Sedona has a reputation for pricey jeep tours, spa resorts, and crystal shops, but the red rocks themselves are open to everyone. With a little planning you can spend two or three full days here without paying for a single tour. This guide rounds up the best free things to do in Sedona, from no-cost trailheads to overlooks you can reach by car.
Free and Low-Cost Hiking Trails
The heart of Sedona is its trail network of more than 200 miles, and hiking is essentially free aside from a Red Rock Pass for parking. Some of the most rewarding hikes cost nothing at all if you park on undeveloped forest road pullouts where no facilities exist. The Coconino National Forest surrounds the town on all sides, so trailheads are never far. A few favorites that pack a big payoff for little effort:
- Bell Rock Pathway: A gentle, wide trail looping a famous butte near the Village of Oak Creek. Great for sunrise and very kid-friendly.
- Sugarloaf Loop: A short, often overlooked climb in West Sedona with sweeping views of Coffee Pot Rock and Capitol Butte. The summit is reached in about 20 minutes.
- Soldier Pass: Passes the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools, a string of natural rock basins, then connects to caves further up the trail. Note that the small Soldier Pass lot is gated and only open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so arrive early or walk in.
- Teacup Trail: A quiet neighborhood-access trail that connects to bigger loops without crowds, ideal if the major lots are full.
- Brins Mesa: A moderate climb out of Soldier Pass canyon to a flat mesa with panoramic red-rock views and far fewer hikers than the marquee trails.
For a more structured plan that connects these with marquee hikes like Devil's Bridge and Cathedral Rock, see our 3-day Sedona hiking itinerary.
Scenic Overlooks You Can Reach by Car
Not every great view requires a long hike. Airport Mesa Overlook on Airport Road delivers a 360-degree panorama and is a top sunset spot; the overlook itself is free, though the small paid lot fills fast, so park along the road or walk up. The Red Rock Scenic Byway (State Route 179) between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona is a free, jaw-dropping drive past Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock, with marked pullouts for photos. The Schnebly Hill Vista, reachable a short way up Schnebly Hill Road on a high-clearance vehicle, frames the whole Verde Valley and is one of the best free panoramas around. Even the drive up Oak Creek Canyon on State Route 89A toward the Mogollon Rim is a free scenic experience in itself, with hairpin switchbacks ending at a forested overlook.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross
This striking modernist chapel, completed in 1956 and inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright's circle, is built directly into the red rock buttes south of town, and admission is completely free. The short walk up the ramp to the entrance offers some of the best views of the surrounding spires, including the nearby Twin Buttes, and the interior is quiet and open to visitors and worshippers alike. Parking is limited and the lot backs up on busy days, so visit early morning or near closing. There is a small gift shop downstairs, but you are under no pressure to spend anything.
Oak Creek and Free Water Spots
While the famous Slide Rock State Park charges an entry fee, you can find free creek access at several undeveloped pullouts along Oak Creek Canyon north of town on State Route 89A. Grasshopper Point charges a small day-use fee in peak season but is free in the off months, and the creek itself is a refreshing stop on a hot afternoon. The shade of the canyon also drops temperatures noticeably compared to the exposed red rocks in town, making this a smart free escape on summer days. Just be aware that monsoon storms in July and August can cause flash floods, so check the forecast before wading in.
Tips for Doing Sedona on a Budget
- Buy a weekly Red Rock Pass (about $15) instead of daily passes if you are staying several days.
- Park free on unmarked Coconino National Forest pullouts where no developed trailhead facilities exist.
- Hike early to beat both the heat and the parking crunch, especially March through May.
- Bring your own water and snacks rather than buying at trailheads or in the uptown shops, where prices climb fast.
- Skip the jeep tours if you have any high-clearance vehicle; many of the famous backcountry views, like Schnebly Hill, are drivable for free.
- Visit galleries and Tlaquepaque, the Spanish-style arts village, where browsing the shops and courtyards costs nothing even if you do not buy.
With these spots you can easily fill two or three days in Sedona on almost no budget. The red rocks, the scenic byway, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross are the main attractions here, and none of them require a paid tour to enjoy. The town's polished resorts, jeep excursions, and crystal shops are optional add-ons, not the main event. Lace up your shoes, grab a Red Rock Pass, and start at dawn, and you will see the very best of Red Rock Country without opening your wallet.
