Sedona: What Actually Happened 🏜️

📅 November 17–19, 2025 | 👥 4 Adventurers

No Plans, Just Vibes (And Chaos)

Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you throw the itinerary out the window and just... go. This was one of those trips. Three days in Sedona with zero rigid plans, just a loose idea of "let's see some red rocks" and a whole lot of spontaneous decisions.

Here's what actually went down.

🌄 DAY 1: The Long Drive & Late Afternoon Adventures

🌙 5:00 AM – Vegas Departure

Left Las Vegas at 5:00 AM sharp. Well, "sharp" is generous. We stumbled into the car half-awake with coffee and snacks, ready for the 4.5-hour drive to Sedona.

The vibe: Excitement mixed with "why did we agree to 5 AM?"

🚗 The Scenic (Read: LONG) Route

What happened: GPS had other plans. Instead of the direct route, we ended up on AZ-89A through Flagstaff – the scenic route.

Translation: Beautiful but SLOW.

Drive time: 4.5 hours turned into way longer than expected, but honestly? The views made up for it.

💡 Lesson learned: Arizona roads are stunning but don't rush. Enjoy the journey.

🌲 10:30 AM – West Fork Trail

🥾 6.5 mi RT | ⏰ 2-3 hrs | ⛰️ Easy-Moderate
📍 Call of the Canyon, Hwy 89A
💵 $15 per vehicle

First stop: Oak Creek Canyon for the West Fork Trail!

Arrived at 10:30 AM and immediately fell in love with this place.

The hike: Shaded creek walk with 13 creek crossings, towering canyon walls, and fall colors still hanging on in mid-November 🌲💧🍂

What made it great:

• Cool, shaded trail (perfect for midday)

• Creek crossings = fun but your feet WILL get wet

• Stunning red rock canyon views

• Not too crowded on a weekday

Pro tip: Wear shoes you don't mind getting soaked. We learned this the hard way.

📱 iPhone: Wide-angle creek shots, canyon walls, fall foliage

Result: One of our favorite hikes of the trip! Set the tone perfectly.

🌊 12:00 PM – Slide Rock State Park

📍 6871 SR-89A, Sedona
💵 $20 per vehicle

After West Fork, we headed straight to Slide Rock State Park for some classic Sedona vibes.

The scene: Natural water slides carved into red rock, crystal-clear creek water, and canyon views everywhere.

Reality check: Mid-November = NOT swimming weather 😂. The water was COLD and we were not about that life.

What we did instead:

• Walked along the creek

• Took photos of the natural slides

• Soaked in the red rock canyon beauty

• Watched braver souls than us dip their toes in

📱 iPhone: Creek shots, red rock reflections, wide-angle canyon views

💡 Lesson learned: Slide Rock is a summer activity. Come in November for photos, not swimming!

🏔️ 2:20 PM – Airport Mesa

📍 Airport Road, Sedona

Quick stop at Airport Mesa for the famous 360° views!

The vibe: Short walk from parking to viewpoint, then BAM – red rocks in every direction.

What we saw:

• Panoramic views of all the major formations

• Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and more in the distance

• Clear blue November skies

Reality: It was 2:20 PM so the lighting was harsh (not golden hour), but still stunning.

📱 iPhone: Panorama mode, wide-angle (0.5x)

💡 Note to self: Come back here for sunrise or sunset next time!

⛪ 3:00 PM – Chapel of the Holy Cross

📍 780 Chapel Rd

Next up: the Chapel of the Holy Cross – an architectural masterpiece built directly into the red rocks.

The experience:

• Stunning modern design from the 1950s

• Chapel juts out from the cliff face

• Peaceful, spiritual vibe

• Free to visit!

What we did:

• Walked inside the chapel (small but beautiful)

• Took in the views from the observation area

• Marveled at how they even built this thing

📱 iPhone: Architecture shots, red rock backdrop, wide-angle exterior

Result: Quick 20-minute stop but totally worth it. The views alone are incredible.

🏨 4:00 PM – Check-In & Crash

By 4 PM we checked into our lodging and immediately knew what was happening next.

Narrator: They were EXHAUSTED.

After the long drive and full afternoon of hiking/exploring, we were DONE.

What we did:

• Checked in

• Unpacked

• Showered

• Collapsed

😴 6:00 PM – Asleep (Yes, Really)

No dinner. No exploring downtown. No sunset viewing.

We were asleep by 6:00 PM like toddlers after a long day at the park 😂.

Why? The 5 AM wake-up, long drive, and hiking caught up with us HARD.

Dinner: Snacks from the cooler we brought from Vegas. That's it.

💤 Lesson learned: Listen to your body. Sometimes 6 PM bedtime is the move.

🔥 DAY 2: Redemption & Big Adventures

🌄 4:30 AM – Devil's Bridge (The Star of the Trip!)

🥾 4 mi RT | ⏰ 2.5 hrs | ⛰️ Moderate
📍 Dry Creek Vista Parking
🌅 Sunrise: 7:03 AM

After going to bed at 6 PM, we were READY for a 4:30 AM alarm.

The plan: Get to Devil's Bridge before the crowds and catch sunrise.

The reality: BEST DECISION OF THE ENTIRE TRIP! 🙌

What happened:

• Left lodging at 4:30 AM (still dark outside)

• Hiked up under the stars with headlamps

• Reached the arch right as dawn broke

• Watched the sky turn orange and pink over red rocks

• Had the ENTIRE arch to ourselves

• Got all our photos with zero crowds

• Hiked down and saw a MASSIVE line of cars trying to get in (parking lot full by 6 AM!)

The hike itself:

• Moderate difficulty – some uphill sections

• Well-marked trail

• Final approach to the arch is a bit narrow

• Views at the top = INSANE

📱 iPhone:

• Wide-angle (0.5x) sunrise shots

• Silhouettes on the bridge

• Panoramas of the valley below

💡 Lesson learned: 4:30 AM is BRUTAL but 100% worth it. You'll have the place to yourself and get the best light.

Result: This was THE highlight of Sedona. If you do one thing early, make it this.

🕳️ 9:30 AM – Birthing Cave

🥾 0.5 mi RT | ⏰ 45 min | ⛰️ Moderate
📍 Long Canyon Trailhead

After Devil's Bridge, we headed to the Birthing Cave – a womb-shaped cave with spiritual significance.

The hike: Short but steep. Not long, but you're climbing UP.

The cave:

• Cool natural formation

• Unique womb-like shape

• Spiritual energy (or so they say!)

• Great views from inside looking out

Reality check: The cave itself is neat, but we realized later we didn't get THE iconic Instagram shot (the dewdrop/egg view). Turns out you need to climb higher and shoot downward for that angle.

What we got: Still cool photos and a unique experience, just not the famous shot.

📱 iPhone: Cave interior, views looking out

💡 Lesson learned: Research photo angles beforehand if you want specific shots!

🍔 11:00 AM – Turquoise McDonald's

📍 2380 W State Route 89A

Quick pit stop at the ONLY turquoise-arched McDonald's in the world! 💙

Why? Because it's quirky and we needed a snack.

What we did:

• Took the obligatory photos

• Grabbed coffee and breakfast sandwiches

• Laughed at how random this stop was

📱 iPhone: Portrait mode, jump shots in front of the arches

Result: 5-minute detour, 100% worth it for the novelty.

🚗 12:00 PM – Scenic Drive Past Bell Rock & Cathedral Rock

We drove AZ-179 through the heart of Sedona, passing Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock along the way.

What we did:

• Pulled over at scenic viewpoints

• Took photos from the road

• Marveled at the formations from the car

Why we didn't hike them: Honestly? We were pacing ourselves and didn't want to overdo it.

📱 iPhone: Car window shots, roadside viewpoints

💡 Lesson learned: You don't have to hike every formation to appreciate them.

🍴 1:00 PM – Cooler Lunch

Pulled over at a scenic spot and ate lunch from the cooler we packed in Vegas.

Menu: Sandwiches, chips, fruit, snacks.

Why pack food? Saved SO much money and gave us flexibility to eat wherever we wanted.

Result: Relaxed lunch with a view, no overpriced restaurant bill.

🍽️ 4:00 PM – Early Dinner

By 4 PM  We had early dinner uptown before head back to the hotel to rest, then go out for sunset in maximum comfort.

🏨 5:00 PM – Hotel Rest & Outfit Change

Checked back into the hotel for a quick power nap and outfit change.

What we did:

• Changed into comfy clothes (aka pajamas)

• Rested for an hour

• Prepped for sunset hike

Why? We were DONE with "cute sunset outfits." Comfort > Instagram at this point.

🌅 7:00 PM – Doe Mountain Sunset (In Pajamas!)

🥾 We didn't hike, just  watched sunset from the parking lot.
🌅 Sunset: 7 PM

 We caught the afterglow and blue hour which was honestly even better!

📱 iPhone:

• Panorama mode

• Night mode for blue hour

• Silhouette shots

🌃 7:30 PM – Downtown Sedona

After Doe Mountain, we explored Uptown Sedona for a bit.

What we did:

• Drove pass to see nightlife
  
  

🏨 8:00 PM – Bed

Back to the hotel, exhausted but happy.

No 4:30 AM alarm tomorrow – we're sleeping in!

🌅 DAY 3: The Big Adventure & Road Trip Home

🌄 6:00 AM – Airport Mesa Sunrise (Round 2!)

📍 Airport Road, Sedona
🌅 Sunrise: 7:04 AM

We went back to Airport Mesa – this time for sunrise!

Why? We wanted to see this spot in good lighting (remember, we hit it at 2:20 PM on Day 1).

The experience:

• Got there early for parking (free!)

• Watched the sunrise light up the red rocks

• 360° views in every direction

• MAGICAL

📱 iPhone: Wide-angle sunrise, panorama

Result: WAY better than our first visit. This is the way to do Airport Mesa.

🚙 8:00 AM – Arizona Safari Jeep Tour: Mogollon Rim Run Supreme

⏰ 2.5 hrs | 💰 $463.22 (for 4 people) | 📍 Schnebly Hill Road

The main event of Day 3: Arizona Safari Jeep Tour!

We booked the Mogollon Rim Run Supreme – a wild, bumpy, adrenaline-pumping off-road adventure up Schnebly Hill Road.

What we got:

• 2.5 hours of INSANE cliff-edge driving

• Stomach-dropping drops on narrow roads

• Best panoramic views in all of Sedona

• Our guide was hilarious and knowledgeable

• A few of us got motion sickness (worth it!)

The views:

• Looked down on ALL of Sedona from above

• Saw Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and more from a completely different angle

• Red rocks stretching for miles

Cost: $463.22 for all 4 of us = $115.80 per person

📱 iPhone:

• Wide-angle (0.5x) for cliff views

• Burst mode for bumpy roads

• Panoramas from the top

💡 Lesson learned: This is a MUST-DO if you want adrenaline + views. Way more exciting than a passive helicopter ride!

Result: One of the best experiences of the trip. We felt like we EARNED those views.

🏜️ 12:00 PM – Jerome Detour

After the Jeep tour, we hit the road back to Vegas... but made a spontaneous detour to Jerome, AZ!

What is Jerome? A historic copper mining ghost town perched on the side of a mountain.

What we did:

• Explored quirky shops and art galleries

• Took in the stunning valley views

• Wandered the steep, winding streets

Time spent: About 1.5 hours

📱 iPhone: Wide-angle town shots, valley views, Portrait mode

💡 Lesson learned: Unplanned detours make the best memories!

🛣️ 2:30 PM – Historic Seligman (Route 66)

Final stop: Seligman, AZ on Route 66!

The vibe: Classic Americana, vintage diners, old gas stations, retro everything.

What we did:

• Quick photo ops

• Soaked in the nostalgia

📱 iPhone: Vintage aesthetic shots, Route 66 signs

Result: Perfect ending to a perfect road trip.

🚗 4:00 PM – Back to Vegas

Hit the road for real this time.

Arrival: ~8:30 PM

Tired, happy, and already planning the next trip.

💰 What We Actually Spent

Breakdown:

• Red Rock Pass (week): $20

• Slide Rock State Park: $20

• West Fork Trail: $15

• Arizona Safari Jeep Tour: $463.22

• Gas (round trip): $160

• Lodging (2 nights): ~$600

• Food (mostly packed): $100

• Downtown ice cream/snacks: $30

TOTAL: ~$1,410
Per Person: ~$353

How we saved money:

• Packed ALL food from Vegas ($200-300 saved!)

• Skipped expensive restaurants

• Chose free viewpoints when possible

🔗 Book Your Sedona Trip

Hotels & Lodging:

• Expedia

• Hotels.com

• VRBO

Car Rentals:

• Turo (Rent from locals)

• LocalRent.com

• EconomyBookings.com

Tours & Activities:

• Viator - Sedona Tours

• GetYourGuide - Sedona Activities

Travel Essentials:

• Travel Insurance

• eSIM - Yesim

• Rakuten Cashback

🎯 What We Learned

What Worked:

✅ 4:30 AM for Devil's Bridge = Solo experience, best light
✅ Packing all food = Saved hundreds, more flexibility
✅ Jeep tour = Adrenaline + views
✅ Unplanned detours (Jerome, Seligman) = Best memories
✅ PJs for sunset = Comfort wins
✅ Listening to our bodies = 6 PM bedtime when needed

Reality Checks:

💡 You can't do everything – and that's okay
💡 Early mornings pay off – worth the brutal alarm
💡 Pack food – seriously, do it
💡 Embrace spontaneity – best moments are unplanned
💡 Arizona GPS is tricky – download offline maps

💬 Final Thoughts

This trip wasn't about checking off a perfect itinerary. It was about showing up, being flexible, and saying yes to whatever felt right in the moment.

From 6 PM bedtimes to sunset hikes in pajamas to spontaneous ghost town detours – every decision made this trip OURS.

The truth? The imperfect, unplanned moments were the most memorable.

And honestly? That's the magic of travel ✨.

Have you been to Sedona? What was your favorite unexpected moment? Drop a comment! 📸💬👇

Google map Day 1    Day2    Day3