I would say this is a moderate trail, its very rocky and down hill from the parking lot by the airport. This was a easy trek to the overlook but do NOT under estimate how cold it gets in AZ when the sun isnt up. Hiking time: allow 2.5 hours for round trip USGS Maps: Sedona Notes: No horse trailer parking. Return by the same route to the main trail and continue north. Beautiful views of Sedona on overlooks. connected to the .gov website. Get There Early Remember, because getting to Airport Mesa is so easy, its usually crowded. Remember many areas are steep. I'm an Instagram influencer coach and lifestyle content creator based in Arizona. I recommend going counterclockwise for those with young kids, fear of heights, not in the best of shape, or not having 3 or more hrs to hike. Ready to stop guessing what to charge for brand deals? It's something like three miles, but the upgrade in this direction is more gradual than if you go the opposite route. Hint: the parking area is very small (8 cars) and no where to park on road so if someone is able to drop you off there, that is ideal. If you're fortunate enough to grab parking by the vortex, your trek will be that much shorter. This was my favorite hike I did while I was there! The signs for the loop trail direct hikers south to the clockwise entrance. Tips: Drink lots of water along the way and hydrate afterwards. Here you will find a huge parking lot from which you can take the short Sedona View Trail to get to the Airport Mesa trail. Well worth it. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Vortex sites are areas of enhanced natural energy where the energy supposedly swirls out from surface of the earth. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. After you turn north you will go down and up again along the trail but the views are not as good. The trail offers panoramic views of Sedona on one side, and Cathedral/Courthouse and Bell Rock on the other side. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Difficulty is based on: length without shade, narrow trail, sharp drop-offs (in sections). Soon, the trail begins a moderate descent and turns to the northeast. The trail is about 3.5 miles round-trip, although most of the times the main parking lot will be full and you will need to park at the scenic overlook lot. For out-of-towners who only have time for one hike are in moderate condition and want great views, this is the one hike to take. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. There're also ways to gain access from the neighborhoods on short feeder trails. This particular vortexis very popular as it locatedthe closest to the center of town. Red rock formation views. Grab my 6-step method for finding your rates. Details: Coconino National Forest, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=71905. I appreciate the pro tip about going counterclockwise around the loop. It ends at at point with great panoramic views taking in the Red Rock Loop Road area to the west and many of the areas most noted formations all around. Start by crossing street from parking area at sign for Airport Loop Trail. Airport Loop Trail, Sedona, Arizona - The Outbound Just past the 2 mile mark, the trail intersects the top of the Bandit Trail on the left which leads down into West Sedona. Here's how to find it, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=71905, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Off-Road & ATV Trails, Airport Loop Trail, Sedona: Address, Airport Loop Trail Reviews: 4.5/5, Airport Vortex..And then we stopped at the Sedona Airport for a late breakfast at the, Had a fantastic sunrise experience on the Table Top trail which is worth the extra 2. Just past the 2 mile mark, the trail intersects the top of the Bandit Trail on the left which leads down into West Sedona. Carry bottled water, and wear Hiking boots. | Legal | Site Credit. They are great! Beautiful views of Sedona on overlooks. The vortex is located at the end of this trail. There are labeled direction signs at each intersection. The beginning of the hike does have some steep drop offs and could be anxiety causing for those with a fear of heights. Airport Mesa Vortex Sedona is best enjoyed at sunset! Most people hike the Airport Loop Trail clockwise. It ends at at point with great panoramic views taking in the Red Rock Loop Road area to the west and many of the area's most noted formations all around. Airport Loop Trail Airport Road Sedona Airport, Table Top Mtn, Cococino Nat'l Forest, Sedona , Arizona 86336 USA 8 Photos Independent Add to Trip More in Sedona "Popular "vortex" area in Sedona" This loop trail gives you panoramic views of Sedona's best-known red rock landmarks (plus the occasional thrill of getting buzzed by vintage aircraft). Description Airport Loop South climbs steadily from Bandit trail. Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. Thanks for stopping by! The views are still spectacular. Eat breakfast before your hike and refuel afterwards. People walking in the opposite direction were exhausted-it took a while (90 minutes or so) to get to that side but it was worth it to take the trail from west to east. Once parked, though, youll walk about 100 feet up a small path. You got the best scenery and views on the second half rather than the first. If you do hike in the summer, set off before sunrise. The Airport Loop Trail is a hike that circles around Table Top Mountain and the Sedona Airport. Sedona View Trail starts at the northeast corner of the airport parking lot. Some nights, we lulled to sleep by a chorus of cic, Do you know the height of your rig? While the traditional access point is a parking lot near the airport, several other trailheads provide backdoor options. We did the hike, and other travelers were very unprepared. As terminals expand and moving walkways disappear, you could be in for a serious hike to your gate. The Sedona Airport Loop Trail is a moderate 5.1 km hike that circles Table Mountain, also known as Airport Mesa. Well Im not an advanced hiker though I am in pretty good shape. Dont worry! Private 4-Hour Sedona Spectacular Journey and Vortex Tour, Small-Group Grand Canyon Complete Tour from Sedona or Flagstaff, Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. . The trail was had a lot of loose rock on a precipice and circumvented the airport. Airport Vortex..And then we stopped at the Sedona Airport for a late breakfast at the Mesa Grill..A must stop also. The lot is easy to miss, as its relatively small and just looks like a pull-off. Is that better than driving to the trailhead? 100% of travellers recommend this experience. Once you loop to the vortex, for those needing to return to the airport parking, you'll need to return the way you originally came. Airport Loop/Table Top Trails #211/212, Bandit Trail, Brewer Trail. Coconino NationalForest In less than a mile, the route rounds a bend over Carroll Canyon where see-forever looks stretch to the northwest and the elongated profile of the Bradshaw Mountains rises above more classic Sedona landforms, including the Cockscomb and the Pyramid. Here's how to find it. Less popular = less crowds! A separate short trail takes youto the vortex site. There is a narrow trail from the parking lot that connects to the Airport loop Trailhead. It drops down to cross a small wash and climbs out to the west where it intersects the Table Top Trail at 1.7 miles. Remember many areas are steep. Youll immediately come upon a super photogenic mesa great for sunset and photos! By mparker11 " Beautiful Sedona Overlook " May 2021 Sedona, Arizona Airport Mesa Loop Trail | Visit Sedona Parking is $3/day. AND I hope you enjoy the vortex. The views were 360 amazing! More:Secret Slickrock is one of Sedona's best trails. more, EZRider Sedona Self Guided E Bike Tour over 1,000 5 star reviews, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Sedona, Private Soldier Pass Trail Jeep Tour from Sedona, 2.5-Hour Sedona Sightseeing Tour with Sedona Hotel Pickup. The summit is on the left and the trail across the street. Airport Loop Trail - Sedona, Arizona - Roam Lab Airport Mesa Loop & Vortex, Sedona, Arizona - Diary of a Gen-X Traveler Turn right on Dry Creek Road for 0.5 miles to Thunder Mountain Road. There are many different ways to enjoy the Airport Mesa Vortex, and we will cover them in this blog! There are labeled direction signs at each intersection. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 more, EZRider Sedona Self Guided E Bike Tour over 1,000 5 star reviews, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Sedona, Private Soldier Pass Trail Jeep Tour from Sedona, 2.5-Hour Sedona Sightseeing Tour with Sedona Hotel Pickup. It is worth it and will be amazing! The spiritual healing movement all started back in 1980, when a psychic named Page Bryant discovered these vortexes. Turn right to pick up the trail which immediately bends to the left to follow the southeast slope of the mesa. You will see many more people on this detour than on the actual hike. Not for young kids or those with a fear of heights. Overall this is the one hike you dont want to miss, but be prepared with good shoes, plenty of water and enough time not to lose sunlight. Loved watching the planes landing into the small airport as well. Your trail feedback and ratings are an important resource for fellow hikers and provide a personal account of your trail experience from which others may learn. The compact site is busiest on the weekends, hosting about 96 daily aviation operations. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. As we were here fairly close to sunset, we did not go around the entire loop. GPS ( Map ): 3451'19.7"N 11146'50.5"W Good hike for those who like a little more adventure, not for young kids. Note: Mountain biking is not recommended on this trail due to the rocky terrain and narrow drop offs. From the loop youll have views of most all the iconic Sedona red rock formations. Areas where find a twisted juniper tree are believed to be the most concentrated sources of energy. Do not walk the roadway! There is a small free lot down the hill at the Airport Loop trailhead, but it's limited to about 8 cars. By the time we drive past in the late morning, all the spots are taken. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. Vortexes are nearby so take your time, relax and enjoy the aura and vistas., Trail took about 90 minutes to leisurely hike with stops for views and pictures. The trail is considered pretty rock and can be challenging. The first way to get to Airport Mesa Vortex Sedona is from the small parking lot off Airport Road. The original Sedona Winery Tours. The southwestern portion of the trail also traverses right below the main airport runway, and is a fun place to watch for planes. After you lift your bike over the guard rail, on the north edge of the road ride the trail in a westerly direction. You can do the 1st mile and turn around and go back. Loved watching the planes landing into the small airport as well. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. But, we hike to get away from it all. The high-elevation, non-towered airport (KSEZ) sits at 4,830 feet and opened in 1955. We turned right going up since we all parked at the top lot but that dead ended and has been well traveled. The Airport Loop Trail was a great way to get you into the hiking and exploring mode while on vacation in SedonaIt was one of our first stops and turned out to be one of our favorite things to do while in Sedona. We started the loop at the small parking area for the summit. + 2 . It is gorgeous. Before we close things up, here are my final tips for enjoying Airport Mesa. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. . Over 300 5 Star Reviews! I just dont get how its rated easy. Took my healthy 85yo mother and the trail was very rocky and loose and often on the edge of the cliff. Really like this trail and it is not crowded. United States. be careful on this. When in doubt, check with the helpful locals at the visitors center downtown. AIRPORT MESA TRAIL | The Hike House Lots of gorgeous prickly pear cacti, my personal favorite desert plant, line the first section of the trail. Once you loop to the vortex, for those needing to return to the airport parking, you'll need to return the way you originally came. If you're fortunate enough to grab parking by the vortex, your trek will be that much shorter. Im an out of shape 50+ and hiked the Airport Loop and the Tabletop Mesa Spur in 80-90 degree weather in June. An official website of the Not only does this trail offer amazing views of many of Sedona's most stunning red rock formations along a steep, narrow course, but it also happens to be one of 4 vortex hikes. Good hike overall. This is by far one of my favorite hikes due to the 360 degree views you will encounter if you complete the entire loop. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Go left to get to the vortex, following Aiport Mesa Trail (aka Summit Trail). Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. I help others live out extraordinary lives through my influencer career advice, travel guides, and life hacks. Turn right to pick up the trail which immediately bends to the left to follow the southeast slope of the mesa. Plus, the views from the lookout are pretty incredible too! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Regardless of how you access, I recommend the counter clockwise direction. Your Influencer Coach & Fellow Content Creator. I would rate the trail as moderate due to the intense heat, distance, and numerous slight inclines along the way. Airport Loop Hike - GREAT SEDONA HIKES Continue in a southerly direction, where there are numerous cactus plants next to the edge of the trail and large round rocks that either border the trail or are in the middle of the trail. Plan a full day to do both, about 4 hours for each half if you stop and take photos like we did. By traveling counterclockwise, we minimize interacting with other hikers. At a Glance General Information Directions: From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 1.0 miles to Airport Road on the left. The Table Top Trail is a half-mile (one-way) spur which climbs gradually on a finger of land extending to the southeast. Airport Loop Trail | Outdoor Project A slim footpath circles the scenic lookout point serving up some of the most spectacular 360-degree visual overviews of Sedona that do not require a long, difficult trek to attain. Fax: (928) 527-3620 If you dont want to pay the $3 parking fee, you can park at the lot off Airport Road. . Hike for costal couch-potatos, but Walk for seasoned hikers. Airport Loop Trail, Sedona: See 96 reviews, articles, and 95 photos of Airport Loop Trail, ranked No.36 on Tripadvisor among 145 attractions in Sedona. From the parking area, climb to the southeast about 100 yards to the top of the small saddle (Airport Saddle- GPS coordinates: N34 51 24.2274, W-111 46 45.912). 93% of travelers recommend this experience. But unfortunately, this Sedona gem is so popular that parking can be next to impossible. Hiking to Airport Mesa Vortex Sedona isnt hard, but here are a couple of things you should bring with you. If you have fear of heights, this is not for you. It drops down to cross a small wash and climbs out to the west where it intersects the Table Top Trail at 1.7 miles. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Official websites use .gov A .gov With the 0.8-mile side trip down Table Top trail my GPS said 4.0 miles for the entire trip, putting the loop, with switchbacks, at about 3.2 miles . I dont know how you could ever take a dog on this trail. Along the way you can connect to 2 short side trails, Tabletop and Bandit, for more stunning views of the rock formations. Great hike. Others say its life-changing! Map Information. We were not dressed warm enough at all. Unfortunately, the path itself is pretty rough, uneven, with a lot of rocks, so that you really need to watch your step, and youll need to come to a full stop to take in the scenery. The original Sedona Winery Tours. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Stay in the loop and travel with us! How long does it take the average early 40 year old? This makes sense when you consider that a typical commercial jetliner needs to reach 150 to 180 mph (240 to 285 km/h) to take off, and the larger the aircraft, the longer it takes to reach these speeds. With the noise and fencing around the area I didnt feel like I was out in the wilderness at all whereas plenty of other trails pull back so you dont feel like your in the city. At the end make sure you take the steep climb from the parking area to the summit. Vortexes are nearby so take your time, relax and enjoy the aura and vistas., Trail took about 90 minutes to leisurely hike with stops for views and pictures. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. One such alternative uses a mini interpretive trail in Sunset Park as a launch pad. When you get there, youll be embraced with a giant hug of vortex energy and have a view of epic rock formations like Thunder Mountain and Chimney Rock. Private 4-Hour Sedona Spectacular Journey and Vortex Tour, Small-Group Grand Canyon Complete Tour from Sedona or Flagstaff, Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art. Its worth the side trip after your main hike as it does not take up much time and the views are fantastic. Directions Print/PDF map Length 1.4 miElevation gain 216 ftRoute type Out & back Enjoy this 1.4-mile out-and-back trail near Sedona, Arizona. $3 to park for the day. Great Hike! There is a pole there with two small signs but faded completely out. While the. Its worth lingering here to try to catch a takeoff. Downside is that this is not wilderness and planes will be taking off and landing during your walk. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. For those uncertain, Id suggest researching a bit further. This was not what I was imagining. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Many people believe that natural healing can take place at these vortexes. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Hint: the parking area is very small (8 cars) and no where to park on road so if someone is able to drop you off there, that is ideal. Its about protecting what sustains us. Choose an Easy Route While the Loop Trail is popular, I think you can skip it. with lots of stops. This trail is a great physical and mental challenge, especially if you like long rock gardens. The views are great as you traverse around the mountain. Airport Road Sedona Airport, Table Top Mtn, Cococino Nat'l Forest, Sedona, AZ 86336. Airport Loop Trail is expressive of this dichotomy. 98% of travellers recommend this experience. Park in the first lot you come to - it's free and if you go further onto airport property, you have to pay to park. At the intersection with the Sunset Trail take the Airport trail left in the uphill direction. Airport Loop Trail. And it is one busy hiking route. Sunscreen There is truly nothing worse than an Arizona sunburn. 91% of travellers recommend this experience. Discover the Airport Mesa Vortex in Sedona this Fall - Canyon Villa See what products we use in our DIY renovation of this 1970 Avion C11 truck camper. From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 1.0 miles to Airport Road on the left.