Airport Mesa — Attraction in Sedona

I did a lot of research on which trail to take my mother who’s in her 70s that’s not so difficult, short in distance, and where you can get the panoramic view. That would be at Airport Mesa.

Few things you need to know:

The trailhead parking lot only has 10 spaces. Go straight to park at Airport Vista Overlook lot. This will cost $3 and add on about 0.6 more miles to the trailhead. Airport Loop is 3.2 miles Summit trail is 0.6 miles from trailhead. Sedona view is the entire 0.6 stretch from Airport Vista Overlook lot to trailhead. Very rocky. Need sturdy shoes and recommend hiking poles. Start early due to the heat and bring water.

We arrived at 6:30am and no spots so we parked at the overlook lot. There’s a machine for you to pay $3. There was nobody there until we got back. You can by water and ask questions. There’s also portable bathrooms for your convenience. Follow the trail along the fence then you get to a gate that says “Sedona View”. It’s actually heavy so be careful when you swing it open. Go through that and follow along the fence. The next mark would be a bench, great photo spot. I believe this is why they call it Sedona View? There’s a second bench as you keep walking but it’s not so visible on the trail. We didn’t see this until the way back.

It took us 30 mins to get the the trailhead and it was 7am, lots of cars left after they saw the sunrise. Half the parking spaces were available.

Once at the trailhead, soak up all the views then you’ll see signs to the summit. Very well marked. You go up the steep steps and hold on to the wire railing. It was windy at the top.

The way down is the same, go down the steps while holding on to the wire railing. You’re back at the trail head and follow the signs to Sedona View which will take you along the fence back to the lot.

Took us two hours total for 2.4 miles round trip but that’s with my elderly mother with hiking poles.

I would recommend parking at the overlook lot because across the street, is also another nice photo op area.

We didn’t do the loop because it took us 2 hours for 2.4 miles and I read that it looks nice one way but the return way is just...

So my husband and I came here for the vortex. We read a couple online blogs about it and how to get to it. Guess what? We passed it. We could not find directions on how to get to it or where exactly it was to save our lives. We parked down by the overlook where parking is limited. We read to take Sedona View Trail less than a mile and we will be there. We end up awkwardly passing a fence into the paid parking that's further up the mountain and discover a sign that pretty much tells us you passed the vortex, turn around. For a minute we were thinking the vortex must have folded space and time as we were walking and we were not worthy enough for it to open back up. Thus, I'm here to give a more detailed description of where the vortex is and how to get there.

1. When you're driving up Airport Rd, you'll run into parking on the side of the road. If you can park there (if it's not all taken) then you have made it to the vortex! The vortex is the over look that's right up the steps from this parking area.
2. If you pay for parking up by the hotel, listen to the spray painted sign that points you to a trail just passed a chain link fence. This trail isn't bad. People say YOU NEED GOOD SHOES. I really think any shoe is fine. It's a bit rocky but not steep in any way. So! Take this trail down .6 miles and you've made it to the vortex!

The end. Enjoy...

While visiting AZ, I chose to experience this vortex due to it's relatively easy accessibility. The drive and the views were absolutely stunning. You will enjoy however you choose the experience this location.

⚠️BE CLEAR⚠️: Do not try to take this as a leisurely stroll if you are not active or accustomed to varying terrain👀.

If you can park in the small lot at the base of the mtn, then you can go directly up to the summit where the vortex is. Some steep climbing, but plenty of safety railing. You can also take a longer hike up a separate trail that takes you to the top of the mountain where there is a viewing platform. You can do either from this location.

If you park at the top of the mtn ($3), there is a 'touristy' viewing platform a few short steps away. But this is not the vortex. You must follow a trail down the side of the mountain (back down to the small lot) and then you must climb the summit where the vortex is located. Be clear...and I can't stress this enough...lol..you will be hiking completely uphill on the way back to the large parking lot. So allow enough time to go down and get back. After sunset, we ended up hiking back up in the dark with our phone flashlight.

As far as the vortex. The energy that you feel there, is really the energy that you bring... it may resonate more, but that all...