Insider’s Guide

Breakfast
To us, starting your morning the right way means fueling your body properly. Before you head out to explore all that Sedona has to offer, take some time to savor breakfast in bed, delivered from 89Agave Cantina. Keep it traditional with oatmeal or spice it up with breakfast tacos! If you’re looking to start your day in one of Sedona’s hot spots, try the delicious quiche that Secret Garden has been making for years. Located in Tlaquepaque shops, (just minutes from the Orchards Inn) it is a great place to stroll, shop and spend the day after breakfast. Another local breakfast option we have nearby, is the Indian Gardens restaurant. Whether you’re headed to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, or hiking the famed West Fork trail, it is the place to stop for breakfast and coffee to keep you energized.

Discover
Sedona is known for its natural beauty, of course, so it’s easy to understand why Sedona has played muse to so many artists, shops and experiences. Tlaquepaque is known as an Arts & Crafts Village. Their art galleries, artisan shops, restaurants and old-world atmosphere can keep you entertained all day long. When in Sedona, get in tune with your metaphysical side or at least dip your toe in the crystal waters. Visit Mystical Bazaar for a psychic reading, chakra balancing, or aura photo. You can also brighten your day with a scenic drive to Page Springs Vineyards to taste wine straight from their vineyards – theirs is made with water directly from Oak Creek. Grapes grow well in our climate so you’ll soon learn there are a handful of wineries in the area with several tasting rooms in Cottonwood, about a 30-minute drive from Sedona. Take some time on your stay at Sedona to explore the rich Arizona history. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross to see one of Sedona’s most interesting architectural gems (the #1 visited spot in Arizona).

Sunset Views
Your stay with us will be enhanced by the immense red rock views that every guestroom has, morning, noon and night. Our favorite has to be the sunset views as the red rocks are blazing with colors. You can take it all in from your room, but there are many more options around Sedona. A “park and view” spot at the top of Airport Mesa offers amazing views of West Sedona with the towering red rocks as the backdrop. A “must see” drive is along Upper Red Rock Loop as you wind and dip around residential and forest lands with stunning vistas.

Kid Favorites
Bringing the little ones? We’ve got you covered! Sunset Park is centralized in Sedona with shaded playgrounds and a splash pad to cool down after a family hike in the Sedona summertime. Hiking with kids may take a little encouragement, celebrate your little climbers with pizza from Famous Pizza, then ice cream at Rocky Road! A family-fun day trip to Williams, or a stop on your way to the Grand Canyon, is Bearizona Wildlife Park. It is a wildlife drive-through experience, great for all ages. If you’re looking for something to burn a little more energy with the younglings, stop by Flagstaff Adventure Course. They have a unique treetop adventure course that will give you an outdoor experience like no other.

Sweet Treats
On your way back to Orchards Inn from your day’s adventures, we recommend ice cream before dinner! Black Cow is across 89Agave Cantina in Uptown Sedona and is a local favorite for homemade ice-cream and their pies. Craving something sweet but fruitier? Stop in West Sedona at Berry Devine and try the acai bowls, you’ll be glad you did.

Take a look at our offers page and find the right booking for you. We’ll be here every step of the way to make your stay with us a memorable one.

Cibola Pass Trail: This trail can be accessed by using Jordan Trailhead Parking Lot, and provides abundantly awesome views throughout. After the first ¼ mile, you will find several great patches of red rock which would provide great elevated perspectives of Mormon Canyon and Brins
Mesa. If you reach the top of the pass, you can follow the social trail that follows right at the fence line and after 250 yards, you will reach an enormous patch of red rock with sweet elevated views of Soldiers Pass, Mitten Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, and The Sphinx/Morning Glory Spire.
This site is great both in the early morning and late afternoon as it provides fabulous 360 degree views.

Grasshopper Point: This site provides quick access to Oak Creek and the trail is located just along the water making it easy to capture the tranquility of Oak Creek in an efficient amount of time. For a more wild setting, you could follow downstream or 1/3 mile to reach a spectacular red rock bench, which provides elevated views of Oak Creek and a beautiful display of Oak Creek Canyon too. Additionally, following along the creek would provide places for serene creekside access, and a great place to enjoy the lushness of Oak Creek and its shady corridor of Sycamores, Cottonwoods, and Velvet Ash trees. This creekside location is good at any time of the day, but heading there mid day when it’s the warmest will give you an opportunity to take a dip to cool off.

Anaconda Trail via Girdner Trail: This trail is one of the best kept secrets in the area and provides wonderful elevated views of Secret Mountain Wilderness, Thunder Mountain, Mescal Mountain, and the many canyons of the Dry Creek Area. This hike will start by parking along Dry Creek Road at the start of Girdner Trail. From the parking location, simply hike Girdner Trail for 1/3 mile, where you will find some great photo opportunities immediately on the right side of the trail. After simply follow straight to ascend up Anaconda Trail. Ascending this path provides a plethora of stunning photo opportunities with panoramic perspectives of the entire Dry Creek Area and Secret Mountain Wilderness. This hike is best both early and later in the day because of its great view perspectives in all directions.

Brewer Trail via Airport Mesa Trail Parking Lot: This hike offers some of the most amazing and easily accessed elevated views in all of Sedona. The Trailkeepers Association highly recommends this as the best option for a stunning view with an easy hike. It is also suggested to get an early start on this trail, before 7AM to acquire parking. From the Airport Mesa Trail Parking Lot, simply follow left onto Brewer Trail. This will very quickly provide large outcroppings of red rock for amazing photos of Twin Buttes and Munds Mountain Wilderness Area. This area has many great opportunities for captive photos and is best for an early morning or sunrise view.

Whether you looking for an easy outing, or just the perfect place to get that winning Instagram photo, these trails come highly recommended from the experts over at Trail Lovers Excursions, who have a plethora of experience guiding the best hikes in red rock country. Orchards Inn is here to offer you the perfect calming destination after your days adventuring with a huge plate of nachos to refuel you at 89Agave Cantina, or simple bottle of wine delivered to you room for your relaxing evening.

Jerome

 This former copper mining town once attracted thousands of miners and merchants in the early 1900’s. It was a boom time for the city while eager miners traveled to this central Arizona town to collect over one million dollars worth of copper ore. Jerome's wild west spirit never faded as the mines dried up, persistent natural disasters hit the city, and economic hardship was unavoidable, leaving them with the well earned nickname “The Wickedest Town in the West ''.  

Today, Jerome is known as a ghost town, with spirits from early day natural disasters and fires  said to be wandering through the historic roads, buildings, and neighborhoods. But it’s also well known as an artist community and a dining and wine tasting hotspot. 

 Don’t worry too much about the hauntings and folk tale stories, we suggest checking out Jerome State Historic Park for more on the town's intriguing history, then heading to Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost town, to get those old timey instagram worthy photos. Refuel with Bobby D’s BBQ to get the best taste of Jerome’s southern flavors, and spend the rest of the afternoon uncovering the abundance of local art galleries and wineries with native Arizona vinos such as Caduceus Cellars, family owned boutique winery, created by Grammy award-winning vocalist Maynard James Keenan.

 45 minute drive time: 28 miles

Flagstaff

 Just north of Sedona, and up almost 2,000 feet of elevation you’ll be greeted with the cooler, crisp air of this gorgeous mountain town. A perfect place to visit during any season, with light and airy winters creating powdered snowfall for the local Snowbowl ski resort, and summer's warm sunshine keeping downtown Flagstaff upbeat with community events.

 Start in downtown Flagstaff (also known as a “Flag” to the locals) and roam through the local boutique stores such as Crystal Magic or Sage Brush Trading Co. Even better are the great eats and bars scattered through the town. Whether you are looking for a sit down with live music and amazing craft cocktails at The Annex or Lumberyard, fine dining with local ingredients at Shift Kitchen, or a quick mouth watering snack at Diablo Burger or Foret, downtown Flag is sure to have the best bites and sips for every palette. 

 Another can’t miss attraction in Flagstaff is the Lowell Observatory nestled within the mountains of this Dark Sky city. Founded in 1894, it is one of the oldest observatories in the United States, and deserves recognition for its discovery of Pluto in 1930. General admission tickets give you all day access to tours, exhibits, stargazing and more at this well known observatory.

 If you’re interested in continuing the nature experience up at 7,000 feet, there are many hikes around the area with stunning views. Explore the Inner Basin trail to live out your fairytale dreams walking through a grove of aspen trees, or the Lava River Cave, a molten rock cave almost a mile long just under the Northern Arizona soil. (Be sure to bring a jacket and flashlight  as it gets chilly and dark!) 

 50 minute drive time: 30 miles

Grand Canyon

 Arizona's most popular natural attraction, and one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon isn't something you can miss while discovering the landscape of Northern Arizona. The most popular point: South Rim, is Sedona's neighbor being just over a 2 hour drive away. Once you’ve arrived, head to learn the history at the visitors center, then take the time to stroll along the south rim trail stopping to take in each unique view point. Our favorite lookout spots? Mather viewpoint, Yavapo viewpoint, Yaki viewpoint and exactly as the name sounds, the Ooh Aah viewpoint. 

 Not in the mood for walking? Experience a helicopter tour taking off directly from the south rim for a 30 minute discovery from above. Even simpler, take a helicopter or airplane tour directly from Sedona giving you an almost two hour aerial view of this world wonder and the surrounding area.

 2 hours 10 minutes drive time: 115 miles

Winslow

 It's likely you've heard the famous line “Standin’ on the corner of Winslow Arizona” from the Eagles, but what you might not know, is you can certainly visit the infamous corner as well as discover other, less lyrical, excursions in Winslow. Hiking enthusiasts will want to head just north of the town to Homolovi State Park where you can walk different trails around the archaeological sites and ponder the petroglyphs of native Hopi ancestors that lived within the region until AD 1400. 

 Water lovers looking for their next quick dip have plenty of opportunity at Clear Creek Reservoir just outside of Winslow Arizona in the Little Colorado River. Try renting a kayak to meander along with the current and don’t forget to pay special attention to the red rock walls where you can see more historic petroglyphs from centuries earlier. The opportunities for cliff jumping, sunbathing or simply floating are perfect in this little creek bank, with chilled water perfect for hot summer weather. 

 1 hour 40 minute drive time: 86 miles

After each day time adventure filled excursion, your room at Orchards Inn is waiting back at home for you. Refresh with a margarita and some tacos at 89Agave and unwind on the balcony with a new bottle of red, reminiscing on your perfect Arizona Adventure.

We gathered common questions about traveling and experiencing the Grand Canyon and put them all into one spot.

Q: Besides driving, how can I get to the Grand Canyon?

A: Driving to the Grand Canyon from Orchards Inn takes about 2 hours. However, there are also other ways of accessing. The Grand Canyon Railway offers a train that departs from Williams, AZ twice daily, from there you can add a Grand Canyon tour via motor coach or explore on your own before returning by train. Pink Jeep Tours offers an express and premier tour to the Grand Canyon, they also have a tour that will drive you from Sedona and back. Westwind Air takes you by plane to the Grand Canyon, touches down and does a Pink Jeep tour, then flies you back to the Sedona airport in only 6 hours! 

Q: How long should I plan to spend at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon?

A: This entirely depends on what you are planning on doing while there, generally most visitors spend on average 3 hours. There are helicopter tours, jeep tours, hiking, & walking tours available.

Q: Can I do a day hike and still get back to Sedona for dinner?

A: Yes, of course! Of course, this will depend on what trail you take and if you opt to hike on your own or take a tour. But yes, we would say you could make it back in time for a late dinner, around 8 pm.

Q: Are there buildings/ museums that I should plan to visit or just spend time outside?

A: There is a visitor’s center near the main parking area and also one about halfway down the rim you can visit. Before you arrive in the park, there is the National Geographic Grand Canyon Visitor Center & Grand Canyon IMAX Theatre showing “Over the Rim and Beyond, Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets”. The IMAX movie shares both natural and human history of the Grand Canyon, and is a great start to your adventure.

Q: Do I need to bring food or are there dining options?

A: Snacks are always a good idea; however, there are places within Grand Canyon Village. Our team recommends lunch at Bright Angel Lodge or El Tovar.

Whether you drive, fly, or Jeep to the Grand Canyon it is definitely an experience that you will remember. We highly recommend including a day trip to the Grand Canyon when visiting Sedona - Orchards Inn makes for a great “home base”.

Airport Loop Trail

• This easy/moderate loop trail circles Airport Mesa offering wonderful views all around. This trail is unshaded and can be hot in the summer months. Early morning is highly recommended. The trail is also rocky in spots has some narrow sections.
• Hiking Distance: From the Airport Road parking area, about 3.3 miles round trip (add another 1.0 mile if hiking the Tabletop Trail). Add another 1.2 miles if hiking from the Airport Vista parking lot (use the Sedona View Trail (0.6 miles) to get to the Airport Loop Trail).
• Viewing Tip: Look to the east for the “Twin Buttes" and south for Cathedral Rock. Include the short Tabletop Trail for a view of Sedona’s “Pyramid”. On the north side of the loop enjoy spectacular views of Thunder Mountain, Chimney Rock and Coffee Pot Rock.
• Directions: There are two ways to access this trail. From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A for 1.0 miles; turn left on Airport Rd for 0.5 miles to free Airport Saddle parking; continue 0.5 miles to Airport Vista parking lot ($3 parking fee).
• Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Chimney Rock Loop Trail

• This trail is a moderate, short loop around the base of Chimney Rock, a.k.a. Three Fingers Rock, with panoramic views of the West Sedona area.
• Hiking Distance: Start this 2.0-mile hike from the Thunder Mountain Trailhead. Turn right on the Thunder Mountain Trail. In 0.1 miles, you’ll come to the intersection with the Chimney Rock Trail.
• Viewing Tip: See if you can spot the “Lizard Head”; look up when you pass the intersection of the Lizard Head trail. Then, watch for Chimney Rock to change to the “Three Fingers” formation on the western side! You may also spot hot air balloons to the west on an early morning hike.
• Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A for 3.2 miles. Turn right on Dry Creek Road for 0.5 miles to Thunder Mountain Road. Turn right for 0.6 miles to parking on the left.
• Difficulty: Moderate

Woods Canyon Trail

• Enjoy views of red mesas covered in lush vegetation near the bed of Dry Beaver Creek. Spring snowmelt creates freshwater flow in the usually dry creek bed. Begin this moderate trail at the signed trailhead near the Red Rock Ranger District Station off State Route 179. The level, unshaded trail follows an old jeep road into the wide canyon mouth and continues climbing gradually. At 2 miles, the trail crosses a usually dry streambed, through a cattle gate to a fork. Take the right fork to continue the Woods Canyon Trail. At 3.5 miles the trail emerges on a picturesque expanse of red rock at the edge of the normally dry creek bed studded with grey boulders. Continue for another 0.75 miles for some nice red rock views as the trail climbs out of the creek bed. Return the same way.
• Hiking Distance: Woods Canyon Trail, 10 miles round trip, or turn around at any point
• Viewing Tip: Look for wildflowers in the spring. At approximately 2.3 miles stop for a snack break in the boulder wash and enjoy the spring water flowing through Dry Beaver Creek.
• Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A. At the circle, take the 3rd exit to 179 for 8.4 miles. Turn left at the Ranger Station and park to the right of the first large building. Look for the trail sign near the edge of the parking lot.
• Difficulty: Moderate

Schuerman Mountain Trail

• A short, moderate, out-and-back hike to the basaltic lava of an extinct volcano. Begin by hiking behind Sedona Red Rock High School, past a large solar panel array and through an old cattle gate. The trail up is steep in places but is only 0.3 miles to the top. Take the Vista trail to the left for lovely views. Watch your step through the lava bed. For an added view to the northwest, make the short climb to the top of Schuerman Mountain (faint trail to the right at the intersection of the Schuerman Mountain Trail and the Vista Trail)
• Hiking Distance: Schuerman Mountain Trail to Vista Trail, 0.3 miles; to the Vista (southern view), 0.3 miles; to the top of Schuerman Mountain (western view), 0.4 miles; 2.0 miles round trip.
• Viewing Tip: From the Vista (southern view) great views of Cathedral Rock especially late afternoon. From the northwest, views of the Mingus Mountains and the Verde Valley.
• Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A for 4.2 miles to Upper Red Rock Loop Road. Turn left at the light for 0.25 miles to the 3rd drive on the right, then 50 yards to parking.
• Difficulty: Easy

Turkey Creek Trail

• This seldom used, moderate trail offers vistas and interesting geology. Follow the blocked road taking the right fork at 0.3 miles. The unshaded road has gentle ups and downs for the first 1.5 miles to Turkey Creek Tank where the road bends to the left and dies out. The trail then continues crossing normally dry Turkey Creek and begins to gradually climb in the sparse shade of pinyon pine and juniper. At 2.25 miles, you’ll begin a moderately steep switchback ascent of the north face of House Mountain, a long extinct shield volcano.
• Hiking Distance: Turkey Creek Trail, 6 miles round trip. Best November through April.
• Viewing Tip: Fine views of nearby Cathedral Rock and more distant views of the Secret Mountain Wilderness. The trail reaches its crest at 3.0 miles and begins a gradual descent over basaltic lava where the view over the ancient caldera opens up and the opposite rim with the lava outcrop that gave the mountain its name is visible.
• Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A. At the circle, take the 3rd exit to 179 for 7.3 miles. At the circle, take the 1st exit onto Verde Valley School Road for 4.1 miles to the marked road on the left; take this unpaved road 0.5 miles and take the left fork 100 feet to the road’s end.
• Difficulty: Moderate

Jacks Canyon Trail

• If you’re up for a long, strenuous hike, with over 2000 feet in elevation and sweeping panoramic views, this one’s for you! You’ll want to hike this trail to the end to gain access to the unique views it offers. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of a subdivision, then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds with a moderate climb to the upper end of the canyon where it leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting to the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain.
• Hiking Distance: Jack’s Canyon Trail, out and back, 12.4 miles. Add 2.0 miles one way to the top of the Munds Mountain Trail.
• Viewing Tip: For a more spectacular view, hike the short, steep climb to the top of the Munds Mountain trail for an incredible panoramic view of Red Rock Country including the red rocks of Sedona, parts of Oak Creek Canyon and even the San Francisco peaks to the north.
• Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A. At the circle, take the 3rd exit to 179 for 7.3 miles. At the circle, take the 3rd exit onto Jacks Canyon Road for about 3.0 miles to the trailhead.
• Difficulty: Hard

Aerie Trail

• This moderate, out-and-back trail hugs the north side of Doe Mountain, offering shady spots especially in the morning. Include a hike to the top of Doe Mountain or connect to the Cockscomb trail to encircle the entire base of Doe Mountain.
• Hiking Distance: Aerie Trail: 2.9 miles each way from the Aerie Trailhead parking area to the Boynton Canyon Trailhead Parking Area for 5.8 miles round trip. For a shorter hike, turn around at the intersection of the Cockscomb Trail for a 3.8-mile hike or turn right on the Cockscomb Trail for a 4.4-mile loop back to the Aerie Trailhead parking lot.
• Viewing Tip: On the Aerie trail, take in the view of Bear Mountain, Fay Canyon and Boynton Canyon. From the top of Doe Mountain, enjoy panoramic views of the Secret Mountain Wilderness.
• Driving Directions: From the Visitor Center, 331 Forest Road, turn right on 89A for 3.2 miles. Turn right on Dry Creek Road for 3.0 miles. At the stop sign, turn left onto Boynton Pass Road for 4.1 miles. Turn left on Aerie Road (past Doe Mtn) to the trailhead parking lot.
• Difficulty: Moderate

If you’re looking for a great hiking day to see Sedona, we suggest getting into town very early. This way you can start and end the day with iconic hikes that will give you amazing Sedona memories. You will need to be in Sedona proper by 8:20 a.m., this way you can continue on into Oak Creek Canyon and be at West Fork trail by 9:00 a.m., parked, and on your way. This is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, for good reason, so you want to be there when they open…earlier if you can.

Spend a few hours on West Fork trail, hopping along the creek and gazing up the towering canyon walls. This trail is out and back, so we suggest starting early and enjoying you time hiking deeper and deeper. When you are ready to turn around, there will be more hikers along with you, so take your time and wish everyone a great adventure.

Once you’ve finished and worked up an appetite, head back towards Uptown Sedona and stop at Indian Gardens Café for brunch or lunch. Their food is fresh and made with quality ingredients every day, you will find something delicious for everyone….even the gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian members of your group. Browse the market while your food is cooking and find unique craft beers, wines, and souvenirs.

Head back into Uptown Sedona to browse the shops until it’s time to check into Orchards Inn (located in uptown). A couple of our favorites include Rollies Camera Shop, Whisker’s Barkery, and Sedona Outdoors. Rollies has been in the same store for 60+ years and is a Sedona landmark, here you will find anything a camera enthusiast needs. Whisker’s Barkery is the perfect spot to pick up a toy or treat for you fur-friends. Then Sedona Outdoors is a great shop to pick up the latest outdoor gear or something unique to Sedona.

Once you’re done enjoying the shops and views from Uptown Sedona, you should be ready to check into your room at Orchards Inn. Take some time to relax and reflect on your day so far on your deck with an unmatched view of Snoopy Rock.

About an hour and a half before sunset, put your hiking shoes back on, grab water, and a headlamp and head over to Cathedral Rock. This is a short, but somewhat steep hike, that can take as short as 40 minutes to get to the top, but give yourself a little time to take in the views along the way. Once you reach the top, find a nice spot to sit and wait for sunset, and make sure you have a camera ready. When you’re ready and have taken enough pictures, head down, carefully. Take your time as you head down and be ready to do a little sliding on your rear end.

You did it! You had a hiking day in Sedona and were able to experience two of the most popular hikes in Sedona! You now deserve a margarita at 89Agave and it’s within walking distance to your room, so have two if you’d like.

Check out Orchards Inn’s current packages & offers and book your next one day trip to Sedona!

Magnetic vortexes have a feminine or “yin” energy. The energy is nurturing, soft and welcoming and promotes kindness, compassion and patience. It facilitates inward activities, such as contemplation, meditation and reflection. (Cathedral Rock is a magnetic vortex)

Electrical vortexes have a masculine or “yang” energy. The energy promotes strength and is very invigorating, facilitating clarity of mind, focus and physical energy. Electrical vortexes are perfect for setting intentions and increasing resolve and stamina. Some say they are like a healthy dose of caffeine! (Bell Rock is an electrical vortex)

Balanced vortexes are a mix of both electrical and magnetic energy, yin and yang. Balanced vortexes help you to see things from a larger perspective, gain clarity and develop a higher vision for your life. (Boynton Canyon is a balanced vortex)

In Sedona, there are four notable vortexes: The Airport Vortex, the Red Rock Crossing/Cathedral Rock Vortex, the Boynton Canyon Vortex, and the Bell Rock Vortex. Below is an overview of each of these vortexes:

Airport Mesa Vortex
The Airport Mesa Vortex boasts masculine energy, offers panoramic views of all of Sedona and is close to the center of town. Opt to venture onto the trail, and you’ll experience a vertical hike (not for everyone) to a saddle with spectacular views. Be sure to look out for the twisted tree trunks which are a sign of the swirling vortex energy. Airport Mesa is a popular spot, so expect to see other hikers, vortex hunters and sightseers along the way. It is recommended to venture out later in the day so that you can enjoy the gorgeous sunset and city lights.

Getting there: From the roundabout junction of Hwys 179 & 89A, go 1.1 mile west on 89A and turn left on Airport Rd. Go 1/2 mile up Airport Rd. to the parking area on the left. From here, you will see the trailhead.

Cathedral Rock/Red Rock Crossing Vortex
The Cathedral Rock/Red Rock Crossing Vortex is not only one of the most energetic places in Sedona, but offers some of the most incredible views as well. You can enjoy the vortex’s energy and a leisurely hike around the base near the water via the Templeton trail to Oak Creek. This trail leads you by Buddha Beach, where visitors can dip their toes in the water and look for the rock cairns that previous passers-by left. For the experienced hikers in proper gear, you can climb up the Red Rock spires to the saddle where the energy is the strongest (exercise caution if you decide to climb – this route is steep and dangerous). The energy at the Cathedral Rock vortex is said to strengthen the feminine side and is calming, intuitive and comforting.

Getting there: The most direct route to Cathedral Rock is from the Village of Oak Creek. You can take Back-o-Beyond Rd from Hwy 179 just over 1/2 mile to the parking area at the base of Cathedral Rock, and then hike up the creek bed toward the center of Cathedral Rock. You can also access via Verde Valley School Road by driving to the end, then walking along the other side of Oak Creek.

Alternatively, you can drive 4.3 miles west on 89A from the roundabout junction of Hwys 89A & 179, and turn left on Upper Red Rock Loop Rd. From here, go 1.8 miles and turn left on Chavez Ranch Rd. Follow the pavement .8 mile and turn left into Crescent Moon Park (fee to enter). Drive as far into the park as possible, then walk to the creek. This route provides a great view of Cathedral Rock.

Boynton Canyon Vortex
The Boynton Canyon Vortex is one of the few Sedona Vortexes that you can actually reach out and “touch”. This vortex can be accessed from Boynton Canyon Trail – only about 1/2 mile from the parking area and a leisurely hike. It is said that there are actually two vortexes here, one at the tall Red Rock named “Kachina Woman” off to the east, and the other at an unnamed formation off to the west. Boynton Canyon is believed to be the birthplace of humans in the Apache culture and the Kachina Woman is an important piece of this history. This area is a beautiful destination to hike around at your own pace and explore the beauty. Look out for energy circles and rock cairns which past visitors have left behind. This vortex is said to facilitate a balance between the masculine and feminine side, or a yin/yang balance.

Getting there: From the roundabout junction of Hwys 89A & 179 at the center of town, head west on State Route 89A for 3 miles to Dry Creek Rd and turn right (north). Stay on this road until it ends (roughly 3 miles), where you’ll turn left onto Boynton Canyon Rd for another 2 miles until you pull into the parking lot on the right (it is well-marked).

Bell Rock Vortex
Bell Rock is an iconic Red Rock formation located just north of the Village of Oak Creek, and distinct shape makes it an easy one to spot. There are several ways to access the Bell Rock Vortex, which allow people of all hiking levels to come in contact with the energy present here. There is a loop trail that winds around the base of Bell Rock and offers a beautiful perspective of the formation itself. For the more adventurous (and experienced), the climb up Bell Rock is more than worth it. As you ascend up the rock, the views are breathtaking, but the higher you go the more dangerous so be safe! The energy is strong no matter where you are on the rock.

The energy at this vortex is very strong – no climbing required. The Bell Rock Vortex is said to strengthen all three parts – the masculine side, feminine side, and balance.

Getting there: Park in the North Bell Rock parking area and head to Bell Rock Trail. Follow it to Courthouse Butte Loop Trail and either continue on Bell Rock Trail to explore the Northeast area of Bell Rock or turn right onto Courthouse Butte Loop for 500ft to a sign post on your left. Turn left here and begin climbing up towards Bell Rock. Pay close attention to the rock cairns and between the 10th & 11th cairn turn right and head towards the large flat rock shelf where you begin your to climb to Meditation Perch. The climb is worth the effort but be extra cautious and wear proper attire.

Zion National Park
Zion is located in Southwest Utah (approximately a 5-hour drive from Sedona), open year-round and part of the National Park Service. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest elevation is 3,666 ft at Coalpits Wash and the highest elevation is 8,726 ft at Horse Ranch Mountain.

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Grand Canyon
One of the 7 natural wonders of the world (approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Sedona), the Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River; it is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of over a mile. Nearly two billion years of Earth’s geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted.

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Antelope Canyon
A slot canyon on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona (approximately a 3-hour drive from Sedona). Antelope Canyon includes two separate, scenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as “Upper Antelope Canyon” or “The Crack”; and “Antelope Canyon” or “The Corkscrew”. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tsé bighánílíní, which means ‘the place where water runs through rocks’. Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazí (called “Hasdestwazi” by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department), or ‘spiral rock arches’. To visit Antelope Canyon, you must enter with a tour company and there are several options depending on how you would like to experience the canyon.

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Monument Valley
A region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft above the valley floor. It is located on the Arizona–Utah border near the Four Corners area (approximately a 3.5-hour drive from Sedona).

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Canyon de Chelly
Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, it preserves ruins of the indigenous tribes that lived in the area, from the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly known as Anasazi) to the Navajo. The monument covers 83,840 acres and encompasses the floors and rims of the three major canyons: de Chelly, del Muerto, and Monument. These canyons were cut by streams with headwaters in the Chuska mountains just to the east of the monument. Canyon de Chelly is one of the most visited national monuments in the United States and is located in Northeastern Arizona (approximately a 4-hour drive from Sedona).

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Wherever you start or finish, we hope that you make Sedona a stop along the way, whether you are touring the Southwest, visiting the United States, or making a weekend getaway.

We know Fido has a strict diet but that doesn’t mean you have to eat the same thing every meal. Here is a list of local restaurants that allow dogs on their patios. If you have a documented service dog, all restaurants will accommodate you.

• 89Agave Cantina Sonoran-style Mexican Food, Uptown Sedona
• Chocola Tree Organic Oasis Organic Eatery, West Sedona
• Cowboy Club High Desert Cuisine, Uptown Sedona
• Cucina Rustica Rustic Tuscan Kitchen, Village of Oak Creek
• El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano, Tlaquepaque
• Hideaway House Curious Country Italian, Near Uptown Sedona
• Judi’s Restaurant and Lounge Hometown Menu, West Sedona
• Javelina Cantina Taste of Mexico, Hillside
• Creekside Sedona American Bistro, Near Uptown Sedona(Dog menu available for your pup!)
• Rene at Tlaquepaque Fine American Dining, Tlaquepaque
• Sedona Pizza Company Pizza & Pasta, Uptown Sedona
• Open Range Bar & Grill Steaks & Burgers, Uptown Sedona
• Canyon Breeze American Favorites, Uptown Sedona(Dog menu available for your pup!)

Sedona Pet Friendly Accommodations
Orchards Inn welcomes your fur-family with open paws, check out our pet package “Oh the PAWSibilities” which includes comfortable, upscale accommodations for you both, plus a few extra goodies for Fido! And if you happen to forget a food or additional pet necessities, Golden Bone is a quick walk away, in Uptown Sedona.