Is the Sedona Vortex Real?

This is one family’s skeptical assessment of the five Sedona vortex locations: Bell Rock, Red Rock Crossing, Boyton Canyon, Airport Mesa, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Our quest was to answer the question: Is the Sedona energy vortex real?

According to Visit Sedona, “Sedona energy vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex.”

Sedona itself is a vortex, one of three in the world, the others of which are the Burmuda Triangle and the Pyramids in Egypt. This is some strange and significant company for Sedona to keep. Within the Sedona Vortex are five smaller areas where the energy is the strongest.

We read some articles about the Sedona vortex before we arrived.

The most frequently reported sensations when near a Sedona vortex location are:

1. A feeling of well-being or inspiration.

2. A feeling of loose teeth, or vibrating teeth (but not in an unpleasant way; whatever that means).

3. An Alice in Wonderland experience of growing, shrinking, or limb stretching.

One of the key signs you are nearing a Sedona Vortex are the presence of twisted Juniper trees (see above photo). The vortex energy that leaves the earth is like a tornado, and this swirling energy twists the trees.

It should be noted that the juniper tree is known to twist regardless of where it is planted. Nonetheless, we stayed vigilant during our visit, our eyes peeled for more twisting than usual.

Whether you believe in the Sedona vortex, want to believe in it, or think its voodoo chicanery, each of these energy centers are found at supernal locations. Nobody is suffering with their incredulity when they go vortex hunting in Sedona. Plan your hiking around these five sights and it matters not whether you have a “healing experience”. There are few places on earth that boast this caliber of beauty.

Below you will find a well-utilized Sedona Vortex map (which does not include the Chapel of the Holy Cross). Many of the blurbs below have additional links (in blue) that connect to other articles we’ve written or helpful websites associated with the attraction. We hope you’ll enjoy reading!

1. Bell Rock

We aren’t gonna lie — nobody pulled an Apache Chief and grew taller. Although that would be a treasured family memory.

“Remember the time we got gorked at the vortex and became giants?”

However, we aren’t gonna lie and say we felt nothing. You can see in the photos below our family appears to be having a very good time. We don’t normally get smiles like this out of our children; Apollo especially, who typically poses like a depressed accountant.

*It should be noted that there was a key flatulence joke cracked about the time we arrived at the Bell Rock vortex, and multiple requests were made to repeat the punchline.

Nonetheless, the feelings of well-being were extreme. We laughed the entire time as if we were drunk. Monica even said — and she might kill me for putting this out there — that her teeth felt loose. And there wasn’t a witchdoctor in sight.

If you were to ask us if the Sedona vortex was real, and we had to base our answer off of this isolated experience, the answer would be, “Yes.”

2. Red Rock Crossing / Buddha Beach

There is this strange association with the Red Rock Crossing vortex and the Cathedral Rock hike. For the record, the two locations are well over a mile apart. In the photo (below) you can see Cathedral Rock and judge the distance. There is a trail that connects them, and if you want to approach Cathedral Rock from this trail we would recommend it (especially when the Cathedral Rock trailhead parking is packed). Park at the Cresent Moon Picnic Site and ford the river to the trail.

Ryan chose to go this one alone. The kids had homeschool and Monica stayed behind. Red Rock Crossing and Buddha Beach are a couple minutes apart, with the latter being further down the path.

All along the trail I felt hopeful anticipation.

The photo of the river below was exciting to find because I had not seen it before (but have since learned this is a well-known location).

Shortly after arriving at Buddha Beach, a gentleman and his two young girls walked up. His name was Joshua, and he decided to take off his shoes and walk inside the swirling cairn. I thought this was a genius idea and joined him.

Two grown men walked in a circle trying not to slip and fall (which he did). It was cool (not the fall). He told me that due to Covid he worked remotely, and while his family was traveling they were so taken by the beauty and Sedona vortex energy they bought a house here six months earlier.

After they left I stuck around and took photos of the cairn. Good feelings all around, positivity and whatnot. It wasn’t a foreign feeling, or an exaggeration like at Bell Rock, but I definitely felt inspired and at peace.

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3. Boyton Canyon

Ryan’s parents joined us for the short hike to the Boyton Canyon vortex. This Sedona Vortex is a little further from town than the others. The hike was easy. There is a tower (clearly shown) that the kids scaled with alacrity.

There are many things to be happy about here. The view is stunning in all directions. There are some twisted trees to invite the spirit of vortex. The kids’ daring ascents up the tower were a little unsettling and that may have tempered the bliss a touch. Ryan’s father couldn’t get over the danger involved and was a voice of warning the whole time.

In the strategic game of Horseplay / Lecture / Vortex, lecture beats vortex.

Ryan’s mom said she felt a heightened sense of well-being, without any cynicism whatsoever. And the kids were chock full of vigor — it was as if the vortex tornado carried them up every dang rock in sight! They were an unstoppable force, tanked up on a swirling, ancient influence. Something nutty was definitely happening here.

Ryan’s Mom says, “The Sedona vortex might be real.”

4. Chapel of the Holy Cross

This is by far the most visited vortex in Sedona. Most folks probably don’t know it, either. People stop by because it looks incredible from the road and because it is a well-known attraction.

First off, it is a functioning Catholic Church with hundreds of lit candles and a reverent, worshipful atmosphere. Outside it is a jaw-dropping photo-fest for families. The contrast between inside and outside the church is dramatic and both should be experienced.

There’s a good vibe here. People are friendly. The views cannot be beat. I guess you could say there is a feeling of positivity and inspiration. We aren’t really sure that it went beyond what a good view and funky church would normally provide — this combo is uncommon, for sure — be we are certain that it was a good experience.

Just ask the depressed accountant below. He’ll tell you all about family photos.

Related Article: 10 Beautiful Things to do in Sedona.

5. Airport Mesa

This was our last hike of the vacation and we did it at sunrise without the kiddos. There is limited parking at the trailhead — about ten spots. Because of this we hardly saw anyone the entire time.

The views on the backside of the mesa were extraordinary for anywhere on earth but Sedona. By this time in our trip we had seen so many incredible vistas that these were par for the course, as insensitive as that sounds. We hiked along the airport loop trail for about a mile, certainly long enough to encounter the vortex.

There were some significantly twisted trees back there. We also felt happy, as usual. The sunrise was amazing coming up over the rocky tables in the distance, which included Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock.

Related Article: The 7 Best Hikes in Sedona.

As for the vortex experience, we cannot conclude this area was different than other parts of Sedona.

An Honest Conclusion: Is the Sedona Vortex Real?

People are drawn to Sedona for the beauty. This is obvious. Where else on earth is driving to H&R Block a scenic road trip? So if you’re asking yourself if vortex hunting in Sedona is worth it, the answer is an emphatic, “Yes!”

But the real question should be, where does the gorgeous landscape stop making you feel fantastic and the Sedona energy vortex start? In other words, is the Sedona vortex real?

I’m going to risk my sanity card here and say there’s something funny going on in Sedona. I’m not talking about the prices at the Mexican restaurant either, which are NOT a laughing matter.

Everything that signifies the existence of an energy vortex — the good vibes, the rocky cairns, the twisted trees — could be explained by a 24-oz energy drink. I mean, other than the rocks and trees.

But we’re buying it anyway.

The vibes were too good. We know — we know — psychosomatic delusions…. We could be very wrong about this. But we’re like, at least, 77% believers. Why can’t the earth have vortexes?

No part of us wanted to feel inspired, or uplifted, for the sake of having a spiritual/metaphysical experience. We would rather not, actually. There would be fewer questions if nothing had happened.

It reminded me of visiting the Alien Museum in Roswell. Once we’d read all the affidavits of the witnesses we had to accept the probable reality of alien humanoids crashing their saucers into our planet. I hate to admit it. No self respecting grown man wants to be found prattling on about vortexes, and aliens, and Sasquatch…

Oh. Did I let that slip out? There’s definitely no such thing as Sasquatch. I mean… Telekinetic Chewbacca? Come on. Now that’s crazy!

If you would like to read more about Sasquatch, check out our article, Is Sasquatch Living Behind Your House?

Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!