Sedona is very well known and celebrated around the world for its beauty as well as its mystery. Located just two hours north of Arizona’s capital city of Phoenix, this small — yet rapidly growing — town encompasses the greater town of Sedona, the surrounding buttes and desert landscapes, the famed Slide Rock Park, and Oak Creek Canyon, giving a Sedona visitor plenty of options for sightseeing and activities.
The Town of Sedona itself is really the base camp for all of the activities and recreation one might plan for a Sedona vacation. Centrally located in the lush green valley underneath the behemoth red and rust buttes, Sedona offers some of the most luxurious bed and breakfasts and resorts in the state, and the local eateries range from frontier food and local barbecue to 5 star French Cuisine and fresh seafood flown-in daily. While Sedona’s town center can offer a traveler any and all of the modern creature comforts they might want, you only have to travel a few miles outside of the downtown area to see the raw and natural beauty of this wild desert landscape.
Bell Rock Butte — Sedona, Arizona
Hiking, biking, mountain climbing, and other outdoor sports tend to be the biggest draw to the Sedona area. Bell Rock is one of the first sights that outdoors-persons would want to visit first, the trails around the butte are filled with gorgeous scenery and fresh air. Locals will attest that Bell Rock doesn’t just attract visitors from all over our world, but from other worlds as well. Many nights of the year, the butte is visited by dancing lights in the sky and hovering orbs that swirl around the rocks, overlooking the imposing rock mountain.
Cathedral Rock Butte — Sedona, Arizona
Like Bell Rock, the Cathedral Rock Butte is another rock edifice that peaks over the Sedona Valley. Follow Oak Creek as it lazily meanders its way around the butte and the red rocks leading out of town and South towards Oak Creek Canyon. In Oak Creek Canyon, the red rock and desert gives way to lush green forests as the trees follow the creek’s southerly flow. This is a top destination for campers from all over Arizona, and is a wonderful 1 night trip, if you have a little extra time in Sedona.
The Sedona Vortex — Sedona, Arizona
We spoke about the strange lights that are attracted to the red rocks of Sedona before, but that is not the least of the strange occurrences and odd happenings within the area of Sedona. It is said by many mystics, healers, priests, priestesses, gurus, and even scientists that Sedona sits on top of a cosmic vortex. This vortex — though never proven to exist — is said to be a channel of spirits that surpasses time and space, giving the land and waters around Sedona healing properties. Some go as far as to say that simply sitting quietly on a rock over Sedona for a few hours can re-center your spirit and offer the answers to everything you ever wanted to know. While these stories are quite fantasitcal, and stir the imagination, the true magic of Sedona comes from its raw and undisturbed beauty.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross — Sedona, Arizona
The Chapel of the Holy Cross first comes into view as you are driving north into Sedona. The imposing cross structure at the top of the red rocks calls to those passing by, and those of many different religions feel the need to stop by this attraction, pay their respect, and see this architectural marvel on the butte.
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Yep, it looks just like that. Great shots. 🙂
Thanks Cindy! It is amazing on a rainy day when those clouds sweep through the canyons!
wow I thought this was in Australia, but not its just round the corner basically, I cannot believe I missed this on my us trips
It is like another world, when you get close to Sedona. People can’t believe it is actually Arizona!
well it seems like I need to put it on my travel schedule – the painted desert was already beautiful and I love rock formations of any kind and arid places, and this is one place I will need to go too. Thanks for posting
I love Sedona. Beautiful photographs!
Thanks Sara!
Just love all of the beautiful pictures! Thanks so much for sharing, friend. I’m so glad your travels continue to go well. We are looking to get out to Arizona soon, so this provides awesome insight to planning our vacation! Thanks again
If you can’t make it to Sedona, try Cottonwood… it has really bloomed into a great destination lately. Vineyards, tours, shops… a real revitalization.
G’day! Beyond stunning shots! So life life!
Cheers! Joanne
Gorgeous photos. The drive from Sedona to Flagstaff in the fall is one of my all time favorites.
This drive, and the drive through Cottonwood are so amazing in the Fall.
Super post! We drove into Sedona to go to Rollies Camera and with what I saw with a very brief visit makes me want to return. This post makes it a must for next winter.
You must make at least a day of it sometime.
Thanx for sharing the photos and info on Sedona.
This is the most beautiful place on earth. I must go back there one day. Thank you for the gorgeous photos – and for your whole site, which is wonderful.
It is such a lovely place. We are spoiled being only a few hours away from it at our HQ!
Arizona really is beautiful. I just took a road trip there from Denver a few weeks ago to attend The Body Love Conference in Tuscon. It was a lovely road trip! Just wish I had had more time to spend there.
Next time, stop by Jerome, Arizona if you get the chance.
this is very amazing 😉
A great read and even better pictures! Fantastic 🙂
Thanks! We appreciate all feedback!
Excellent post! Can’t wait to go there!
You will be impressed…
Well THANK YOU for taking a peek at my blog today. What a Fantastic post about AZ and Sedona! We are living in Glendale right now as my hubby finish’s meat-cutters school. We have been here since Sept 2013, and we are going to Sedona in a couple weeks, so NOW I’m really excited to go and see all the beautiful places you listed here.
I’m now a new fan and following you! Just awesome photo’s too.
Thanks for sharing!
God Bless,
Author Catherine Lyon 🙂 🙂
God Bless Catherine. It is a quick drive from Glendale, Just take the I-17 up, and you’ll be there in 2-3 hours — if you don’t get lured-in by the Anthem shops.
Thanks much! Oh we women LOVE Shops!..LOL…