
moderate
2 hours
Basic mobility required: able to walk short distances on uneven ground and climb slight inclines.
Feel the subtle pull of Sedona’s famed energy sites on a two-hour guided vortex tour with local guide Frank. Expect short walks on red sandstone, pointed practical tips, and a balanced look at the geology and culture behind the phenomenon.
The morning sun slices across the red buttes and you feel it before you see it — a subtle tilt in the air, like walking into a room where the temperature changes. Your guide, Frank, parks the van at a roadside pullout and gestures toward a spread of stacked sandstone. People lower their voices as if the rock itself is listening. For two hours you move between male and female vortex sites: places where Sedona’s rust-colored cliffs seem to gather and pulse, where wind and light combine to make the land feel charged.

Arrive 15–30 minutes before the listed start time at the tour office on 89A; tours leave promptly and late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
You may be asked to follow the guide between sites — plan for fuel, parking, and a car capable of light dirt-road driving.
Trails are uneven, gravelly and can include low scree; sturdy shoes reduce risk of slips and sore feet.
Desert sun can be strong even in spring/fall — bring at least 1L water, sunscreen and a hat.
The vortex idea gained popularity in the 1970s but the land has long held significance for Indigenous peoples, including the Yavapai-Apache, whose place names and stories predate tourist accounts.
Stay on designated paths, avoid trampling cryptobiotic soil, and pack out all waste — visitor behavior directly affects fragile desert ecosystems.
Protects feet on gravel, dirt and brief inclines encountered at vortex sites.
Hydration is critical in Sedona’s dry climate, especially in summer heat.
summer specific
Open terrain and reflective rock increase sun exposure even on cooler days.
Mornings can be cool; a light jacket helps during early stops or breezy ridgelines.
spring specific