Family Fun in Sedona

One of the Arizona’s most popular destinations, Sedona has a lot to offer families on the go. Explore the surrounding red rock country, shop for souvenirs, go stargazing and more on your next visit.

Red Rocks

Sedona is surrounded by red rock formations, including Snoopy Rock, which looks surprisingly like the cartoon Beagle with his avian pal, Woodstock, perching on his nose. You can easily see Snoopy Rock and others like it from downtown Sedona, but to better appreciate the unique landscape, plan a family-friendly hike with the help of The Hike House. The staff there can direct you to age- and fitness-appropriate Sedona hikes as well as the gear you’ll need for your adventures.

Hiking with the family. Photo: Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau

Prefer mountain biking? Sedona boasts some of the nation’s best mountain biking. Although many of the trails are intermediate to advanced, families will have no problem with the groomed Bell Rock Pathway.

Jeep Tour

If you’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride, book a Jeep tour. Several companies operate out of Sedona, but Pink Jeep Adventures, aka Pink Jeep Tours, has been giving tours in the area since 1960. You can choose from several options, but if it’s your first visit to Sedona, opt for the Broken Arrow tour, the only tour that four-wheels on top of the red rocks. Pink Jeep Tours also offers tours to ancient ruins, petroglyphs and movie set locations.

Sedona Jeep Tours. Photo: Teresa Bitler

For a bird’s eye view, you can book a helicopter or hot air balloon ride for your family. Helicopters circle some of the most famous rock formations while hot air balloons allow for a 360-degree view of the entire area, including Red Rock State Park and Oak Creek Canyon.

Shop and Play

There’s more to Sedona than its red rocks and outdoor adventures, though. In downtown, shop for souvenirs, like a Red Rock Dirt T-Shirt dyed orange using dirt from local red rocks. Other shops sell everything from jewelry to artwork.

If you have time, take a Sedona Trolley tour to either Chapel of the Holy Cross, Boynton Canyon or both.

Designed to look like a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh) is home to some of Sedona’s best artisans, specialty shops and restaurants. Stop to shop or to take informal family photos on the edge of bubbling fountains or against a backdrop of greenery.

Sedona, Tlaquepaque Photo: Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau

Finally, as a certified Dark Sky Community, Sedona has amazing stargazing. For the best viewing, drive to Two Trees Observing Area, located off State Highway 89A near Forest Roads 525A and 761B, or Crescent Moon Picnic Site near the end of Red Rock Crossing Road. Better yet, take a stargazing tour with Sedona Stargazing.