Cathedral Rock, Sedona: Address, Phone Number, Cathedral Rock Reviews: 5/5
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock
5
About
Towering red rock formation, part of the Cathedral Rock Trail.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Learn moreTop ways to experience Cathedral Rock
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
16 within 5 kms
TC’s Bar and Grill
198
3.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Southwestern • Grill
Mesa Grill at Sedona Airport
1,795
3.7 km$$ - $$$ • American • Southwestern • Bar
Red Chopstick
342
4.2 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
Tara Thai
430
4.2 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Famous Pizza & Beer
444
4.2 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Pizza
Sedona Bike & Bean
67
4.2 km$
Sedona Burgers and Dogs
5
4.3 km$ • American
Canyon Tree Patio
7
4.3 km$$ - $$$
Dave's Dogs
3
4.3 km
Pago's Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine
747
$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
112 within 10 kms
Crescent Moon Picnic Site
429
1 kmState Parks
Chapel of the Holy Cross
10,491
2.9 kmArchitectural Buildings • Mysterious Sites
Bell Rock
4,930
3.2 kmGeologic Formations
Broken Arrow Trail
1,415
4.5 kmHiking Trails
Red Rock State Park
1,555
3.3 kmState Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179)
4,220
Scenic Drives
Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art
268
Art Galleries
Sedona Airport Overlook
1,566
3.9 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Son Silver West Gallery
399
4 kmArt Galleries
Airport Mesa
2,825
4.4 kmHiking Trails
Contribute
Popular mentions
5.0
5,975 reviews
Excellent
5,077
Very good
766
Average
111
Poor
15
Terrible
7
Sarah B
3 contributions
Dec 2021
Clint Frakes from Sacred Earth Tours took us here. The kids and I learned about the history of the land from tectonic plates to native culture's origin stories, to modern day affects of this gorgeous land.
Written 27 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark S
Montana10 contributions
Jan 2022
This is a beautiful hike starting on the road. But be aware starting early in the day, the parking lots fill quickly. You will likely have to park pretty far away if you come after 10. It is a family friendly beautiful hike with any number of places to turn around when tired. Not hard.
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cara
Crittenden, KY42 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Overwhelming beauty. Did his hike was a little more challenging for us, as we would consider ourselves a novice in hiking however so worth it. We liked the challenge. Coming down was a little hand, foot and bottom but again, a really great day and hike.
Written 11 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sallys44
Hedgesville, WV49 contributions
Dec 2021
There are seveeral hikes to select from. We did the one trail that was about a mile and half loop and our grand kids did the steeper more difficult one to the top. All enjoyed the hike. My opinion of the easier one (Baldwin I think) was a little more difficult than I thought the rating suggested.
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Khim Y
Pleasanton, CA225 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
We wanted to go to Bell Rock and just do the easy hike around the base. However, after circling the parking lot a few times and having no luck, we drove down the street just when a spot in the parking lot opened up at Cathedral, so we decided to heed the vortex and just go.
I could tell that some people really enjoy this hike, and logically I could even tell you why - it’s got a great view at the top, it’s relatively short, and you’d feel proud when you get to the top. But trust me - it’s not for everyone. As a non-athletic, short legged middle-Agee with a fear of heights, that climb was most certainly not worth it for me. I made it to the top, and made it down again without much mishaps, but there were many times on the way up that I thought not only was I not going to make it to the top, I would never see my family again. I hated the smooth rocks at an incline that some people could just walk on while I had to climb on all fours with nothing to hold on to. I hated every moment of it, even when I got to the top. I didn’t even enjoy the scenery at the top at all because I was so scared. I did Devil’s Bridge the day before and that was a piece of cake compared to this.
Most hikers/climbers were young adults, though I saw older children, older adults, and some dogs too. I think the hike won’t be bad as long as you don’t have a fear of heights, but if you do, then don’t do it. The view is why everybody loves this hike, and if you can’t enjoy the view from that height then you’d be better off enjoying it from the base of the mountain, where it’s equally stunning. And leave your precious energy to visit somewhere else like the Devil’s Bridge.
BTW, bring plenty of water. There’s a restroom at the trailhead, and caged cairns to mark the path along the way. Lots of people regret going up near the top, but it’s also too scary to turn back. Coming down was surprisingly easier than going up, you just slide down little by little and it’s a slow slide with lots of friction, which makes me think that it’ll be hard in the rain or when it’s slippery!
For parking, we got there at around 10:30 and there were a couple of spots available because I guess the first wave of people just left. There’s a nice man at the entrance letting cars in if the lot is not full. When we left at 2, the lot was full again.
I could tell that some people really enjoy this hike, and logically I could even tell you why - it’s got a great view at the top, it’s relatively short, and you’d feel proud when you get to the top. But trust me - it’s not for everyone. As a non-athletic, short legged middle-Agee with a fear of heights, that climb was most certainly not worth it for me. I made it to the top, and made it down again without much mishaps, but there were many times on the way up that I thought not only was I not going to make it to the top, I would never see my family again. I hated the smooth rocks at an incline that some people could just walk on while I had to climb on all fours with nothing to hold on to. I hated every moment of it, even when I got to the top. I didn’t even enjoy the scenery at the top at all because I was so scared. I did Devil’s Bridge the day before and that was a piece of cake compared to this.
Most hikers/climbers were young adults, though I saw older children, older adults, and some dogs too. I think the hike won’t be bad as long as you don’t have a fear of heights, but if you do, then don’t do it. The view is why everybody loves this hike, and if you can’t enjoy the view from that height then you’d be better off enjoying it from the base of the mountain, where it’s equally stunning. And leave your precious energy to visit somewhere else like the Devil’s Bridge.
BTW, bring plenty of water. There’s a restroom at the trailhead, and caged cairns to mark the path along the way. Lots of people regret going up near the top, but it’s also too scary to turn back. Coming down was surprisingly easier than going up, you just slide down little by little and it’s a slow slide with lots of friction, which makes me think that it’ll be hard in the rain or when it’s slippery!
For parking, we got there at around 10:30 and there were a couple of spots available because I guess the first wave of people just left. There’s a nice man at the entrance letting cars in if the lot is not full. When we left at 2, the lot was full again.
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maggie C
Saint Louis, MO272 contributions
Dec 2021
This might just be my favorite Sedona hike. The payoff at the top is just incredible! The hike itself is a bit technical with some fairly sleek rock faces and some narrow footholds along the well-marked trail. It's just super fun!! Do it. You'll be glad - and proud - you did.
Written 1 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nan L
Dublin, OH45 contributions
Dec 2021
The climb wasn’t as hard as I thought, but it is challenging and fun. It took us 1.5 hrs up and down, including picture time and exploring the extra climbing to the left once you reached the trail end. We arrived at 1:30pm and waited about 15 min at the parking lot before there’s a spot became available. Just be patient and there are always people coming back down at any time. The view on the top is spectacular. You may get warm climbing up. I’d recommend this one over Bell Rock.
Written 23 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
intinerant
Lynn Haven, FL150 contributions
Dec 2021
Close to Sedona, easy to challenging hiking on well marked trails, up an amazing red rock! Only challenge is very limited parking...
Written 11 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Eric P
Greenwich, CT30 contributions
Dec 2021
Short uphill climb. Great way to take in a sun set or sunrise because you don't have much to travel to get to your destination.
When you reach the sign that says "End Trail," look to your left. If you walk all the way to your left and stay to the right you will find some more opportunities for exploration.
A fun short up hill climb will lead you to some possibilities and twisted trees were the energy is more dense if you're able to tap into it.
If you choose this path, it does have the potential to circle back around. Explore and have fun.
When you reach the sign that says "End Trail," look to your left. If you walk all the way to your left and stay to the right you will find some more opportunities for exploration.
A fun short up hill climb will lead you to some possibilities and twisted trees were the energy is more dense if you're able to tap into it.
If you choose this path, it does have the potential to circle back around. Explore and have fun.
Written 9 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ6,287 contributions
Oct 2021
The start of this trail is located in a residential area, and the street is the “Back O’ Beyond” Road – right off Route 179. Our GPS took us to the wrong location a few blocks down from that, and some nice neighbors guided us to the correct place. Apparently, that happens to a lot of people, so now there is even a funny sign about the error (see my photo).
When we arrived at the parking lot in the afternoon, there were quite a few spaces available – which indicated that this particular trail was not as popular as the several others around. A group of people getting ready to go up warned us to take it slow because this hike can get a little difficult in some spots. So, given the time that we had at our disposal, we opted not to go, and spent time in the downtown area instead.
We did pause, however, to take a bunch of photos of the magnificent rock formation. Just Wow…!
When we arrived at the parking lot in the afternoon, there were quite a few spaces available – which indicated that this particular trail was not as popular as the several others around. A group of people getting ready to go up warned us to take it slow because this hike can get a little difficult in some spots. So, given the time that we had at our disposal, we opted not to go, and spent time in the downtown area instead.
We did pause, however, to take a bunch of photos of the magnificent rock formation. Just Wow…!
Written 8 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tuscany26
Allentown, PA1 contribution
Hi, we are visiting in late June. Can't wait! My question about Cathedral Rock Trail....is it dangerous? We are all adults. Would it be too scary for somebody who is afraid of heights? Thanks!
vacationauthority
USA116 contributions
You're going to have. Great time!! We were there last week and heading back tomorrow for two nights! Reach out with any questions if I can belp
Hannah S
34 contributions
Hi there! Planning a trip to Flagstaff next month and want to check out an awesome sunset spot. I've heard Cathedral Rock in Sedona is a MUST. Been told Airport Mesa is gorgeous but can get busy. Are there any spots in Flagstaff to check out that rival Cathedral Rock for sunset? Looking for the best! Thanks!
Michelle R
Pittsburgh, PA65 contributions
Hello! Get excited because Sedona is GORGEOUS! Airport Mesa is an awesome place for the sunset, there is plenty of room up there. It wasn't over crowded when I went. Nice view over looking Sesona also. As far as Cathedral rock, I can't answer because it was extremely hot and I had just arrived and was dehydrated and couldn't finish the hike. Make sure you start hydrating couple days before you go. Be sure to check out Peace park and Holy chapel! They are beautiful and no hike! Enjoy!
Virginia F
Garden Grove, CA2 contributions
Where can you get married in Sedona?
Stéphan
Whitehorse, Canada83 contributions
Hi,
Chapel of the Holy Cross, check it out, they might be able to help you and your guest for your marriage.
The view is amazing up-there.
Cheers,
Stéphan
todesto
Fullerton, CA4 contributions
Is there a vista point to see Red Rock at sunset? I’ve visited here 20years ago remembering the whole mountain looked red which was awesome.
I am in Phoenix right now amd don't mind driving for a day trip. I just want to show my family it being red.
Roland S
40 contributions
Red Rock xing is definitely the best place to view this place, make sure of times park stays open and whether or not it’s even possible for viewing at sunset.
OCmama07
Tustin, CA4 contributions
Is this hike doable for children? My kids are 11, 8, and 7 years old. Thanks in advance!
np4micu
Chardon, OH51 contributions
This area I think would be great for kids - I would recommend stopping at the Ranger Station on Route 179 just before Sedona. They have Rangers there that can answer any question you can possibly have, they will recommend trails based on what you want to do, and they have maps and brochures you can use to explore the area. The Cathedral Rock hike is good - its a long hike all the way around but you can do part way and turn around if you need to. There are some trails that do up to the rock and you can climb over some large rocks. We are older so we avoided the area. They do let people go up high on the butte but I think it is dangerous. You can assess it at the time and let your kids do what they are capable of. The Little Horse Trail would also be good for kids. Mostly level some rise in elevation. There is the trail too that connects the town of OaK creek with Sedona. That is good for bikes and there are bike rentals on both ends of the trail. Have fun!!!!!
Is it hard/dangerous to hike Cathedral rock trail in winter(End of December) ? I saw from some pictures that the rock is partly covered by snow. Not sure if it is suitable to hike there during winter for a beginner.
cyclingmaster
Palm Cove, Australia37 contributions
Would be pretty tricky unless you had good footing. There are some scrambling points that could be slippery.
Phyllis W
Atlanta, Georgia27 contributions
Is there any danger of falling off the trail? Is it wide and are there people going up and down the same trail!
np4micu
Chardon, OH51 contributions
No the trail is wide and plenty of area to maneuver. There were people who took the trail right up the cathedral Rock. That looked steep and narrow. We just walked the trail around the base. Little Horse trail and the trail between Oak Creek and Sedona is fairly level and easy.
chiwylie
Bethpage, NY
Is this something you can hike on your own or do you need a guide. Two boys ages 13 and 15. Not experienced hikers.
Hans
Niles, IL219 contributions
As the other's have already said, you don't need a guide. Just stay on the paths. We weren't experienced hikers and we did fine. It will be a great experience for you.
