United States / Las Vegas & the Southwest Canyons / SedonaSedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Oak Creek Canyon
A town wrapped in red sandstone buttes: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Devil's Bridge on short, steep trails, the Chapel of the Holy Cross built into the rock, the "vortex" sites that draw meditators, and Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon for summer swims. Some trailheads need a Red Rock Pass (about US$5 a day), and a free shuttle serves the busiest ones. Two hours from Phoenix airport, 45 minutes from Flagstaff and two from the Grand Canyon.
Highlights
- Cathedral Rock at sunset
- Devil's Bridge hike
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Airport Mesa viewpoint
- Slide Rock State Park
- Pink Jeep tour
- Stargazing
Things to do
- Devil's Bridge hikeMorning · 3h
- Chapel of the Holy Cross and Bell RockAfternoon · 2h 30m
- Jeep tour on the red-rock trailsMorning · 2h 30m
- Sunset at Airport MesaEvening · 1h 30m
- Oak Creek Canyon and Slide RockAfternoon · 3h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: March – May, September – November
Heads up
Fire Season in the West
Wildfires in the West peak in late summer; smoke can hide the views for days and fires can close roads and trails. Check the park's alerts page and the local fire restrictions (campfire bans are common).
Worth knowing
Extreme Desert Heat
⚠️ Summer days pass 40 °C in Las Vegas and the desert below the rims (the Grand Canyon's floor reaches 45 °C). Hike only at dawn, carry at least 4 litres of water a person, never leave anyone in a parked car, and don't try the canyon trails to the river in the heat: rangers rescue hikers every summer.