Secret Wilderness Sedona Helicopter Sunset Tour

Sedona’s red rocks look grand from the ground, but from a helicopter you see how the whole region fits together. In about 35 minutes, this flight sweeps past Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and a long list of canyons, mesas, trails, and ridges. The sunset timing adds changing color to the stone, while the aircraft gives you views that hikers cannot get from one trail.

I like the small six-person maximum and the six forward-facing seats, since you are not packed into a large sightseeing aircraft. I also like the practical touches: air conditioning and noise-reducing headsets with microphones, which help you hear the pilot over the rotor noise. The main drawback is the price, $601 per person, for a flight that lasts only about 35 minutes. Weather can also force a change of plans.

Key points at a glance

• A compact aerial tour: The flight lasts about 35 minutes and returns to Sedona Airport.
• Major Sedona sights from above: You may see Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Boynton Canyon, and more.
• Up to six people: The aircraft has six forward-facing seats, creating a more personal setup than a large sightseeing flight.
• Clear pilot communication: Noise-reducing headsets with microphones are included, and pilots such as Josh and Steve have provided narration and a smooth flight experience.
• A sunset-focused outing: The changing light can bring out the red and orange tones in Sedona’s rock formations.
• A premium splurge: At $601 per person, this suits a special occasion or a visitor who wants broad aerial views without a long hike.

Why Sedona looks different from a helicopter

From street level, Sedona can feel like a series of separate sights. Cathedral Rock is one view, Bell Rock another, and Devil’s Bridge a hike reached by its own trailhead. From the air, you begin to see the connections between them: broad red-rock formations, narrow canyons, flat-topped mesas, homes tucked among trees, and trails threading through the stone.

That wider view is the real reason to book this experience. You are not simply flying over one famous butte for a quick photograph. The route takes in many of the area’s best-known formations and outdoor areas during a short flight. One passenger described having a bird’s-eye view of Devil’s Bridge and seeing homes set within the forest. That is the sort of perspective this tour provides.

The sunset setting should help the scenery. Sedona’s sandstone is already bold in daylight, but lower light can create stronger shadows along the cliffs and make the rock faces shift from bright orange to deeper red and purple. The exact light depends on the date and weather, so I would treat sunset as a helpful bonus rather than a promise of perfect color.

The flight begins at Sedona Airport

You meet at 1225 Airport Road, Sedona, and the tour ends back at the same point. That simple arrangement matters because you do not need to coordinate a one-way transfer or arrange a pickup from a distant trailhead.

Apex Air Tours limits this experience to six people. The helicopter has six forward-facing seats, which gives you a better chance of facing the scenery rather than looking across rows of passengers. Seating details can vary by aircraft and group, so I would not book based on a guaranteed individual window seat. Still, the small capacity is a clear advantage for people who want a quieter, less crowded flight.

The included headset is not a minor detail. Helicopter cabins are loud, and the noise-reducing headset lets you hear the pilot’s narration while also speaking through the microphone. Josh has been praised for explaining what the aircraft was passing, while Steve was noted for providing a smooth flight and making passengers feel secure. Connor and Tali have handled check-in and the walk to and from the aircraft.

Those names are useful because they show that the experience includes more than a scenic ride. Staff help with the practical steps of getting to the aircraft, boarding, and returning safely to the terminal area. Your actual pilot and ground team may differ on the day.

Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock from above

Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s signature sandstone buttes and one of the first formations many visitors want to photograph. On foot, you usually frame it from a road, overlook, or trail. From a helicopter, you get a changing view of its tall stone shapes and the surrounding red-rock country.

Bell Rock offers a different profile. Located near the Village of Oak Creek, south of Sedona, it rises as a broad, recognizable butte. The flight can show you how its form changes as the aircraft moves around it, something a single roadside viewpoint cannot do.

The itinerary also refers to the trail circling west and north below Bell Rock. From the air, that detail helps you understand the relationship between the hiking route and the butte. You will not be walking this trail during the helicopter tour, but seeing the paths below gives a useful sense of scale. Hikers who have spent time on the ground may find that especially satisfying.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross and Sedona’s built sights

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is built directly into the red-rock buttes. Completed between 1954 and 1956, it was commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude and designed by August K. Strotz, with Richard Hein serving as project architect.

From the air, the chapel is interesting because it joins human design with the rock around it. You see a distinctly modern structure set into a natural formation rather than a church placed on a flat city lot. The aerial angle also helps explain why the chapel is such a popular Sedona sight.

The flight may also show homes tucked among the trees and rock formations. That view gives you a more complete picture of Sedona, where residential areas sit close to hiking routes and dramatic natural features. It is a reminder that the area is not one uninterrupted park. Private homes, public trails, resorts, roads, and protected land all share the same red-rock setting.

Devil’s Bridge, Seven Canyons, and the hiking country

Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. On foot, reaching it requires a hike, and the arch is often appreciated from below or from its approach. From the helicopter, you can see the arch in relation to the surrounding ridges and drainage areas, which makes its size and position easier to grasp.

The tour also passes over or near areas connected with Seven Canyons, Soldier Pass, and Brins Mesa. Soldier Pass is known for features such as Devil’s Kitchen, a natural sinkhole, and the Seven Sacred Pools. It is also an area where jeep and off-road vehicle traffic can be present near the hiking route. An aerial view lets you see the shape of the terrain without dealing with trail traffic or a challenging walk.

Brins Mesa is known for broad red-rock views and access to several hiking areas. From above, its open mesa form contrasts with the tighter walls of the canyons. That change in terrain is one of the tour’s strengths. The flight does not show only one type of rock formation. It moves across arches, buttes, mesas, canyon walls, and open stretches of desert.

The itinerary includes a two-mile out-and-back route described as highly challenging, along with a three-mile loop rated moderately challenging. Those descriptions are important mainly as context. You are seeing areas tied to serious hiking routes without having to attempt them during this short flight. If you have limited mobility or only one day in Sedona, the helicopter provides a way to appreciate scenery that might otherwise require several hours on foot.

Doe Mountain, Cockscomb, and the canyon views

Doe Mountain is a flat-topped mesa near Boynton Pass. Its moderate hike leads to broad views of the red rocks and the Verde Valley. From the air, the mesa’s level top and steep sides are easier to understand than they are from the trailhead.

Cockscomb Butte, a prominent summit at the southern end of Sedona, gives the route another distinct landmark. It is commonly known by that nickname because of its shape. Seeing it from above can be more useful than viewing it from a single road angle, since the aircraft changes your position as it passes.

Boynton Canyon is one of the area’s best-known box canyons. Its paved approach roads make it easy to reach from town, but the canyon itself still feels enclosed and dramatic. A helicopter flight shows the canyon’s opening and the way its walls extend into the surrounding country.

Long Canyon is also listed among the areas seen during the flight. The name can cause some confusion because there is a Long Canyon elsewhere in Arizona, but the experience is focused on the Sedona region. The useful point for you is that the route includes canyon country beyond the most photographed central formations.

The Birthing Cave is another landmark associated with a family-friendly trail. The route is generally flat, with a few rocky steps near the end, and the cave offers views of Sedona from inside its opening. From above, you may gain a sense of how the cave sits within the surrounding rock, though the helicopter tour does not include a stop or walk inside it.

What the 35-minute length means

Thirty-five minutes is short, but it is long enough for a concentrated look at many of Sedona’s major sights. You will not have time to linger over every formation or circle each one repeatedly. The aircraft keeps moving, and your view changes quickly.

That pace works well if you want a broad introduction before choosing hikes and viewpoints for the rest of your visit. It also suits a final-day outing, when your legs are tired but you still want to see more of the area. If you prefer a slow, quiet look at one formation, a ground-based overlook will give you more time.

The short duration also keeps the experience focused. You are not committing half a day to transportation and a long excursion. At the same time, the high price means you should think of this as a special purchase, not a casual add-on. At $601 per person, a couple or family can spend a substantial amount. The value is strongest for people who place a high priority on aerial photography, unique views, or a memorable sunset outing.

Comfort, safety, and practical limits

The helicopter is air conditioned, which is welcome in Sedona’s warmer months. The noise-reducing headsets include microphones, so you can hear the narration and communicate during the flight.

The stated total weight limit is 229 pounds per passenger. This is a firm practical detail to check before booking, especially if your party includes larger adults. The activity allows service animals, is near public transportation, and says most people can participate. These points do not guarantee that every passenger will find boarding easy, so contact the operator if you have a specific mobility concern.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the flight, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

Gratuity is not included. You should plan for that extra cost if the ground crew and pilot provide the level of help and narration you value.

Who will get the most from this flight

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see a wide stretch of Sedona in one compact outing. It is especially useful for a first visit, a special occasion, a sunset plan, or a trip where you cannot manage several long hikes.

It also suits repeat visitors. You may already know Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock from the ground, but the aerial angle changes your understanding of both. The flight can turn familiar trail names into a connected picture of the region.

You should think twice if your main goal is a long, quiet look at one landmark, or if $601 feels too high for 35 minutes. A scenic drive, public overlook, or hike will cost far less and give you more time in one place. The helicopter is about access and perspective, not the lowest-cost way to see red rocks.

Should you book the Secret Wilderness sunset flight?

Book it if you want the widest possible view of Sedona in a short time, prefer a small aircraft to a large group outing, and are willing to pay for a special experience. The combination of six forward-facing seats, headset narration, air conditioning, and a route that includes Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, the chapel, mesas, and canyons gives the flight real appeal.

I would skip it if you are budget-conscious or if you want to explore the trails themselves. Check the 229-pound passenger limit, keep your schedule flexible for weather, and remember that the $601 price does not include gratuity. For the right occasion, this is less a sightseeing transfer than a single, concentrated look at why Sedona’s red-rock country is so memorable.

FAQ

How long is the Secret Wilderness Sedona Helicopter Sunset Tour?

The flight lasts approximately 35 minutes.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at 1225 Airport Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the flight?

The tour has a maximum of six people, and the helicopter includes six forward-facing seats.

What sights can I see from the helicopter?

The route includes views of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Devil’s Bridge, Seven Canyons, Brins Mesa, Soldier Pass, Doe Mountain, Cockscomb Butte, Long Canyon, Boynton Canyon, and the Birthing Cave area.

Are headsets included?

Yes. Noise-reducing headsets with microphones are included.

Is the helicopter air conditioned?

Yes, the aircraft is air conditioned.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No. Gratuity is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.