America’s Most Scenic Drives – Driving the Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR-179) from I-17 to Uptown Sedona.
Named in 2005, Red Rock Scenic Byway was chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be Arizona’s first All-American Road. As such, the Red Rock Scenic Byway is celebrated as a national “destination unto itself.”
This is the companion guide to my Youtube video with the same title.
About this series – America’s Most Scenic Drives
Americans love the lure of the open road! It’s about enjoying the freedom and mobility that the automobile brings us — and that’s what this series is all about.
Through each of our 49 lower states—from Washington to Florida and Maine to California, this series serves as your guide to the most breathtaking, intriguing, dramatic, and eye-pleasing stretches of road in the U.S.
There are 3 parts to this series:
- Video – glorious 4K film of each scenic drive is available on Youtube. Just follow the link above. Each drive is recorded from start to finish so you can experience the complete drive.
- Map – each route is recorded and shown on Google Maps so you can get directions, follow along, and/or plan your own road trip based on your interests and budget.
- Website – you are reading the companion guide to one of our scenic drive videos! Every video has a link to a web page with more information about the drive. Read about the history, attractions, hiking trails, my recommendations for camping and lodging, and many other useful bits of information.
Sit back and relax as America’s Most Scenic Drives take you on an unforgettable journey to America’s most spectacular scenic landscapes, natural wonders, and man-made marvels.
Recommended stops along this route
- Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center
- Village of Oak Creek
- Bell Rock Vista Trailhead
- Courthouse Vista Trailhead
- Little Horse Trailhead
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Trailhead Shuttle Parking – when hiking to Cathedral Rock, etc.
- Schnebly Road
- Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
- Uptown Sedona
Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center
I highly recommend this Visitor Center! It is much more than a resource for regional maps!
- Plan Your Trip: Interactive recreational trip planning.
- Stories In Stone: Red Rock Country geology display.
- Honor the Past: Human timeline of the Verde Valley Area.
- The Mosaic of Life: Interactive display highlights the 7 biotic communities found in the region.
- Fire: Nature’s Housekeeper: Meet a Forest Service firefighter and learn the vital role fire plays.
Please visit:
Village of Oak Creek
Your first taste of Sedona along SR-179 begins in the Village of Oak Creek, a laid-back community 5 miles south of Uptown Sedona’s business hub.
Play a round at one of three golf courses or go for a hike in the red rocks, grab a bite to eat at a casual cafe, shop the Village’s signature Oak Creek Factory Outlet Stores, TeQua Marketplace, and more retail centers, and overnight in a charming bed & breakfast or hotel.
Please visit:
https://www.sedona.net/village-of-oak-creek
Bell Rock Vista Trailhead
A great alternative parking area for Bell Rock hiking when the main lot (Courthouse Vista) is full. Note – it is a fee area. Please read The Read Rock Pass Program
My favorite hike is the Bell Rock Loop.
Courthouse Vista Trailhead
The main parking area for Bell Rock and Courthouse Rock hiking. Note – it is a fee area. Please read The Read Rock Pass Program
Little Horse Trailhead
A good alternative parking area for the Chapel Trails (when there’s no parking at the Chapel of the Holy Cross). Note – it is a fee area. Please read The Read Rock Pass Program
You can also see Cathedral Rock from this parking area.
Little Horse Trailhead is a stop on the Sedona Trailhead Shuttle Route. Please read – The Sedona Shuttle.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Although the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a distinctly religious monument, visitors without an interest in religion often describe their trek up the red rocks as a spiritual event.
https://chapeloftheholycross.com/
The Chapel is located in the heart of what many describe as a vortex bringing gratitude to those who flock there.
To experience the powerful vibrations of the location, I suggest hiking the Twin Buttes loop trail, starting at the Chapel in a clockwise direction.
Trailhead Shuttle Parking
This parking area is used mainly for Cathedral Rock.
On weekends and holidays and other busy days, the parking lots at the actual Cathedral rock trailhead are closed and you MUST use the shuttle service.
Please read – The Sedona Shuttle.
Schnebly Road
This road leads to one of the most popular 4WD trails in Sedona.
Every day, folks arrive from all corners of the US to test their off-road driving skills on Schnebly Hill road! It is one of the main destinations for tour companies and ATV rentals.
There are also several hiking trails starting at the Huckaby Trailhead.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Tlaquepaque is the most distinctive Sedona shopping experience to be found in the Southwest. Authentically fashioned after a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque, meaning the “best of everything,” has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970s.
Uptown Sedona
Sedona needs no introduction! Our scenic route takes us into Uptown Sedona – the vibrant and beautiful downtown area with its breathtaking vistas.
To learn more about Sedona, please visit –
Route Map
Below is a Google map of the route shown in my video. Please use this map to search for and locate points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, etc.