Sedona, AZ Summary

photo by gusto

This upscale, artistic community lies amid the spectacular red-rock scenery of Oak Creek Canyon and is surrounded by Coconino National Forest. One of Arizona’s premier tourist, recreation, resort, and art centers, it has become the state’s second most heavily visited place after the Grand Canyon. Clear skies and mild temperatures are the norm here, and because of its elevation of 4,500 feet, Sedona escapes the extremes of both the low desert and the high mountains.

Many residents and visitors are drawn here by the belief that their creativity is enhanced by psychic energy caused by “energy vortexes” said to be focused on Bell Rock, Table Top Mountain, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.

Native Americans had lived in the area for thousands of years before John James Thompson settled in Oak Creek Canyon in 1876. A petition in 1902 to have a post office established in the canyon was granted to Theodore Schnebly, who named the postal station after his wife, Sedona.

Sedona was originally known for its fruit farms, but tourism is now its economic mainstay, and many artists have been drawn to its rugged beauty. Many specialty shops and boutiques are found in Sedona and in the Mexican/Spanishstyle village of Tlaquepaque.

Other attractions include swimming, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives through the dramatic red-rock country. 4WD outings into the backcountry are offered by a number of tour operators.

Golf and tennis are available virtually year-round.

Sedona is on State Route 89A west of I-17, about 30 miles south of Flagstaff. Charter services fly between Sedona Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.