Exploring Sedona’s Natural Wonders: 2-Day Itinerary
Surrounded by the magnificent Coconino National Forest, Sedona welcomes nature lovers from all over the world, offering multiple trails and peaceful surroundings. Sedona, located in Arizona, is a truly remarkable destination known for its red rock formations and scenic landmarks. If I have already convinced you to add this destination to your bucket list, here’s a Sedona 2-day itinerary with detailed information on what, how, and when.
Sedona isn’t just popular among hikers, it’s also a top choice for yoga and meditation enthusiasts and anyone looking to connect spiritually with nature and themselves. Many consider Sedona to be one of the most mystical locations on Earth, thanks to its powerful energy. People from around the globe visit Sedona to hike its trails and experience the energy spots, known as vortexes.
What is a vortex?
A vortex is described as a place of high electromagnetic energy concentration. It is believed that at these locations, the energy either enters the Earth or flows outward from it. There are two types of vortexes: feminine and masculine.
Having visited Arizona before, I knew the nature was amazing. Sedona had been on my bucket list for a while, and I had been gathering bits of information and photos here and there for that “one day” moment. When the decision to go finally came, I understood the importance of familiarizing ourselves with the trails so that we would have an idea of what to expect.
After detailed research and reading guides for a few days, I carefully selected the trails that made the most sense for us. Since we planned to spend two full days in Sedona after a day in Phoenix, we wanted to make sure our itinerary was well-prepared.
What are the best hikes in Sedona for a 2-day trip?
Sedona offers a range of trails, from easy to moderate, with options available for advanced hikers and those seeking a challenge.
After researching and reading for a few days, our final decision was to hike to the Subway cave, Devil’s Bridge, and Cathedral Rock.
These trails stood out to me because of the iconic places they lead you to, plus their hiking durations were absolutely possible to fit into an itinerary for two days. For someone like me who’s not really active, everything was going to be a challenge. But as I often say- if you want to do something, do it so you won’t regret it later.
Before you continue reading, please make sure you follow the 7 principles of “Leave no trace“. Wherever you’re visiting places like Sedona, make sure to reduce human impact:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
What is the closest airport to Sedona?
The closest big airport to Sedona is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (about 120 miles away). There is also a smaller airport that services the area- Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
Where to stay in Sedona?
Sedona provides a good amount of accommodation options and we were aiming for something to fully experience the peaceful surroundings of the area. We decided to stay in Cornville where we booked an amazing home equipped with everything we needed and even more!
Day 1 in Sedona
- Exploring Boynton Canyon Trail and the Subway Cave
- Hiking to Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Visiting Tlaquepaque Art and Craft Center and the only McDonalds in the world with a blue sign
- Dinner at Mesa Grill
We kicked off our day by starting our first hike to the Subway Cave at 7 AM, which gave us plenty of time to squeeze in another hike later on.
Around 11:30 AM, after a “short break” while driving, we found ourselves at our next destination- one of the starting points of exploring the Devil’s Bridge.
After completing two of the most popular hikes of Sedona for a little over half a day, we deserved some time for chilling and decided to explore other things that Sedona had to offer.
What to do in Sedona besides hiking?
For the rest of the day, we decided to explore some of the most iconic attractions in Sedona beyond its natural beauty and hiking trails.
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village
Our first stop was the vibrant Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village- a landmark in Sedona for over 50 years. It’s a vibrant spot with more than 50 shops and galleries, making it the perfect destination for a break from hikes and trails. Inspired by traditional Mexican villages, Tlaquepaque offers a truly unique shopping experience. You’ll find a diverse range of goods, including jewelry, leather items, traditional ceramics, beautiful paintings, decorative pieces, exquisite glass creations, and so much more. It’s a must-visit for art enthusiasts and anyone looking to indulge in a delightful shopping adventure.
The only McDonald’s in the world with turquoise arches
McDonald’s is a globally recognized brand known for its iconic logo and distinct colors. However, the McDonald’s in Sedona stands out with its blue sign, leaving many curious about the reason behind it.
The breathtaking red rock formations that surround Sedona contribute to its extraordinary beauty and charm. The city officials are committed to keep Sedona’s natural scenery so when it comes to architecture and construction of buildings, there are certain requirements in the area.
When McDonald’s decided to open their location in Sedona about 30 years ago, the city officials acknowledged that the original bright and vibrant logo was in contrast with the scenic views. As a compromise, the brand was given a unique condition: they could establish their location if they agreed to replace the bright yellow color of their logo with a color that harmonized with the captivating beauty of Sedona.
Personally, I haven’t been the biggest fan of McDonald’s (except maybe for their fries and milkshakes), but we couldn’t resist visiting this famous location- the only one in the world with a distinctive blue sign. It also happened to be conveniently on our way, so covered in dust and sweat from hiking all day long, we pulled over for a quick milkshake and a photo of this remarkable piece of McDonald’s history.
To wrap up our day, we treated ourselves to a great dinner at Mesa Grill, located near Sedona Airport. I highly recommend visiting before sunset. The road leading to the restaurant offers awesome views of the town below, adding an extra touch of magic to your dining experience.
Day 2 in Sedona
- Going up to Cathedral Rock and the Pillar (vortex)
- Riding ATV
Our second day started very early too and we were able to park as close as possible to the first goal for the day- Cathedral rock. Being there at 730 AM gave us the chance to park at the main parking lot and to also complete the hike before it got too hot.
Off-road tours and riding ATV in Sedona
Filled with excitement after our incredible adventure at Cathedral Rock, we headed to our next adventure: riding ATVs in Coconino National Forest. In Sedona, there are numerous rental options available, offering a variety of ATV types for different preferences and budgets. It’s better to explore the options in advance to select the one that best fits your needs.
Off-road tours provide a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Sedona. Rental providers usually equip you with detailed maps and instructions on navigating to your desired destinations.
Our original plan was to visit Robbers Roost Cave, but unfortunately, heavy rain forced us to cut our rental short. Soaking wet and covered in mud, we decided to return the ATV a bit earlier as it became impossible to continue riding in such conditions. Despite that, the overall experience was filled with adrenaline-pumping moments and fun. Although we missed out on seeing the amazing cave, it gave us a perfect reason to return for another adventure in the future.
Here’s my comparison between the three hikes we did:
Subway Cave – Easy for the most part but moderate at the very end. Not really good for people afraid of heights, as the cave is pretty narrow and there’s not a lot of room to move around.
Long (4 miles round trip)
Great views at some parts of the hike.
Devil’s Bridge – Moderate for the most part, a couple of challenging spots where some people decide to give up.
Kind of terrifying for people afraid of heights, unless you just want to see it.
Long – 4.2 miles round trip for no high-clearance vehicles.
Most great views start with the increasing elevation.
Cathedral Rock – Graduating elevation throughout the whole hike, only one challenging spot which is easier than it looks.
Plenty of room at the top for people afraid of heights who don’t feel comfortable around edges and drop offs.
Short – 1.2 miles round trip.
Great views throughout the whole hike. You don’t wait until you arrive at the end to enjoy a view for a few minutes and leave. You have great scenery all the time!
Bonus: You get a chance to see one of the vortexes in Sedona for just less than 5 minutes of walking after you reach the “End of the trail” sign.
Top 5 tips for visiting Sedona:
- Start your hikes between 6:30 and 7 AM to make sure you will find parking spots and avoid the heat.
- Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip. I can’t emphasize enough on how important this is in Sedona.
- Stay on trail and strictly follow signs as it’s pretty easy to get lost
- Bring plenty of water and snacks (sandwiches are perfect) to make sure you stay hydrated and energized
- Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen during the hot months
- If planning on riding an ATV get a bandana for the dusty roads and ask the rental place for an updated guide.
Enjoy the incredible Sedona and make sure you leave no trace!
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Sedona is an amazing destination that should be on the bucket list of every nature enthusiast and traveler. Offering a wide range of hikes suitable for hikers of all levels, Sedona leaves you with the desire to return. Plan to spend at least two days in this incredible Arizona paradise and get ready to fully immerse yourself in natural beauty.
If someone tells you that you travel too much- stop talking to them. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.
