My husband and I are older parents of an autistic teen girl, G. We love to travel as a family, creating adventures that are both sensory-friendly and fun for our daughter.
The first big road trip our family took was to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, back when G was just eight years old. We had an ambitious route that would take us from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley and the Petrified Forest, and wrap up with a visit to family in Phoenix.
Our trip was at the end of August - not the best time from an Arizona heat perspective, but that’s when we could get vacation time.
We started out with five nights in Sedona to give ourselves time to adjust to the time difference and figure out how the Arizona heat would affect us. I would be working remotely for half the day during our first week. Since we expected 95-degree heat every day, we planned one or two adventures in the cooler morning hours and left the afternoons for work and swimming at the resort pool. Our vacation apartment at the Hilton Sedona Bell Rock Resort gave us plenty of room to spread out, both for work and for relaxing.
Sedona turned out to be a great place to ease into a big road trip. Between the spectacular red rocks, interesting architecture, short walks, swimming spots, and shops, we found plenty to do without having to fill every hour of the day.
Day One: Cliffside Landmarks
Chapel of the Holy Cross
On our first morning in Sedona, we visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Montezuma Castle National Monument.
We made the chapel our first stop for two reasons. First, we love getting a bird's-eye view of a place early in our travels. Second, I'd read that there were no public restrooms at the chapel. With all of us drinking a LOT of water to cope with the heat, I wanted to be sure we’d be finished there before anyone needed to go.
Built directly into Sedona's red rocks, the chapel is an important Sedona landmark that combines striking architecture with an impressive natural setting. Even if you're not interested in visiting a religious site, it's worth seeing for the design and views alone.
From the parking lot, expect about a five-minute uphill walk. Volunteers sometimes offer golf-cart rides for visitors who need help getting up or down, although you shouldn't count on one being available.
The viewing area behind the chapel offers an incredible panorama of the surrounding red-rock formations. Because the chapel is built on a cliff, to see the sweeping view through the chapel’s front window, you need to go inside.
The chapel is an active place of worship, so be respectful of people who are there to pray. Check its website for current hours and services before visiting. If a service is underway, wait until it ends unless you intend to participate.
Montezuma Castle Monument
About 30 minutes south of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Montezuma Castle National Monument made a great next stop.
We had recently obtained our first National Park Service (NPS) Access Pass, and we were excited to put it to use. If you're planning to visit national parks and other federal recreation sites, you may qualify for a free lifetime Access Pass. I've explained the options and eligibility in my article, National Park Passes Explained.
At Montezuma Castle, we refilled our water bottles at the visitor center before setting out along the paved, 0.3-mile walkway beneath the ancient cliff dwellings.
The setting feels almost like an oasis. Large sycamore trees provide welcome shade, and a stream runs alongside the path year-round. We spotted squirrels and listened to birds as we walked, and an open area with benches gave us a chance to sit and enjoy the view.
The main attraction is the cliff dwelling, built about 90 feet above the ground. The structure has five stories and approximately 20 rooms, built by the Sinagua people centuries ago.
Visitors can't go inside, but interpretive signs include detailed pictures that help you imagine what the rooms looked like. For us, the combination of fascinating history, shade, and a short, manageable walk made this a worthwhile stop even in the summer heat.
Day Two: Exploring Uptown Sedona
We spent our second day in Sedona exploring Uptown Sedona. It's a walkable area with plenty of interesting shops to explore and restaurants to try.
You'll find stores selling Old West clothing and souvenirs, shops filled with crystals, places offering Tarot readings and energy healing, and plenty of art galleries. There's something interesting to look at around almost every corner. On the morning we visited, it wasn’t loud or crowded, not surprising since peak season there is spring and fall.
My favorite place was Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, an outdoor shopping area designed to resemble a traditional Mexican village. Its cobblestone walkways and distinctive architecture make it a pleasant place to wander, even if you're not planning to buy anything.
When we travel with G, it’s a lot to keep her engaged all day. Expecting her to sit still for a long meal in a restaurant at both lunch and dinner isn’t realistic. We returned to Uptown Sedona several times to sample the local cuisine at lunchtime, with easy dinners and swimming back at the resort.
Day Three: Red Rock State Park
On our third day, we visited Red Rock State Park, where we found about five miles of mostly flat paths winding through the landscape.
Some trails run alongside a small river, while another passes through cottonwood trees that offer shade. Of course, the views of the red-rock formations are the main attraction.
G enjoyed the scenery for a while, but within an hour, the novelty wore off and she wanted to go back to the pool. We decided to take a little break, and make a new plan. We opened her backpack to find a snack, and discovered a small plastic My Little Pony character, Princess Twilight Sparkle, tucked away inside.
We started looking for interesting places to photograph her. Suddenly, we had a new activity that kept G entertained for another hour.
That little pony became a favorite travel companion for the rest of our trip. We found ourselves looking for photo opportunities everywhere we went, turning ordinary stops into something special.
It was a good reminder that sometimes the best way to extend an outing is to build on an interest your child already has. You don't always need a new attraction or a carefully planned activity. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity.
Day Four: Slide Rock State Park
On our last full day in Sedona, we headed to Slide Rock State Park with beach towels and a cooler packed for a picnic lunch.
One surprise was discovering an apple orchard right next to the parking area. It's a fun contrast to the red-rock landscape that dominates the region.
We visited on a weekday, after Arizona elementary schools had already returned to session, so the park wasn't particularly crowded.
The main attraction is an 80-foot natural sandstone slide, smoothed by the water running over it. Nearby pools offer different depths, from shallow areas for wading to deeper spots where visitors can jump in.
The water was wonderfully cold and refreshing in the Arizona heat. After several days of sightseeing, it was a welcome change from swimming in the resort pool.
If you visit, water shoes can help with traction on the slippery rocks. Bring drinking water and sunscreen, and keep a close eye on children around the water. There are no lifeguards.
Slide Rock was a fun way to finish our time in Sedona: less sightseeing, more splashing, and a chance to enjoy the outdoors at our own pace.
Stop for the Red Rocks
The rocks in Sedona turn bright red, orange, and deep crimson at dawn and dusk due to a combination of iron oxide in the rocks and the angle of the sun. Views like this are worth getting up early for!
No matter where you’re heading in Red Rock country, you’ll see spectacular formations that you want to stop at for a picture or a quick climb on a rock.
If you see something interesting, it's fine to pull over for a quick 15-minute stop. If you'd like to stay longer or explore a popular trail, you'll find paid parking lots near many of the most popular spots. Many of these trails are on National Forest land.
A Red Rock Pass is available for parking at designated recreation sites in Coconino National Forest and surrounding federal lands. If you already have an NPS annual pass, you don't need to buy a Red Rock Pass. Your annual pass covers applicable federal recreation sites, but it won't cover parking fees at Arizona state parks.
If there's a parking kiosk, take a look at the information posted there. It will make clear whether you're in a state or federal parking area and which pass you need. If you have a physical pass, leave it on your dashboard. If you have a digital pass, print a copy and display the paper on your dashboard.
Some of our favorite discoveries happened when we stopped to explore something that simply caught our eye.
Our Take on Sedona
Sedona was an excellent first stop on our Arizona road trip. We saw remarkable architecture and ancient dwellings, explored trails and red-rock landscapes, browsed shops, and spent time in the water.
Just as importantly, we didn’t feel compelled to do everything in one day. Because we wanted to beat the heat, and I needed to be available for work, we planned outings for the cooler mornings and left the afternoons to relax. It turned out to be a rhythm that worked for our whole family.
If you’re traveling with a child who has autism or other sensory differences, Sedona offers many ways to adapt your days. We chose activities we expected to be sensory-friendly, such as short walks, shaded trails, and swimming. You can choose short walks instead of strenuous hikes, take breaks when the heat becomes too much, and let your child’s interests shape the adventure. And with so many striking rock formations along the way, you may find that some of your favorite stops are the ones you never planned.
We didn’t join any tours, but if you enjoy guided activities, such as jeep tours, helicopter rides, guided hikes, or sunrise and sunset excursions, there are lots of them in Sedona. If you’d like some ideas, you can browse options on GetYourGuide.com. (Not an affiliate link, just for information.)
Next, we headed north toward the Grand Canyon and the more dramatic scenery of the American Southwest.
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