Sedona, AZ: Some of the best things to do on your first visit
If you plan to visit Sedona, you absolutely need to check out some of these amazing hikes and sites. Before my first visit to Sedona, I spent a lot of time researching must do hikes and activities, and these places commonly topped the list. I would add these to your itinerary while visiting Sedona. These sites are all very popular, so I recommend arriving early to ensure you can find a parking spot and are able to take photographs without numerous people in the frame.
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Birthing Cave
This is a shorter hike in Sedona and makes for a good quick hike to start your day. The trail is relatively flat and easy until you reach the Birthing Cave. Getting into the cave requires a scramble up some rocks and a steep slope, so be prepared for a little exertion at this point. From inside the cave, you have amazing views of the beautiful red sandstone rock formations around Sedona. This trail is only two miles roundtrip and just a couple hundred feet of elevation gain.
If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, I suggest bringing a wide-angle lens if you have one. The inside of the Birthing Cave is quite difficult to take a decent photograph of since the cave is so wide, and the field of view is quite shallow. It is easier to take a better photograph from a distance if you do not have one of these lenses. Since this is a short hike, I recommend hiking this trail and the Devil’s Bridge trail on the same day. This way you can complete multiple hikes in this area and still be back to town for dinner and relaxing. You can see more details about this hike and download the GPS map on Alltrails.
Approaching the Birthing Cave for the last slightly steep pitch before entering the cave
Looking at the inside of the Birthing Cave. I would recommend bringing a wide-angle lens if you have one to take better pictures of the inside of the cave.
Looking out at the beautiful Sedona countryside from inside the Birthing Cave
Devil’s Bridge via the Mescal Trailhead
The Mescal Trailhead is a short drive from the Birthing Cave Trailhead, so these two hikes make sense to do on the same day. The hike to Devil’s Bridge along this trailhead is pretty spectacular. The hike to Devil’s Bridge and back on this trail is roughly four miles. On this hike, you transit through really cool terrain and get to several vantage points where you can view many of the beautiful sandstone formations around Sedona. This trail has a moderate amount of incline most of the route. The incline increases drastically as you approach Devil’s Bridge.
Just before Devil’s Bridge, you need to ascend some fairly steep stretches of rock stairs and inclines that might require scrambling on all fours. Keep this in mind as the descent is also somewhat difficult. Take your time and be sure of your footing and hand placements. Once you get to the top of these scrambles, the trail is level and straightforward to the top of Devil’s Bridge. The bridge is a very picturesque arch that makes the scrambling worth the effort.
This is one of the most photographed areas in Sedona, so be prepared for large crowds. It can take a long time to walk out on top of the bridge and have your photo taken. When I visited, it had been raining most of the day, so there were no crowds, but I know people who waited for nearly an hour to walk out onto the bridge and have their photo taken. If you visit this site, arrive early or hope for a rainy day to keep the crowds at bay. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way as well. I saw a group of javelina walking through the surrounding shrubbery on my way back to the trailhead.
If you get a bunch of rain beforehand, you might be lucky enough to get Devil’s Bridge to yourself as well!
Looking at Devil’s Bridge from the trailhead that leads to the arch
Taking some photos of the surround area just prior to the last scramble to reach Devil’s Bridge
Looking at Devil’s Bridge from where you can walk out and get on top of the arch
Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass Cave via Cibola Pass Trail
The Soldier Pass Cave is also a popular site in Sedona, so the parking area is very busy. When my dad and I visited, we parked at the Brins Mesa Trail parking area instead and hiked in on the Cibola Pass Trail. This route still connects you to the Soldier Pass Trail after a slight hike. From the Brins Mesa parking area, you hike in on the Cibola Pass Trailhead before connecting to the Jordan Trail and ultimately linking up with the Soldier Pass Trail. This route takes you past multiple neat landmarks in the process.
You will first climb and gain some elevation before passing over Cibola Pass. From here, you descend down to Jordan Trail. The stretch along Jordan Trail has numerous different trail crossings and social trails, so downloading the trail map from Alltrails or another GPS app is recommended. Jordan Trail eventually intersects with Soldier Pass trail right before some amazing land formations. The first you pass is Devil’s Kitchen. Devil’s Kitchen is a large sinkhole that appeared in the 1880s and that you can peer down into. There are interpretive plaques around the site explaining the geological history of the sinkhole that are worth taking time to read. The next landmark you will come across is the Seven Sacred Pools.
The Seven Sacred Pools are rock pools that fill with water when seasonal stream flows are sufficient to fill them. These pools make for a great photo opportunity before continuing on to Soldier Pass Cave. To get to Soldier Pass Cave, you need to keep your eye out for where the Soldier Pass Cave Trail departs from the Soldier Pass Trail. After you make this departure, you will have a good stretch of uphill scrambling to reach the caves. Odds are likely that you will also overshoot the caves and wind up at another beautiful arch first. If so, listen for people talking and follow their voices to Soldier Pass Cave.
This “cave” is actually more of a double arch underneath a sandstone cliff, but it is quite unique. The arch features an upper-level arch and chamber that you can reach via some scrambling. This stretch does require good scrambling skills and surefootedness. If you are unsure about climbing to the upper levels of this landmark, I would recommend remaining below. If you scramble to the upper level of this feature, there are many different viewing angles that are photo worthy. I would absolutely add this landmark to your sights to see while in Sedona.
Views of the surrounding Sedona countryside from Cibola Pass
Peering down into Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole along the trail
Some of The Seven Sacred Pools. It had just rained, so they were full of red colored water.
Views of the other arch that is close to Soldier Pass Cave
Approaching the entry to Soldier Pass Cave
The view from inside Soldier Pass Cave
Subway Cave
The Subway Cave is a relatively recently “discovered” landmark in Sedona. There are Native American structures and rock art at the Subway Cave, so it clearly has been known to exist for a long time, but it appears to have reached modern popularity after 2014 when local explorers stumbled across the site. Since then, it has grown in popularity and is now one of the most popular sites in Sedona. You access the Subway Cave from the Boynton Canyon Trailhead. The trail up to Subway Cave is relatively flat and simple, making for a quick trip if you do not miss the turnoff to the cave.
I recommend downloading a map on Alltrails or another mapping service so you do not miss the turnoff and accidentally continue on Boynton Canyon Trail. Sometimes people write “cave” on the ground with twigs or in the dirt, but I would not rely on these to know where to break off from the main trail. The turnoff is approximately two miles from the parking area. Keep an eye on the surrounding cliffs as you hike as well. There are multiple Native American cliff dwelling sites and structures early on in the hike.
Once you reach the Subway Cave, there is a very steep scramble up sandstone to reach the cave. Some people go to the left here instead. This route is slightly less intense and leads you to another Native American structure. From here, you can wrap around a cliff face to reach the Subway Cave. There is one stretch where you are on a high and narrow ledge if you take this route. Watch your footing and cling to the cliff face for safety. I would not recommend going up into the Subway Cave for novice hikers or anyone with a fear of heights.
This is the steep stretch of sandstone you need to scramble up to get into the Subway Cave 
The views you see looking outward from within the Subway Cave 
The Native American rock structure just around the corner from the Subway Cave 
Some of the Native American rock art on the wall next to the Subway Cave 
My dad and I getting a photograph taken with views of Sedona in the background
Chapel of the Holy Cross
This is not a hike, but it is another site that is worth visiting while you are in Sedona. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is an exquisitely beautiful Catholic church built on a cliff and that overlooks the beauty of Sedona. The church is also said to be one of the many spiritual vortices in Sedona that can impart healing, meditation, and rejuvenation. Even if you do not experience these benefits from the vortex, the church is still worth visiting. The exterior and interior of the church are beautiful, and the surrounding views are breathtaking. Be sure to save some time to visit Chapel of the Holy Cross on your visit to Sedona.
Looking at the Chapel of the Holy Cross from below 
Views of the inside of the Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Sedona Airport for sunset
While you are in Sedona, you should also plan an evening to go to the airport to watch the sunset. The airport is reportedly another vortex site in Sedona where you might feel the healing powers of the Sedona vortices. Similar to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, if you do not feel the powers of the vortex, this area is still worth the visit for sunset. Be sure to arrive early as there will be quite a crowd here viewing and taking photographs of the sunset. The views from this area are breathtaking and well worth the visit on a clear night when the sunset will be spectacular. This is a great way to wrap up your visit to Sedona and to continue to immerse yourself in the beauty of this area.
The stunning sunset as seen from the Sedona airport
An image of nightfall from the Sedona airport
If you go to Sedona:
When I visited Sedona with my dad, we stayed at the Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona. This is a beautiful property with multiple swimming pools, spacious rooms, and that is in close proximity to golf courses. If it fits into your budget, I absolutely recommend staying at this property. You can also browse hotel pricing and availability for other hotels in Sedona through Booking.com below.
