A plethora of exciting and amazing things to do in Sedona await you! This Arizona desert town is bordered by red-rock buttes, spectacular high canyon walls, and green lands filled with pine, presenting many opportunities for exciting days out with the kids!
Beyond Sedona’s beauty, the town also offers an adventure to remember. There are adventure experiences for the whole family! Summer or winter, the town has plenty of beautiful things to offer.
If you are planning to travel to Arizona, chasing an unforgettable travel experience, Sedona’s got you! Dive into this list of things to do in Sedona and start planning your unforgettable trip with the whole family.
But first, a note for those unfamiliar with deserts… If you are new to desert climates, you must know that high heat and low humidity can be hazardous.
You could lose up to 5 quarts of fluid daily, causing you to get seriously dehydrated even without knowing it. Always stay hydrated by taking lots of water and try to start early before the sun gets hot.
Staying out at night can also be hazardous. While hot during the day, the temperature plummets at night, and the low humidity makes it even colder! Hypothermia is a real risk if caught in a desert at night without shelter.
Things to Do in Sedona with Kids
1. Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout
Address: 538 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout is an incredible viewpoint, and if you’re flying into Sedona, this one is right outside the airport! You get great views and the red rock formations around this area of West Sedona. You’ll find the lookout at the end of the airport road. Conveniently, there is a large lot where you can park your car for $3.
Pets are allowed here, but there are certain restrictions in place you should check. If you’re looking for adventurous hiking trails, you can take the Sedona Airport Loop Trail about 3.5 miles long. It’s moderately difficult and takes roughly 2 hours to complete for strong walkers.
It’s a simply beautiful and very scenic route, but it’s pretty rocky; however, it’s not that steep and can be hiked without having to exert yourself too much.
If you have kids, the viewpoint will be a great way to view that magnificent scenery without exploring all the hiking trails. There are several places in the area where you can enjoy the views without taking long, tiring hikes.
The nearby Chapel of the Holy Cross is an international architectural marvel, sandwiched between two red rocks and offers some of the best views in all directions. Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive will bring the scenery to you as you enjoy your drive.
Airport Mesa is a top photography destination, offering a breathtaking sunset view over the red rocks. You will also have some great views from Uptown Sedona from this point too.
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2. Airport Mesa
Address: 483 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Airport Mesa is a hiking trail with some serious Arizona eye candy. It’s a top photography destination and offers a breathtaking sunset view over the red rocks. You will also have some great views from Uptown Sedona from this point too.
It’s also not that difficult to hike, but you will have to deal with many red rocks in the area, which are typically uneven underfoot. The trail will take you around the top slope of Airport Mesa. It is a round trip that’s 3.5 miles long and takes two hours to complete. This trail is one of the most visited destinations in the Sedona area, especially for photographers looking to capture sunsets.
Take a moment and reflect and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets over the red rocks. This location is also considered a sacred vortex site. There are several vortexes (areas where concentrated energy rises from below) sites in the Sedona Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Many tourists go along the Airport Mesa trail to come and experience the special energy emitted by the vortex. Taking a tour such as the Scenic Sedona Tour will help you get the most out of your visit. It will cost you, but you get hotel pickup, drop-off, and a professional guide to Sedona.
The tour is conducted in a van (meaning you can easily bring small kids), and you get to visit the more popular locations Sedona has to offer.
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3. Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
Address: 2650 Pueblo Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is set overlooking Sedona at the foot of Thunder Mountain. It’s on a 14-acre land used as a Buddhist spiritual renewal ground.
This renewal ground is a holy site that people visit when they are going through rough times and need a spiritual scrub or to enjoy the stunning views and gorgeous sceneries while they get in touch with their higher power.
The construction of the Amitabha Stupa was started by the spiritual director Jetsunma Ahkno Lhamo of the Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Tibetan Buddhist society.
The park has two stupas (domed Buddhist shrines), exquisite wooden statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, a Native American medicine wheel, and peaceful places for meditating.
The stupa is a symbol of the enlightened mind of Buddha. Believers believe meditating on the grounds or walking around stupas can provide healing and peace. Stupas are among the oldest form of sacred architecture on the planet.
All stupas are normally loaded with sacred symbols, prayers, relics, and earth from all continents. The Amitabha Stupa is 36 feet tall and named Amitabha after the “Limitless Light Buddha.”
The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park are open all year round from early morning to evening, and entrances are free of charge. You could, however, donate to support the upkeep of this wonderful place at the foot of Thunder Mountain.
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4. Sedona Heritage Museum
Address: 735 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Sedona Heritage Museum is situated in the Jordan Historical Park and comprises three historic landmark buildings, a restored movie set building, and a tent house replica.
The museum’s collections are focused more on the post-civil war lives of the community’s pioneers from the year 1876 to the present. Its main mission is to teach, research, and preserve Sedona’s history, which is operated by the Historical Society of Sedona.
There are so many things that you will learn about at the museum including Sedona’s orchard industry, local pioneers, Sedona’s wine-making heritage, cowboy life in Arizona, and local art history. Your kids will surely enjoy Sedona’s movie-making era display.
There are also breathtaking panoramic views surrounding the museum. The museum runs audio tours, has a few picnic tables, and there’s a gift shop for souvenirs. There are large rooms with a capacity of 100 people where you can hold a gathering for meetings or celebrations. They even host weddings here!
When you start feeling hungry, you can pass by the Elote café for delicious meals and great services. It’s only 0.4 miles from the Sedona Heritage Museum, so you can walk there in 10-15 minutes.
Charges for entering the museum are $10 for adults and children over 13. There are also $3 audio-guided tours and guided tours costing $7 for adults but are free for children.
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5. Red Rock State Park
Address: 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Red Rock State Park is located a few miles west of Vegas. Originally part of the Smoke Trail Ranch, the Arizona State Parks Board purchased and converted it into a public park.
The park was opened on 19th October 1991 as an environmental preserve with stunning scenery for teaching the public, schools, and private groups about local wildlife and protecting the riparian habitat along Oak Creek.
You will have the chance to experience the surrounding red rocks of Sedona up close when you visit the Red Rock State Park. Take your family on a walking adventure at the park, or you can find a nice place and enjoy peace of mind.
There are several different native species of wildlife that you will see in the park, and the interpretive exhibits will help you learn all about them. There’s also a Junior Rangers program for the kids, a movie theater, and a gift shop.
If you are looking to throw a party or even hold a wedding at the Red Rock State Park, there are ramadas that you can reserve for use. There are trails and options for biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities you can do as a family.
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6. Devil’s Bridge Trailhead
Address: Devil’s Bridge Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Devil’s Bridge Trailhead is a great hiking trail in Sedona located at Devil’s Bridge Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, and is quite beautiful despite its ominous name.
The hiking trail is quite easy and has beautiful scenery dotted with surrounding red rocks. It’s a tradition that hikers here take photos and leave them on the red rocks arch to commemorate their climb.
The hike takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your ability and pace – it’s easy to dawdle because this place is stunning.
You need to purchase a day pass for $5 to go for a hike. If you plan on returning for a week consecutively, you should go with the weekly pass for $15. However, with an America the Beautiful Pass, you don’t need to purchase this pass.
If your vehicle is a 4X4, you can head directly to the Devil’s Bridge trailhead and then make the 2-mile round trip on foot. Without a 4X4, you will need to drive down to the dry creek road lot and then walk along the dirt road until you get to the trailhead, a 4.6-mile round trip.
You could also drive to the Mescal Trailhead on Long Canyon Road and then walk for a mile on a trail to the Devils Bridge trail. It’s a bike trail, so stay alert for bikes as you enjoy the beautiful desert scenery. Make sure to bring water!
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7. Chapel of the Holy Cross
Address: 780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was inspired and commissioned by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a local rancher. She had originally planned to build the church in Budapest, Hungary, but the outbreak of World War II put the kibosh on that.
Years later, she decided to have it built back at her native home of Arizona, about 4 miles south of Sedona’s “Y” section. Well, Budapest’s loss is Sedona’s gain. This place is not only a feat of engineering but also arguably one of the most visually stunning churches on Earth.
The chapel is built on Coconino National Forest land, and the construction took 18 months to finish. It was completed in 1956 and cost a whopping $300,000 to construct. It sits on top of a couple of red rocks in Sedona.
In the interior, a giant cross holds together the main stained-glass windows that overlook the Verde Valley, offering spectacular views of Sedona. When going with your family, ensure you arrive early to avoid long hikes because most of the parking spots are far from the church. The place gets crowded, so going early will allow you time to enjoy the scenery peacefully before people start flooding in.
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8. Boynton Canyon Trail
Address: Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Boynton Canyon trail is on another site believed to be a vortex of healing energy. This trail is very popular and has many visitors every year. This 7.2 miles hiking trail offers excellent scenic views where you can admire the variety of plants that survive in this harsh environment.
While taking the hike, keep your eyes open for the numerous wildlife in the area—animals such as colorful songbirds and timid whitetail deer. You can walk your dog here, but they must always be leashed. Letting your dog off the leash will incur a huge fine from the park’s authority.
Entrance is charged per vehicle daily, and the Secret Mountains Wilderness does it. The park is open all year round and requires a Red Rock Pass to get in. Again, you can use America the Beautiful Pass instead if you have one.
The trail is one of the closest to Sedona, thanks to the good roads. You don’t have to bounce around in a jeep on your way to it. This also means that crowds build up fast due to easy access.
The trail is kid-friendly, courtesy of the roads that make the hike easier for children. They also get to learn some history and even get some fantastic pics for social media. A luxury resort was recently constructed near where the trail starts, offering a sublime home base.
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9. Sedona/Red Rock Country
Address: 331 Forest Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Red Rock Country has a spectacular landscape of giant red sandstone spires and red sandstone cliffs. The Red Rock Country is popular among tourists due to its amazing landscapes. There’s plenty of nearby accommodation for all travelers, from camping to staying in luxury resorts.
Before venturing into the forest, you should visit one of the two Forest Service Visitors Centers and get a map of the area to help you easily navigate and show you locations of places of interest.
If you and your family love flowers, visiting Sedona/Red Rock Country in spring will blow your mind. The incomparable display of spring wildflowers here is spectacular, especially after a wet winter. The displayed flowers include the California poppy, evening primrose, lupine, owl’s clover, globemallow, and paintbrush.
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10. Crescent Moon Ranch
Address: 300 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Crescent Moon Ranch is a great place to stay when discovering the city of Sedona and its surroundings. The homestead on the ranch was first settled by John Lee, a cattleman, but has changed hands several times.
The US Forest Service bought the land in 1980 to keep it from being developed commercially. The Baldwin home on the compound is registered in the National Register of Historic Places and was restored for the public to enjoy.
The ranch offers both a home and campsites for visitors to stay in. There’s an availability grid that is used to show which campsites are free and the dates you can book. Green boxes indicate the sites taken and are marked with “FF”. The available sites are indicated by Blue boxes and are marked with “A”.
The main house has lots of space for you and your family, with 3 bedrooms, a large living room, three bathrooms, an enclosed sun porch, and two kitchens. There’s electricity, running water, and extra bedding for the living room if you have more people than anticipated.
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11. Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Address: 333 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Crescent Moon Picnic Site is 7 miles southwest of Sedona City Center. The Cathedral Rock by Crescent Moon Picnic Site is a favorite spot for photographers and campers. The waters of Oak Creek provide visitors with a place to fish and swim and an amazing picnic spot.
The best time to visit the Crescent Moon Picnic Site is weekday early morning. Due to its popularity, the place gets crowded, especially on weekends and evenings. A fee of $10 per car is charged at the entrance.
It’s a great place to visit with your family. Bring a picnic, play some water games, watch the wildlife in the area, do some fishing, and take photos to remember your experience together as a family.
Sunsets here are just breathtaking and the open sky and minimal light pollution make the area perfect for stargazing. You don’t have to leave your pup at home, as the picnic site grants access to dogs on a leash.
Make sure that you take a minute to visit the Crescent Moon Spiritual Area for spiritual rejuvenation before heading back to the hustle of your hectic lives!
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12. Midgley Bridge Picnic Area
Address: AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, United States
The Midgley Bridge picnic area is located along Highway 89A, approximately 5.5 miles north of the Y intersection of Highway 19 in Sedona. East of Midgley Bridge is a car park that acts as a trailhead to trails such as Wilson Mountain Trail (5.6 miles round trip and a 2400-foot elevation), Huckaby Trail (2.6 miles mild trail), Jim Thompson Trail (3 miles, 100-foot elevation) and the Wilson Canyon Trail (2.2 miles, 500-foot elevation).
The trailhead is easy to find, for it starts right underneath the Midgley Bridge. Follow it down, and it will lead you to all the hiking trails. The site has heavy foot traffic due to the popularity of its pristine views, the red rock formations, and the beautiful cooling spot by the river. It’s a great place to visit as a family, particularly on a hot day.
It has a private parking lot, bike parking, and gender-neutral restrooms. Getting there early will be advantageous, especially if you drive there and need a parking place. You will need a day pass to venture into the area, which can be automatically purchased from a vending machine on site.
Watch for poison ivy when visiting hiking trails with your kids, especially when walking through narrow spaces!
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13. Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is a great place to take your kids for a day of fun. There are plenty of activities to keep them entertained, including hiking, swimming, and sliding down the natural rock waterslides.
The park is also home to some beautiful scenery, so be sure to take some time to enjoy the views. The best time to visit Slide Rock State Park is in the spring and fall when the temperatures are mild. Summertime can be pretty hot, and winter can be quite cold, so those times may not be ideal.
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14. Verde Canyon Railroad
Verde Canyon Railroad is a great place to take your family for a unique and family-fun experience. The railroad offers some of the best views of the Arizona landscape and is a great way to explore the area.
There are also plenty of activities for kids, so they’ll have a blast on the train ride. And if you’re looking for a little more adventure, you can even take a Verde Canyon Railway tour, which includes stops at verdant canyon walls, ancient ruins, and more.
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15. Visit the Hot Springs
If you’re looking for one of the truly unique and memorable things to do in Sedona with kids, be sure to add a visit to one of Sedona’s many hot springs to your itinerary.
Hot springs are found worldwide, but Sedona’s are truly some of the most beautiful and relaxing you’ll find anywhere. Soaking in the warm waters surrounded by stunning red rocks is an experience you won’t soon forget.
There are several different hot springs in Sedona, so you’re sure to find one perfect for you. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, try Honeymoon Grove. This small pool is only accessible by hiking a short distance off the beaten path.
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16. Visit Bell Rock
Bell Rock is a popular attraction in Sedona, Arizona, known for its large sandstone formations. The Bell Rock Pathway winds around the base of Bell Rock, providing stunning views and access to several smaller rocks that are perfect for exploring.
Kids will love scrambling over the rocks and searching for exciting fossils and crystals. Bell Rock is also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch or watch the sunset. Visitors can find plenty of parking near Bell Rock, making it easy to explore this Sedona landmark.
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17. Pink Jeep Tours
There are many fun things to do in Sedona, Arizona, with kids. One of these is taking a Pink Jeep Tour. This is a great way to explore the area and have fun with your family. The tour guides are knowledgeable and will ensure everyone has a good time.
An hour-long tour costs $85 for adults and $50 for children. Since these tours can be self-guided, there’s no minimum or maximum number of participants per tour.
For groups of 10 or more, you can pre-book your private tour beforehand. Plus, there will be no worrying about collecting payment from all the different people afterward.
18. Red Rock Scenic Byway
If you are looking for one of the best things to do in Sedona with kids, take them on the scenic route during your family vacation. This is particularly important if you are driving to visit Sedona. This can be a great way to show your kids around before you enter the city and see the iconic red rock formations that are truly special in Northern Arizona.
Visiting Sedona is an experience like no other place in the world. So, make sure you do it right and have fun in Sedona exploring during your family vacation.
FAQ
What are some of the best things to do in Sedona with kids?
There are many great things to do in Sedona with kids! Here are just a few ideas:
Visit the Red Rock State Park: This park is perfect for hiking, picnicking, and exploring. The kids will love seeing all the red rocks up close!
Check out Slide Rock State Park: This state park has a natural water slide that the kids will love! There are also plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Explore Downtown Sedona: Downtown Sedona is full of fun shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Consider visiting during the Sedona Arts Festival to make the most of your family vacation for parents and young kids.
Is Sedona, Arizona, Kid Friendly?
Yes, Sedona is a great place to take kids. Plenty of outdoor activities keep them busy, and the scenery is beautiful. Plus, there are a ton of great family-friendly restaurants and hotels.