Park and green space

Because of its size, Sedona has a huge number of parks and green spaces. Slide Rock State Park is one of the town’s most beloved recreational areas. Originally an apple-grown home in the early 20th century, this 43-acre park in Sedona is a historic landmark and a natural playground. One of the park’s most iconic attractions is the large natural water slides that carry visitors through red rock waterways to chilly pools. Even if you skip the slides, the Red Rock Canyon and surrounding vegetation, including cottonwood and sycamore trees, are worth a visit. Also, some trails lead to fishing holes and watering pools, providing more ways to explore the park.

On Sunday afternoons, travelers can plan a relaxing picnic at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site, just a 10-minute drive south of Sedona. This picnic area offers incredible views of the cathedral rocks. This is beautifully reflected on the surface of Oak Creek. In addition to picnics, visitors often fish, swim and walk underwater on hot days.

Spanning around 79 acres, Posse Grounds Park is an important part of Sedona’s first park. Many residents use the park for special events and parties. It also offers a variety of facilities, including softball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, outdoor performance venues, skate parks, dog parks and more, making it a versatile place for all kinds of outdoor activities.

Hiking and walking trails

The hiking trails in Sedona pass through all kinds of natural landscapes, including natural bridges, canyons, apple orchards and red rock formations. If you’re looking for a more relaxed hike than offering incredible views, the Devil’s Bridge Trail is a great option. Approximately 2 miles offer natural arches and panoramic views. The trail is considered relatively easy and is accessible all year round. If you want to avoid slopes, the West Voke Trail is fairly flat, with hikers past historic structures, apple orchards and blackberry bushes between the steep walls of Oak Creek Canyon.

If you want to see the cathedral rocks from afar on the crescent picnic site and climb on your own, a short but challenging hike will take you. It’s only 0.7 miles and the trail is 600 feet tall. Those reaching the summit find themselves surrounded by towering rock formations, and the hike is well worth it. Head to the trail in Sedona’s West Canyon for an unforgettable sunset. Many locals recommend Bear Mountain, a challenging hike with an altitude gain of 1,800 feet. It’s tough, but hikers can enjoy incredible views along the way.

Rafting and fishing

Sedona has one of Arizona’s most luxurious trout streams. Oak Creek flows into the gorge valley downstream and has multiple trout. In addition to stocked rainbow trout, this stream features wild and carryover rainbows, and a large wild brown trout that has been inhabited in these waters since the early 20th century. For a guided fishing experience, travelers can book an excursion with Sedona Fly Fishing Adventure, the only locally owned, licensed and authorized outfitter of this species in Sedona. With over a decade of experience, the company helps anglers navigate the best fishing spots in Oak Creek.

The scenic Verde River region is 30 minutes southwest of Sedona. The river flows through limestone layers and lush vegetation, making it a popular destination for afternoon floats. One of the best ways to go down the river is an excursion with Verde Adventure, offering stand-up paddling, kayak and tube tours. The agency also offers tours that close with a wine flavour for those looking to finish off their river excursions with a relaxed memo. If you prefer to ride a bike paddling, but still want to visit one of the vineyards of Verde River Valley, Verde Adventures also offers a guided E-Bike Vineyard Tour.

Wildlife and birdwatching

Red Rock State Park has an interesting variety of wildlife in Sedona. Travelers can find mule deer along the park trails and roads that are most active at sunrise and sunset. Javelinas and Coyotes often roam the park. Coyotes are usually nocturnal creatures, but visitors can sometimes find them in the sunlight where they hunt mice. If you’re enjoying birdwatching, take part in one of Red Rock State Park’s birdwatching events. During the bird walk, experienced birders guide visitors through the park, highlighting their diverse bird species.

To see some of Sedona’s waterbirds, travelers can plan a visit to the Sedona Wetlands Reserve. This 27-acre reserve has three bodies of water that provide ideal habitat for wildlife. Some of the species you can find here include American peipit, cinnamon teal, marsh wren, and the common yellow throat, among many species. Some of the very rare species of the reserve include the wide-winded hawks that visitors can find in spring and fall, and the black angered Plover, which sometimes frequently visits the reserve in spring.

Final thoughts

Sedona offers so many different types of adventures. Those enjoying the hike can climb the cathedral rocks or explore parts of the area’s arid canyon. If you prefer water-based activities, kayaking and rafting down the Verde River offers plenty of excitement. There are also plenty of wildlife surrounding the town, including the Hawks, Javelinas and Muledia. So, decide what’s most exciting and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Sedona, Arizona!