A guide to Sedona: 5 Breathtaking hikes you should take

When I first moved Arizona, my fiance immediately took me to visit Sedona. "I have a feeling you'll love that place," he said.  I had heard great things about it from my yogi/spiritually-attuned friends, so I was excited. Fast-track to a year and a half later, and I've gone back six times. Since it's only a two-hour drive from Phoenix, our visits have always been day trips - partially because it is a very overpriced little town (some call it a tourist trap), and partially because it's easier to just go back home with a baby in tow. I put together a two-part post listing my top 10 things to do and see around Sedona, and they all make for great day-trip ideas. These are all budget, baby, pet, and vegetarian-friendy activities, because that's how I roll.

First up are my five favorite hikes. They only range from easy to moderate, since I was either pregnant (with my midwife's approval) or toting a small baby (with the pediatrician's approval) every time I visited. Make sure to read my tips for road-tripping while pregnant and with an infant if those apply to you!

FIVE SEDONA HIKES MOST OF US CAN DO

The idea of Sedona being a sacred site and an energy vortex hotspot intrigues me, so every trail below leads to an alleged vortex location. Whether you believe it or not, they all make for great hikes!

1. Bell Rock 

Bell Rock trail was my very first Sedona hike, and it stole my heart (more about it here). Along this pathway you can see Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and other landmarks. Most of the pathway is flat and wide enough, but there are some steep, rocky and rough hills. We didn't go all the way to the top of Bell, since I was about one month pregnant, but it was enough to get some breathtaking views of the area.

When in Sedona...

2. Cathedral Rock

Cathedral was my favorite hike, with the most incredible views. It also was the most strenuous one. We took our time, took lots of breaks, brought tons of snacks and water, but made it pretty high up! My rock-climber girlfriend had a blast scaling some steep rocks, while I photographed her and prayed hard she wouldn't fall.

Can you see her in that nook on the top left corner?

3. Airport Mesa

The quickest of the hikes I've done. At six-month pregnant, we only went up to a mini-mesa to catch the sunset - a 15 minute hike - and it was just as magical as a longer trek.

View from Airport Mesa

4. Boynton Vista 

Boynton was my first post-baby hike, and I felt so empowered doing it! When baby was 2 months-old, grandpa came to visit and off to Sedona we went. It was both baby's and grandpa's very first hike, and a beautiful one at that.  We only went up to the Kachina Woman rock formation, and that was more than enough. 

Count on seeing folks meditating, chanting, calibrating crystals, and more.

5. Oak Creek Canyon

The road that leads from Sedona to Flagstaff, 89A, is one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., and takes you right over Oak Creek Canyon. It's easy to see why people refer to it as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon. The vista point trail is right off the highway, as soon as you pass the bridge in the first photo. It was a gorgeous 0.5 mile hike and we could see people enjoying themselves in the creek all the way at the bottom of the canyon. Camping and swimming there are my goals for next time we are in town.

Everybody enjoyed hiking the Canyon!

Have you ever been to Sedona? What was your favorite part or what would you like to see?