A winter weekend in Sedona for two

Tackle this 1.2-mile round-trip scramble during the warmer midday hours when the sandstone offers solid grip. The trail climbs over 600 vertical feet, requiring hand-and-foot scrambles up natural rock crevices before topping out at a dramatic gap between towering spires. Take your time enjoying panoramic views across red rock country. Catch the free Route 15 Sedona Shuttle from the North SR 179 Park and Ride Thursday through Sunday to skip parking hassles.

If cold shade or slick frost makes Cathedral Rock's rock scramble feel dicey, pivot to this open pathway. The wide, level red-dirt route winds past Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte with broad valley views and level footing. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful interagency pass is required to park at the trailhead.

Set out early to reach Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch before trail traffic peaks. Accessed via the Mescal or Dry Creek trailheads using the free Route 11 Sedona Shuttle, this 4-mile round-trip route ascends gently through juniper wash before climbing a natural rock staircase. The 50-foot-high bridge spans a rugged drop, offering an exhilarating vantage across Secret Mountain Wilderness. Dress in warm layers for the chilly morning start.

When ridge winds or lingering ice make exposed spans uncomfortable, Fay Canyon offers a sheltered 2.4-mile round-trip walk. Towering red sandstone cliffs shield the canyon floor, where a gentle grade winds through desert scrub to a soaring rock wall. Parking at the trailhead requires a Red Rock Pass.

Drive north along State Route 89A as the highway climbs 2,500 feet from Sedona toward the Mogollon Rim. You will pass sheer canyon walls, frozen creek pools, and switchbacks before arriving at Oak Creek Vista at 6,400 feet elevation. Stand at the stone viewpoint for a dramatic look straight down the canyon gorge, and browse handmade jewelry from local Native American artisans. Check highway forecasts for winter storm advisories before driving.

If winter ice or chain restrictions impact the steep Oak Creek switchbacks, keep your wheels on State Route 179 instead. This designated National Scenic Byway winds gently through the Village of Oak Creek with pullouts framing Lee Mountain and Bell Rock. It provides sweeping vistas without the mountain climb.