How To Get To Airport Mesa Vortex In Sedona AZ
Are you wondering how to get to the Airport Mesa vortex in Sedona? If so, you’re in the right place.
Airport Mesa is the most easily accessible of Sedona’s 7 energy vortexes. It’s located on Airport Mesa (the hill where Sedona’s small airport’s located).
There’s a small parking lot right by the vortex with only 10 spaces. You may be able to get a spot here if you wait for a few minutes, but if you visit during sunset, it’ll likely be too crowded.
This article will cover how to get to Airport Mesa Vortex by hiking there via the Sedona View Trail. For your convenience, I’ve included a Airport Mesa Vortex Map , pinning where to park, hike, and the exact location of the vortex.
Here’s everything you need to know before visiting the Airport Mesa vortex.
How To Get To Airport Mesa Vortex
The easiest way to get to the Airport Mesa vortex is to park at the small, free parking lot right by the vortex. From there, it’s just a short walk up the hill to the vortex.
Given this parking lot only has 10 spaces, it’ll most likely be full, but you can try waiting around for a few minutes till someone leaves.
If you can’t find a spot, you can continue driving up the hill, and park by the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout. This is a large dirt parking lot with plenty of space that costs $3/day (you’ll pay as you enter). Unfortunately no Red Rock passes are accepted at this parking lot.
From there, you can hike the Sedona View Trail (1.4 miles round trip) to get to the vortex. This trailhead begins from the dirt parking lot (to the left of the porta potties), down the hill to the vortex.
You’ll pass through a wired fence as you start the trail, and the rest of the hike runs parallel to the road that goes up the hill. The trail is rocky and you’ll have a beautiful view of West Sedona throughout.
Once you get all the way down the hill (by the main parking lot), there’s a nice lookout (Sedona Trail Viewpoint) enclosed by a short brick wall, with placards.
The vortex is thought to be located on the small hill to the left of this lookout.
To get there, you’ll continue hiking onto the Summit Trail, which has a small set of stairs you’ll climb up to reach the vortex.
Once you get to the top, you’re at the vortex, and you’ll have an amazing panoramic view of the red rock mountains.
This is considered an “upflow” or masculine vortex, which is a site thought to have increased levels of energy projecting out of the earth. You may see people meditating here, or doing yoga if you visit in the morning!
Here’s a summary of the 2 easy ways you can get to the Airport Mesa vortex.
- Park by Airport Mesa vortex: Climb up “Summit Trail” to the top of the small mound where the vortex is thought to be. Parking is very limited (only 10 spaces), especially during sunset.
- Park at Airport Mesa Scenic Lookout ($3/day): Hike Sedona View Trail (1.4 miles round trip) to the bottom of the hill, then climb “Summit Trail” to the top of the mound where the vortex is.
What Is A Sedona Vortex?
A Sedona energy vortex is a site thought to have increased levels of energy entering or exiting the earth.
I learned about Sedona’s vortexes a few years ago by going on an energy vortex tour.
Sites with energy projecting out of the earth are considered “upflow” or masculine vortexes, whereas sites with energy entering the earth are considered “downflow” or feminine vortexes.
Sedona’s thought to have 7 vortex sites, with the most popular being at Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.
Although there’s no science to back these vortexes up, they’re located at some of the most spectacular vistas in Sedona, so they’re definitely worth visiting.
Check out our article on how to visit all 7 of Sedona’s energy vortexes for more details on each, and their interesting history.
Best Time To Visit Airport Mesa Vortex
If you want to avoid crowds, the best time to visit Airport Mesa is in the morning, as it’s the most popular sunset viewing spot in Sedona.
You’ll have a much better chance of finding parking right by the vortex if you visit in the morning, or at least two hours before sunset in the evening.
However, it’s a very beautiful hike during sunset, so anytime is a good time to visit!
Airport Mesa Vortex Map
Prefer watching? Check out our video guide below!
Airport Mesa Vortex FAQS
Where is Airport Mesa’s vortex located?
Airport Mesa’s vortex is located just down the road from the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout.
Some people think the vortex is in the general area (by the Sedona Trail Viewpoint), while others think the vortex is at the top of the small mound that you can reach via Summit Trail.
You can see where the Sedona Trail Viewpoint and Summit Trail are located by referencing this map.
Is the Airport Mesa hike dog-friendly?
Yes, Airport Mesa is dog-friendly as long as they’re kept on a leash. The first part of the trail (from the dirt parking lot down the hill) is very rocky, and there’s a small set of stairs at the end of the trail (Summit Trail) leading up to the vortex.
What are the best Sedona vortex hikes?
Airport Mesa is one of the best Sedona vortex hikes because it’s very short and accessible. Other great vortex hikes are Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon Vista.
If you’re looking for another easily accessible vortex, Boynton Canyon is the next best option. It’s a short (~1 mile round trip) hike to a vortex site located at the base of the “Kachina Woman Rock”, that’s considered a balanced energy vortex.
The hike to get to this vortex is actually shorter than the Airport Mesa hike, and you’ll have beautiful views of the Ponderosa Pines and surrounding mountains. Plus, it’s much less crowded than Airport Mesa.
To get there, you’ll park at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead ($5/day or covered with Red Rock Pass). You’ll begin hiking the Boynton Canyon Trail for around a half mile until you see a trail marker for “Boynton Canyon Vista” on the right.
Then, you’ll turn right, and hike the Vista trail until you reach the “end of trail” sign, which is where the vortex is said to be. There’s a small set of steps right as you approach the vortex.
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