Excited about your visit to Sedona, Arizona but not sure how much time you need for all the adventurous hikes, which parks to visit, and what activities are worth doing?
I am going to share with you the absolutely perfect Sedona 3 day itinerary that includes the best of this southwest destination’s top highlights: red rocks, natural waters, and energy vortexes.
Grateful for the energy this magical, rustic, vibrant place has given me.
How many days in Sedona?
An oasis for hikers, Sedona lures in travelers who stay anywhere from 2 days to weeks, calling them in to wander new crevices and caves.
When I visited this green, red, and orange destination in the Fall for my birthday (October 3 - Libra baby!), I found that 3 days was the perfect amount of time to experience most of the mystic area.
If you have an extra day, I’ve included a bonus day 4 to visit the magnificent Grand Canyon, as it is only 2 hours away from Sedona.
Oh, and the friends I road tripped with are late sleepers (despite my wanting to get up early for heatwave hikes)… so if you want to take things slow, just know that this itinerary leaves you plenty of time to relax as well.
I’ll try not to give all the secrets away… just remember to keep the wilderness wild.
Rock, water, and energy vortexes
But, wait a minute.
What the heck is an energy vortex?
New age folks claim that these vortexes are specific points on the earth that emit strong energy and inspiration from underneath the red rock. There are four centers in Sedona that are thought to host energy vortexes: Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.
Intrigued by the concept, yet skeptical of anything other than first-hand experience, we crafted a plan to find out. We would visit Sedona and enjoy the world-famous landscapes, whether these spiritual energy centers were real or not.
Additionally, one of the best things we did when planning was to include bodies of water in our itinerary to cool off from the heat after camping and trekking (and sweating) all day.
As a result, our blend of hikes, vortex views, and aquatic time created a perfectly balanced 3 days in Sedona.
Cooling off in the afternoon swimming holes is essential after a hot hike.
Sedona 3 Day Itinerary
Cost: Midrange / Budget
Traveler Type: Any (Solo, couples, groups)
Days: 3 (plus option for a bonus day)
Interests: nature, hiking, mysticism
Transportation: car, walking
Your perfect Sedona 3 day itinerary begins on one of the most beautiful highways in the Southwest United States. (Scenic Byway 179).
Day 1
Rock: Arrive in Sedona via Scenic Byway 179
Driving from California took us half a day, so we’ll call this Day 1. It’s best to arrive during daylight to soak in the stunning sights of Sedona’s scenic byway 179, so plan your road trip (or flight to Phoenix) accordingly.
You will pass the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross embedded in stone mountains as you head up north, so keep a look out!
Before you get to your first destination, there are a couple of things you should know.
First, most trails require a Red Rock parking pass for your car, which you can purchase at the visitor center or at most parking lots for $5 a day or $15 for the week.
The parking lot of Bell Rock Canyon was pretty empty in the sunny afternoon, even on a weekend.
Secondly, the least crowded time of day to hike surprisingly proved to be the afternoon. For once, sleeping in benefited us! By getting a slower start to the day, we avoided the swarms of morning folks on the trails. Additionally, by hiking in the afternoon we got to relish in the shade and sunsets, so the weather never grew overwhelmingly hot.
Lastly, before you hike anywhere, you should download the offline map of Sedona on maps.me. With no service on the trails, you don’t want to get lost in the heat, and it will help you navigate regardless. In this climate, bring more water than you think you will need and pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Energy: Bell Rock Vortex Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Location & Map: View on AllTrails
Welcome to your first vortex!
After a long drive makes you want to just jump out of the car and move around already, Bell Rock is the perfect hike to launch your hot, flaming rocket of an unforgettable desert trip.
Besides being claimed as an energy vortex, Bell Rock gives a stellar introduction to Sedona’s landscape. As you emerge from the highway, Bell Rock enchants the newly arrived explorer with vast previews of Eastern Sedona.
Climbing the looming face of the gargantuan rock stretches the views wider and wider, and you shrink smaller and smaller.
We reached Bell Rock via Big Park Loop, or you can take Courthouse Butte Loop trail, both ending up being 4 miles. However, the trails tapered off and became difficult to follow once you reach Bell Rock, so all the better to just carve your own way.
Both of these trails welcome all skill levels, remaining generally flat until the mountainous meet-and-greet.
So, did I feel the energy vortex?
Bell Rock is known by some to be an epicenter of strong vibrations and healing energy.
The ridiculous height of the red rock towering over us chilled my spine enough to make the baby hairs on my arm bubble up. And the higher you get, the quieter the air becomes. Mountain silence as we stand on top of the earth.
Yes, it could have just been the breeze of the five o clock purple sky that grazed my soul shield, rather than an energy source. It’s difficult to separate the hefty pulse of excitement from what the “zonies” call a natural resource.
Water: Camp at Cave Springs Campground
Cave Springs Campground fills up quickly, so snag a reservation if you ever see one available!
Located a few miles north of downtown Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon, Cave Springs delights campers with a swimming hole, shaded forest ceilings, and much cooler temperatures than Sedona proper.
Happy to be in the shade at Cave Springs Campground.
We picked this campground for several reasons. First, it’s beautiful. Secondly, you can refresh in the water from the camp-side creek from the hiking trail that leads to different swimming areas.
Thirdly, when you wake up in the morning, you'll be super close to a wet attraction: Slides!
Day 2
Water: Slide Rock State Park
Location on Google Maps: https://g.page/slide-rock-state-park?share
This water was almost freezing cold in Fall but so worth it and refreshing once you jumped in.
Slide down a natural water slide carved into the earth’s wavy crest at Slide Rock State Park!
Exuberant tourists and locals cheered each other on as we each took turns sliding down the bumpy ride.
The dramatic turns seemed a bit questionable at first but somehow safe overall (though I wouldn’t bring a baby on it).
Be warned, however - the ‘slide’ water flows freezing! Well, not completely freezing, but the temperature remains between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the time of year.
Besides swimming, jumping off ten foot rocks into the ice bath, and zooming down that erratic slide, you can also hike trails in the park and absorb historical markers.
Next time, I would visit Slide Rock State Park in the Spring instead of the Fall, when the water is full of rainwater, in order to facilitate a smoother glide down that slide.
Rock: Devil’s Bridge Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Location & Map: View on AllTrails
The ominous drop at Devil’s Bridge actually inspired my entire Sedona trip. Though I fear heights, the thrill of walking over that natural arch lured me in like a devil’s hand.
The 4-mile roundtrip hike gradually inclines at a steady pace, making Devil’s Bridge another approachable hike for almost anyone with sturdy shoes.
Sunset invited plenty of photo-philes like myself to line up for that Instagram-ready shot, but the wait was well worth it for the epic view.
Watch your step…
Energy: Craft bites & Spiritual Shopping
Sedona is a crossroads for travelers wandering through the southwest, resulting in a diverse offering of culinary bites and zen vendors, with a little upscale hipster flair.
In town, we found delectable eateries offer a range of cuisines from Tex Mex to fine dining steak and tapas establishments, as well as vegan varieties (after all, we are in hippie haven).
We tasted the town’s personality with a delicious dinner at Creekside American Bistro. I highly recommend their ahi tuna nachos and vegan bento box… as you can tell from my expression in the photos!
While waiting for a table, we graced the crystal shops and art galleries that sparkle along the plazas and shopping villages. Where else can you stand inside a human-sized singing bowl?
Day 3
Energy: Cathedral Rock Hike
Distance: 1.2 miles
Location & Map: View on AllTrails
Welcome to your second vortex. Ready for a challenge?
Cathedral Rock raised my fear of heights to another level! Luckily, I survived the steep incline that ascends 700 feet in just about half a mile. Essentially, you are climbing in some parts.
Cathedral Rock’s energy vortex is located at the peak. Again, with all the people around it was hard to discern if my senses tingled from the adrenaline rush or a higher power, but it certainly felt like we were at the top of the heavens up there.
Water: Grasshopper Point Swimming Hole
Location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/8jRv8bi3RwCkAJjN9
Looking for a place to cool off in the heat, we spent the rest of the afternoon at Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area, with red rock formations and shallow cool waters.
Luckily we found a spot in the small parking lot, so be prepared. As a second option, I would also like to try the Seven Sacred Pools hike which features caves and swimming as well.
Although splashing, hula hooping, and hiking back up the rocky trail left us winded, we still left time to enjoy the green horizon views with a grin.
Rock: Drive to the Grand Canyon
Surprise! You’re driving to the Grand Canyon on night 3.
With Grand Canyon National Park residing a mere two hours away, we included a day to hike the famous world wonder.
The drive took less than 2 hours. We stayed at Grand Canyon Inn & Motel in Grand Canyon Junction so that we would wake up just 20 minutes from the national park. It was a safe, clean and most affordable option in the area.
Bonus: Day 4
Rock: Hike the Grand Canyon
If you have time to swing it, Sedona’s close proximity to the Grand Canyon makes the trip well worth the visit, even for folks like myself who have been several times before.
The Grand Canyon’s enormous route of trails tempts me to visit again and again (preferably not in the summer months, however).
We scuttled down the South Kaibab trail, taking one mile to reach Ooh Aah Point, one mile more to Cedar Ridge, and one mile to Skeleton Point, where unprepared hikers keel over from the treacherous altitude.
Obviously, going three miles down is always easier than stomping the three miles back up a furnace (I mean, canyon), so definitely be wary of your start time.
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Conclusion: Sedona 3 day itinerary for the spirit
Sad but satisfied, that marks the end of the perfect Sedona 3 day itinerary in red rock country, plus a bonus day at the mother of all canyons.
As far as the spiritual energy, I concluded that I don’t need to visit a vortex to feel the ecstasy that excites my soul when camping and hiking. It powers my bones alone.
Stay safe, cool, and hydrated, and enjoy your spiritual travel.
hi wolfette, i’m molly
Travel is a spiritual experience for me, especially when adventuring solo.
After visiting 6 continents on my own, I’ve dedicated this project to assisting other Lone Wolfettes on their journeys.
I hope my travel guides help you find the same joy, connection, and empowerment that exploring our planet has given me.
