What to Do In Sedona: National Parks and Other Attractions

Sedona is well famed for its amazing beauty and awe inspiring sights. The area around this quiet town is packed with amazing things to do and see. Whether you are hiking through the various hills and canyons, climbing the many rocks or taking some of the Jeep tours through the canyon areas, you can find a wealth of things to do around Sedona.

Red Rock National Park:

The first thing to understand is that this beautiful park is day use only, there is no camping allowed. There are campgrounds around the area, though few of them offer free camping. That said, Red Rock Park is a great place to go for a moderate hike or enjoy Oak Creek at the bottom of the gorge. The dry hills are pretty as well, though you can get a much better view of the spectacular cliffs to the north from the top of the hills. With a visitor center, picnic areas and miles of trails to explore, this is a great family outdoor destination.

Slide Rocks State Park:

This is one of the most popular places to cool off in the summer, for visitors and residents alike. The park is located north of Sedona and centers on Oak Creek, where the water cascades down a natural series of slides and chutes. There are several hiking trails in the area and the cliffs can be climbed for a look at some truly spectacular country. The pools and slides are perfect for swimming and playing; during the summer, you can find up to 1000 people cooling off in the water. You can also find the remains of a turn of the century homestead in the area. The park is not free entry, though locals recommend parking on the side of the access road and walking the 15 minutes up the creek to get to the slides.

Munds Canyon:

This is a little known canyon to visitors, locals enjoy the cool water and great hiking opportunities provided. Access the canyon from the upper end, near I-17, the lower end borders on the village of Indian Gardens and is also privately owned, partly. The water in the canyon is from snowmelt, so rest assured that it will be very invigorating, should you decide to swim. There are high cliffs of limestone and sandstone, offering great enjoyment. If you want a beautiful, quiet place to enjoy, this is the place for you. You can adventure and explore the many pools of this canyon, swim, hike and enjoy the staggering beauty for which the area is known.

The Montezuma Well:

This is a collapsed cavern that fell in during antiquity. The builders of the cliff dwelling sued this area for a water supply, as did many other Indian nations in the area. There still survive many ruins in the area, from single room dwellings to multi family complexes, though none rivals the cliff dwellings farther away, or the village that sits on the ridge nearby.