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.
Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
