Girdner Trail
Named after Dale Girdner, who herded cattle in the area in the 1920s, the Girdner Trail connects Yavapai College and the former Sedona Cultural Park with Dry Creek Road via 4.75 miles of interesting and diverse…
Deb Weinkauff
Schuerman Mountain Trail
When those scorching summer temperatures arrive, we look for less strenuous hikes to get our nature fix. That’s why we turn to hikes that are short and sweet. And the Schuerman Mountain Trail more than works….
Boynton Canyon Vista
When the days are short and the temperatures plunge, we like to explore some of Sedona’s shorter trails, and Boynton Canyon Vista checks all the boxes. The trail leads to a saddle between two red rock…
Seven Must-Have Northern Arizona Experiences
CELEBRATE THE GREAT OUTDOORS AT CRESCENT MOON RANCH Sedona is great year-round, but there’s something particularly magical about fall. The crisp air. The changing leaves, and of course, the city’s famed red rocks. We love to…
Loy Canyon
One of our favorite things about trails is that they can offer a choose your own adventure style journey. Loy Canyon is one of the city’s trails that delivers both an extremely difficult challenge or a…
Rector Trail
Ever since it opened back in 2018, the Rector Trail quickly became a local favorite and for very good reasons. For starters, this hike lets you get up close to many of the Village of Oak…
Wilson Canyon Trail
When those temperatures rise, we often find ourselves searching for relatively easy trails that we can finish quickly but still have a great payoff. The Wilson Canyon Trail is one of our favorite hikes that fits…
Cow Pies Trail
If you don’t mind a bumpy ride to get there, Cow Pies Trail is probably one of the flattest and easiest hikes in Sedona. It also happens to be located in an area of Red Rock…
Our Favorite Stories Through the Years
It was 1993 when I arrived in Sedona. It was very different, but very much the same. Quieter, sure. But it’s just as easy today to get lost in the quiet beauty and energy that surrounds…
A.B. Young Trail
This time of year is our absolute favorite for hiking. The cool temperatures mean you can spend hours on the trails. In the winter months on the weekends, you’ll often find us taking long, meandering hikes….
West Fork Trail
Oh, West Fork. There is something undeniably magical with Oak Creek and Sedona’s towering red rocks beside you as you cross multiple streams. This only-in-Sedona scenery makes this hike truly stunning. Like so many of Sedona’s…
Merry & Bright: How To Spend The Holiday Season
VISIT TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS & SHOPPING VILLAGE If you’re in Sedona, Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is practically the city’s holiday headquarters. The shopping center is all decked out in lights and décor and hosts some of…
Sedona’s Five Hardest Hikes
Sedona is a hiking mecca with over 200 hiking trails to explore. If you’re searching for a true challenge, these hikes deliver with heart pumping climbs and breathtaking summit views that will make all the effort…
Doe Mountain Trail
Every year, the trail leading to the top of Doe Mountain seems to grow in popularity as more and more hikers seek out the mesa’s 360-degree views. It’s easy to see why so many flock to…
Table Top Trail
When those summer temperatures soar, one of our favorite places to hike in town is Airport Mesa. The relatively easy and mostly short trails in this West Sedona area all offer stunning views of some of…
Jim Thompson Trail
When it’s hot outside, but we still want to hike, we love trails where you can leave a car at either end, and the Jim Thompson Trail is a great option. The hike begins near Jordan…
White Mesa Trail
Finding a quiet trail to hike in Sedona can be tough, and that’s why trails like the White Mesa Trail – a historic cattle trail – can be refreshing. Although this hike lacks red rock views,…
Vultee Arch Trail
Accessing the Vultee Arch Trailhead is a challenge and one of the hardest parts of this easy trail. The only way to reach it is with a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle. Yes, you need both high…
Munds Wagon Trail
When we set out to hike Munds Wagon Trail, we weren’t expecting to find waterfalls. We’ve hiked this trail in warm weather without a puddle in sight, so we suspect our experience was relatively rare, which…
Fay Canyon
Fay Canyon has long been one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Country and for good reason: There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, the route is relatively flat until the end and the…
Mescal Trail
Although originally built for and by mountain bikers, the 2.5-mile Mescal Trail is a relatively easy, mostly flat trail that makes for an easy going hike. Mescal is most likely named for the mountain it skirts…
Iconic Trails
Airport Loop When out-of-town guests who don’t hike often ask us what trail to hike, Airport Loop is typically our answer. This relatively flat (but a little rocky) trail offers breathtaking views of all of Sedona’s…
Devil’s Bridge
The sandstone arch that gives this trail its name has become a star on social media. The arch’s visual appeal is undeniable. Many hikers flock here to see this incredible arch with their own eyes, and…
Chapel Trail
Summer’s high temps generally linger in September, and if you’re looking for an easy and short trail that features stunning red rock views, try the quick and easy Chapel Trail. Although dogs are not allowed inside…
Where to Swim in Sedona
Slide Rock State Park One of Sedona’s most popular attractions in the summer, Slide Rock State Park, is named for the 80-foot long natural rock slide that visitors have been sliding down for years. The setting…
Allen’s Bend
When those temperatures rise in June, many Sedona hikers will stick to shorter trails until the cooler weather returns. And that’s why we love a quick hike like Allen’s Bend. The trailhead for Allen’s Bend starts…
Boynton Canyon Trail
Sometimes all you need is a long hike. It gives you time to think, relax and get in a good workout. One of our top trails that meets all those requirements is the Boynton Canyon Trail….
Brewer Trail
Believe it or not, there is a trail you can hike if you’re searching for solitude and happen to be on Airport Road: the Brewer Trail. We only spotted two couples on our short hike. After…
Baldwin Trail
The Baldwin Trail is one of our favorite hidden gems. For one thing, it’s tucked away in the Village of Oak Creek so you can enjoy a secluded hike. For the entire hour we hiked, we…
Sugarloaf Loop Trail
West Sedona’s Sugarloaf Loop Trail is an easy way to work up a sweat, take in beautiful views and get in a good hike. It’s especially beautiful after a dusting of snow. Begin your hike at…
Cibola Pass Trail
The Cibola Pass Trail is one of our favorite short hikes in Sedona. The Uptown Sedona trail offers stellar views of many of the major red rock formations in the area. We can’t think of a…
Marg’s Draw Trail
What we love most about Marg’s Draw Trail is that it offers hikers so very much. For starters, it’s easily accessible and located in central Sedona. You can connect to other trails and hike nearly all…
Bike On Sedona’s Best Trails
Easy Trails Sedona Bike Skills Park Located on Posse Grounds Park in West Sedona, the Sedona Bike Park is an ideal spot where you can develop biking skills. The park features jumps, drops and trails. “It’s…
Top 10 Sedona Hikes
Bright Angel Round-Trip Distance: 18.5 miles; At a Glance: Iconic, Stunning Arizona Views Although not in Sedona, we couldn’t run this list without this Grand Canyon trail. It’s one of the most iconic hikes in the…
The Golden Goose American Grill
Located just off of Sedona’s main road, AZ-89A, local haunt The Golden Goose American Grill is worth seeking out for its stellar cuisine and welcoming atmosphere. The entire space exudes a cozy bistro-vibe. Think tea lights…
Pyramid to Scorpion Trail Loop
As the cooler temperatures gradually arrive in September, we always look forward to heading back out to the trails more frequently. And while we’re building back up our strength, we’re searching for hikes that are moderately…
Explore Sedona’s Extraordinary Parks
CRESCENT MOON RANCH You can find one of the most iconic views in Sedona (if not the entire Southwest) at Crescent Moon Ranch. If you’re in town for a short period of time, head here for…
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Every year, artists flock to Grand Canyon National Park to paint images of this stunning place as part of the annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art. And in a year when there’s been so much change,…
Sedona View Trail
The Sedona View Trail really lives up to its name. The views by this trailhead are some of the best in town. We’ve spent plenty of time appreciating the stunning vistas of Coffee Pot Rock, Chimney…
Teacup Trail
When those temperatures start to climb, we look for hikes that meet two requirements: short and scenic. And West Sedona’s Teacup Trail is one of our favorite brief hikes with top-notch views of one of Sedona’s…
Woods Canyon Trail
Spring is our favorite time of year to hike. The weather is usually perfect. The wildflowers are blooming. And we can’t think of a better way to appreciate this season than by tackling the Woods Canyon…
Chimney Rock Pass Trail
We’ll never tire of seeing Sedona’s famed red rocks in a different light. And if you’re up for a relatively moderate hike that will take you around the base of Chimney Rock, consider the Chimney Rock…
Black Canyon Trail
After a season of hiking, sometimes you just want to get away from all the packed trails. And one of our favorite remedies for peak hiking season fatigue is Cottonwood’s Black Canyon Trail. You have to…
Judi’s Restaurant & Lounge
Editor’s note: Given the rapidly changing situation involving COVID-19 or the coronavirus, please contact this restaurant directly to see if they will still be open. Judi’s Restaurant & Lounge has been one of Sedona’s most beloved…
HP Café
Originally called the Hitching Post, HP Café was Sedona’s first diner that opened sometime in the 1940s. And decades later, customers still flock to this Uptown Sedona spot. Sit by the windows in the main dining…
Little Horse Trail
Little Horse Trail is one of our favorite hikes for two key reasons – the trail is relatively flat and lets you get up close to Sedona’s famed red rocks. The trail kicks off just past…
Airport Loop
If there’s one thing that we love more than a red rock hike, it’s a hike when the red rocks have been dusted with snow. There’s something undeniably magical about seeing those red rocks blanketed with…
Holiday Cheer
Perhaps no other Sedona resident has the holiday spirit quite like Susan Carter. Decades before the Berlin Wall would fall, in the small town of Galesburg, Illinois, a teenage Susan wandered into a boutique and left…
Loving Bowls
We bet that you’ve (probably) never seen 1,500 handmade ceramic bowls in a single space. But you can change that on Dec. 14. That’s when the Sedona Arts Center is hosting one of its signature annual…
Night Trails
A dark blue sky spotted with stars provides a backdrop for a shot of the illuminated Courthouse Butte (center) and dark Bell Rock (right) red rock formations from the Yavapi Vista Trail. A recent snowfall supplied…
Lakeview Trail
After a long, hot summer, sometimes you need a break from all the heat. And if you’re searching for a relatively easy, classic Flagstaff trail, we’d recommend Lakeview Trail No. 132. The trail starts with a…
Schuerman Mountain Trail
November can be a bit nuts. Chances are high that you’re busy prepping for the upcoming holidays on top of all your other day-to-day responsibilities. And you’re probably searching for a quick break, which is what…
Soldier Pass Arches
The Soldier Pass Arches hike meets all the requirements of a downright perfect day hike. Just three miles round trip. Check. A challenging, but not impossible trail. Check. Gorgeous views and a few fun places to…
Seriously Scrumptious Sandwiches
ROYAL BEET BURGER: $16 Chef Lisa Dahl is adding another restaurant to her Sedona restaurant portfolio. Her newest creation? Butterfly Burger, slated to open this summer. And if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you might not…
Broken Arrow Trail
Initially, we set out to hike the Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point but ended up taking a detour that proved a worthwhile adventure. Broken Arrow Trailhead allows 4×4 road vehicles and jeep tours – and…
Adobe Jack Trail
Adobe Jack Trail features fantastic red rock views. It also leads you to a creek bed and winds in and out of small washes and green desert terrain lined with junipers and Manzanita bushes. Before beginning…
A.B. Young Trail & Beyond
We first wrote about the challenging but rewarding A.B Young Trail in 2017. At that time, we stopped our hike where the switchbacks end at the top of the Mogollon Rim. We hiked it again recently,…
Airport Loop
There’s no denying the 3.3-mile trail that loops around Airport Mesa offers views of every major red rock formation in Sedona, but we were equally as enthusiastic about the landscape of the mesa itself. A constant…
A Taste Of Marrakech
Editor’s note: A Taste of Marrakech has closed. Back in March 2015, a tiny eatery by the name of A Taste of Marrakech opened in Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek, and word…
Girdner Trail
Named after a family of ranchers who herded cattle in this area, the Girdner Trail connects Yavapai College and the former Sedona Cultural Park with Dry Creek Road via 4.75 miles of interesting and diverse terrain….
Celebrate Like A Chef
WALTER PAULSON Tucked inside one of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village’s smallest courtyards, Rene at Tlaquepaque has been Sedona local’s fine-dining go-to since 1978. But its tucked-away vibe, cozy booths and tiny wine bar still make…
Adobe Grand Villas
Dining at Adobe Grand Villas might be Sedona’s best-kept secret, though chef Michael Merilli, who has been in Sedona for more than 10 years, does have a devoted local following. Need a staycation? Think Adobe Grand…
Bear Mountain Trail
The trail that leads up Bear Mountain may only be 2.5 miles one way, but it’s easily one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. There’s little to no shade, so if hiking this trail is…
Devil’s Bridge
The name of Sedona’s largest sandstone arch, Devil’s Bridge, might sound sinister, but there’s no need to start reciting your Hail Marys just yet. The short, 0.9-mile trail that leads to the top of the arch…
Mesa Grill
Perched on top of Airport Mesa, Mesa Grill is your place for a leisurely, scenic lunch or sunset dinner. Grab a table next to the panoramic windows that look out over Sedona Airport and watch the…
Hideaway House
By the time we left Hideaway House, we had met the couple sitting next to us, and the couple behind us. It’s a place where old friends gather at a very lively bar and new friends…
Cockscomb Butte Trail
Have you ever wondered about the spindly spires of the Cockscomb formation west of Sedona and on the very edge of Red Rock Country? Then you need to spend an afternoon exploring Cockscomb Butte Trail. The…
Javelina Cantina
Picture this: It’s a balmy evening right after a monsoon storm has passed. The air is still redolent with wet sage and a subtle whiff of ozone. Where do you want to be? Outside on the…
Crescent Moon Creek Walk
When the days are hot, and you never know when a monsoon storm is going to pop up, we tend to stick to tried-and-true (read: short) hikes. Crescent Moon Creek Walk, more popularly known as Red…
SWEEEEEET!
ELLIE’S CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PIE: $8 When Ellie Shugrue was a kid, her favorite movie was The Parent Trap. In the flick, the twin girls eat Oreo cookies dipped in peanut butter, so Ellie had to…
Szechuan Restaurant
There’s just something about hot summer temperatures and sushi that seem to go hand in hand, isn’t there? When our appetites are light and we’re daydreaming about our next beach vacation, we head for Szechuan Restaurant,…
Rector Trail
Because you are holding a copy of Sedona Monthly in your hands – whether you live here or not – it’s safe to assume that you have a favorite Red Rock Country trail. (No, we won’t…
Red Mountain Trail
If you don’t mind the long drive, hiking into the amphitheater of Red Mountain, a 1-million-year-old cinder cone in the San Francisco Peaks Volcanic Field, is a must-have experience. The trail begins at the end of…
Sedona Today. Adulting Tomorrow.
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted to do was fly? The Hualapai Tribe, owners of Grand Canyon West, have made that possible – sort of. The destination debuted…
Jail Trail River Walk
Looking for something to do with the kiddies during spring break? Family in town? Sometimes not everyone is up for – or capable of – a 6-mile hike in the red rocks. That’s when Cottonwood’s Jail…
Rock On
Scott Newth pulls out several binders filled with photocopied documents from the 1800s, maps, diagrams, and pages and pages of research on rock art in the Verde Valley. You’d swear he’d been researching the…
Dry Creek Trail
In late winter and early spring, Dry Creek is anything but dry. Depending on how much rainfall we’ve received, it’s completely impassable in some locations. The key to hiking this trail is finding that ideal time…
Mountain Juniper Gallery
Spend even a short amount of time with woodworker, furniture maker and artist Dan Taylor, and there’s one thing you’ll understand immediately: Dan respects his materials above all else. His material of choice for the past…
Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 in Sedona
The only remnant of any movie set ever built in Sedona is a tall rock chimney and fireplace shrouded in brush and trees on a rocky basalt road at the top of the Mogollon Rim. Reaching…
Casa Sedona Inn
Admittedly, we don’t get out for breakfast all that often, but when we do, we like to make an event of it. Think brunch à la Sex in the City. Casa Sedona Inn, a secluded, boutique…
REDS Restaurant in Sedona
REDS Restaurant at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa has a modern vibe that has made it a favorite locals’ hangout for years. If you live here, it’s practically a given that you’ll run into someone you…
Courthouse Butte Loop in Sedona
The verdict is in: Courthouse Butte Loop is one of the prettiest trails you’ll hike in the snow – and it’s easy. The 4.5-mile loop traverses the base of Courthouse Butte, one of Sedona’s largest monoliths,…
Sedona Arts Center’s Loving Bowls
What’s better than shopping? Shopping for a cause! Sedona Arts Center’s Loving Bowls event returns Dec. 9 from noon to 3 p.m. More than 1,100 bowls created by area ceramicists will be sold for $10 each….
Christmas in the Southwest
35th Annual Christmas Boat Parade of Lights Put on a sweater and gather along the shores of Lake Havasu in the far western corner of our state for London Bridge Yacht Club’s 35th Annual Christmas Boat…
Boynton Canyon in Sedona
Scenic Boynton Canyon near Enchantment Resort is one of Sedona’s most popular trails and deservedly so. But because it’s in danger of being loved to death, we haven’t written about it in 12 years. Instead, we’ve…
Halloween in Sedona
It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn toward costumes and candy. There is no shortage of haunted happenings in the Verde Valley for the young and the young at heart, starting with the Pumpkin…
Sedona Reflections
In Sedona, everything is better in October. Daytime temperatures slowly start to drop and the summer monsoon storms dissipate. It’s also an ideal time to explore Pumphouse Wash in Oak Creek Canyon. Five miles of…
Sedona Pet Lovers Gala
If what Gandhi said is true and the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated, then Sedona is already pretty great. In the first six months of 2017, 316…
Sedona Winefest 2017
Under a big-top tent on the field at Posse Grounds Park, wine lovers leisurely made their way from one winery to the next, sipping on glasses of red, white and rose. They nibbled on squares of…
Sedona’s Loy Canyon
Sometimes you just want to walk in the woods, Hansel-and-Gretel style. That’s when you need to explore Loy Canyon and Loy Canyon Trail. The trail meanders along the floor of the canyon for 4 relatively flat…
Miley’s Cafe in Sedona
For a couple of years now, we’ve been receiving emails from readers touting the hidden gem that is Miley’s Cafe. We had been to Miley’s on several occasions for breakfast, which is served all day, but…
Lakes within a four-hour drive of Sedona
Lake Havasu State Park If the name Lake Havasu conjures up images of girls gone wild on spring break, you’re not completely off the mark: It’s still a party hot spot for coeds in March and…
Sedona’s Baldwin Trail
We don’t hike much during this time of the year, however, if we’re going to spend time on a trail, Baldwin ticks all of the boxes for a summertime jaunt. It’s in close proximity to Oak…
Dellepiane in Sedona
Any foodie can attest to the fact that the humble burger has been elevated in recent years from fast-food status to gourmet fare. No matter what type of burger aficionado you consider yourself, Dellepiane, the new…
Sedona’s Thunder Mountain Trail
Thunder Mountain Trail is a gem of a hike that meanders along the base of its namesake, also known as Capitol Butte or Grey Mountain. Though there isn’t a ton of shade along the trail, it’s…
Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour
Arizona’s mile-high town is the place to be May 20-21 when the Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour returns for its 52nd year. The guided tour takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the last…
Vultee Arch Trail in Sedona
Back in the day, accessing the Vultee Arch Trailhead wasn’t nearly as challenging as it is now. The only way to reach it today is with a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle (yes, you need both high…
Bun Appétit, Sedona
Butterfly Garden Inn The burgers at Butterfly Garden Inn in Oak Creek Canyon are easily one of Sedona’s best-kept secrets (until now, of course). Some people might not even realize that there’s a kitchen mixed in…
Fleur-de-Sedona
Mary Senseney The first thing that strikes you about Mary Senseney’s Village of Oak Creek garden is its orderly, well-manicured and thoughtfully executed design. But when you stroll through the courtyards and along flagstone pathways, you…
