Cathedral Rock — Attraction in Sedona

Sedona, Arizona, is an absolute marvel and a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through the Southwest. This enchanting town is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and those seeking serenity amid stunning red rock landscapes.

One of the top attractions in Sedona is its vast network of hiking trails. From the iconic Cathedral Rock and the otherworldly Devil's Bridge to the scenic Bell Rock and Slide Rock State Park, there's a trail for every level of hiker. The breathtaking vistas and unique rock formations will leave you in awe.

Now, let's talk about the Grand Canyon. Sedona is located approximately 110 miles south of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. While it's possible to visit the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Sedona, I highly recommend staying at least one night in Sedona during your visit.

Here's why:

Scenic Drive: The drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon is incredibly scenic, taking you through Oak Creek Canyon and offering breathtaking vistas along the way. It's worth taking your time to enjoy the journey.

Relaxation: After a day of exploring the Grand Canyon, returning to the tranquil and picturesque ambiance of Sedona provides a welcome contrast. You can unwind, dine, and soak in the beauty of Sedona to cap off your day.

Stargazing: Sedona's dark skies make it an excellent place for stargazing. Consider spending an evening stargazing after your Grand Canyon adventure.

In conclusion, Sedona, AZ, is a mesmerizing destination with a wide range of activities for every traveler. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, an art lover, or simply seeking natural beauty, Sedona will captivate your heart. And when visiting the Grand Canyon, don't miss the opportunity to spend at least a day in Sedona to enhance your Southwestern adventure. It's an experience you...

First off, Google sent us to the wrong location. To get here, you need to navigate to Back O Beyond road, sitting on the roundabout across from the Sedona United Methodist Church. Once you are on Back O Beyond Road you will run into the trail head on your left hand side.

We visited here on a Monday morning at 7:30am and got the last parking spot in the lot, you cannot park on the road so getting a spot is key. Be sure to go early to avoid the crowd, sun and heat. This hike is less than a mile but quite challenging you will be going up and up, literally climbing rocks along the way. Do not attempt if you feel you aren't physically fit to climb up or are afraid of heights.

Make sure you wear hiking shoes or sneakers with good grip, I twisted my ankle on the way down because I was not wearing the correct shoes.

If you want a slightly easier hike take the "easy" route noted on the sign at the entrance (go left) and try to remember the way, it is quite easy to get lost going back down.

Once you get to the top, you will see a sign that says "end of hike", make a left and continue around and up the mountain a few extra feet for incredible,...

Minus one star for the mess involved in getting to the trailhead. The parking lot for this place is on a residential street for some crazy reason and so they won't let you actually park there except for limited occasions. So instead you park at a lot two miles up towards Sedona which isn't big enough. So first you wait for a spot to open. Then you wait for a free shuttle (every 15 minutes when we visited but likely you won't get on the first shuttle.) Then you take the short ride to trailhead. We spent more time waiting for parking spaces and shuttles than we did on the hike.

Once there the hike is nice but not really very long. It starts gently and hits what I dubbed the "Hillary Step" which is a short and steep section which is more intimidating than difficult. Many people turned around there but those that didn't were rewarded with beautiful views at the top. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. There is a bathroom at the bottom which is good because you'll spend some time there waiting for another shuttle back to your car, where there will be another batch of people anxiously awaiting...