There are five no-fee days at National Parks and Monuments throughout the year. On one of these special days, we made the trip to visit Montezuma Well! It was so cool to see this much water in the middle of the desert.
The Story of Montezuma Well
1.5 million gallons of 74-degree water run through the well every day! The water enters through an underground stream and flows through 150 feet of limestone before exiting the other side into an irrigation ditch.
You can feel the Sinagua culture as you walk around looking at the cliff dwellings and reading about the history. I kept imagining what life was like 1000 years ago. This site is still considered sacred by many local tribes.
The trails are nice and easy to walk and the site is pet-friendly. If you want a little bit more of a challenge, there is a rocky area to climb down towards the well.
In every direction, there is a beautiful view…
Montezuma Castle National Monument is only 11 miles away from Montezuma Well. The castle is one of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. We didn’t make it over there due to time constraints but I would definitely add it to your itinerary if you make the trip to the well.
Grand Teton National Park is another one of our favorite parks. Read more about hiking the park here.
To see all five no-fee days at the National Parks, click HERE.
Keep searching for what stirs your soul and #FindYourPark.
Sedona, Arizona was on my bucket list and we finally made it happen!
To say I fell in love is an understatement.
The moment we got home, we booked our return trip. ❤️
We arrived in the evening and we were welcomed by one of the famous Sedona sunsets. We stayed at Alma De Sedona Inn in West Sedona and we were so impressed with their level of service. I tend to shy away from bed & breakfast lodging but this was a wonderful experience. Here are a few highlights…
Mornings at Alma De Sedona Inn start with their famous breakfasts. Again, not being a “bed and breakfast” person and a bit of an introvert, I was skeptical BUT it was amazing! We had our own table and the moment we sat down, they served freshly brewed coffee along with juice and warm homemade muffins and scones. You can smell them baking when you wake up! Next is the main course which is different every day and made from scratch.
If you are seeking spirituality or alone time to connect with yourself and nature, Alma De Sedona Inn offers a Labyrinth and Medicine Wheel. I took full advantage of both…it’s so serene in their gardens and such a nice amenity.
Medicine Wheel Stones
The property is so peaceful and quiet tucked back in a neighborhood but still walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and hiking trails. We loved the convenience of everything!
A lot of people say to stay in Uptown but we really enjoyed West Sedona.
Uptown is much busier and touristy.
Our favorite activity was going for hikes every day. We mostly did easy hikes because we were both fighting awful colds. They say Sedona has healing powers so we tried to get as much fresh air as possible. 😉 Here are a few of our favorite spots…
Cathedral Rock
Our first hike was to the Cathedral Rock Vortex. I could have laid on the red rocks all day. Such an incredible view and when the sun hits the red rocks, it feels like heaven.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Chapel of the Holy Cross was breathtaking. We were told that it gets very busy so we arrived right when they opened which worked out great. I would definitely recommend getting there early!
Lighting a candle for prayer intentions.
We also really liked the variety and different trails in the Bell Rock area.
Last but not least, the Aiport Loop Trail! The views at sunset are crazy gorgeous, there is a scenic lookout and a fantastic restaurant called Mesa Grill.
Other restaurant recommendations:
Creekside Coffee and Bakery (perfect spot to catch up on work and enjoy a yummy cup of coffee), The Secret Garden and Cafe (best rueben and coleslaw EVER), The Hudson (wonderful views, service, and the pork chop was out of this world – definitely need a reservation).
We also did a day trip to Jerome, Arizona and ate at The Mine for breakfast. Jerome is an artsy, old town with so much character and the drive up is something to see!
We also loved going for a walk by the river at L’Auberge Restaurant. We had an incredible hamburger and bloody mary’s for lunch. It’s a treat to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous views and comfy couches!
My last recommendation is the Myofascial Release Treatment Center. This therapy was my saving grace after being diagnosed with Dystonia. Whether you are battling health issues or just tired after a hike…this is the perfect place to heal.
I can’t wait to go back and explore because I know we barely scratched the surface!
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have recommendations.
Happy traveling!
This post was originally created in 2018. We’ve been back to Sedona each year since this original trip. See blog for more posts about Sedona.
Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley Park is located on the Arizona/Utah border. These grand, mysterious, sandstone monuments formed over millions of years and show us what happens when Mother Nature is left alone to do her thing. It’s always an honor to explore Southwest Utah and Monument Valley.
Our first stop as we headed towards Monument Valley from Durango, Colorado was Goosenecks State Park in Mexican Hat, Utah. It was mesmerizing looking at 300 million years of history in the layers and watching the San Juan River flow through the gooseneck on its way to Lake Powell. We highly recommend stopping here! It’s just as incredible as Horseshoe Bend with WAY fewer people. You can read more about Horseshoe Bend, HERE.
We didn’t stop due to time restrictions but traveling this way, you will pass the Four Corners Monument. Stop in and stand in four states at once…Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Plus you can learn more about the Native Americans way of life at the Visitor Center.
Don’t Miss Mexican Hat, Utah
Mexican Hat, Utah is a very small village named after this 60 ft rock that resembles an overturned sombrero. This area is remote so make sure you’re prepared before traveling with water, food, gas, etc.
Explore Southwest Utah andMonument Valley Backcountry
Side note: If you want to hike and explore some of the scenic backcountry without having to get a permit, check out Valley of the Gods in Bluff, Utah right by Mexican Hat before arriving in Monument Valley. This area is on BLM land and the entrance is free. It might not be quite as grand as Monument Valley but it’s still gorgeous and wild. There is a 17-mile unpaved loop that you can drive to enjoy the scenery.
Forrest Gump Pointat Monument Valley
As you near Monument Valley, you will pass Forrest Gump Point. (Remember when Forrest stopped running in the movie) Tons of people stop here to take the same photo from the movie. You’ll know when you arrive by all the cars that are pulled over.
The monuments stand 400-1000 feet. Mother Nature’s art.
Broken Arrow is a new trail for us this year. We were hesitant to hike here because the trail runs parallel to the jeep path and we thought it would be disruptive. The jeeps didn’t bother us at all and it was fun to watch them cruising over the red rocks.
The hiking distance for Broken Arrow Trail is approximately 3 miles out and back. There are 12 parking spaces at the trailhead. The road to the parking lot is dirt for a short distance and very bumpy. There’s only room for one vehicle at a time on the dirt road to and from the lot so prepare to back up if another vehicle is coming. The trail is worth the little scramble of parking. This hike takes about 2 hours.
The 360° views are beautiful of the canyons and red rock spires.
Not far into the hike (at about 1/2 mile) you will come to Devil’s Dining Room. Devil’s Dining Room is a 50-foot wide and 90-foot deep sinkhole! The area is fenced off so you don’t miss it or accidentally fall in. 🙂 There are informative signs as you walk up explaining how the sinkhole was created and more about the bat colony that lives here.
Hello down there!
As you work your way up and you will see more signs for Chicken Point which is the top or you can take a side trail to Submarine Rock. Submarine Rock is a nice flat area to enjoy a picnic and the views. If you continue up to Chicken Point, you will also be connected to Little Horse trail to make this a longer hike.
When you see these views you will understand why so many old westerns were filmed in this area. You couldn’t create a better backdrop. I love the way the rock formations look in the shadow of the sun.
Almost all the trails in Sedona are pet-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. Our little guy is having a blast hiking these red rock trails.
We always meet the nicest people hiking the trails. We met a professional photographer who offered to take our picture. So great to have a photo of the three of us on the trail.
Other restaurant recommendations:
