This Quiet Arizona City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
With fewer than 10,000 residents, Sedona may seem like a quiet town, but it welcomes over three million visitors each year. So, what draws so many people here? Its natural beauty is a major contributor. Located in the Verde Valley region of Arizona, Sedona is home to a variety of landscapes, ranging from canyons gorges, and red rock formations to babbling creeks and rivers, drawing visitors back time and time again. If this town is not yet on your 2025 travel list, you might want to consider adding it to your itinerary.
Parks & Green Spaces
For a town of its size, Sedona has a tremendous number of parks and green spaces. Slide Rock State Park is one of the most beloved recreational areas in town. Originally an apple-growing homestead in the early 20th century, this 43-acre park in Sedona is both a historic landmark and a natural playground. One of the park’s most iconic attractions is a massive natural waterslide that carries visitors through a red rock flume into a chilly pool. Even if you skip the slide, the red rock canyon and surrounding vegetation, including cottonwood and sycamore trees, make the visit worthwhile. Several trails also lead to fishing holes and wading pools, offering more ways to explore the park.
On a Sunday afternoon, travelers can plan a relaxing picnic at Crescent Moon Picnic Site, just a 10-minute drive south of Sedona. This picnic area offers incredible views of Cathedral Rock, which beautifully reflects onto the surface of Oak Creek. In addition to picnicking, visitors often enjoy fishing, swimming, and wading in the waters on hot days.
Spanning about 79 acres, Posse Grounds Park is a key part of the community as Sedona’s first park. Many residents use the park for special events and parties. It also offers a variety of amenities, including softball fields, tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, an outdoor performance venue, a skate park, and a dog park, making it a versatile spot for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Hiking & Walking Trails
Sedona’s hiking trails wind through all kinds of natural landscapes, including natural bridges, canyons, apple orchards, and red rock formations. If you are looking for a more relaxed hike with incredible views, the Devil’s Bridge trail is a great option. At just about two miles, it leads to a natural arch and panoramic views. The trail is considered relatively easy and is accessible year-round. If you want to avoid inclines, West Fork Trail is fairly flat, leading hikers past historic structures, apple orchards, and blackberry bushes, and between the steep walls of Oak Creek Canyon.
If you saw Cathedral Rock from afar at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site and want to climb it yourself, a short but challenging hike will take you there. In just 0.7 miles, the trail gains 600 feet in elevation. Those who reach the top will find themselves surrounded by towering rock formations, making the hike well worth it. For an unforgettable sunset, head to the trails in Sedona’s western canyons. Many locals recommend Bear Mountain, a challenging hike with a 1,800-foot elevation gain. Though tough, it rewards hikers with incredible views along the way.
Rafting & Fishing
Sedona is home to one of Arizona’s most gorgeous trout streams. Oak Creek, which flows downstream into a canyon gorge, is home to multiple varieties of trout. In addition to stocked rainbow trout, the stream is home to wild and carry-over rainbows, as well as large wild brown trout that have inhabited these waters since the early 20th century. For a guided fishing experience, travelers can book an excursion with Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures, the only locally owned, licensed, and permitted outfitter of its kind in Sedona. With over a decade of experience, the company helps anglers navigate the best fishing spots in Oak Creek.
The scenic Verde River Region is just half an hour southwest of Sedona. Flowing through limestone formations and lush vegetation, the river is a popular spot for an afternoon float. One of the best ways to travel down the river is on an excursion with Verde Adventures, which provides stand-up paddling, kayaking, and tubing tours. The agency even offers tours that conclude with a wine-tasting, for those who want to finish their river excursion on a relaxing note. If you prefer biking over paddling but still want to visit one of Verde River Valley’s vineyards, Verde Adventures also offers a guided e-bike vineyard tour.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
Red Rock State Park is home to an interesting variety of wildlife in Sedona. Travelers can spot mule deer along the trails or roads in the park year-round, which are most active at sunrise and sunset. Javelinas and coyotes often roam the park as well. While coyotes are typically nocturnal creatures, visitors can occasionally spot them in the daylight hunting for mice. If you enjoy birdwatching, make sure to attend one of Red Rock State Park’s birdwatching events, which take place periodically throughout the year. During a bird walk, an experienced birder guides visitors through the park, highlighting its diverse bird species.
To view some of Sedona’s waterbirds, travelers can plan a visit to the Sedona Wetlands Preserve. This 27-acre preserve is home to three water basins that provide the ideal habitat for wildlife. Some of the species you may be able to spot here include the American Pipit, Cinnamon Teal, Marsh Wren, and the Common Yellowthroat, among many species more. Some of the preserve’s extremely rare species include the Broad-Winged Hawk, which visitors may be able to spot in the spring and fall, and the Black-bellied Plover, which occasionally frequents the preserve in the spring.
Final Thoughts
Sedona offers so many different kinds of adventures. Those who enjoy hiking can climb Cathedral Rock or explore some of the area’s arid canyons. If you prefer water-based activities, kayaking or rafting down the Verde River will offer plenty of excitement. There is an abundance of wildlife that surrounds the town as well, including hawks, javelinas, and mule deer. So decide what excites you most and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Sedona, Arizona!
