Buttes of Sedona

In northern Arizona lies Sedona, a town known for the surrounding buttes (isolated hills with steep sides and a flat top (similar to but narrower than a mesa). Sedona sits on the border of the lower desert of southern desert turns into the high deserts of northern Arizona and Utah, combining dry, arid landscapes with pine forests and these giant structure. Made of a sandstone rich in iron oxide, the red colour is very striking.

Unlike other towns and cities in the area, Sedona sits in a bowl surrounded by the red buttes characteristic of the region. They an be seen from many parts of the town and many of them are accessible by foot. This makes Sedona a sought after hiking destination for people from all over.

Viewing Buttes from Sedona

An excellent viewpoint for viewing the buttes is from the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout on the south side of the town. The airport, which hosts tour companies that fly over the grand canyon, sits up on a hill overlooking the town. It offers good views of the northern rim of the buttes surrounding the town.

Driving

Driving is another good way of viewing the buttes in the area. There are several layers of buttes in the region, so staying in Sedona will not give you the best views.

A good way to see them is to drive some of the main routes in the area. Route 89A, which goes through the centre of the town, runs east-west through parts of Red Rock State Park, which consists of many of the red rock formations in this area. Another good route is Route 179, which runs down the eastern side of Red Rock State Park.

Cathedral Rock

One of the most well-known buttes is Cathedral Rock, the entrance to which lies off Route 179. Cathedral is a red sandstone butte that has several gaps that have been eroded away over thousands of years. From certain angles the formation looks like a natural grand spire, hence the name.

Like many of the buttes in the area, you can also hike around and up them. The route for Cathedral Rock is short but steep, so be prepared with hiking gear and climbing shoes if you decide to make the ascent. At the top you can really feel the strong wind and see long distances on a clear day.