If you are visiting Sedona in 2026, the biggest challenge is not the elevation gain on the trails. After driving in circles looking for parking at trailheads and waiting an hour for a table on my last trip, I realized most online guides are completely outdated.
From figuring out how to use the new city transit buses to discovering which of Coffee Pot Restaurant’s 101 omelettes is worth your money, here are the nine things you must do to experience the city without the stress.
2026 Sedona Quick Facts
- Parking Reality: If you do not arrive at major trailheads by 6:00 AM, you will be taking the city transit buses.
- Where I Ate: Coffee Pot Restaurant for breakfast and Creekside American Bistro for dinner.
- Best Hike for Your Effort: Teacup Trail gives you incredible views without the intense crowds of the major arches.
What to know about Sedona Shuttles in 2026
I will be honest. I drove my car everywhere during my trip, and I regretted it. While I sat circling the trailhead lots, hoping someone would leave, I watched the free city transit buses pass by, dropping hikers off at the front. Do not make my mistake.
The transit options are easy to mix up because they use similar names, so I broke down the exact system you need to use:
1. Sedona Shuttle (Trailhead Shuttles)
- Cost: Free
- Function: Fixed route shuttles that run from Park and Ride lots to popular trailheads to reduce congestion.
- Use this when: You are hiking a major trail like Devils Bridge or Cathedral Rock and the lots are full.
2. Sedona Shuttle Connect (On-Demand Transit)
- Cost: $2 per rider (senior fare is $1).
- Function: App based transit around town. Great for restaurants, shops, and popular spots where parking is hard to find.
- Use this when: You want to get to dinner or the Chapel of the Holy Cross without circling the block.
Insider Tip: The city uses an app called TransLoc for real time arrivals and booking. Cell service is notoriously spotty once you get near the red rocks, so download the app at your hotel while you still have Wi Fi. Sedona Shuttle real time info
Here is a list of 9 of the best things to do in Sedona.
1. Hike to Devil’s Bridge
Hike Fast Facts:
- Distance: Roughly 4 miles round trip from the paved shuttle drop off, or 2 miles if you have a high clearance 4×4 vehicle to reach the upper lot.
- Difficulty: Moderate, but the final ascent is a steep rock scramble.
- The Reality: The rock arch itself is much wider than it appears in photos, but there is always a line to take a picture.
Devil’s Bridge is the most popular hike in Sedona for a reason, but you have to earn that iconic photo. I hiked this starting from the Dry Creek area. The trail starts as an easy, flat dirt path until the very end, where I had to put my camera away and use my hands to scramble up a series of steep, uneven rock steps.
When I reached the arch, there was a line, but since I started early, it wasn’t too busy. I only waited about fifteen minutes. When it is your turn, hand your phone to the person behind you in line, walk out onto the arch, and enjoy the view. If you are afraid of heights, know that the physical bridge is actually much wider than it appears on Instagram once you are actually standing on it.
You can read my guide to hiking Devil’s Bridge here.
Getting Here
Unless you have a rugged 4×4 vehicle to conquer the dirt road, parking in the paved Dry Creek area fills fast. I highly recommend taking the City free Route 11 trailhead shuttle from the West SR 89A Park and Ride to reach the access points.
Insider Tip: In extreme heat, Sedona switches to a safety schedule that reduces outbound service to trailheads. For example, during the summer safety schedule, the last outbound Route 11 trip to the Dry Creek area was at 12:00 PM noon. Always check the official SedonaShuttle.com for the current schedule before planning an afternoon hike.
2. Slide and Swim at Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park Fast Facts:
- The Water: Cold, even in the dead of summer.
- The Danger: The red algae is slick, so bring water shoes to protect your feet.
- Red Rock Pass: Do not bring your Red Rock Pass here. It is a State Park, and they will charge you up to $30 per vehicle.
Slide Rock is exactly what it sounds like, an eighty-foot natural water chute carved right into the creek bed. Sliding down it is a blast, but you need to come prepared. When I visited, the water in Oak Creek was freezing. It felt like an ice bath, which was exactly what I wanted after a sweaty hike on the red rocks.
The biggest mistake I saw people making was trying to navigate the creek barefoot. The slippery red algae that makes the rock slide so fun also makes it dangerous to walk on. Bring cheap water shoes with a good rubber grip so you do not bust your tailbone on the rocks.
Getting Here
6871 AZ 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336 (GPS: 34.943229, -111.753074)
Entry and Costs
Slide Rock uses seasonal day-use fees. Expect to pay $30 per vehicle from May through September and $20 per vehicle from October through April. Always confirm prices before you go. Because this is a State Park, your federal America the Beautiful or Red Rock Passes won’t work here.
Official Slide Rock info
Insider Tip: In the summer, the parking lot hits capacity early, triggering a miserable one-in, one-out line of cars backing up onto the highway. If you miss the early morning window, try coming back late in the afternoon when families start leaving for dinner.
3. Traverse Teacup Trail to Coffee Pot Rock
Hike Fast Facts:
- Distance: Roughly 2.9 miles round trip, but very easy to extend.
- The Vibe: Quick, rewarding, and mostly exposed to the hot sun.
- Parking: The Sugar Loaf Trailhead lot is tiny and nestled in a residential neighborhood, so have a backup plan.
Coffee Pot Rock looks like an old-school percolator towering over western Sedona. Teacup Trail to to Coffee Pot Rock is a great alternative to the busier trails nearby. Whenever friends visit Sedona, I recommend it for great views without the crowds or an all-day commitment.
The official distance is roughly 3 miles round-trip from the Sugar Loaf Trailhead. However, the paths back here constantly intersect with other routes. Depending on which side trails you explore, you could end up hiking way more or slightly less than the official mileage.
Getting Here
Park at the Sugar Loaf Trailhead Parking Lot (GPS: 34.874362, -111.796445)
4. Eat breakfast at the Coffee Pot Restaurant
Named after the hike in the previous section, Coffee Pot Restaurant has been a local staple for over 30 years. They are famous for having 101 different omelettes. The catch? If you show up on a Saturday morning, you might have to fight for a spot in their tiny lot and wait around for an hour for a table.
Sedona is an expensive city, so finding a place with huge portions and affordable prices makes the wait worth it. While they are known for their omelettes, I prefer the Huevos Rancheros. I paid the extra $2.25 to add chorizo, and it was worth it. They overcooked one of my eggs, but the crispy chorizo saved the meal.
Coffee Pot Restaurant is nothing fancy, just solid diner food after a morning on the trails. If you visit and the weather is nice, try to do what I do and ask for a seat on their shaded redwood patio right by the water fountain.
You can read my full review of Coffee Pot Restaurant here.
Getting Here
2050 W State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336 (GPS: 34.864277, -111.796670)
5. Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Site Fast Facts:
- The Vibe: A chill picnic area with lots of shade and easy creek access.
- The View: The best place to see Cathedral Rock reflecting in the water.
- The Danger: The parking lot fills up fast before sunset.
If you have ever seen a postcard of Sedona, you have probably seen the famous shot of Cathedral Rock reflected perfectly in Oak Creek. It is here at Crescent Moon Picnic Site where you will find this photo spot. On my visit, by late afternoon, photographers were already staking out spots along the creek banks for golden hour.
Instead of tackling another long hike, this is the spot I tell my friends to visit when they want to grab a picnic table, take off their hiking boots, take photos, and wade in the cold water.
If the main creek access points by the parking lot are too crowded with swimmers, walk down the trails parallel to Oak Creek. You can usually find a much quieter swimming hole all to yourself.
Getting Here
333 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336 (GPS: 34.826526, -111.808698)
Entry and Costs
Expect to pay around $15 per vehicle at the entrance booth, and bring cash just in case. Leave your standard Red Rock Pass and your national park America the Beautiful pass in the glovebox. A private concessionaire manages this specific site, so those basic passes will not get you in for free.
6. Bell Rock
Hike Fast Facts:
- The Vibe: A massive, iconic dome that you can view right from the parking lot.
- The Hike: Starts flat but turns into a steep rock scramble the higher you climb.
- Parking: The Courthouse Vista lot on the north side gives you the best starting point.
If you are driving into Sedona from Phoenix on State Route 179, Bell Rock is the massive dome-like landmark soaring into the sky. You cannot miss it.
There is a whole network of trails surrounding the base. If this is your first time visiting, I recommend pulling into the Courthouse Vista parking lot on the north side of the rock. If you don’t want to hike, you do not even need to leave the lot. You can get incredible photos of the rock from your car.
If you do decide to make the climb, the trail starts flat and easy. As you make your way up the actual rock, the path becomes steep and a bit of a scramble. There is no official summit, so climb as high as you feel comfortable with and enjoy the view.
Getting Here
Park at the Courthouse Vista Parking Lot (GPS: 34.805857, -111.766497)
Entry and Costs
You need a Red Rock Pass to park here. It costs $5 at the daily digital kiosk. If you already have an America the Beautiful national park pass, you can display that on your dashboard instead and skip the kiosk completely.
7. Marvel at Chapel of the Holy Cross
Site Fast Facts:
- The Vibe: A quick, architectural stop with red rock views.
- The Feature: A unique 90-foot iron cross wedged directly into the cliffs.
- Parking: A nightmare during peak hours.
You can skip the long history lesson about who designed Marvel at Chapel of the Holy Cross. All you really need to know is that this Roman Catholic chapel was built directly into the red rocks back in 1956, and it is easily one of the coolest man-made structures in Arizona.
The highlight of the chapel is the massive iron cross on the southwestern wall, but the panoramic views looking out from the courtyard are just as impressive.
Just be prepared for a frustrating arrival as parking can be difficult. If you end up snagging a spot near the bottom, be ready for a steep walk up to the chapel.
Insider Tip: Because parking here is so tough, the free Sedona Shuttle can be a lifesaver. Just make sure to verify the coverage and the pickup and drop-off points in the official app before you head out.
Getting Here
780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336 (GPS: 34.832011, -111.766771)
8. Sunset at Airport Scenic Lookout and Airport Mesa Vortex
Airport Scenic Lookout Fast Facts:
- The Vibe: One of the best sunset spots, but the main lookout gets packed.
- The Hack: Hike 0.6 miles down the trail to the vortex for a better, quieter 360-degree view.
- Parking: Park in the large upper lot. It costs $3 and is much easier than fighting for the few spots at the lower vortex lot.
The Airport Scenic Lookout is right next to the Sedona Airport. It gives you incredible 180-degree views of the red rocks without making you break a sweat. From the lot, walk across the street, and watch the sun go down. Because it is so easy to get to, the main viewing area gets packed with tourists at sunset.
My biggest tip is to skip the main crowd. Instead, start at the upper parking lot and hike 0.6 miles down the Sedona View Trail parallel to the road. This dirt path takes you straight to the Airport Mesa Vortex. You scramble up to the top of the rounded rock for a massive 360-degree view of the city. It is my favorite viewpoint in Sedona, and it rarely feels crowded.
Whether you buy into the spiritual healing energy of the Sedona vortexes or not, the view from the top of this rock makes the short walk worth it.
Getting Here
Park at the large Upper Parking Vista lot near the top of Airport Rd (GPS: 34.852906, -111.789366)
Entry and Costs
Parking in the upper lot costs $3 per vehicle. You pay at the automated machine, so follow the posted signs.
9. Eat, Eat, Eat
You cannot go to Sedona without exploring the restaurants, especially after a long day on the trails.
You already know about Coffee Pot Restaurant from earlier in this guide, but if you want breakfast with a view, grab a table at Creekside American Bistro. I ordered the shrimp and grits pictured above, and it was the perfect meal for a morning hike.
If you only have time for one dinner out, you have to try Elote Cafe. They serve incredible Mexican and Southwestern dishes using local ingredients. However, you cannot just walk in. Reservations open well in advance and sell out fast. You need to visit their website and book a table months before your trip even starts.
Bonus: Events in Sedona for 2026
If you are planning your trip around the local festival scene, keep these upcoming dates in mind. Always verify the dates on the official event sites before paying for a nonrefundable hotel room.
Sedona Mountain Bike Festival: November 6 to 8, 2026
Official festival site
Sedona International Film Festival: February 20 to 28, 2027
Official film festival site
More Sedona and Arizona Travel Guides
If you are planning a trip to the red rocks or exploring more of Arizona, be sure to check out some of my other guides to help you plan your itinerary:
- Devil’s Bridge: How to Hike One of Sedona’s Most Popular Trails
- Coffee Pot Restaurant: Serving Breakfast in Sedona for Over 30 Years
- Creekside American Bistro: Breakfast With Views in Sedona
- The Chuckbox: The Best Mesquite-Grilled Burger in Tempe
- Cornish Pasty Co. in Tempe: Homemade Pasties Under $20
Last Updated on April 7, 2026