Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [74]
Both vegetarian- and carnivore-friendly sandwiches are sure to please here, and budget-conscious travelers can stock up on basics. 928-204-2223; 101 N Hwy 89A, Sedona; dishes $5-10; breakfast, lunch & dinner
SLEEP
L’Auberge de Sedona
One of the most opulent properties around keeps winning awards from travel magazines. A riverside cottage is nirvana on earth. 928-282-1661; www.lauberge.com; 301 Auberge Ln, Sedona; r/cottages from $175/275
White House Inn
Not quite fit for a president, the friendly management makes this good-value, basic motel that much better. 928-282-6680; www.sedonawhitehouseinn.com; 2986 W Hwy 89A, Sedona; r $65-100
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.lovesedona.com
www.visitsedona.com
LINK YOUR TRIP www.lonelyplanet.com/trip-planner
TRIP
24 Sedona Red Rock Adventure
28 Fantastic Canyon Voyage
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Return to beginning of chapter
Sedona Red Rock Adventure
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WHY GO Want an active vacation with a healthy dash of comfort? Take the rolling hills and gentle trails of Sedona, stir in a little woo-woo New Age vortex energy, add a splash of watery fun from nearby Oak Creek and you’ve got the winning recipe for a red rock adventure.
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TIME
3 – 4 days
DISTANCE
90 miles
BEST TIME TO GO
Year-round
START
Sedona, AZ
END
Sedona, AZ
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Mountain biking draws the most outdoor adventurers to Sedona, but those who prefer their own rubber soles to a knobby tire can get a move on, too. Almost all biking paths double as hiking paths, plus there are several stunning riverside hikes in nearby Oak Creek Canyon.
Sedona is not all about hiking and biking, though. All sorts of crazy outdoor escapades, from climbs up mighty Cathedral Rock to tubing Oak Creek or kayaking Lynx Lake, are offered by Sedona Adventure Outfitters & Guides. The group gets bonus points for the “Water to Wine” tour, which mixes floating down a river with wine tasting in a way that’s just so, well, Sedona.
If you’re a DIY type, swing by Red Rock Ranger District, the place to pick up a free Red Rock Country Recreation Guide. It’s worth checking out the website for a printable map that shows camping spots, picnic areas and trails throughout greater Sedona and Oak Creek.
Travelers coming here to enjoy the great outdoors will appreciate everything Southwest Inn at Sedona is doing to protect it: the high-ceilinged rooms are filled with energy-saving fixtures (low-water toilets, ceiling fans, fluorescent lights), gas fireplaces and the full range of amenities. The 23-room Matterhorn Inn has private balconies, perfect for stargazing and resting one’s weary body after a hard day on the trails.
Groups of four will have a grand ole time in a unit at the Lantern Light Inn. Lovely gardens + quaint Euro-flavored courtyard rooms + proprietors who help you get the most out of your vacation = an excellent deal.
Make a picnic pit stop at New Frontiers Natural Market & Deli. Any trail is doable with creamy French cheese rounds, a bottle of red wine and fresh-baked bread stashed in your bag. If nothing else, the market is a good place to stock up on water. Even though Sedona is where locals come to escape the scorching summer in other parts of the state, that old devil sun is still strong here.
Mountain bikers will go ga-ga over Sedona’s sheer variety of trails, which include lots of single-track routes carving through the red rocks and dipping down into canyons. Bikes aren’t permitted in some wilderness areas, but there are plenty of signs posted so don’t worry too much about stumbling into forbidden territory.
A great ride for first-timers is the easy but beautiful Bell Rock Pathway. You can hop on across the street from Bike & Bean, a blissful combo of coffee bar, bike-rental place, and information/encouragement provider. The 7-mile round-trip crosses lots of other hiking and biking paths, and it’s easy to spend a day exploring.
For experienced riders, there’s plenty of poking around on the tracks behind Mountain Bike Heaven near Airport