Free & Cheap Things to Do in Sedona

Parks & Nature

The signature Sedona hike — a steep, dramatic 1.1-mile roundtrip scramble up the saddle between Cathedral Rock's twin sandstone spires, considered one of the famous Sedona vortex sites. The trail emerges on a broad ledge with stunning Verde Valley views, then climbs over bald rock and through a shallow cleft with toeholds notched into the stone. The summit panorama is consistently rated among the most beautiful viewpoints in the American Southwest.

Address: Back O' Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: Strenuous despite the short distance — there's real rock scrambling near the top, not just walking. Sunset views are iconic but the small parking lot fills by mid-afternoon; arrive by 3pm or use the free Sedona Shuttle (Thursday–Sunday). Bring water and sturdy shoes. Hot and unshaded in summer — go early morning May through September.

Parks & Nature

An easy, family-friendly 3.5-mile pathway running alongside Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte — two of Sedona's most recognizable red rock formations and another famous vortex site. Most of the trail is wide and hard-surfaced with gentle elevation, suitable for kids and casual walkers. The pathway delivers continuous postcard views without the strenuous scrambling required at Cathedral Rock, and you can turn around whenever you've had your fill.

Address: SR 179 between mileposts 309 and 312, Sedona, AZ

Tip: Three trailhead parking lots (Northern, Midway, Southern) line SR 179 — the Midway lot is closest to Bell Rock itself. From there it's a 10–15 minute walk to the base of the rock for the iconic photos. Mountain bikers and horseback riders share the trail. Pay the $5 Red Rock Pass at the trailhead kiosk or buy it in advance at recreation.gov.

Parks & Nature

A 3.5-mile loop circling the mesa that holds Sedona's small airport, with continuous panoramic red rock views and one of the most accessible Sedona vortexes — reached just 100 yards from the trailhead parking. Many visitors skip the full loop and just walk to the saddle viewpoint for sunset, where the entire Sedona basin glows red as the sun drops. The full loop is moderate with one rocky climb.

Address: Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: The small parking turnout 0.5 miles up Airport Road serves the vortex/saddle overlook — covered by the $5 Red Rock Pass. The separate Sedona Airport Scenic Overlook at the top of Airport Road has a paid $3 lot and the wider panorama. Arrive 90 minutes before sunset on weekends — both lots fill fast.

History & Architecture

A striking 1956 Roman Catholic chapel built directly into the red rock cliffs of Sedona, with a 90-foot cross dominating its glass facade — named one of Architectural Digest's 'Ten Most Beautiful Churches Around the World.' The chapel rises 250 feet straight out of the sandstone and is open daily for prayer, reflection, or simply admiring the dramatic architecture and panoramic views from the parking-lot overlook.

Address: 780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: Open 9am–5pm daily; last entry at 4:45pm. The parking lot is tiny and notorious for filling up — arrive before 10am or after 3pm, or use the free Sedona Shuttle from the visitor center. The gift shop sells candles and rosaries; light a votive inside for $5. Allow 20–30 minutes.

Shopping & Strolling

A beautifully designed 1970s shopping village styled after a colonial Mexican town, with cobblestone walkways, stucco arches, sycamore-shaded courtyards, and fountains tucked between dozens of independent galleries, jewelers, and craft shops. Free to wander and one of the prettiest places in Sedona to spend a couple of hours — even if you don't buy anything, the gardens, sculpture, and architecture justify the visit on their own.

Address: 336 SR 179, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: Free flamenco guitar performances in the Patio De Las Campanas every Sunday–Tuesday evening 5:30–7:30pm. Free on-site parking. The village has the best public restrooms in central Sedona. Several galleries with rotating exhibits charge no admission. Open daily 10am–5pm (individual shops vary).

History & Culture

A small but charming museum housed in the original 1930s Jordan family homestead, telling the story of Sedona before it became a tourist town — pioneer ranching, the Hollywood Western era when Apache and Broken Arrow were filmed in the red rocks, and the apple-orchard economy that preceded resort development. The 11-acre grounds include preserved historic outbuildings and gardens you can wander freely.

Address: 735 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: Open daily 11am–3pm — short hours, so plan around them. The current featured exhibit traces Sedona's connection to Route 66. Budget 60–90 minutes for the indoor exhibits plus the outdoor homestead walk. Free parking. Volunteer-led docent tours add real depth when one's available.

Quirky Landmarks

A 36-foot Tibetan Buddhist stupa set on 14 acres of pinyon-juniper forest in West Sedona, surrounded by walking paths, prayer wheels, prayer flags, a smaller Tara Stupa, and a Native American medicine wheel. Built in 2004 by Kunzang Palyul Choling using traditional methods, the site is open to people of all faiths and is one of the most peaceful spots in Sedona — a quiet contrast to the busier red rock trailheads.

Address: 2650 Pueblo Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: Open dawn to dusk; parking lot 8:30am–5pm. The site is on private temple land with a meditation-quiet atmosphere — silence your phone and keep voices low. Five-minute walk from the parking lot on well-marked trails. Pets on leashes welcome. Practitioners walk clockwise around the stupa while reciting prayers.

History & Culture

One of the largest Sinagua cliff dwellings in the Red Rock area, occupied between 1150 and 1350 CE, plus a separate rock-art alcove with pictographs spanning thousands of years and multiple cultures. Guided tours (about 75 minutes) take small groups to both sites, with experienced docents interpreting the lives of the people who lived here. 'Palatki' means 'Red House' in Hopi.

Address: Forest Road 795, Sedona, AZ 86336

Tip: Reservations are required through Recreation.gov — book a few days ahead, especially on weekends. Tour size capped at 14 visitors. The drive is 13 miles northwest of Sedona on rough gravel roads — passenger cars are fine if you go slow. Closes when temperatures exceed 100°F, so plan summer visits for early morning. Wear sturdy shoes; the trail to the dwellings has 60 uneven steps.