The Power Vortexes of Sedona
With its otherworldly scenery and spectacular beauty, it's not hard to see why
Sedona is believed to have mystical powers. Photo by Willie Stark.
In the 1950s, New Age adherent Page Bryant determined through channeling that there were four power vortexes (more correctly spelled vortices) in and around Sedona, Arizona. Sedona's vortexes have since become so well-known that the visitor centers have several handouts to explain them and a map to guide you to them.
Fortunately, many of the most spectacular geological features of the Sedona landscape are also vortexes, so visitors can experience both at once. The four main vortexes incorporate Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.
Just south of Sedona, on the east side of Ariz. 179, is the aptly named Bell Rock. There's a parking area at the foot of this formation, and trails lead up to the top. Bell Rock is said to contain masculine or electric energy that boosts emotional, spiritual, and physical energy.
If you head west out of Sedona on Ariz. 89A and turn left onto Airport Road, you'll drive up onto Airport Mesa, which commands an unobstructed panorama of Sedona and the red rocks. About halfway up the mesa is a small parking area from which trails radiate. The views from here are among the best in the region, and the trails are very easy. Like Bell Rock, Airport Mesa is said to contain masculine power that boosts spiritual and physical energy.
Boynton Canyon, located 8 miles west of the "Y," is a narrow red-rock canyon and is one of the most beautiful spots in the Sedona area. The Boynton Canyon vortex is considered an electromagnetic energy site, which means it has a balance of both masculine and feminine energy.
Boynton Canyon is also the site of the deluxe Enchantment resort, but hundreds of years before there were luxury casita suites here, there were Sinagua cliff dwellings. Several of these cliff dwellings can still be spotted high on the canyon walls. Boynton Canyon Trail leads 3 miles up into this canyon from a trail head parking area just outside the gates of Enchantment.
Cathedral Rock, the most photographed formation in Sedona, is said to contain feminine or magnetic energy, good for facilitating relaxation. The most popular photo of the rock, for good reason, is of Oak Creek with Cathedral Rock in the background. This gorgeous view can be had by driving south of Ariz. 89A and a bit west of the turnoff for Boynton Canyon to Upper Red Rock Loop Road, which leads to Crescent Moon Recreation Area, which has become a must-see for visitors to Sedona.
Hiking trails lead up to Cathedral Rock from Crescent Moon. Admission is $7 per vehicle May through October and $5 November through April (unless you have previously purchased a Red Rock Grand Pass).
- Sedona Vortex Map (PDF)
- Reviews of Bell Rock – TripAdvisor
- Reviews of Boynton Canyon - TripAdvisor
- Sedona exerts a strong pull on seekers of many sorts – Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2002
- Vortex Experience in Sedona - Sedona New Age Center
- Boynton Canyon Trail – OneDayHikes.com
