Free things to do · Sedona · United States
6 free things to do in Sedona
Sedona without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Sedona without paying an entry fee: Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Devil's Bridge and Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte are all free. Stay in Cottonwood or the Village of Oak Creek for noticeably lower hotel rates than Uptown.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Free sights and experiences
Nature · Village of Oak Creek
1.Cathedral Rock
Use the free Sedona Shuttle to the trailhead rather than hunting for parking, and go early to avoid both heat and crowds.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Religious site · SR 179
2.Chapel of the Holy Cross
Arrive early in the day; parking on the narrow access road is limited and fills quickly.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Views
- Free
Nature · West Sedona
3.Devil's Bridge
Start before sunrise or ride the free shuttle; by mid-morning the queue to stand on the arch for photos can last over an hour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Active
- Photo spot
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Village of Oak Creek
4.Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte
Families with young children can stick to the pathway's lower ledges, which give views without exposure.
- Time needed
- 1–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
Market · Gallery District
5.Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Combine an afternoon browse with an early dinner on one of the courtyard patios.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- Rainy day
- Free
- Couples
Nature · West Sedona
6.Soldier Pass Trail
The trailhead parking lot is tiny; take the free shuttle or arrive at dawn.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Village of Oak Creek | Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte | 1.5–2 hours + 1–2.5 hours |
| SR 179 | Chapel of the Holy Cross | 30–45 minutes |
| West Sedona | Devil's Bridge and Soldier Pass Trail | 2–3 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Gallery District | Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Park · West Sedona
Red Rock State Park
Climb the short Eagle's Nest Trail for a classic Cathedral Rock view without the crowds of the main trail.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
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Viewpoint · West Sedona
Airport Mesa
Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset to find space at the small overlook parking area.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- After dark
Nature · Oak Creek Canyon
West Fork of Oak Creek Trail
Bring shoes you don't mind getting wet, and expect a parking fee at the Call of the Canyon trailhead.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Historic site · Red Canyon
Palatki Heritage Site
The last stretch is a rough dirt road; drive slowly and check conditions after rain.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Museum · Uptown Sedona
Sedona Heritage Museum
Take a look at the restored apple-sorting machine in the packing shed, a reminder that Sedona was once orchard country.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
More ways to save
- Stay in Cottonwood or the Village of Oak Creek for noticeably lower hotel rates than Uptown.
- An America the Beautiful annual pass covers Red Rock Pass trailheads and national monuments such as Montezuma Castle.
- Most of the best experiences are free hikes; jeep tours are worth it but not essential.
- Visit in January, February or early December for the lowest prices and quietest trails.
- Buy picnic food in West Sedona's supermarkets rather than eating every meal in Uptown restaurants.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Sedona expensive to visit?
Sedona is expensive for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Sedona?
Cathedral Rock: Use the free Sedona Shuttle to the trailhead rather than hunting for parking, and go early to avoid both heat and crowds.