A weekend hiking in Sedona, Arizona combines the serenity of nature with outdoor adventures. Nestled in Coconino National Forest, Sedona is an incredible destination for hiking through canyons and towering cliffs and enjoying the beauty of the red rock landscapes. Use this 3-day hiking itinerary in Sedona as a guide to explore Arizona’s natural wonders and embark on a memorable adventure.
TIPS:
- Check out the Sedona Tourist Website for more information
- Get to the park early! I cannot stress this one enough. Trails can get packed and parking can be difficult during the day.
How To Get To Sedona
The best way to get to Sedona is to fly into Phoenix International Airport (PHX) and drive about 2 hours to Sedona. The other option is to fly into Flagstaff (FGH), which is about a 45-minute drive to Sedona, but there are fewer flight options at this airport.
Transportation
The only way to get around Sedona is to drive, so I recommend renting a car when you arrive at the airport. Once in Sedona, accommodations and hikes are within a few miles but are often not connected by paths or sidewalks.
I use Enterprise to book all of my rental cars!
Sedona 3-Day Hiking Itinerary
Day 1 In Sedona
MORNING
Start your day early and hike Devil’s Bridge. This 4-mile out-and-back hike is one of the most famous hikes in Sedona and offers an exciting journey through the red rock canyons and ultimately leads you to an incredible sandstone arch! The trail is relatively flat until the ascent up to Devil’s Bridge. Access this hike at the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead.
This hike provides a magnificent opportunity to get your photo taken while standing on the bridge! Just note if you arrive at a busy time there will be a long line of people waiting to get this photo. It is the most popular trail in the park, so get there early!
Once finished with this first hike on your trip, get breakfast at the Local Juicery. You can get various toast options, waffles, breakfast bowls, smoothies, and more. This is the perfect place to feel refreshed after your hike!
AFTERNOON
The next hikes of the day are short but beautiful.
The Birthing Cave is a short yet captivating trail that leads you to a cave with a unique formation. You will be surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Sedona’s signature red rock formations. Then, the Birthing Cave itself offers a peaceful sanctuary. You can sit in the cave and stare out at the serene beauty in front of you. The round-trip distance of this hike is 2 miles.
Bell Rock Trail is the next hike, which is also 2 miles round-trip. This relatively easy hike offers towering sandstone formations and stunning views.
EVENING
After a great first day of hiking, get a casual dinner at Tamaliza which offers delicious Mexican food.
After dinner, stop at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village which is an outdoor market with art galleries, craft shops, and cobblestone paths.
Finish your evening off by walking to Oak Creek Brewery to have a craft beer.
Day 2 In Sedona
MORNING
Your hike on this second day is a challenging, but rewarding trek with beautiful views. Bear Mountain is a 5.5-mile round-trip hike where you will ascend through rugged terrain, including steep switchbacks and rocky paths, surrounded by the iconic red rocks of Sedona. The summit offers a stunning 360-degree panorama of the surrounding landscapes.
After hiking Bear Mountain, get lunch at Pisa Lisa, for wood-fired Pizza.
AFTERNOON
The next activity is one of my favorite things to do in Sedona. Embark on a Pink Jeep Tour! You will climb aboard the iconic pink jeeps and let an expert guide take you off the beaten path to explore the rugged beauty of Sedona’s terrain. This thrilling and scenic experience will give you a front-row seat to the captivating landscapes that Sedona has to offer. There are various different tour options, with different routes, levels of ruggedness, and lengths of time.
I would recommend the Scenic Rim 2.5 tour. This is a rugged and bumpy ride so be prepared to be laughing with your group as you bounce around! You’ll see breathless views, towering cliffs, and plenty of iconic red rock formations.
Book your Pink Jeep reservation here!
EVENING
For dinner, walk from the Pink Jeep Tour location to Momo’s Kitchen which is a fantastic food truck. The Bibimbap and the Korean BBQ are both flavorful and delicious.
The last activity of the day is going to Page Springs Cellars Winery. You can enjoy tastings of the wines, take a leisurely stroll through the vineyard, and relax by Oak Creek, which meanders through the property.
Day 3 In Sedona
MORNING
The first hike of the day is the Soldier’s Pass, which is 4.5 miles round-trip. This trail weaves through stunning red rock formations and takes you to the Seven Sacred Pools, Devil’s Kitchen, and Soldier’s Pass Cave. All of these provide unique beauties!
Next, head back to The Local Juicery for another refreshing breakfast before heading on your second hike for the day.
AFTERNOON
Embark on this enchanting hike through Boynton Canyon Trail that leads to the hidden gem (it is hidden, however, it is an extremely popular destination) known as Subway Cave. The total distance if you include Subway Cave is 7.2 miles. As you hike through Boynton Canyon, it is a flat and easy trail in which you will be surrounded by towering red rock formations and lush vegetation. Then, at the 2-mile mark, the turn-off for Subway Cave will approach. There is no sign marking the trail to the cave, but there is a distinctive tree (below is a picture!). Then the trail will lead you to Subway Cave which is truly an incredible work of nature!
EVENING
For dinner, make reservations at The Vault to sit outside on their deck overlooking the stunning red rock formations of Sedona. I recommend getting their Trash Can Nachos!
Additional Options In Sedona
If you have more time or want to switch an item out, check out these other incredible hikes, things to do, and restaurants in Sedona!
Hikes:
- Cathedral Trail (one of the most popular trails in the park, the parking lot fills up quickly, so beat the crowd and go early in the morning)
- Thunder Mountain
- Munda Wagon
- Fay Canyon
- West Fork Trail
Things To Do:
- Chapel of The Holy Cross
- Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout
- Two Trees Observing Area
Food/Drinks:
Sedona, Arizona is a must-visit for its stunning red rock formations, renowned hiking trails, and spiritual ambiance. I hope you can experience this incredible place soon for a memorable getaway hiking in Sedona!
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