Sedona looks different from above. This Everything Sedona (20+ Mile) helicopter tour packs a lot of red-rock icons into a short flight window, with noise-reducing headsets and all forward-facing seats. I like the small-group setup, but the main thing to consider is the ride is only about 10-12 minutes, so it can feel a touch short once you get your bearings.

What makes it worth watching is the way you get tossed into landmark country fast. You’ll fly over Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross area, plus a long list of formations many people only see from specific ground trails. The pilot adds real-time commentary (some pilots even bring fun music into the mix), and that’s a big part of why this feels like more than just sightseeing from a seat.

Key Takeaways Before You Fly

• All forward-facing seating keeps your eyes on the sights for the whole loop
• Noise-reducing headsets with a microphone help you hear the pilot and keep things comfortable
• Small group size (max 6, often five onboard) means less crowding and more attention
• A big list of Sedona landmarks in 10-12 minutes saves time versus trying to drive everywhere
• Front-seat visibility matters if you’re hoping for a totally clean view for photos

Why This “20+ Mile” Loop Feels Efficient in Sedona

Sedona is great, but the driving distances add up. This helicopter tour is built for people with limited time who still want the “wow” factor that usually takes days of hiking or a lot of car time. In a short burst, you cover a wide swath of the area—think major rock formations, canyon entrances, and recognizable trail features—so you leave with mental maps you can use later.

The route is also the point. Instead of one single viewpoint, you get a chain of famous Sedona sights from the air. That matters because a lot of these rocks look one way from the ground and a completely different way from overhead or eye-level.

Getting Started at 1225 Airport Rd: What Your Time Looks Like

The tour starts and ends right back at the meeting point at 1225 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. Expect a simple flow: check in, get your headset fitted, and get settled into the forward-facing cabin.

Because you only get about 10-12 minutes in the air, the on-the-ground waiting time can feel more noticeable. I recommend treating this like a timed experience: plan your day so you’re not rushing food, shopping, or another activity right after. If you’re the kind of person who likes to stay flexible, the free cancellation window (when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead) also helps you manage weather surprises.

Small Cabin, Forward-Facing Seats, and How to Choose Yours

This is a small flight. The max is 6 travelers, and many flights are described as carrying five people onboard. That’s a big deal in helicopters where space can feel tight—less jostling, and you’re not squeezed into a bigger group.

Also pay attention to seat position. The included setup is air-conditioned vehicle (for the time you’re getting to the experience) and an inside cabin with all forward-facing seats. That said, one review detail that you should take seriously: two seats plus the pilot in front can partially obstruct the view for the seats right behind them. If you’re traveling as a couple and you want the best possible view line for photos and commentary, I’d prioritize the front seats first.

The good news is the headsets are part of the package. The microphone setup helps you catch the pilot’s narration without fighting the rotor noise.

Red Rock State Park to Cathedral Rock: the First Real “Point-and-Look” Segment

The flight begins with takeoff and landing views from the airport area, then quickly moves into the core red-rock scenery.

A highlight is flying by Red Rock State Park early on. It helps you orient fast—suddenly you’re not imagining the shapes you’ve seen in pictures. You can see how the ridges, folds, and cliffs relate to each other.

Then comes Cathedral Rock, where you get a key advantage this tour offers: you’re not stuck behind a fence or a single hiking overlook. You’ll fly by with a view close to eye-level with the top of Cathedral Rock, which is exactly the kind of angle that changes the way you understand the formation. From the air, scale becomes real. The rock looks taller and more sculpted than almost any photo can show.

Chapel of the Holy Cross and Bell Rock: Why the Aerial Angle Clicks

Two of Sedona’s best-known icons—Chapel of the Holy Cross and Bell Rock—show up in the middle stretch of the loop. Even if you’ve seen them once from the road, the helicopter view gives you something different: relationships. You can see how the chapel sits against the rock walls, and how Bell Rock’s shape reads as a structure rather than a single landmark.

This is also where the pilot’s approach matters. In multiple accounts, pilots like Josh and Steve were described as making the tour fun and smooth, with commentary that helps you connect names to views quickly. If you’re the type who enjoys learning what you’re looking at, this is one of the best moments to listen closely.

Broken Arrow Trail and the Praying Hands: Spot the Rocks You’ve Heard About

One of the most rewarding parts of this flight is how much it lines up with famous ground hiking features. You fly past Broken Arrow Trail, and the narration ties it to recognizable formations: the Praying Hands, Chicken Point, and Submarine Rock.

From the air, Broken Arrow doesn’t feel like a route on a map. It feels like a sculpted passage through rock. You’ll often be able to pick out why hikers talk about the Praying Hands so much—its shape is dramatic when you’re not moving on foot and blocking your own view with terrain changes.

If you’re planning a hike later, this segment is practical. You’ll return to the ground with a mental “compass.” Instead of scanning for the rock, you already know what it’s supposed to look like from above.

Snoopy Rock, Tea Kettle, Eagle Rock, Cowpies: Funny Names, Real Views

Sedona has a knack for giving rocks names that stick. This tour delivers several of those recognizable oddballs while you’re still in the first half of the flight.

As you fly by, you might spot Snoopy Rock, the Tea Kettle, Eagle Rock, and the Cowpies. These are the kind of formations that can be hard to identify from the ground unless you’re right on top of them. From above, the names make more sense. You see why people call it that—simple silhouettes and clear profiles.

This is also where you might feel the short length more. You’ll likely want more time at each “signature” formation, especially if you’re photo-focused.

Oak Creek Canyon, Seasonal Waterfalls, and the Natural Bridge You’ve Probably Seen in Photos

The route then leans into Oak Creek Canyon. You’ll fly by the mouth of the canyon and a canyon section filled with rock pillars and seasonal waterfalls (when conditions allow).

This is a great reminder of why weather and timing matter in Sedona. Even within the same season, rainfall and water levels can change what you see from the air. When you catch it with water running, the canyon becomes more than stone—it becomes motion.

Then you’ll see a natural bridge from the air, one of the most popular hikes in the area. If you’ve ever stared at those trail photos and wondered how the “bridge” fits into the canyon wall, this view helps. You get the structure in context instead of just the final close-up.

Steamboat Rock, Ship Rock, Courthouse Butte, and the Rest of the Big Names

The second half keeps feeding you landmarks, including:

• Bell Rock (earlier)
• Courthouse Butte
• Snoopy Rock, Tea Kettle, Eagle Rock, Cowpies (as noted above)
• Steamboat Rock and Ship Rock
• Midgely Bridge
• Grasshopper Point
• Coffee Pot Rock
• Soldiers Pass
• The Mitten
• Sphinx Rock
• Seven Canyons golf course
• Mescal Mesa
• Boynton Canyon
• Doe Mountain
• Chimney Rock, including a view where it turns into the 3 fingers as your perspective changes
• Schuerman Mountain on the way back

That list is long because the flight is designed to be a “best-of Sedona from the air” loop. The value here is recognition. Even if you can’t name every rock, you’ll feel that you saw the major players—and you’ll be able to point them out afterward.

Courthouse Butte and Chimney Rock are especially memorable from this kind of change-in-angle viewing. One of the reasons helicopter tours work is that your perspective shifts fast without a hike’s slow pace.

Timing Ideas: Morning vs. Evening and What Weather Can Do

The tour depends on good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you may be offered a different date or a refund. That matters because you’re paying for clear visibility and safe flying conditions.

If you’re lucky enough to catch an evening slot, the light can help. One account described a flight around 5:00 to 5:30pm where the canyon colors looked far more intense than photos. I can’t promise a sunset every time, but if you can choose among times, I’d lean toward late-day slots when skies are clear.

Price Reality Check: Is $185.65 Worth It for 10-12 Minutes?

At $185.65 per person for about 10-12 minutes, this isn’t a budget activity. The value comes from coverage, not time. You’re paying to see a lot of famous Sedona formations quickly, with commentary and the convenience of being taken from place to place without driving.

Here’s the trade-off: one review summed up a common feeling—right when you settle in and start enjoying the views, the flight is over. If you want a longer air time, this short loop may leave you wanting more.

But if you’re trying to do a “big Sedona highlight” in a tight schedule, the math can work. You’re not spending the day bouncing between overlooks. You’re getting a compressed look at major rocks and canyon geometry that you’d otherwise need hiking stamina or multiple day trips to match.

Who This Helicopter Ride Is Best For

This tour fits best if you:

• Have limited time and want to cover major Sedona sights without long driving loops
• Want front-facing viewing and comfort details like headsets and air-conditioned transport
• Like guided narration and want help naming what you’re seeing

It’s also a solid “bucket list” type of activity—people describe it as one of the best Sedona experiences they’ve had.

Consider skipping (or postponing) if you:

• Don’t do well with short, fast experiences and need more time at each stop
• Are sensitive to view obstruction and don’t prioritize front seats

Should You Book Everything Sedona (20+ Mile)?

I’d book it if your goal is maximum Sedona recognition in minimal time. The front-facing setup, noise-reducing headsets, and small onboard group make this feel focused rather than crowded. And the route includes the big-name formations—Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Broken Arrow Trail landmarks, Oak Creek Canyon, and a natural bridge—all from the air in one run.

I’d think twice if you’re expecting a long, slow tour. This is quick. If you love lingering, plan for a hike or two after you land so you can spend time on the formations you liked most from above.

My quick decision guide

• Book now if you can snag a seat early (it’s commonly booked about 10 days in advance) and you’ll be flexible with weather.
• Pick front seats if you care about the cleanest sight lines.
• If you’re on the fence, treat it as a “best-of Sedona aerial primer” that helps you navigate the ground afterwards.

FAQ

How long is the Everything Sedona (20+ Mile) helicopter tour?

It lasts about 10 to 12 minutes.

What does it cost per person?

The price is $185.65 per person.

How many people are on the helicopter?

The maximum is 6 travelers, and it’s often described as a five-person onboard experience.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You start at 1225 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the tour?

You get noise-reducing headsets with a microphone, an air-conditioned vehicle, and all forward-facing seating.

What happens if weather is bad?

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The total weight per passenger is listed as 269 lbs.