Ultimate Sedona Jeep Tour: Chapel of the Holy Cross, Vortex Sites & Tlaquepaque
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels—requires short, easy walks and standing at viewpoints.
Overview
Ride an open-aired Jeep through Sedona’s red-rock amphitheater to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, vortex viewpoints, and the shaded galleries of Tlaquepaque. This guided half-day tour blends geology, local culture, and accessible walking stops—perfect for photographers and curious travelers.
Ultimate Sedona Jeep Tour: Chapel of the Holy Cross, Vortex Sites & Tlaquepaque
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The Jeep rumbles off the paved ribbon of 89A and into a canyon of light—bronze sandstone cliffs rising like pages of a geological ledger. Wind-carved fins and broad mesas unfold in tiers; juniper and manzanita perfume the air. In the open-aired jeep you feel the desert’s temperature change on your face as the guide eases toward the Chapel of the Holy Cross, its thin concrete cross jutting from a thousand-foot wall of rock. This is a day built for seeing: architecture perched on stone, a flowering arts village by the creek, and several Sedona vortex points where people come to breathe, reflect, and sometimes report a subtle pull in their limbs.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early
Check in 30 minutes before departure to complete paperwork and get fitted into the open-aired Jeep; parking and orientation take time.
Sun protection
Wear a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and UV sunglasses—the sun reflects strongly off the red sandstone.
Bring a carseat for young children
Arizona law requires children under 5 to be in a carseat—tour operators do not provide these, so bring your own.
Pack light layers
Morning chill can give way to hot afternoons; a light windbreaker or fleece is useful for breezy viewpoints.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Lesser long-nosed bats (seasonal near creek corridors)
- Mule deer often grazing at dawn or dusk
History
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was completed in 1956 and built into Sedona’s redrock escarpment; Tlaquepaque grew into an arts center along Oak Creek in the late 20th century.
Conservation
Sedona’s trails and viewpoints are sensitive to erosion and foot traffic—stick to designated paths and leave no trace to protect fragile desert soils and native plants.
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Adventure Hotspots in Sedona
Recommended Gear
Closed-toe walking shoes
Provides traction on uneven paths and protection around rocky viewpoints.
Sun hat and sunglasses
Shields you from intense midday sun and improves comfort during open-air travel.
summer specific
Light jacket or windbreaker
Useful for early-morning chill and breezy overlooks.
spring specific
Small daypack
Carries water, camera, and any personal items for the 5½-hour tour.