Sedona Girls Trip

There’s something about a girls’ trip that feeds your soul in a way nothing else can. This one started with my friend Cindy and me landing in Las Vegas where we rented a car and pointed it toward Arizona’s red rock country.

But we didn’t rush it.

We stopped at the iconic Hoover Dam, standing in awe of the engineering marvel towering above the Colorado River. From there, we drove through Flagstaff, where we were completely surprised to see snow dusting the ground and pine trees. It felt like we had driven through three seasons in a single afternoon.

If you’re planning this drive in warmer months, I would absolutely recommend routing through Grand Canyon. It’s a slight detour but worth every extra mile.

And then… Sedona.

Sedona gave us the kind of adventure that leaves you exhausted in the best possible way. From hiking out to the iconic arch at Devil's Bridge before sunrise, to scrambling straight up the slick red rock at Cathedral Rock, to conquering the heart-pounding climb into Subway Cave off Boynton Canyon Trail, every day pushed us a little further outside our comfort zones. And as if that wasn’t enough, we added a bonus adventure — mountain biking through Sedona’s winding red dirt trails, weaving between juniper trees with those massive rock formations towering around us. It was the perfect mix of challenge, laughter, courage, and pure desert magic.

Devil’s Bridge at Sunrise

Our first big adventure was hiking Devil's Bridge, and we did it right — starting before sunrise.

This trail leads to a massive natural sandstone arch formed over thousands of years by wind and rain erosion. It’s one of Sedona’s most famous landmarks, and for good reason. But here’s the thing: if you don’t go early, you’ll wait in line for hours just to get a photo on the bridge.

The first section of the hike follows an old jeep road — wide, fairly easy, and scenic. You walk through pine and juniper trees, pass desert plants like agave and prickly pear cactus, and cross dry washes. It feels peaceful and manageable.

Then the fun begins.

As you approach the arch, the trail turns into natural rock stairs and a bit of scrambling. Hands definitely help here. The final approach builds anticipation — and then suddenly you’re standing in front of this enormous, jaw-dropping arch.

If you’re brave enough (and we were), you can walk out onto it. It’s wide enough to feel secure, but your heart still pounds knowing what’s beneath you. Watching the morning light hit the red rocks from up there was absolutely magical.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a high-clearance SUV for the bumpy Forest Road 152, park at Dry Creek Vista or Mescal Trailhead and enjoy the longer scenic walk in.

Cathedral Rock: Scrambling & Pure Goofiness

Next up was Cathedral Rock, and this one was just FUN.

Crowded? Yes.
Clearly defined trail? Not exactly.
Worth it? 100%.

This hike is short but steep and involves scrambling up heavily traveled rock sections that can be slick. You follow cairns (little rock stacks) to stay on course, and you absolutely want good footwear and free hands to maintain three points of contact.

Cindy and I were so silly and goofy the entire way up. We took our time, snapped way too many photos, laughed at ourselves while climbing, and cheered each other on during the steeper sections.

The views at the top are unreal — sweeping red rock formations that make you feel tiny in the best possible way.

Boynton Canyon to Subway Cave: Our Wildest Adventure

Our final hike — Boynton Canyon Trail to the hidden Subway Cave — was my absolute favorite.

But we earned it.

The trail itself is beautiful, winding through canyon walls and forest. But reaching Subway Cave requires a detour and a real climb. And when I say climb, I mean a steep, vertical scramble that had us questioning all our life choices.

At one point, we physically could not reach the final ledge into the cave.

Enter: our heroes.

A father hiking with his two teenage sons saw us struggling and stepped in. He tied his sweatshirt sleeve, extended it down, and helped pull us up that final step. We were not tall enough or strong enough to do it alone.

Once inside, we forgot about the fear.

The cave is enormous and dramatic, carved into the rock like a giant amphitheater. The view looking out is stunning — layers of red rock stretching into the distance. On one side, you can carefully climb around the cave’s interior ledges (while trying not to slip to your death). There are even carved-out areas where Indigenous tribes once lived.

It was breathtaking. And slightly terrifying.

Then came the real adventure.

On our hike back, darkness fell faster than we expected. Thankfully, our new friends shared flashlights and helped guide us down the rocky sections.

And then we saw them.

Two dark shapes in the brush.

We were convinced it was a mama bear and her cub. We were certain this was how the story would end.

The dad calmly said, “Huddle together and make noise.”

So we did.

He yelled. The boys clapped.
And I? I started singing “Happy Birthday.”

Apparently, it was most likely a javelina — but in the moment, we were absolutely sure we were going to die.

We walked in a tight pack for nearly a mile in the dark all the way back to the car. It was equal parts terrifying and hilarious — one of those bonding experiences you’ll laugh about forever.

We were so happy to finally reach the trail head and be back to our car.

Mountain Biking

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was mountain biking with Trail Lovers | The Best Guided Hikes & Mountain Bike Rides in Sedona. As beginners, Cindy and I weren’t looking for anything too technical — just a fun way to experience Sedona’s famous red dirt trails — and they delivered exactly that. Our guide was patient, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable about the terrain. We rode through winding singletrack trails lined with juniper trees and towering red rock formations, stopping often to take photos and catch our breath (and maybe calm our nerves). There’s something wildly empowering about navigating rocky sections and small descents you’re not sure you can handle — and then realizing you just did. It was adventurous without feeling reckless, challenging but completely doable, and such a fun way to see Sedona from a different perspective.

They even gave us a refreshing beverage when we got back to the van.

Yoga

We actually booked the hike-and-yoga excursion on our very first day in Sedona, thinking it would be the perfect way to ease into the trip. While the yoga itself was a relaxing and peaceful way to start our time in the red rocks — stretching under the open sky and slowing down after a travel day — I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this particular tour. It ended up being a bit pricey overall, especially because we were charged an additional park entrance fee on top of the cost of the excursion, which felt unexpected. That said, the yoga portion was genuinely calming and helped loosen up our bodies before tackling the bigger hikes like Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock later in the week. It set a mindful tone for the adventure — even if the value didn’t quite match the price.

Splurging on Sedona’s Best Food

After hiking, mountain biking, and surviving wildlife encounters, we treated ourselves.

One night, we grabbed seats at the bar at Elote Cafe and it was phenomenal. The atmosphere was lively, the margaritas were perfect, and the Mexican-inspired dishes were next level. Every bite felt earned.

There’s something about sitting at a bar after a long day of adventure — dusty, tired, proud — that makes the food taste even better.

Why Sedona Is So Special

Sedona isn’t just beautiful. It’s energizing. Between the red rock formations, the physical challenge of the hikes, the unexpected snow in Flagstaff, the desert wildlife, and the belly laughs with Cindy, this trip filled my cup in every way.

It was adventurous.
It was a little scary.
It was empowering.
It was delicious.

And most of all — it reminded me that sometimes the best trips are the ones where you say yes to the climb, even when it feels too high.

I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Where We Stayed: Amara Resort & Spa

We stayed at the beautiful Sedona Hotel | Amara Resort and Spa and it was the perfect home base for our adventures. The infinity pool overlooking the red rocks is absolutely stunning — the kind of view that makes you stop mid-sentence. That said, January in Sedona is no joke. The pool was heated, but it was still a little too cold to linger for long. We’d dip in, admire the view, and then quickly retreat.

The hot tub, however? Perfection. Soaking in the warm water while staring at glowing red rock formations after a long hike was everything our sore muscles needed.

We also loved lounging poolside with drinks in hand. There’s something about sipping a cocktail with that backdrop that just hits differently. The on-site restaurant, SaltRock Kitchen, was a standout. Their prickly pear margaritas were hands-down the best we had all trip — slightly sweet, vibrant, and totally refreshing. It became our little ritual: hike hard, soak, margarita, repeat.