How to seek serenity in Arizona’s mystical red-rock desert.
By Maggie Slepian
Set entirely within Coconino National Forest, Sedona has long been a home to an expansive wellness scene that draws energy from the area’s remarkable and unique landscape and its famous high-desert vistas. There’s hiking and camping in Oak Creek Canyon, flat-topped mesas with unbroken valley views, and winding roads lined with unique shops, parks, and spas. And of course, the area’s famous and mysterious vortexes. All of which contribute to the town’s reputation as the perfect place for a wellness-focused retreat in the American Southwest.
People with a background in earth energy have long sought out Sedona’s natural magnetic and electric energy centers, and the area has been known as a place of peace, centering, healing, and introspection since before the New Age movement. Sedona and its surroundings have long held sacred places for Native American nations as well, including the Yavapai, Apache, and Hopi.
Today, Sedona’s restorative reputation draws a high concentration of healing practitioners across a range of disciplines and pathways. Whether you’re seeking spa treatments and meditation, active exploration of the landscape, or a combination of the two, Outbound Sedona is an ideal base for recharging via the desert’s unique energy.
1) Spend a Day at Outbound Sedona’s New On-Site Spa
Even if you aren’t a guest, locals and travelers alike are welcome to book treatments at this rejuvenating spa resort in Sedona. Designed as an extension of the property and the surrounding red rock landscape, Outbound Sedona’s spa includes indoor and outdoor spaces where hot and cold treatments—there’s a dry sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor pool—reflect and integrate with the natural splendor of Arizona’s wild beauty.
The spa’s full menu draws inspiration from Sedona’s desert landscape, harnessing natural healing botanicals in a wide selection of grounding rituals and recovery-focused treatments. The soothing Sunburn Eraser with refreshing aloe or personalized Trail Tamer massage are particularly nice experiences after a hot hike in the high desert, or try out a body ritual treatment using some of Sedona’s famed red clay. The facility’s primary goal is energy recalibration; think of it as less of an indulgence, and more of a cleansing and restorative experience.
2) Hike the Incredible Red Rock Trails and Canyons
The restorative benefits of time spent outside are scientifically proven, and Sedona’s expansive skyline, towering red rock formations, and winding canyons make the area a world-class hiking destination. Hikers can tackle the short-but-steep Doe Mountain Trail, which winds up to a large mesa with 360-degree views of the valley below in a quick 1.5-mile round trip. There’s also the seven-mile out-and-back along West Fork Trail, with more than a dozen stream crossings and plenty of picnic areas. Soldier Pass Trail can get crowded later in the morning, but is worth visiting for features like the Seven Sacred Pools and Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole.
Ambitious hikers can also take the spur trail to Soldier Pass Cave, a vaulted red-rock chamber with natural cutouts in the walls. Be sure to prepare and carry extra water, sun protection, and a reliable navigation device. Sedona’s popular trails are well marked, but a little extra preparation never hurts. Plus, if you forgot any gear at home, you can always check the Outbound Gear Garage for rentals.
3) Take Advantage of Outbound Sedona’s Wellness Events and Amenities
Outbound Sedona offers a wide range of wellness offerings and nature-inspired activities, including yoga, meditation, and special events such as sound baths, racket sport clinics at the resort’s on-site courts, and live music.
You can start your day with an on-location yoga class, a good-for-all-levels vinyasa flow led by a local yoga instructor. Once you’re loosened up, borrow a pair of binoculars and a birdwatching guide from the front desk, and take a hike while trying to spot as many of Sedona’s 200 bird species as you can. Then, recover from the heat with a dip in the Moonwater Pool, with its two tiers of swimming area, connected hot tubs, and access to the Moonwater Terrace across the expansive deck space. The views of the red rock formations towering behind the hotel can’t be beat either.
4) Visit the Vortexes
Whether or not you subscribe to the idea of earth energy vortexes, the concentration of these sites in Sedona is a huge draw for wellness tourism, and they’re worth a stop if you’re in the area. People traveling to these sites consider them swirling centers of energy that enhance the effects of meditation and can aid in self-discovery and healing.
Must-see stops include Boynton Canyon, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, and Bell Rock, each offering its own unique energy. You’ll likely encounter other travelers performing their own rituals or meditation ceremonies, and there are plenty of places along the way for nourishing snacks and meals between visits. Plus, there’s no shortage of shops catering to wellness-seeking travelers—check out Enchanting Earth for crystals and jewelry or Sedona Crystal Temple for singing bowls and sound healing sessions if you’re into the woo-woo life.
5) Stargaze in a Real Dark Sky Community
Flagstaff, Arizona, was the first designated International Dark Sky Place in the world, and Arizona didn’t stop there, with Sedona garnering the designation in 2014. Not only does this make the area a world-class destination for stargazing, but it also benefits the entire ecosystem, from nocturnal animals to migrating birds and the dozens of bat species inhabiting desert caverns and caves.
Stargazing spots can be found all over town, with highlights including Brins Mesa Trailhead and Centennial Trailhead. You can also lace up your hiking shoes and head to Raven Caves, located just a 10-minute walk from Outbound Sedona. This half-mile trail ends at a cave, but stick around the outside, turn your flashlight off, and marvel at the thousands of stars and celestial features on display without the intrusion of light pollution.
