Sedona Highlights Private Tour: Oak Creek Canyon, Chapel of the Holy Cross, and Airport Mesa Views
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable standing and walking short distances with a few stairs at overlooks and the chapel.
Overview
See Sedona’s greatest hits in one focused, four-hour sweep—Oak Creek Canyon, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Airport Mesa, and Red Rock Loop. A private guide handles the driving and timing so you can focus on views, photos, and the small moments that make this landscape hum.
Sedona Highlights Private Tour: Oak Creek Canyon, Chapel of the Holy Cross, and Airport Mesa Views
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The red rocks start working the moment the car door closes. Your guide eases a comfortable van onto the ribbon of pavement climbing Oak Creek Canyon, and the canyon answers with cool air and the steady hush of water slipping through sycamores. Switchbacks stack up to the overlook where walls of sandstone show their stripes—iron-rich reds, pale limestones, volcanic ash smeared by time. The wind tugs at hats and cameras, daring you to take one more step toward the guardrail for a wider frame.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Hydrate early and often
Bring at least 1 liter of water per person; the dry high-desert air pulls moisture fast even on short walks.
Wear grippy, closed-toe shoes
Overlooks and chapel walkways can be slick with sand; low hikers or sturdy sneakers improve footing and confidence.
Chase the softer light
Morning or late-afternoon departures deliver better color and fewer crowds at Airport Mesa and Red Rock Crossing.
Respect quiet spaces
Airport Mesa and the chapel are spiritual sites for many—keep voices low and stay on designated paths to protect soils and plants.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Javelina
- Red-tailed hawk
History
The Sedona area was home to the Sinagua people, whose agricultural villages thrived here between the 1100s and 1400s. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, completed in 1956, was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s modernist influence and built into the butte.
Conservation
Stay on marked paths to protect fragile desert soils and cryptobiotic crusts. Pack out all trash and avoid touching rock art or carving into sandstone.
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Adventure Hotspots in Sedona, Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
Strong UV at 4,500 feet makes sun protection crucial on exposed overlooks.
summer specific
Lightweight layers
Mornings can be cool, especially in Oak Creek Canyon; layers adapt to shifting temps.
spring specific
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
Mixed surfaces—pavement, slickrock, and sandy paths—benefit from sturdy footwear.
Compact camera or phone with polarizer
A circular polarizer deepens blue skies and cuts glare off sandstone and water.
fall specific