Tours and Tickets to Experience Cathedral Rock

There are plenty of ways to experience Cathedral Rock. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Half-Day Sedona Sightseeing Tour

• Sedona Outlaw Trail: 3-Hr 4x4 Tour of Western Canyons & Wildlife

• Sightseeing Highlights Tour of Sedona

• The Ultimate Ebike Tour of Sedona: The Best of Sedona EZRider

• PRIVATE Customizable Sedona Vortex Jeep Tour

To visit Cathedral Rock, you need a Red Rock Pass, which includes access to 19 Sedona sites. They currently cost US$5 for a day pass and US$15 for a weekly pass. Or purchase a yearly America the Beautiful pass for $80. Bring a credit card; payments are cashless.

Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most distinctive rock formations. It’s also a popular hiking trail, with a 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometer) pathway that traverses the rocky, red desert and canyons. It is known as a Sedona vortex, believed to have a special vibrational energy that promotes healing and meditation.

That depends. Spring and fall are ideal, because that’s when hikers have the mildest weather windows. That said, you’ll also encounter more crowds then. If you’d like a quieter experience, head to Cathedral Rock in summer or winter, but prepare for more extreme temperatures and plan accordingly.

Yes, you can easily visit Cathedral Rock on your own, although a hiking buddy is always recommended. Visit the park as part of a guided tour to take advantage of transportation (hotel pickup is sometimes included) and to learn about Sedona’s history and ecology from a guide.

Come very early, especially in the heat of summer—the parking lots fill up quickly. Avoid hiking in midday heat, and bring plenty of fluids and sun protection, as parts of the trail are completely unshaded. Sunset is another spectacular time to visit Cathedral Rock, especially for photographers.