To say Sedona, Arizona, is a beautiful holiday destination is a bit of a short sell. Really. The little Southwestern city of just 10,000 people has been drawing millions of visitors each year for a reason.
And it’s not all to do with Sedona being a hotspot for UFO sightings.
Nestled amidst soaring rusty sandstone rock formations in the northern Verde valley, most know Sedona as the new age capital where the spiritual go to tap into the frequencies of the Universe.
Beyond the spirituality, Red Rock Country is a dream for every outdoor lover, especially nature lovers, photographers, and fitness enthusiasts.
With extremely pleasant weather all year round, the attractions here include breathtaking natural scenery, hundreds of miles of picturesque trails, striking red rock vistas in every direction, and a never-ending supply of activities for the nature lover.
Native American ruins, sacred sites, galleries, and architecture, the Painted Desert has it all.
Now, one of the best ways to experience the wonder of Sedona is to take a jeep tour of the desert city.
Here are 15 of the best Sedona jeep tours to get you started.
1. Go on an Excursion in the Red Rock Range
Source: getyourguide.comThe Red Rock Range promises the best views of the famous red rock formations of Sedona.
Jump in a customized Jeep Wrangler and go witness the spectacular scenery and unparalleled views of the iconic red rocks, pinyon and juniper forests.
Enjoy some of Sedona’s most famous views such as Thunder Mountain, as a certified guide narrates all things Sedona, including the area’s unique geology, flora, and fauna, not to mention Arizona’s richest mineralized zone, Bradshaw Overlook.
Evenings are the best times to visit. Just don’t forget to bring along a good camera.
2. Go on a 3-Day Tour of Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Horseshoe Bend
Source: Yongyut Kumsri / shutterstockSedona has some of the coolest names of any place on the planet.
The best part is that the places which bear these straight-out-of-a-Wild-West-novel names are as majestic as the names themselves.
This 3-day tour package starts in Las Vegas and heads to Sedona, journeying through the best attractions these virgin lands have to offer.
Day 2 starts at your overnight stop, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and heads into Monument Valley where the iconic views of the American West await you.
Other highlights include a jeep tour with a member of the Navajo tribe, an outdoor BBQ lunch (included in the package), and a visit to the splendid Colorado River.
Wrap up Day 3 with a tour of Antelope Canyon and the Valley of Fire.
3. Go on a Vortex Tour
Source: getyourguide.comSedona is known as the spiritual mecca of the world.
And while the spiritual types will appreciate this package most, you would be doing yourself an injustice by visiting the cathedral without walls and not finding out for yourself what the hype is all about.
This is a two-hour jeep tour that starts with a complimentary pickup at your hotel and takes you on a spiritual journey, quite literally.
A live guide will take you to the famed vortices and you will also learn about the “sacred earth” or “medicine ground”. Explore the mystery and significance of the area as you connect with Mother Earth at this awe-inspiring site.
4. Jeep Tour, Horseback Ride, and Dinner Show from Sedona
Source: getyourguide.comThis tour offers a full-day excursion that lets you explore Sedona from three incredibly exciting perspectives.
Start the day with a thrilling jeep tour that takes you to the western canyons on the famous Lil’ Rattler trail.
Soak in the magnificent views of the canyons and explore less rugged terrain before heading to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 20 miles (32km) south for the horseback adventure.
Here, you will take a 1.5-hour ride on horseback as you trot along the banks of the scenic Verde River.
Then, cap off the day with a classic Western dinner accompanied by a great live music show.
5. Half-Day Jeep and Winery Combo Tour
Source: getyourguide.comIf great wine and outdoor fun sounds like your kind of thing, then this is the tour for you.
This is a three-and-a-half hour jaunt that starts off by sampling not one, but four exquisite wines at one of Arizona’s top wineries. You will learn about the wine culture in the area as well as the winery’s crafting process.
Then, go on a two-hour narrated jeep tour of the most picturesque spots in and around Sedona, which is basically another way of saying you are in for the ride of your life.
The beauty of this wonderful land is accentuated all the more given that the tour happens at sunset, when the stunning desert landscape is at its most breathtaking.
6. Grand Canyon Experience Tour
Source: getyourguide.comTake one of the most comprehensive tours of the Grand Canyon available in a luxurious Mercedes Sprinter 10-seater van.
The 11-hour tour with a live guide starts with a drive up to Oak Creek Canyon, one of the most scenic highways in the U.S., leading you to the East entrance of the Grand Canyon.
Enjoy your gourmet boxed lunch as you catch million dollar views of the Colorado River at the Desert View watchtower, which stands 60 feet above the rim of the canyon.
Then head over to the Grand Canyon Village with several stops at beautiful overlooks and plenty of photo opportunities.
There will be an opportunity to shop at Hopi House once you reach your destination, and a chance to enjoy the historic architecture of El Tovar and the incredible sights of the canyon walls.
7. Grand Canyon Desert View & South Rim by Jeep from Tusayan
Source: getyourguide.comThis is a three-hour hour by Pink Jeep that takes you on a sightseeing tour of the most spectacular viewpoints on the Grand Canyon South Rim, the rim considered to be the “true Grand Canyon”.
You will find murals from thousands of years ago depicting the Hopi people’s way of life.
The guided tour includes a visit to the Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon Village, and the Desert View Watchtower, with stops at several prominent vistas.
Your expert guide will narrate the fascinating history of the canyon, as well as its geology, the legends, flora, and fauna.
The tour could include a visit to a ruined Indian site where you can gain better clarity into the lives of the first natives and their struggle to survive.
8. Soldiers Pass 1.5-Hour Jeep Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis jeep tour takes you off-the-beaten path to explore Sedona’s rugged countryside at its most beautiful.
You will ride over the iconic red rocks of Arizona and the ride will bring you to two interesting natural sites: Apache’s Seven Pools and Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole.
You will pass through distinguished Sedona trails like the Jordan Trail, the Teacup Trail, and the Thomson Trail.
This guided tour is also a perfect chance to connect with the spirit of this sacred land.
9. Bear Wallow Canyon Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThe Bear Wallow Canyon Tour takes you on a 4×4 expedition of some of the hottest points in Sedona.
During the 2-hour excursion, a live guide will walk you through the fascinating stories of the early pioneers of this mystical land as you wind through Huckaby Trail or Munds Wagon Trail.
From there, you will ride past the volcanic Mogollon Rim Trail where you will feast your eyes on Sedona’s red rocks and breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon which sits 2,000 feet below.
The tour isn’t complete without stopping to smell the fragrant aroma and admire the world’s largest collection of ponderosa pines.
10. Canyons & Cowboys 2-Hour Jeep Tour from Sedona
Source: getyourguide.comThe Canyons & Cowboys Jeep Tour will feel like a step back in time as you embark on an off-road exploration of this scenic region with a Red Rock Western guide.
The short journey will reveal a lot, including the history of Sedona’s early homesteaders and insights into the red rocks of Sedona.
If stories of the Old Wild West enthrall you, chances are you will leave a piece of your heart here once you are done with this tour.
The jeep will drive through the 7 majestic canyons that engulf the land as you make your way to Dry Creek Basin. You will come across one of the star attractions here, the Van Derin Cabin, in its original homestead.
Relive the cowboy days and hear tales of murder and moonshine, a favorite whisky of the day, as you gaze at the setting sun.
11. Sedona Jeep and Helicopter 3-Hour Combo Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis 4×4 jeep and helicopter tour uncovers the beauty of the famous red rock formations from two amazing perspectives.
The 1-hour chopper ride will soar through canyons and get you up-close with the archaeological cliff dwellings that cannot be observed from the ground, including the Pueblo cliff dwellings which date back thousands of years.
You will fly over the 200-foot rock walls of Secret Canyon and enjoy sweeping views of the Mogollon Rim and San Francisco Peaks.
This will be followed by a 2-hour off-road tour on the famous rugged landscape, driving through the original wagon trail to the top of the Colorado Plateau, some 7,000 feet up top, as a live guide details the region’s archaeology, history, and folklore, not to mention the wildlife.
12. Touch the Earth 4×4 Jeep Tour from Sedona
Source: getyourguide.comThe Touch the Earth Tour is a leisurely trip to the famous energy vortexes of Sedona, specific spots believed to be where energy flows from or travels into the earth.
An experienced guide will navigate you through these special places, as they let you in on the unique geology, history, legends, and more.
Consider this two-and-a-half hour tour a spiritual awakening as it presents you with the chance to harmonize your energy with the Earth. The tour includes a long stop to meditate on Sedona’s famous vortexes, including Mystic Vista, Airport Mesa, and the Vultee Arch.
What’s more, you will get picture-perfect views of one of Arizona’s most photographed landmarks, Cathedral Rock, as well as Boynton Canyon, the area where the ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings are located.
13. Sedona 2-Hour Jeep Tour of the Western Canyons
Source: getyourguide.comIf everything about Sedona’s landscape and panorama excites you, this 2-hour guided tour of the western canyons, accompanied by an authentic Indian, cowboy, or cowgirl is for you.
Take an off-the-beaten-path trip of Sedona’s backcountry roads and get a firsthand experience of real off-roading as you ride over boulders.
You will learn about the unique flora and fauna of the western canyons as you ride along the Red Rock Range.
There are plenty of geology and history lessons too, but it’s not all work as you will have plenty of time to enjoy eye-catching views of the picturesque scenery and open vistas of this fabled land.
For best effect, opt for a late afternoon trip when the sun is going down.
14. Red Rock West 2-Hour Jeep Tour from Sedona
Source: Scott Prokop / shutterstockThis 2-hour jeep tour will pick you up from your hotel and take you on an off-road adventure on the outskirts of Sedona.
Experience the desert flora and fauna deep into Sedona’s high desert area, where you will see red rock formations in close range.
There are several forest service roads leading into the heart of the western canyon. There is also a stop at the famous filming spot that is Van Derin Cabin where films like Purple Sage and Blood on the Moon were shot.
You will have plenty of photo opportunities at the myriad panoramic spots.
15. Take a Half-Day Sedona Jeep Tour and Horseback Ride with Picnic Lunch
Source: getyourguide.comThis six-hour adventure is a great way to enjoy the hot Sedona desert without any rush.
It starts with a hotel pickup that takes you to your jeep where you embark on a 2-hour exploration of the milder section of the Sedona desert and its wildlife.
This is followed by a one-and-a-half hour horseback ride which saunters under the shade of sycamore and cottonwood trees, before escorting you to a picnic spot for lunch – a deli sandwich, chips, cookies, and drinks make up the menu.