Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout

Want to skip the hikes and go to a lookout that you can drive to, to oversee the beautiful city of Sedona? As you know, Sedona is filled with endless hikes and is truly known as a hiker’s paradise because you can just be surrounded at all the red rocks its known for. However, there are times where you’re probably not up for the challenge, so driving to a lookout is the second-best choice to see the city up top. It’s also a perfect spot for families and little kids to get together.

Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout gives you the opportunity to do a quick drive and this lookout is certainly a breathtaking sight to stop by at. The lookout is just about a 6-minute drive from downtown Sedona, so it’s easy to get too. Of course, you can also use this place as an option to hike if that is what you’re looking to do! More info below.

Here’s a map of where you can find it:

What to know before you get here

Going to the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout has a small admission fee is able to park your car and it’s only $3. This parking lot should give you plenty of space to park at, but it can get full too especially during sunset time. 

Before you get there, you will be driving up to the lookout where it’s almost like mountain driving. Luckily, there are guard rails on the narrow road to drive there to make it a safer drive.

I recommend bringing your camera, if you don’t use your cellphone, to take amazing photos. There are certain best times of when you should photograph to capture the true essence of this place.

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The best time to come to check it out

The best time to go here to see the wondrous views of the city is sunset. The sunset will make the red rocks glow. Also, watching the sunset go down is always a great choice for an opportunity to do around any city or mountain and provides a mesmerizing bonding time with whoever you’re with.

I’ve also seen tourists have come to see the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout even during the winter when there is snow all over the red rocks and city and it becomes a stunning winter wonderland to be inspired by! Though, I would take a lot more precaution when driving up the roads and around the parking lot as it will be full of ice.

Don’t forget to…

Just pay a quarter to use the binoculars. You can see the details of the sandstone hills up close and what lies within the city. It will give you a zoomed look into what you’re seeing down there.

Where to hike around Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout

As I mentioned, hiking is possible here and not just a spot to drive up to for a lookout! The Airport Loop Trail is 3.2 miles with an elevation gain of 416 feet. It is a loop type of route. This trail will give you plenty of 360 views of Sedona and even circles around the Airport when crossing through these steep rocky hills. 

This hike can take you about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your level. You want to avoid the high heat when hiking so try to get there really early like before or by sunrise in summer days and always bring plenty of water! It’s also one of the 4 vortex site hikes in the city.

In my blog post here for the Bell Rock Trail in Sedona, I explain what a vortex is:

A vortex is a spiraling motion of air or liquid that is centered around a rotation such as a whirlpool or whirlwind. Think about when you were taking a bathtub and you had drained the bathtub water, you will see the water in a spinning motion being sucked into the drain. But, don’t get this twisted about seeing one in the form of physical forms through nature in Sedona, the vortexes that are claimed to be there are spiraling spiritual energy and Sedona is the right place for spiritual locations.