72 hrs in Sedona
I have traveled most of Arizona and done some of its best hikes including Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend, The Wave, and Buckskin Gulch. I’ve driven through and seen it’s cities and towns & I can say with confidence that there is something special about Sedona.
If you believe in energy then you’ll have a special appreciation for Sedona because it is known for having several vortexes that are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing & meditation.
Sedona itself is a relatively small town and the nearest city is Scottsdale which is located about 94 miles away. However, the nearest main airport is Phoenix. You would then have a 2 hour drive (119 miles). Sedona does have a small airport, but depending on where you are flying in from you might not find any direct flights & plane tickets could be higher.
Pro tip: I highly recommend making sure you have an SUV if you plan on going hiking. It can make your exploring easier. For instance, Devil’s Bridge has 2 entrance options. If you don’t have an SUV you have to park in the first parking lot and it is a long walk to Devil’s Bridge from there. (Without an SUV your car will get stuck on the road so don’t even try it.) However, if you do have an SUV you can drive much further in and the walk to Devil’s Bridge is much closer. The difference between the 2 is that the further walk makes the trip 4 miles vs 2 miles. Which doesn’t sound like a big deal except…
The best time to arrive at Devil’s Bridge is about 30 mins before the sun comes up. This spot is extremely popular and gets very crowded, but the earlier you go, the less people will be there. We arrived while it was still dark so being able to drive closer to the path was very convenient because it’s kind of scary to do that walk in the darkness in the middle of the desert. Also, it was pretty cold so that extra time in the car was nice.
Since we arrived early we were able to enjoy about 40 mins of solitude before the crowd started to arrive.
Heights: The view watching the sunrise was incredible and the hike itself was not very difficult. No major drop offs other than the bridge & even that isn’t so bad. It really looks worse in pictures than it really is in person. I am afraid of heights & I felt very comfortable strolling around on the bridge.
Who can go: This is a family friendly hike. There are many steps & inclines so anyone that doesn’t have issues with their knees would be able to enjoy this.
Best time to go: It is best to arrive just before the sun rises because you have to take into consider the time it will take you to park & walk to Devil’s Bridge itself. We went in January and although it was chilly, it was tolerable with layers. Tourism in general seemed slower because it was considered off season. High season is March & June or September through November. Spring is slightly busier because the warm weather allows for people to do more outdoor activities.
How long do you need: We were in Sedona for 3 days and we felt like we were able to do a lot of exploring within that timeframe.
First day we arrived late with just enough time to settle in.
Second day we woke up early, did the Devil’s Bridge hike, did the Cathedral rock hike, had lunch, and wrapped up the day with a Pink Jeep Tour.
Third day was a travel day home.
More days would’ve allowed for more leisure time, but it is possible to feel like you experienced what Sedona has to offer over a 3 day trip. It is a great place to visit over a quick weekend getaway if you are just looking to get out of the city and go into nature.
