Outdoor Experiences

A Horseplay Holiday

Horseback riding in Sedona has a country style all its own. At local ranches Horsin’ Around Adventures, Trail Horse Adventures and Wild Western Horseback Adventures, visitors can meet real cowboys and enjoy horseback rides, chuck-wagon dinners, wrangle lessons, cowboy cookouts and stagecoach rides. When night falls, families can cuddle up around the fire, listen to ghost stories and roast some marshmallows.

Walk on the Wild Side

Make Sedona your family’s hub and take a quick drive north to Williams or west to Camp Verde to interact with exotic animals and Northern Arizona species of all types. Out of Africa Wildlife Park offers Safari tours, its local favorite “Tiger Splash,” a reptile show and more. Guests can also make the trek to Bearizona, Northern Arizona’s drive-through animal preserve. Park goers can get up-close and personal with bison, Arctic and grey wolves, black bears, big horn sheep and mountain goats.

#ShreadSedona

Many know Sedona has hiking trails of all levels, but some may be shocked to find that most trails are also accessible with mountain bikes. More than 200 miles of trails offer beginner to extreme routes, with stunning views at every angle. With the knowledgeable staff at Thunder Mountain Bikes, and Absolute Bikes, Sedona will have families zipping through the trails in no time.

Given the high demand of mountain bike adventures in Sedona, the city has even added an annual event for enthusiasts and beginners alike. The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival hosted its first annual event in 2015 to rave reviews, which included a singletrack riding, bike demonstrations, an expo festival and more.

Roadside Recreation

There are over 1.8 million acres of stunning red-rock country, ideal for a kindred off-road excursion. Renting a Jeep, Tom Car or ATV is the perfect option for families who like to live life on the edge and experience new places with a sense of adventure. With a variety of different tours available, there are plenty of options to take a ride on the wild side amid jaw-dropping landscapes. Drive on the rocky terrain on designated ATV trails through Sedona ATV & Buggy Rental, or take a guided tour with Pink Jeep Adventure Tours, either way it is going to be exciting.

Creek-side Charm

The fresh waters of Oak Creek gently flow right through town and many visitors enjoy the oasis offerings at Red Rock State Park as early as March despite its chilled waters. This Spring Break, families can check out local hot-spot favorites Grasshopper Point and Chavez Crossing for popular watering holes, with sandy shores and shallow entry areas. The destinations also provide out-of-this-world spaces for forest bathing, picnicking and lounging in the sunshine. Visitors can enjoy the Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, a 14-mile drive along Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.