Secret Wilderness (45+ Mile) – Sedona Helicopter Tour

Sedona looks different from above. This 30 to 32-minute Apex Air Tours flight covers about 45 miles of red-rock country, from Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock to Secret Canyon and Oak Creek Canyon. I especially like the all-forward-facing seats and the small aircraft setup, which help you see more without craning around a stranger.

I also like that the pilot provides live commentary instead of relying on a recording. Pilots such as Joshua and Steve have earned praise for clear safety briefings, local insight, and calm handling. The main drawback is the price: at $438.30 per person, this is a special-occasion splurge, not a casual sightseeing add-on.

Key points to know before you fly

• Secret Canyon is the tour’s farthest reach: You get an aerial look at remote wilderness that would otherwise require a long hike.
• Cathedral Rock is seen at eye level: The aircraft offers a view of the rock’s upper edge that ground visitors simply cannot get.
• The route covers 45-plus miles: You see famous formations, canyons, trails, bridges, and ancient cliff dwellings in one flight.
• The cabin is set up for viewing: Noise-reducing headsets, microphones, and forward-facing seats make the commentary and scenery easier to follow.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or full refund, so keep some flexibility in your plans.
• The price buys range, not just height: You are paying to connect many separate Sedona sights in half an hour.

What this Sedona helicopter tour actually gives you

This is not a quick loop around one rock formation. The route begins and ends at Sedona Airport, then sweeps across a broad section of the area, including Red Rock State Park, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Broken Arrow, Oak Creek Canyon, and the Secret Wilderness.

That range is the strongest reason to consider it. On foot, these sights are spread across separate trail systems and roads. From the air, you can compare the shapes and colors of the formations in one continuous view.

The flight lasts about 30 to 32 minutes. That is long enough to cover plenty of ground, though it is still a fast experience. You will not linger over every stop. Think of the named locations as viewpoints along a moving route, not landings or extended visits.

The aircraft holds a small group. The experience is described as capped at five, while the additional tour information lists a maximum of six travelers. If the exact number matters to you, confirm it with Apex Air Tours before booking. In either case, this is a more intimate setup than a large sightseeing vehicle.

At the airport, you take off and land with views over Sedona’s surrounding red rock. The headset reduces rotor noise and lets you hear the pilot’s commentary. All seats face forward, which is useful because you can look ahead through the windshield rather than spending the flight turning sideways.

Taking off above Thunder Mountain and Coffee Pot Rock

The opening view gives you a quick orientation to Sedona. From the airport, you can see Thunder Mountain, Coffee Pot Rock, Ship Rock, The Mitten, and The Sphinx.

These formations help you understand the local vocabulary. Sedona’s rock shapes often have names based on familiar objects, and from the air those outlines become easier to recognize. Coffee Pot Rock, for example, looks more convincing when you see its full profile instead of just one side from a road or trail.

The takeoff and return views are also useful for anyone new to Sedona. You get a broad look at how the red rock formations sit around the town. I would pay close attention during the final approach, when the full sweep of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Schnebly Hill, Ship Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, and Thunder Mountain can come into view.

Red Rock State Park and Cathedral Rock from the air

The aircraft passes Red Rock State Park, with views of Oak Creek, Schuerman Mountain, and Pyramid Rock. From the ground, you experience these places one trail or road at a time. From the air, you can see how the creek and rock formations relate to one another.

Cathedral Rock is one of the flight’s main highlights. The route takes you to about the same height as the top of the formation, creating a view unavailable from the usual trails. As the helicopter rounds Cathedral Rock, you can also see the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Praying Hands.

The Chapel is easy to recognize from above, but the aerial angle changes its setting. Instead of seeing it only as a building reached by road, you see how it sits among the surrounding red rock. The Praying Hands adds another distinctive shape to the view.

If you are afraid of heights, the flight may still feel manageable, based on the calm experience described by one passenger who normally dislikes heights. Still, a helicopter is an open-feeling aerial experience, and you should not book it if heights or aircraft travel cause serious distress.

Bell Rock, Broken Arrow, and Courthouse Butte

Bell Rock is one of the most popular hiking spots around Sedona. From the helicopter, you see its rounded profile and the trails that approach it from below. This is a good part of the route for comparing the size of the formation with the people and paths on the ground.

Next comes Broken Arrow Trail, with views of the Praying Hands, Chicken Point, and Submarine Rock. Hikers know this area for its red-rock scenery and exposed viewpoints. From above, the shapes connect into a larger pattern that is difficult to grasp from one trail.

Courthouse Butte rises more than 1,000 feet and attracts rock climbers and base jumpers. The flight does not turn this into an active sports show, but the height and steep sides are easy to appreciate from the aircraft. You also pass Snoopy Rock, the Tea Kettle, Eagle Rock, and the Cowpies, all named for their recognizable forms.

This section has a lot of names in a short span. The headset matters here because a good pilot can point out each formation before it slips behind you. Joshua and Steve were singled out for friendly, clear guiding, while another passenger praised Josh for careful safety instructions and humor. Those personal details can make a quick-moving route far easier to follow.

Oak Creek Canyon and the northern red rocks

The route continues past Grasshopper Point, a popular swimming spot, then over Midgely Bridge. The bridge is a graceful arch and an important landmark near Oak Creek Canyon.

Wilson Mountain follows. It is considered one of the area’s hardest hikes, and from the air you can see Steamboat Rock, Ship Rock, and Oak Creek Canyon nearby. You do not have to hike Wilson Mountain to understand why its position gives such a large view.

The aircraft then reaches the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. Oak Creek is spring-fed and runs year-round, which helps explain why the canyon has long been such an important natural feature in the area.

From above, you can also see Ship Rock, the Fin, rock pillars, and seasonal waterfalls. Waterfalls depend on conditions, so do not treat them as guaranteed. The same applies to wildlife. One flight included a view of elk on a ridge, but that is a lucky possibility, not a promised part of the route.

Bell Rock and Devil’s Bridge from one flight

The tour also passes Thunder Mountain Trailhead, where you can see Coffee Pot Rock, Soldiers Pass, The Mitten, and Sphinx Rock. Then it moves toward Devil’s Bridge Trail.

Devil’s Bridge is one of Sedona’s best-known hikes, and its natural stone arch is easier to understand from the air. You see the bridge as a complete formation rather than only the section reached at the end of the trail.

Seven Canyons golf course appears along the way. It is not a major reason to book the flight, but it gives you another reference point before the aircraft heads toward the more remote part of the route.

The value here comes from variety. In only a few minutes, you move from a popular trail and a golf course to larger, less accessible canyon country. If you have already hiked Bell Rock or Devil’s Bridge, this flight gives you a different way to understand places you may recognize from the ground.

Secret Canyon and the remote wilderness section

The most distinctive part of the tour comes as the aircraft flies through Secret Canyon and past Secret Mountain. This area is reachable only through extensive hiking, so the helicopter offers access without asking you to spend a full day on a demanding trail.

The route also passes over Bear Sign Canyon, described as one of the best panoramic sections of the trip. You see the wilderness from the comfort of the cabin, with no long approach walk and no need to choose between several distant trailheads.

This is where the price makes the most sense for some people. You are not simply paying for a high view of a familiar rock. You are reaching a broad, quiet section of country that many visitors cannot fit into a normal Sedona itinerary.

The tradeoff is that the view is brief. You will not land in Secret Canyon, walk among the formations, or study the area at ground level. The helicopter lets you see more, but a hike lets you feel the scale and silence more directly. If you want both, use this flight as an overview rather than a replacement for every walking experience.

Boynton Canyon, Long Canyon, and Sinagua dwellings

The route continues to Boynton Canyon, one of the most scenic canyons near Sedona. From the air, you can see Sinagua cliff dwellings tucked into the rock. These ancient structures are an important reason to pay attention during the pilot’s narration.

The aircraft then passes Long Canyon, where more cliff dwellings appear. These sites can be difficult or impossible to spot from roads and ordinary viewpoints. The helicopter’s height gives you a chance to understand where the dwellings were placed within the canyon walls.

Your pilot’s commentary is especially useful here. One of the strongest aspects of the experience is the personal guiding. A pre-recorded narration can name a formation, but a live pilot can respond to what you are seeing and point out details that might otherwise pass unnoticed.

As the flight continues, it passes Mescal Mesa and the Birthing Cave. The cave has become a popular hike, while the mesa provides another broad red-rock viewpoint. Doe Mountain comes next, a hike often enjoyed in the afternoon because its position gives a wide view of Sedona’s formations.

The return over Chimney Rock and Schuerman Mountain

Near Lower Chimney Rock Trail, the shape of Chimney Rock changes into the Three Fingers as your viewing angle shifts. This is a small but useful lesson in how much perspective affects Sedona’s formations. A rock can have several names because it looks entirely different from another direction.

The return route passes Schuerman Mountain before heading back to the airport. At this point, you can see many of the major formations together: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Schnebly Hill, Ship Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, and Thunder Mountain.

I would treat the return as part of the main show, not as dead time. The pilot may have already named several formations, and the wider view can help you connect them. If you are taking photographs, this is also a good time to keep watching rather than focusing only on one close formation.

The flight ends where it began at 1225 Airport Road, Sedona. The activity does not include a separate ground transfer. You meet at the airport and return there after the flight.

Is $438.30 per person a fair price?

At $438.30 per person, this is expensive for a half-hour activity. It makes the most sense if you want a broad overview, have limited time in Sedona, or cannot manage several long hikes.

The price includes the aircraft ride, air conditioning, noise-reducing headset, microphone, and forward-facing seat. Those are practical features, not luxury extras. Clear audio matters because the pilot’s explanations are a major part of the experience, and forward-facing seats help you keep track of the route.

The value also depends on what you compare it with. A ground tour may cost less and give you more time at individual stops. Hiking costs less still, but it requires time, fitness, and access to trails. This flight offers reach and perspective. You see popular sites and remote canyons in roughly half an hour, but you do not stop to explore them.

I would consider it good value for a first visit built around scenery, especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. For a long Sedona stay with plenty of hiking time, you may prefer to spend the money on several ground experiences instead.

Practical details, weather, and who should book

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book. Most people can participate, but do not fly if you are sick.

The stated total weight limit is 400 pounds per passenger. Because the information also gives two different maximum group sizes, ask Apex Air Tours to confirm the aircraft capacity and seating arrangement if that affects your plans.

Weather can change the schedule. If poor weather cancels the flight, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

This tour suits you best if you:

• Want to see many Sedona formations in one short flight
• Appreciate live commentary from a pilot
• Have limited time or cannot take long hikes
• Like aerial photography and broad views
• Want to see Secret Canyon, Bear Sign Canyon, and cliff dwellings from above

It may not suit you if you need a slow, quiet visit at each site, dislike helicopters, or want the least expensive way to see red rocks.

Should you book the Secret Wilderness helicopter tour?

I would book it for a special occasion, a first Sedona visit with limited time, or a clear-weather day when the distant canyon views should be at their best. The combination of Cathedral Rock at eye level, remote Secret Canyon, ancient cliff dwellings, and live pilot commentary gives the flight a purpose beyond simple sightseeing.

I would skip it if your budget is tight or if you would rather spend the day walking among the formations. At $438.30, the tour needs to be a priority, not an impulse purchase.

If you do book, keep your schedule flexible for weather and listen closely during the opening and return sections. The best part is not one single rock. It is seeing how Sedona’s famous formations, canyons, trails, and hidden cliff sites fit together from above.

FAQ

How long is the Secret Wilderness helicopter tour?

The flight lasts approximately 30 to 32 minutes.

How far does the helicopter fly?

The route covers about 45 miles over Sedona and its surrounding wilderness.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at 1225 Airport Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336. The flight ends back at the same location.

What sights can I see from the helicopter?

The route includes Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Broken Arrow Trail, Courthouse Butte, Devil’s Bridge, Oak Creek Canyon, Secret Canyon, Boynton Canyon, Long Canyon, Doe Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and many other formations.

Are headsets and forward-facing seats included?

Yes. The tour includes a noise-reducing headset with a microphone, and all seats face forward.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel my booking?

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