• Chapel of the Holy Cross - This remarkable mid-century modern chapel is perched with a breathtaking view of the surrounding red rocks, both from inside the sanctuary and outside. If you visit, please treat the building with the same respect as a cathedral and maintain silence.

Outside, the parking lot is steep and often busy, so arriving early to secure a good parking spot is recommended. The walk up the ramp to the entrance is also steep. There are three parking lots, and the middle lot is the trailhead for Chapel Trail, a highly recommended but optional hike past the red rocks.

Open daily from 9am to 5pm, but check the website for mass and service times.

• Bell Rock - Stop at Yavapai and Courthouse Vistas for stunning views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Sedona’s red rock landscape. Enjoy the scenery from the viewpoints, or spend extra time exploring nearby trails if desired.
• Courthouse Loop South Trailhead - Get another view of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte from this trailhead and parking lot right off the Red Rock Scenic Byway.
• Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center - This well-maintained visitor center features displays on the area’s geology and ecology, along with clean restrooms and a water refill station. Outside the main entrance is a nice scenic overlook facing Sedona’s Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.

Open daily from 9am to 4:30pm, Wednesdays from 12pm to 4:30pm (restrooms remain open).

• Historic Old Town Cottonwood - This charming historic district is a great spot to grab a bite while Sedona’s parking lots fill up. The cafes, restaurants, and taverns here are generally more affordable than those in Sedona.
• Tuzigoot National Monument - Optional Stop: Explore Tuzigoot National Monument, where you can walk through the remains of a hilltop pueblo and visit the museum to learn about the people who lived here centuries ago. Admission, if you choose to enter, is purchased separately from the National Park Service.
• Jerome State Historic Park - Optional Stop: Visit Jerome State Historic Park and the historic Douglas Mansion to learn about Jerome’s mining history while enjoying sweeping views of the Verde Valley. Admission, if you choose to enter, is purchased separately from the park.
• Jerome - This town on a steep hillside was known for its colorful history and frequent disasters as well as its thriving mining industry.

Almost a ghost town after the mines closed, today Jerome’s crumbling buildings mix with a quirky assortment of restaurants, bars, and shops.

This is another more affordable lunch option than Sedona.

• Red Rock State Park - Optional Stop: Explore Red Rock State Park and its network of scenic trails through Sedona’s red rock landscape and along Oak Creek. Choose a short walk or spend more time hiking and enjoying the views. Admission, if you choose to enter, is purchased separately from the park.
• Crescent Moon Picnic Site - Optional Stop: Visit Crescent Moon Picnic Site for beautiful views of Cathedral Rock and a peaceful walk along Oak Creek. Spend some time taking photos, enjoying the scenery, or walking part of the creekside trail. Any required day-use or parking fee is paid separately at the site.
• Secret Slickrock Trailhead - This easy, flat trail offers views of Cathedral Rock for its entire length, about 0.7 miles round trip. If you can walk downhill for about 30 steps, the trail ends on a wide ledge with a stunning, unobstructed view of Cathedral Rock ahead and the Crescent Moon Picnic Site below.

If you wish to continue hiking to Crescent Moon, go to the opposite side of the ledge from where you entered to pick up what’s labeled on some maps as the Ridge Trail. Follow the rock cairns along the edge of the hill to the left as the path heads downhill. The trail ends behind some electric boxes off Red Rock Crossing Rd. Turn left and the entrance to Crescent Moon is right there. Going this far, the hike is roughly 20 minutes one way.

• Lover’s Knoll - Visit this easy-to-access viewpoint that offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the best of Sedona.
• Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park - Visit this Buddhist site with the historic and sacred Amitabha Stupa, meant for all to come and reflect.
• Airport Mesa - Stop at Airport Mesa for panoramic views of Sedona’s famous red rock formations. Enjoy the scenery from the overlook, or explore the nearby viewpoint and vortex area if time allows. This is also a popular place to enjoy sunset views.
• Midgley Bridge Picnic Area - Located at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon, here you can view Midgley Bridge, a fascinating historic bridge. Enjoy lunch here, or simply rest your feet and take in the view!
• Native American Craft Market - Support local artists from Arizona’s native tribes and shop for souvenir crafts, art, and jewelry. Approved vendors have direct relationships with the artists.
• Slide Rock State Park - Visit Slide Rock State Park, a historic former apple farm surrounded by the dramatic scenery of Oak Creek Canyon. Explore the park grounds and short trails at your own pace.

Temporary access notice: The Oak Creek swim area is currently closed until October 1, 2026, following the Pocket Fire. Check current Arizona State Parks conditions and follow posted signage during your visit.

Park admission is purchased separately from Arizona State Parks.

• West Fork Oak Creek Trail - Optional Stop: Explore the West Fork of Oak Creek, a scenic trail through a forested canyon alongside the creek. Hike as little or as much as you like before returning to your vehicle. Any required day-use or parking fee is paid separately at the site.
• Oak Creek Vista Overlook - Stop at this vista at the northernmost tip of Oak Creek Canyon for a bird’s-eye view of the scenery. Vendors of the Native American Crafts Market set up booths on the walkway between the parking lot and the overlook daily.

Some arrive as early as the vista opens and stay as late as it closes, but midday is the best time to catch the most vendors, who sell handiworks from local native artists.

• Take the tour when you want
• Tours NEVER expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Tour Start is Customizable
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
• Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

• Private transportation
• Meals and refreshment
• Parking Fees

Discover Sedona’s renowned red rock landscape at your leisure with this self-guided driving audio tour. Journey along the famous Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179) and meander through Oak Creek Canyon, as the narration unfolds tales of geology, culture, and local folklore.

Visit 20 carefully selected stops, including the Cathedral Rock vista at Crescent Moon Picnic Site, the trails of Red Rock State Park, the natural water slide at Slide Rock State Park, the historic Tuzigoot National Monument, and the picturesque views of Uptown Sedona.

Begin whenever you wish, take breaks for hikes or photos, refresh in Oak Creek, shop in the delightful Uptown Sedona, or explore energy vortexes at Bell Rock or Airport Mesa. Benefit from offline GPS navigation, insider tips, and lifetime access—no need to adhere to group schedules.

Download the tour, set off on your journey, and let engaging storytelling lead you through Sedona’s most stunning sights—on your own terms, every time.

• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
• Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
• Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
• Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
• Plan for 2 days if possible — one for Oak Creek Canyon, one for everything else; doable in one day but you’ll need to skip some stops
• Start by 8 a.m. — parking fills fast and some stops get very crowded
• Oak Creek Vista closes at 5 p.m. if heading north to Flagstaff — pace yourself accordingly
• Three state parks on the tour — see the budgeting section for individual fees
• Bring both cash and card — payment types vary by stop
• Dining in Sedona is pricey — consider packing a picnic or detour to Cottonwood or Jerome for more affordable options
• Not into hiking? The optional spur to Cottonwood and Jerome offers unique historical towns worth a visit
• Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time — plan accordingly
• Audrey Headframe Park in Jerome is temporarily closed for renovations

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.