Sedona Anasazi Scenic Air Tour: 20-Minute Flight Over Canyons & 700-Year Cliff Dwellings

See Sedona’s iconic red-rock canyons and 700-year-old Sinaqua cliff dwellings from the air in just 20–25 minutes. This short, eco-conscious flight from the airport mesa is ideal for families, photographers, and visitors short on time.

Sedona, Arizona•

20–25 minutes

•By Adventure Collective•October 2025

The Experience

Sedona, Arizona is the setting for the Anasazi Scenic Tour, a brisk 20–25 minute flight that turns Sedona’s red-rock forms into a cinematic panorama. Operated by Guidance Air Service, LLC (Air Carrier Certificate # 2G7A680N), this tour lifts from the airport mesa and arcs northwest toward Devil’s Bridge, threading into Secret Canyon before climbing the Mogollon Rim and dropping through Boynton Canyon. From the air you scan spires, mesas and deep, shaded alcoves where 700-year-old Sinaqua Indian cliff dwellings rest in sandstone overhangs. The plane’s low, deliberate routing makes geology readable: layered red sandstone, volcanic sills and debris fans reveal how erosion carved narrow box canyons and open amphitheaters. Vegetation shifts on that scale too — ribbons of pinyon and juniper give way to scrub oak and desert grass on the rim. Wildlife dots the scene; it’s common to spot raven, turkey vulture and, from time to time, mule deer working the canyon bottoms. Because the flight leaves no footprint, you experience these sensitive places without stress on fragile trails. What makes this short tour special is the combination of intimacy and scale. In under half an hour you see features that would take days to reach on foot: Devil’s Bridge set like a natural bridge across a wash, Secret Canyon’s hidden walls, and Boynton’s cliff-line with ancestral dwellings. Families appreciate that lap children under two fly free, and photographers prize the vantage for dramatically compressed landscapes. Practicalities are simple: bring layered clothing for changing wind and sun, a camera with a fast shutter, and a window seat request if you want unobstructed views. Flights operate out of Sedona, so stays in town keep logistics easy; the tour is an efficient add-on for visitors who want perspective on the region’s geology and human story without a lengthy hike. Operators maintain clear safety and cancellation policies and will reschedule flights when weather intervenes. Accessibility is straightforward: check-in windows open 30 minutes before departure and light turbulence can occur when crossing canyon rims, so those prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly. The aircrafts used are small, so headphones and clear announcements keep the trip informative. Guides often narrate features as you pass, pointing out geological layers and cultural highlights. Book morning or late afternoon flights when thermals are gentler; operators limit passenger loads to optimize views and conserve fuel, reinforcing the tour’s minimal environmental footprint. For anyone curious about how people lived with this red-rock world, the Anasazi Scenic Tour offers a concise, respectful introduction. It’s a highlight for first-time Sedona visitors, geology fans, and families seeking a memorable, low-impact way to see ancient cliff dwellings, dramatic canyons and the broad sweep of the Mogollon Rim in a single, revealing circuit.

Sedona Anasazi Scenic Air Tour: 20-Minute Flight Over Canyons & 700-Year Cliff Dwellings

The Experience

Before You Go

Request a window seat

Bring motion-sickness remedies

Use a fast shutter and lens

Arrive early for check-in

Local Knowledge

Hidden Gems

Wildlife

Conservation Note

Photographer's Notes

What to Bring

Layered clothingEssential

Camera with fast shutterEssential

Polarizing filter or sunglasses

Motion-sickness remedies

Common Questions

How long is the Anasazi Scenic Tour?

Where do flights depart from?

Are children allowed?

Will I see the Sinaqua cliff dwellings?

What should I bring for photography?

What happens if weather cancels my flight?

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