Everything Sedona (20+ Mile) – Sedona Helicopter Tour

See Sedona from the sky. This 10 to 12 minute helicopter ride gives you a fast, close look at the red-rock country, from Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock to Oak Creek Canyon. I like the small group size and the all-forward-facing seating, which make the flight feel more personal than a crowded sightseeing outing.

I also like the noise-reducing headset, clear pilot commentary, and the chance to see many famous sights in one short trip. The main drawback is the brief flight time: once you settle in, the landing seems to arrive quickly. Rear passengers may also need to work around the pilot and front-seat passengers for the best forward views.

• Eye-level views of Cathedral Rock: The helicopter flies close enough to give this famous formation a powerful, unusual angle.
• A compact five-passenger experience: The aircraft carries a pilot and a small number of passengers, with a maximum of six people total.
• More than a dozen Sedona landmarks: You see Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Broken Arrow, Oak Creek Canyon, Boynton Canyon, and much more.
• All seats face forward: This helps with sightseeing and photography, though the front row offers the clearest view.
• Pilot commentary throughout: Pilots such as Steve, Josh, Jeff, Geoff, and Connor have been praised for smooth flying, local details, and friendly service.
• Good value for a short overview: At $185.65 per person, it costs more than a ground tour, but covers in minutes what could take days to see by road and trail.

A Fast Introduction to Sedona’s Red Rocks

A helicopter is a fine way to get your bearings in Sedona. From the airport, the town’s famous formations spread out in every direction, and the short flight links places that feel far apart when you are driving through the area.

This tour begins and ends at Apex Air Tours, 1225 Airport Road, beside the Sedona airport. You look out over the airport overlook during takeoff and landing, then head toward the broad collection of red formations that give Sedona its fame.

The flight lasts about 10 to 12 minutes. That is enough time for a brisk circuit of major sights, but not enough for long hovering at each one. I would treat it as a visual sampler, not a slow aerial study. If you want extended canyon time or a more remote route, the provider offers longer outings, according to the response given to one passenger.

The aircraft is air-conditioned, and each passenger receives a noise-reducing headset with a microphone. That matters. Helicopters are loud, so the headset lets you hear the pilot and any commentary without trying to shout over the engine.

Takeoff at 1225 Airport Road

The tour starts at the airport, where you check in before boarding. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity returns to this same meeting point after the flight.

Takeoff gives you your first broad view of Sedona. The airport sits above the town, so the opening and closing moments offer a useful look across the red-rock formations. The approach to landing can also be a good chance to spot places you may have visited on foot or plan to see later.

The small aircraft setup is part of the appeal. The maximum is six people, including the pilot, and the experience is generally described as five passengers onboard. That keeps the outing more intimate than a large air tour. It also means seating matters more, since every person occupies a meaningful portion of the cabin view.

The stated passenger weight limit is 269 pounds per person. If that applies to you, check the operator’s requirements before arriving. You should not fly if you are sick, and the activity depends on suitable weather.

Cathedral Rock, Red Rock State Park, and the Chapel

One of the first major sights is Red Rock State Park. From above, the park helps you see how the trails, open ground, and red formations fit together. On the ground, Sedona’s scenery can feel like a series of separate viewpoints. From the helicopter, the wider pattern becomes clear.

The flight then passes eye-level with the top of Cathedral Rock. This is one of the strongest moments of the route. Hiking up toward Cathedral Rock gives you a close look from below and within the formation, while the helicopter provides a side-on view of its upper towers and rock walls.

You also see the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The chapel is built into the red rocks, and its simple shape is easy to pick out from the air. The aerial angle helps explain how tightly it fits into the surrounding stone.

Bell Rock follows. Its rounded profile is one of Sedona’s most recognizable sights, and the helicopter gives you a cleaner view of its full outline than you often get from roads or busy trailheads. If you plan to visit Bell Rock later, this first look can help you understand its shape and position.

Broken Arrow, Courthouse Butte, and Sedona’s Smaller Rock Shapes

The route continues over the Broken Arrow Trail, with views of Praying Hands, Chicken Point, and Submarine Rock. This section is especially useful if you are trying to connect Sedona’s famous names with the actual formations. From the ground, a rock can appear to be just one wall or ridge. From the air, its shape and setting make more sense.

Courthouse Butte is another major formation along the route. The helicopter’s changing angle lets you see how its broad mass differs from the narrower spires around it.

The flight also passes Snoopy Rock, the Tea Kettle, Eagle Rock, and the Cowpies. These names can sound playful, but they are practical landmarks for understanding the area. The shapes become easier to recognize from above, where you can see the full outline rather than one cropped view from a road.

I would not expect detailed time at every formation. The tour covers many sights in a short period, so the pilot points them out as the helicopter moves along. Keep your eyes outside and listen closely through the headset. You may not get a second chance at a particular rock.

Oak Creek Canyon from Midgely Bridge to Grasshopper Point

Midgely Bridge is viewed from the air as the route moves toward Oak Creek Canyon. The bridge is a useful reference point because it connects the town area with the canyon road. Seen from above, it gives you a sense of how the road threads through the rock.

You then see Steamboat Rock, Ship Rock, and Oak Creek Canyon itself. The canyon section adds variety to the flight. Sedona is famous for red-rock buttes, yet the canyon brings taller walls, winding routes, and a more enclosed feeling.

Grasshopper Point appears along the way, followed by the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. This is a good place to notice how the open Sedona area narrows into the canyon corridor.

The route also includes Ship Rock, the Fin, and a canyon filled with rock pillars and seasonal waterfalls. The waterfalls depend on the time of year and recent weather, so do not book this flight expecting every waterfall to be running. Even without water, the pillars and canyon walls provide some of the most textured scenery on the trip.

Coffee Pot Rock, Soldiers Pass, and Natural Bridge

Coffee Pot Rock is one of the easiest formations to recognize from the air. Its outline resembles the object that gave it its name, and the helicopter offers a clean view of the shape.

The route also passes Soldiers Pass, the Mitten, and Sphinx Rock. These formations sit among a busy network of trails and viewpoints, making them hard to connect during a short road visit. From above, you can see the relationship between them and the surrounding rock.

A natural bridge is another highlight. It is one of the area’s most popular hikes, but the helicopter gives you a quick view without the time and physical effort required to reach it on foot. That does not replace the hike. It does give you a useful preview and lets you appreciate the scale of the formation from an angle hikers cannot easily get.

This part of the route is a good reminder of the tour’s purpose. You are not stopping at each sight. You are collecting a broad visual map of Sedona, with the pilot helping you name what passes below.

Seven Canyons, Mescal Mesa, and Boynton Canyon

The flight continues past the Seven Canyons golf course and Mescal Mesa. These locations add a sense of scale to the trip, showing how developed areas sit beside open red-rock country.

You also fly with views into Boynton Canyon. Boynton is one of Sedona’s best-known canyon areas, and the aerial view lets you look into its long shape rather than seeing only the entrance or trail corridor.

Doe Mountain comes next. Its broad, level top looks different from the pointed formations elsewhere on the route. Seeing several types of rock structure in one flight is part of the value here: towers, buttes, mesas, canyon walls, bridges, and rounded formations all appear within minutes.

The flight then passes Chimney Rock, which changes into the Three Fingers as your angle shifts. This is a smart part of the route because it shows how much perspective controls what you see. A formation is not always one fixed shape. Turn around it, and the familiar outline can become something else entirely.

The Return Over Schuerman Mountain

On the way back, the helicopter passes over Schuerman Mountain. This final section provides another broad view before the aircraft returns to the airport.

The return can be a good time to compare what you have seen with the map in your head. Sedona’s major formations are spread across a large area, and the flight compresses them into one connected experience. That is useful if you have only one day in town or want to decide which places deserve a later hike or drive.

Several people have praised the pilots for smooth takeoffs, gentle turns, and easy landings. That matters if you are nervous about flying. Steve has been singled out for a calm, informative ride, while Josh has been praised for his friendly style and local commentary. Jeff and Geoff have also received strong praise for making passengers comfortable and explaining the area.

One pilot even played music during the flight. That is not a guaranteed part of every trip, but it gives you a sense of the relaxed tone some passengers have experienced.

Seating, Headsets, and the Best View

All seats face forward, which is a useful feature in a small helicopter. You are not forced to sit sideways and crane your neck for the entire flight.

Still, the seating is not equal. The front row includes the pilot and two passenger seats. Four seats sit behind them in the larger configuration described by one passenger. People in back may have to look between the front occupants to see the view ahead, especially when the pilot points out a formation.

If the front view matters to you, ask about front seating when you book. One passenger specifically said paying more for the front seats was worthwhile, while another felt the rear seats required too much neck stretching. The price and availability of preferred seating can vary, so confirm the details rather than assuming.

The headset helps with both comfort and communication. It reduces engine noise and lets you follow the pilot’s narration. Since the flight moves quickly, clear commentary is not a small perk. It helps you identify formations before they slip behind you.

Is $185.65 a Fair Price?

At $185.65 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. You are paying for aircraft operation, a pilot, a small cabin, and a concentrated aerial tour that lasts only 10 to 12 minutes.

The value depends on your schedule and priorities. If you have several days in Sedona and enjoy hiking, you can see many places from the ground at a lower cost. But reaching all the formations on this route could take several drives, trail walks, and viewpoint stops. If you have one day, limited mobility, or simply want a quick overview, the helicopter can save a great deal of time.

I would also consider it for a special occasion. Couples have used it as a memorable shared experience, and one family booked it as a surprise for a first helicopter flight. The small group and friendly pilot interaction make it feel more personal than a basic transport flight.

The main value comes from perspective, not duration. You are paying to see Cathedral Rock at eye level, look into Oak Creek Canyon, and connect far-flung formations in one sweep. If that aerial angle is the reason you came to Sedona, the price can make sense. If you want a long, slow flight, you may find the ride too short.

Who Should Book This Sedona Helicopter Tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to cover a lot of Sedona quickly, enjoy aerial photography, or find the area’s rock formations confusing from the road. It is also a strong choice for couples, families, and anyone marking a special trip.

It may suit nervous flyers better than expected. The pilots have been praised for smooth handling and reassuring conversation, and the headset makes the ride easier to follow. Still, you should not fly if you are sick, and you should be comfortable with the limits of a small helicopter cabin.

Hikers can use the flight as a preview of places such as Broken Arrow, Boynton Canyon, Soldiers Pass, and the natural bridge. You will not experience those trails from the ground, but you can see which formations catch your eye before choosing where to spend your time.

Book at least several days ahead if possible. The tour is often reserved about 10 days in advance. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather can cancel the flight, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a fast, friendly, small-group look at nearly every major Sedona formation and you accept that 10 to 12 minutes passes quickly. The best reasons to go are the eye-level Cathedral Rock view, the broad route through Oak Creek Canyon, and the smooth pilot commentary.

Think twice if you dislike paying for short activities or if you need an uninterrupted forward view from the back row. Ask about front seating, arrive ready to listen through the headset, and keep your camera available from takeoff to landing. For a first look at Sedona from above, Apex Air Tours offers a compact experience with a strong payoff.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

The tour starts at Apex Air Tours, 1225 Airport Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336.

Where does the experience end?

The flight ends back at the same meeting point at 1225 Airport Road.

How long is the flight?

The experience lasts approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of six people, including the pilot. The tour is generally described as carrying five passengers onboard.

Are the seats forward-facing?

Yes. All passenger seats face forward, although front-row passengers have the clearest view ahead.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a noise-reducing headset with microphone, an air-conditioned vehicle, and forward-facing seating.

What landmarks can I see?

The route includes Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Broken Arrow, Courthouse Butte, Oak Creek Canyon, Coffee Pot Rock, Boynton Canyon, Doe Mountain, and many other Sedona formations.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded or accepted.