Canyon Cruise: Private Sedona Aerial Tour Over Cathedral and Bell Rock

See Sedona’s famous red-rock icons from a private Cessna 172 with Bluebird Air Tours. This 30-minute aerial circuit over Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Oak Creek Canyon and Coffee Pot is a fast, photo-ready primer for first-time visitors.

Sedona, Arizona•

30 minutes

•By Adventure Collective•October 2025

The Experience

Float over Sedona’s scarlet cliffs and narrow red-rock canyons on Canyon Cruise, a 30-minute private flight that reframes the familiar landmarks of northern Arizona from the window of a high-wing Cessna 172. Launching from Sedona Airport Terminal on Airport Mesa, Bluebird Air Tours’ pilots steer "Blue" south past Cathedral Rock, circle the squat dome of Bell Rock, cut along the green ribbon of Oak Creek Canyon and sweep west toward the Coffee Pot formation. The compact route concentrates the region’s most photogenic geology into a single, intimate circuit. Sedona’s landscape is defined by its exposed Permian-age red sandstone—locally the Schnebly Hill Formation—and by steep canyon walls, mesas and volcanic buttes. From 2,500 feet the color contrasts sharpen: juniper-dotted benches, riparian cottonwood along Oak Creek and the layered strata of the cliffs read like a cross-section of deep time. Pilots narrate the flight, pointing out access points for hiking, scenic overlooks and bits of cultural history: this is Yavapai and Apache country, and the red rocks have long been landmarks for people traveling these plateaus. What makes this trip special is its combination of scale and intimacy. Instead of a crowded tour helicopter, Canyon Cruise is 100% private for up to two people in a light airplane that offers excellent window views and a calm, open feel. The Cessna 172 "Blue" gives photographers easy framing and pilots who are also local guides share tips about angles, sun positions and where to plan follow-up hikes on the ground. Practical details are straightforward: the flight lasts about thirty minutes, departs from the Sedona Airport Terminal, and accommodates two passengers. Check weather before flying; summer monsoon patterns and strong afternoon winds can alter departure times. Arrive early to review safety briefing and camera settings; short flights reward wide-angle lenses and a steady hand. For visitors staying in Sedona or nearby Flagstaff, the aerial overview is an efficient primer—use it on the first morning to orient your hikes or on a late-afternoon sortie to catch warm light on the cliffs. This tour highlights the geology, ecology and human history of the Verde Valley without inventing spectacle; it simply reveals Sedona from an angle most visitors never see. Bluebird Air Tours’ local pilots turn the state’s famous red-rock scenery into an accessible, airborne introduction that invites you back to the trails. Because flights are private, you can request customized routing—longer circuits over Oak Creek Reservoir or a low pass near Soldier Pass when conditions permit—subject to FAA rules and pilot discretion. The Sedona Airport Terminal offers easy parking and a clear preflight area; pilots provide a safety briefing. This flight is ideal for couples, photographers, or anyone short on time who still wants a comprehensive view.

Canyon Cruise: Private Sedona Aerial Tour Over Cathedral and Bell Rock

The Experience

Before You Go

Bring a wide-angle lens

Book morning or late-afternoon flights

Secure loose items

Tell pilots your photo priorities

Local Knowledge

Hidden Gems

Wildlife

Conservation Note

Photographer's Notes

What to Bring

SunglassesEssential

Mirrorless or DSLR with wide-angle lensEssential

Light windbreaker

Extra battery or power bank

Common Questions

How long is the flight?

Where do I meet the pilot?

Is the flight private?

What if the weather is bad?

Can I bring a camera?

Are there weight or age restrictions?

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