Picnic in Sedona

For a quick escape from the heat, but a chance to still enjoy the outdoors I recently took a day trip to picnic in Sedona.

From Phoenix it is approximately a two-hour drive north on I17 to Sedona.  When you exit onto 179, clearly marked as the main road leading into Sedona, take this route all the way to the Sedona Visitor’s Center.

It’s a fantastic resource filled with all types of guides and information on the town. I always head right to the counter and ask a local volunteer for their advice on what to do and where to go. They’ve always pointed me in the right direction. Before you leave make sure that you take in the breathtaking views of Bell Rock and other formations. It’s a great photo opportunity.

For our picnic, we took a ranger’s advice and headed to Sedona Summit. We continued driving into town on 179 to the famous “Y” at 89A. To the right is Oak Creek Canyon and to the left is Red Rock State Park. We turned left on 89A and drove about 3-4 miles to Cultural Park Place/Upper Red Rock Loop. Head north on Cultural Park Place and a short drive will reveal an open area on the right that has a few picnic tables. We chose the covered ramada that offered two tables located at the edge of the Summit with unobstructed views of the red rocks. The experience exceeded all our expectations and turned into an afternoon that we look forward to reliving in the near future.

Sedona Summit (map)
Cultural Park Place, Sedona
No parking permits required

Photos from personal collection.