What is it - Sedona, Arizona is highly regarded as one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the red rock landscapes of the Southwest and is conveniently located halfway between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. For decades now, local companies have found an exciting way for adults to enjoy the scenery while providing a sense of outdoor adventure to children and teenagers. Covered Jeeps with extended seating for small groups are the vehicle of choice for touring the backcountry, climbing up and down rock formations, and viewing some of the spectacular scenery which the Coconino National Forest and the rest of the  region has to offer. 

There are many capable companies offering tours in and around Sedona. We first booked a private tour with our children 20 years ago using the well-known Pink Jeep Tours company which was first established in 1960. During a more recent trip to the area, we took the opportunity to go out into the wilderness again on a group tour and enjoyed it immensely. There are quite a few different itineraries available. Depending upon your taste, you may want to take in the views from the rim of some of the canyons, explore the watering holes and habitats of desert wildlife, or go far off road deep into the forests and valleys. 

The Jeep tours are an excellent family experience because they provide everyone with an introduction to the special features of Sedona. They make you feel like you are part of an adventure that is exciting without being dangerous. Although Sedona can be an active tourist area, it only takes a few minutes to leave the city behind and feel like a wagon train or some cattle rustlers may appear just around the bend. The tours generally range between 90 minutes and 3 hours in length and can be personalized to include some hiking as well. Once you have gotten the feel for the place, another family activity is to visit one of the local ranches for a horseback ride or a stagecoach trip into the wilderness which will make you feel like you are part of one of the many movies and TV shows that have been filmed in the area.

Interesting facts - Another great place for kids which is located about 20 minutes north of Sedona on Route 89A is Slide Rock State Park. While hiking and other camp activities are allowed there, the star attraction is the swimming areas. These include a smoothed-out chute connecting several branches of the stream which creates a natural waterslide of cool mountain water. Your children will love the place.

How to Get Here - Sedona is located about 2 hours north from Phoenix International Airport on Interstate 17. But it also can be reached from Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon by taking Interstates 40 and 17 south into Sedona.

When to Go - Sedona is located at a high elevation but the desert environment still causes temperatures to rise about 90 degree regularly from June through the end of September. Always plan to take sunscreen, water, some food, and emergency contact precautions when traveling into the backcountry. Those same desert conditions make it considerably cooler at night all year long with some snow in the winter.  Generally, the best times for sightseeing in Sedona with school age children would be for a late spring break or at the very end of the summer through late October. 

Cost - The Jeep tours in Sedona are expensive with costs ranging from $75 to $125 for adults and $60 to $90 for each child depending on the length of the tour selected. Admission to the state park is less costly at $20 to $30 per vehicle.