Birding ~ Horseback Riding ~ History ~ Verde River

Visit Sedona, Arizona this weekend and enjoy some eco-friendly activities, learn some history and explore the beauty of the Verde River Valley and Sedona area. Below you will find some hiking suggestions, info on the Verde River Greenway State Natural Area, where to go on a guided Sedona horseback ride and some educational and fun historical sites in the area. Just click on the activities below that interest you and you will be off to a great weekend in Sedona. Make sure to visit us on Facebook and Twitter! If you are looking for weekend events in Sedona please visit our Sedona Events Page. Make sure to check our new page Ecotourism in the Verde River Valley and Sedona.

• Hiking/Birding
• Guided Horseback Ride
• Verde River Greenway and State Natural Area
• Historical Sites

Hiking/Birding

Red Rock State Park
Nature Walk (10:00 am)
Daily
Visit Red Rock State Park andy day of the week and take a guided Nature Walk. This scenic walk lasts one and a half to two hours, an will introduce you to the riparian ecosystem of Oak Creek and other aspects of the Park. Plants, wildlife, geology, history, and archeology are some of the subjects that may be discussed.Park Entrance Fees: Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10.00 Individual/Bicycle: $3.00. For more information on this Sedona hike please visit Red Rock State Park.

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Red Rock State Park
Bird Walk (9:00 am)
1/25/12 
Meet up with other bird lovers at the visitors center and enjoy a leisurely stroll through one of the most popular parks in Northern Arizona . Bird enthusiasts can join a naturalist for a “Guided Bird Walk”. Beginning as well as advanced birders are welcome. Rangers recommend that visitors bring their own binoculars. A limited number are available for loan from the Park. To contact the park about schedules, or reservations for some of their most popular hikes, call 928.282.6907 or visit Red Rock State Park.

If you would like to find some more hikes for this weekend please visit Hiking in the Verde River Valley & Sedona.

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Guided Horseback Rides

M Diamond Ranch
“It’s so much more than just a trail ride”
The M Diamond Ranch is a 100 year-old family owned cattle ranch that provides the only horse back rides permitted by the Coconino National Forest in the Red Rock Ranger District of Sedona. You can choose from a one-hour trail ride guided by a friendly, knowledgeable M Diamond Ranch cowboy wrangler, or a full morning or evening experience that combines a horseback ride with a Cowboy Cookout, complete with kids’ activities and entertainment. A portion of your “tour” fee is paid to the USFS for preservation, administration and public education.The ranch values their cowboy heritage and are commitment to wildlife habitat preservation. For more information on this guided Sedona horseback ride please visit the M Diamond Ranch.

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Verde River

Verde River Greenway and State Natural Area
2011-B Kestrel Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
The Greenway encompasses nearly 480 acres and is six miles long. The 3,300 foot elevation means mild temperatures for hiking along the Verde, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, or just wading in the cool water. Life along the river changes with the season, giving visitors a glimpse of great blue heron, black hawks, coyotes, raccoons, mule deer, beavers, ducks, frogs, and toads. The Verde River and surrounding riparian corridor support nearly twenty threatened or endangered species including river otter, southwestern bald eagles, southwestern willow flycatchers, and lowland leopard frogs. The Verde River Greenway State Natural Area is located next to Dead Horse Ranch State Park at 2011-B Kestrel Road in Cottonwood. For more information please visit Verde River Greenway and State Natural Area.

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Make sure to check our Sedona Deals page for for current Sedona Vacation Packages, discounted Sedona Tours and much more.

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Surround yourself with the beauty of fall in Sedona, Arizona. The beautiful red rocks and clear blue skies serves as the perfect backdrop for the vibrant fall foliage in Oak Creek Canyon. You can either stretch you legs on a scenic hike on the West Fork Trail in the Coconino National Forest or take the scenic drive through the canyon to see the breathtaking foliage. The decision is yours, I enjoy doing both. Whatever you decide, make sure to bring your camera for some unbelievable shots!

The three mile hike on the West Fork Trail is fun for everyone in the family. The hike takes you into the Canyon and stays fairly level and near the creek where you feel as if you are painted into the scenery. The azure skies, towering red rocks and fall foliage will leave you in total awe of your surroundings. Keep in mind that while this hike is easy their are place where you will be crossing the stream. There are some places where you will have to get your feet a little wet so wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Beginning at the end of October the fall foliage is amazing and only gets better as the season goes on. Do not be surprised on your hike if you catch a scent of apples from the old orchard nearby. For more information on this hike including parking, access, fees and directions visit the Coconino National Forest – West Fork Oak Creek. Before taking this hike please review our tips below!

Oak Creek Canyon is nestled between Sedona and Flagstaff  and also makes for a very beautiful Sunday morning mountain drive coming from either the north or south. For some memorable family fun you can spend the day on either side . Make sure you have your camera on hand and plan a stop at the scenic overlook at the top of the switchbacks.

Tips:

• There will be a three mile marker and it’s not recommended to go past this if you are not an experienced hiker! After the three mile marker there is a steep climb across the wooded hillside that drops down into a stony area mid river. This marks the end of the official path and hiking beyond this point takes a very experienced hiker and is not recommended.
• This is one of the most popular hikes in Arizona and can be extremely busy. I would recommend either going in the early morning or during the week.

If you enjoy the Fall colors of Oak Creek Canyon you will want to check out this very special tour of the Verde Canyon!

Verde Canyon Railroad – Fall Color Tours
The jeweled tones of autumn magnify the geological beauty of the Verde  Canyon. The gold, bronze and copper leaves along the route dominate the visual landscape on each of their Fall Color Tours, one rail at a time. It is a season when the wildlife, including deer, elk, javelina and antelope, become more active and visible as the mercury begins its yearly dip.

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There are two things you must experience when you are in Northern Arizona this Fall! The first is the majestic red rocks of Sedona and the second is the tantalizing wines the Verde Valley is becoming so well know for. The “Rock Hop and Swirl“  Land Tour from Sedona Adventure Tours combines both experiences with a Sedona Hike and Wine Tour for a day of fun and adventure.

Your adventure begins with a beautiful morning hike along the base of the popular Thunder mountain, the second tallest mountain in Sedona! This hike is a great way to get introduced to the geology of Sedona. Hiking the base of Thunder mountain gives you a chance to see up close the beautiful white Kaibab Limestone and red sandstone layers that formed the Sedona red rocks millions of years ago. During this mild hike (no climbing) your knowledgeable guide will share the history, geology and mystical traditions of Sedona’s powerful Vortex energies.  Don’t be shy, feel free to ask questions!  You will  also want to make sure to bring a camera, along with the sheer beauty of Thunder mountain you will also see some interesting desert flora and some of Sedona’s other famous rock formations like Coffee Pot Rock, Chimney Rock, Steamboat Rock and my favorite Ship Rock.  The Hike is approximately two miles long and photo opportunities will be a plenty.

You will have about a hour and a half on you own after the hike  for lunch, giving you time to reflect on your hike and energize yourself for the rest of your tour!  Sedona Adventure Tours will pick you up after your break at your hotel or restaurant and whisk you away to begin you exploration of the scenic Verde Valley Wine Trail for the “Swirl” portion of the tour.

The  wine tasting portion of the tour  includes tasting at some of the most popular Northern Arizona vineyards! Your palate will be pleased with tastings at Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, Pillsbury Wine Company, and Page Springs Cellars. Each Vineyard offers their own unique blend of wines for tasting and subsequent purchase. So what are you waiting for, make your tour reservations today at Sedona Adventure Tours.

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