black Mesa, Monument Valley, Echo Cliffs, the
Painted Desert and the Hopi Reservation. it’s
what Arizona Highways is all about!
11 Navajo National Monument
- Tonalea / AZ / 928-672-2366
A long day-trip from Sedona, located on the northern
side of the Navajo Indian Reservation, the Navajo
National Monument has several ancient native American
sites including two well preserved Anasazi cliff
dwellings built in the 1200s. Ranger led hikes into
the region are not for those with heart or respiratory
problems. Betatakin is a five mile hike in to the
ruins, Keet Seel is 17 miles and can be taken on
foot or by horseback with a Navajo guide. Reservations
for Betatakin are made daily, Keel Seel horseback
tours can be made two months in advance. / No entry
fee
12 Oak Creek Canyon
- N Highway 89A / northeast of Sedona
One of Arizona’s most popular attractions next
to the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon is where the
canyon is at its narrowest and most impressive. The
red, orange and white cliffs rise dramatically on
either side of the creek. Hiking, fishing and snapping
pictures from the 89A Oak Creek Scenic Viewpoint
are a few of the pastimes enjoyed at the canyon.
13 Prescott National Forest
- Located on the western side of Sedona, the forest
houses the Tuzigoot National Monument and the Dead
Horse Ranch and Jerome State Parks, among other attractions.
14 Red Rock State Park
- 4050 Red Rock Loop Road / Sedona / 928-282-6907
Opened in 1991, this state park with its beautiful
riverside scenery has a visitor center along with
an environmental education center, picnic areas and
hiking trails. Seasonal nature and bird walks plus
full moon hikes are led by park rangers. / Fee
15 Sedona Heritage Museum
- 735 Jordan Road / Jordan Historic Park / Sedona
/ 928-282-7038
With their focus on the pioneer period of Sedona
from the first settlements of European Americans
from about 1870 through the 1950s, the Sedona Heritage
Museum is located in a 1930s farmhouse. Beyond local
artifacts of local farm life and ranching, the museum
also features an exhibit about the 80+ Hollywood
movies filmed in Sedona.
16 Slide Rocks State Park
- Highway 89A / Sedona
Seven miles north of Sedona is the Slide Rocks State
Park, a great destination for a summer swim. On Oak
Creek, a series of natural chutes and pools over
smooth rock steps creates natures own water park.
Fishing, hiking and camping are other diversions
enjoyed by visitors.
17 Sunset Crater Volcano
National Monument - off Highway 89 on
Route 3, north of Flagstaff / Flagstaff / AZ / 928-526-0502
In 1050, the Sinagua witnessed the eruption of Sunset
Crater which covered the area with black cinders
and created a 1,000 foot cone seen today. Fresh in
geologic time, the lava flows appear to have cooled
in place only yesterday. A 45 minute Lava Walk is
lead by rangers several times a day, a campfire talk
is also offered, however self-guided tours are also
encouraged, guide booklets are available. / Fee good
in combination with Wupatki National Monument / Golden
Eagle passes accepted
18 Tlaquepaque Arts &
Crafts Village - off Route 179 South /
Sedona / 928-282-4838
Sedona’s art and shopping center, built in a
reconstruction of a Mexican hacienda as it might
have looked in colonial times. Shops, galleries,
restaurants and the Museum of the Red Rocks are located
here.
19 Tuzigoot National Monument
- Cottonwood / contact Montezuma Castle
National Monument / Camp Verde / AZ / 928-567-3322
About 20 miles southwest of Sedona is the Tuzigoot
National Monument, comprised of a 110-room hilltop
pueblo built around 1100 ad by the Sinagua. A short
trail leads through this nationally protected complex.
/ Fee / Golden Eagle passes accepted
20 Verde Canyon Railroad
- 300 N Broadway / Clarkdale / AZ / 928-639-0010
The only way to go when touring the Verde Canyon,
not accessible by car, this four-hour train ride
is full of spectacular views and amazing scenery.
It loops through a wilderness canyon along the North
verde River past ancient ruins, through a 680 foot
tunnel with a final stop at a ghost ranch. Open air
cars are available in summer.
21 Walnut Canyon National
Monument - Walnut Canyon Road / Flagstaff
/ AZ / 982-526-3367
Three hundred cliff dwellings from the 12th and 13th
centuries remain in the cave-like recesses of this
hidden canyon. Built by the Sinagua, the dwellings
were abandoned by 1400 ad. A mile long trail is on
the strenuous side with a climb of 240 steps. / Fee
/ Golden Eagle passes accepted
22 Wupatki National Monument
- Flagstaff / AZ / 982-556-7040
Play ball, prehistoric style, this prehistoric ball
court built by the Sinagua in the 12th century is
only part of the picture at Wupatki. The site also
contains a 3-story pueblo and an oval amphitheater.
There are summer craft demonstrations on site and
trails lead to other ancient ruins in the area. /
Fee good in combination with Sunset Crater National
Monument / Golden Eagle passes accepted
Reserve
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