Red Rock Scenic Byway

The Red Rock Scenic Byway is a 20-or-so mile drive on Arizona Highway 179, heading south out of Sedona through the Village of Oak Creek to Interstate 17. As the entire route is through the Red Rocks Country section of Coconino National Forest, you need to be aware that stopping anywhere for more than 15 minutes or so means you need to pay the $5 day-use fee (go to either the Chamber of Commerce office or the Forest Service office in Sedona, pay the $5 and get the permit, although if you are staying longer, they have sliding scale fees for longer duration permits). So you can take a few photos safely but if you'd like to get away from the pavement and all those folks on the road...

From the photos on this page you can see that this is simply gorgeous, other-worldly countryside. Between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek you'll be passing by Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. Bell Rock is just inside the boundary of Munds Mountain Wilderness, a wild and woolly area of deep canyons and high mesas. There's trails all over the place - just bring lots of water, a good hat, sunglasses, a good camera, a good map and plenty of sunscreen.