The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of Sedona’s most recognizable landmarks, built high into the red rocks with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Whether you are visiting for the architecture, history, scenery, or simply looking for one of the best free things to do in Sedona, it is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
We visited during a June afternoon and spent about 30 minutes exploring the chapel, stopping by the gift shop, and enjoying the views. While I knew the Chapel of the Holy Cross was built into the red rocks, I did not realize just how spectacular the views would be. That ended up being my favorite part of the visit.
The chapel is easy to combine with several other stops from my Best Things to Do in Sedona for First-Time Visitors (14 Can't-Miss Experiences). Since attractions around Sedona are spread out, renting a car through Discover Cars is usually the easiest way to follow your own itinerary.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was inspired by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude.
In 1932, after seeing the construction of the Empire State Building, she dreamed of building a church that blended architecture with nature. Her original plan was to build the chapel in Budapest, Hungary, with the help of Lloyd Wright, the son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Those plans were abandoned when World War II began, and she later decided to build the chapel in her home state of Arizona.
Richard Hein served as the project architect, while architect August K. Strotz completed the design. The chapel was built on Coconino National Forest land after Senator Barry Goldwater helped secure a special-use permit.
Construction took only 18 months and cost approximately $300,000. The Chapel of the Holy Cross officially opened in 1956.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is worth visiting whether you are religious or not.
Its unusual architecture, red-rock setting, and incredible views make it one of Sedona’s most memorable attractions. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful and quiet. Outside, you can see panoramic views of Sedona’s famous red rocks and the surrounding landscape.
It is also free to visit, parking is free, and you do not need to set aside an entire day. We spent about 30 minutes here, although you could stay longer if you want time to sit inside the chapel, take photos, light a candle, or browse the gift shop.
This is also an easy stop to include in my One Perfect Day in Sedona: A First-Timer's Itinerary, especially if you are trying to see several major Sedona attractions in a limited amount of time.
Although there were quite a few people outside enjoying the views, the inside of the chapel felt peaceful and beautiful.
Large windows frame Sedona’s red rocks perfectly, creating a quiet space to sit, reflect, pray, or simply admire the scenery. The contrast between the busier viewing areas outside and the calm interior was noticeable.
The chapel is small, so it does not take long to walk through, but I would give yourself a few minutes to sit rather than immediately turning around and leaving.
Before you leave, be sure to step into the footprints located at the front of the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
When you stand in the footprints and look up, you will see Jesus gazing directly at you.
It is a beautiful reminder that He is always with you, He has not forgotten about you, and He loves you.
“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20
This is an easy detail to miss if you do not know to look for it, so take a moment to find the footprints before heading back down.
While visiting the chapel, you can light a candle for a loved one or for a special intention.
The candle prices listed during our visit were:
According to the chapel, prayers are offered during Friday Mass for everyone memorialized through the lighted candles.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The last entry is at 4:45 PM.
The gift shop is open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The gift shop is closed on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.
Because hours can occasionally change for services, holidays, or special events, confirm them directly with the chapel before your visit.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
Parking at the Chapel of the Holy Cross is free.
There are parking spaces along the road leading up to the chapel, including a lower parking area and a smaller upper parking lot closer to the entrance.
We visited on a June afternoon and had no trouble finding parking. We were even able to park in the upper parking lot, which made the walk to the chapel much shorter.
Drive all the way up before parking in the lower lot.
You may see available spaces farther down the hill and feel like you should take the first one, but check the upper lot first. If you can get a space near the top, you will have a much shorter walk to the chapel.
If the upper lot is full, you may need to park farther downhill and walk up the road, so the amount of walking required can depend heavily on where you find a space.
If you are able to park in the upper lot, the walk to the chapel is quick.
The path is uphill, but it is a paved ramp and is wheelchair accessible. The incline may still feel tiring for some visitors, especially during the hotter parts of the day, but there are no rough trails or uneven hiking paths required.
Visitors parking lower down will have a longer uphill walk before reaching the main ramp.
During the summer, bring water and be prepared for direct sun. Even though the visit itself is relatively short, Sedona’s heat can make an uphill paved walk feel much harder in the middle of the afternoon. I like carrying a refillable Brita Water Bottle when I know I will be moving between outdoor attractions throughout the day.
For more details about the temperatures, shoes, layers, and clothes that worked during our summer trip, read my What to Wear in Sedona in June.
Definitely bring your camera.
The views from the chapel were even better than I expected and ended up being my favorite part of the visit. You can photograph the surrounding red rocks from several viewing areas outside, while the large windows inside create a completely different perspective.
The chapel itself is also impressive from below, so look for a safe place to photograph the building before or after driving up the hill. My Best Photo Spots in Sedona includes more places to photograph the red rocks during the same trip.
An iPhone Tripod can also be helpful if you want photos together instead of taking turns standing behind the camera.
Because this is still an active religious space, be respectful when taking photos inside. Avoid blocking the aisle, photographing people who are praying, or creating unnecessary noise.
I stopped by the gift shop before leaving.
It offers a nice mix of souvenirs, locally made items, and religious gifts. It is not large, but it is worth a quick stop if you are looking for a keepsake from the chapel or a gift that feels more meaningful than a standard Sedona souvenir.
The gift shop closes earlier than the chapel, so visit it before 4:30 PM if you want time to browse.
Most visitors should plan to spend approximately 30 to 45 minutes at the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
We spent about 30 minutes there, which gave us enough time to walk through the chapel, enjoy the views, take photos, and visit the gift shop.
You may want closer to an hour if you plan to sit quietly inside, light a candle, spend more time taking photos, or if you need to park farther down the hill.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was a great quick stop in Sedona.
I expected the architecture to be impressive, but I was surprised by just how incredible the views were.
Even if you are not religious, the scenery, history, and peaceful interior make it a unique stop. It is free, does not require a huge time commitment, and is especially easy to add to a day of sightseeing around Sedona.
I would visit again, especially with someone seeing Sedona for the first time.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
Sedona is easiest to explore with your own vehicle. Compare rental car prices through Discover Cars, especially if you are flying into Phoenix and driving to Sedona.
Search for flights into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport through Skyscanner.
Compare Sedona hotels through Booking.com. Airport Mesa, West Sedona, and Uptown Sedona are all convenient bases, depending on which attractions and restaurants you plan to visit.
Browse Sedona sightseeing tours and guided experiences through Viator. This can be helpful if you want to combine the Chapel of the Holy Cross with other major attractions without handling the driving and parking yourself.
Use my 3-Day Sedona Itinerary for First-Time Visitors to plan a longer weekend that includes the chapel, hiking, scenic overlooks, and restaurants.
My 5 Days in Sedona: The Ultimate First-Time Itinerary gives you enough time to explore Sedona and take day trips into the surrounding Verde Valley.
Read Best Easy Hikes in Sedona for Beginners if you want to pair the chapel with a manageable red-rock hike.
Use my Best Sunset Spots in Sedona to decide where to go later that evening after visiting the chapel.
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
